Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

2 6 2 NORTH AMERICA: REPORT New cruise lines, a wider choice of itineraries and plenty of activities just steps from the terminal is making cruising from Port Tampa Bay an attractive choice for all passengers Something for everyone C ruising from Florida’s Port Tampa Bay has never been better. The 2020 season brings new options designed to meet the needs of every cruise traveller. In autumn 2019, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line announced that they will return to homeport in Tampa for the 2020-2021 season. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises will begin sailing year- round from autumn 2020, joining Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line to complete the year-round and seasonal cruise offerings available at the port. Now that Port Tampa Bay is a home for nearly all the major cruise brands, passengers have a much wider choice of cruise options – from quick getaways to extended vacations. Passengers will also have many more ships to choose from, with each one delivering a unique experience. Norwegian offers several itineraries, including seven-day cruises with stops in Belize, Costa Maya in Mexico, Honduras and Grand Cayman. Alternatively, for those wanting to travel around the Southern Caribbean, the line offers a 14- day voyage that includes stops in Aruba, Antigua, Bonaire, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas takes guests to the Western Caribbean on four- and five-night itineraries all year round. Rhapsody of the Seas offers additional destinations with calls in Costa Maya, Belize City and Honduras during her seven-day cruises. Carnival operates two year-round ships from Port Tampa Bay. Carnival Paradise provides four- and five-day cruises to Western Caribbean destinations. Meanwhile, Carnival Legend offers seven- day cruises, as well as occasional six- and eight-day voyages. The eight-day cruise itinerary includes a visit to Costa Rica and a partial transit of the Panama Canal. Returning to Tampa with Celebrity Constellation in November 2020, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam leaves Port Tampa Bay’s shipping channel