Tampa Stay, Dine & Play Guide Before or After a Cruise

Tampa is one of the top U.S. cruise ports for ships sailing from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Key West, Mexico and the Caribbean. It’s a convenient port with a variety of pre-cruise and post-cruise action packed activities, dining venues and accommodations.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released its 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report that includes the release of 2023 passenger volume. Cruising is back big time! It’s reached 31.7 million, surpassing 2019 by 7%.

The report also shows continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82%. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10% from 2024 through 2028, as cruise lines make ongoing, concrete progress in pursuit of net- zero emissions by 2050.

Florida’s busiest port has a historical Cuban district of Ybor City, where Latin-style heats up along 7th Avenue. Visit the aquarium, enjoy the city’s shopping districts, and many of the local art museums that are all easy reach.

Runners, walkers and bike riders enjoy the wide 4.5 mile sidewalk along Bayshore Blvd. It’s the world’s second longest waterfront sidewalk from Gandy Blvd., to Columbus Statue Park. Take in the spectacular views of the bay and the downtown skyline.

The new Margaritaville at Sea Islander is sailing this summer from Port Tampa Bay to Key West and Mexico on 4- and 5-night cruise itineraries.

There are 12 passenger decks filled with 12 dining venues, 3 swimming pools, 13 bars and lounges, a spa and fitness center, large casino, live music enclaves for family fun for for all ages.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Paradise and Carnival Pride sail to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean on 4 and 5 day cruises from Tampa. Passengers visit Cozumel on one itinerary and Bimini, Princess Cays, Celebration Key and Nassau during different cruises on the Carnival Pride.

Pre-Cruise Stay & Dine

Before or after your cruise be sure to stay the dual branded ALOFT by Marriott Tampa Midtown or WESTIN Element Tampa Midtown. Both provide a comfortable stay in the exciting newer Midtown Tampa shopping and dining district.

Sal Y Mar

One of the best dining venues in Tampa is Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar and Restaurant. Take the elevator up to the 7th floor to experience Executive Chef and Beverage Director, Johnathan Rodriguez exciting and flavorful fare among a lively vibe. The elevated bar shakes up craft cocktails as guests dine in the modern dining room or outside near the rooftop swimming pool for breathtaking city views.

Some may recognize this esteemed chef from his appearance in the recent Food Network Supermarket Stakeout Season 6. His culinary expertise spans Italian, Spanish, French, Mediterranean, and American influences in his menu items.

He has received the Taste of Clearwater Award and the Chef Inspired Award. Highlights in his career include working and training at two Michelin grade restaurants, and as a chef at Trump National Golf Club in New York, and as a private chef for the for Eric Trump’s family.

Earlier in his career, Chef Johnathan trained at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resort executing a 5-restaurant operation. It was one of his most memorable career experiences.

Family is very important to this chef and when he isn’t working, he takes the time to relax with his wife and kids at home of on a mini-vacation.

Open for brunch and dinner, be sure to order his Cuban sandwich to enjoy layers of sliced salami, ham, and pulled pork, enhanced with pickles, melted Swiss cheese and a spread of  Dijon Aioli. He also make a Gulf Grouper fish sandwich on a soft brioche bun that dazzles with Pina salsa verde, red onions, spinach and a slather of Chipotle crema.

His award winning Tuna Tataki arrives  three fried wonton circles on a plate. Each one is layered with fresh ahi tuna, soy caviar, wake, pickled ginger, wasabi aioli for a tongue tingling sensation and a generous sprinkling of black and white sesame seeds.

Entrees include Deconstructed paella, a Sal Y Mar Tomahawk experience, Surf n’ Turf Bifongo, seared salmon, and Australian Rack of Lamb.

Finish your meal with Cinnamon Sugar Churros with a caramel dipping sauce. Be sure to take a swim in the outdoor rooftop pool at sunset or when the temperature cools down and the city lights brighten and twinkle.

Epicurean Hotel 

Another hotel to stay at for a pre-cruise or post-cruise is Epicurean in the SoHo area of Tampa. Located within the Hyde Park neighborhood, near Bayshore Boulevard, this Autograph Collection property offers multiple culinary venues for food and wine lover’s.

The spacious guest rooms and Junior Suites have personal artisan pantries stocked with premium liquors, locally crafted beers, still and sparkling water, coffee and espresso and a diverse selection of five, half bottle varietals with suggested pantry pairings.

Elevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar

Guests receive a glass of Epicurean wine upon check-in to kick off the vacation mood. Near the lobby is a buzz-worthy restaurant with a lively local  vibe Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar. The thoughtfully curated menu by Executive Chef Jon Atanacio is inspired by a variety of cultures. He infuses a touch of French, Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian techniques and flavors to make his aesthetic please one’s palate dishes.

Start with one of his flavorful salads, and be sure to order his grass-fed Wagyu sous vide short ribs entrée. It’s served on mascarpone grits, bacon collard greens and a maple-bourbon sauce and is a local favorite.

Other crowd pleasers include his Diver Sea Scallops cooked to perfection. They are placed on top of pea risotto, wild mushrooms and a lavender gremolata. Shaved parmesan and truffles complete this ‘essence of the sea’ dish.

The roasted Chilean seabass is served with an eggplant caponata, and the Iberico double cut pork chop is on Spanish sweet potato with a plantain sauce. Be sure to order a side of his truffle fries and crispy Brussels sprouts.

Save room for his toothsome strawberry and rhubarb crumble with a scoop of pecan brittle ice cream.

Next to the restaurant is an event space kitchen where he teaches cooking classes and uses as a test kitchen to introduce next seasons menu in a social setting for his chefs, locals and hotel guests.

Cruise From Tampa

Other cruise lines that sail from Tampa, Florida include:

Royal Caribbean International has three ships: Radiance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas that sail from Tampa for 4 and 5 night Western Caribbean, Mexico and Grand Cayman cruises.

Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation sails on a variety of 6 nights and longer itineraries to lively and tropical regions and exotic islands of the Western Caribbean and beyond. The ship visits New Orleans, the popular ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), Belize and goes further down south. Visit the gorgeous beaches of the Eastern Caribbean on this world-class ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel and Jade all sail out of the city.  Set sail from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Caribbean.

Before or after a cruise, here are some other fun Tampa activities to include in your travel itinerary:

Wake up to enjoy a cup of café con leche in the historic Cuban-Spanish neighborhood of Ybor City. Hop on the TECO Line Streetcar and ride into the Channel District to explore the SS American Victory, a World War II ship that’s been transformed into a museum. Head to the Tampa Riverwalk for some educational fun at the Tampa Bay History Center, or try the Tampa Museum of Art, home to both ancient and modern masterpieces.

To learn more, go to Visit Tampa.