Florida is established as the cruise capital of the world, but one of it's smaller principalities offers some of the best value cruises available.
Nearly all of the cruises from Florida sail from the east coast of the state, with one exception: Tampa.
What I love about Tampa is it's a small, but easy to access cruise port that also offers the best pricing right now across Royal Caribbean ships.
The reason why you'll find lower cost cruises from Tampa is the same reason that hampers the port from ever expanding to bring in those pricier ships.
Simply, the port is blocked by a bridge that is too low to accommodate big ships. As a result, only Royal Caribbean's older and smaller ships can visit, and those ships are terrific values.
Small, but fun ships that won't break your budget
You won't find Icon, Wonder, or Voyager in Tampa. But ship size isn't the only reason to pick a ship.
Royal Caribbean has anywhere from one to three ships sailing from Tampa during the year, and lately it's been shifting towards the Vision Class.
Enchantment of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas are there currently, and you'll see others come and go with the various seasons.
Vision Class ships are indeed the oldest in the fleet, but they're also priced quite nicely.
You'll find weekend cruises as well as longer voyages, and the price tends to be quite attractive.
Royal Caribbean advertises a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise on Enchantment of the Seas beginning at just $358 per person.
Moving up to a 7-night cruise, you can sail on Rhapsody of the Seas for $484 per person for a January 2026 sailing.
Many fares begin in the $400-$700 per person range, which is quite a difference from Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas that command prices beginning over $1,000 per person.
Of course, there's a major difference between a Vision Class ship and an Icon Class ship in terms of what's offered onboard. You pay less, but there's a lot less to see, eat, and do.
For a lot of people that choose to cruise from Tampa, that's an intentional decision.
The combination of value and a relaxing experience is what draws them to these sorts of cruises.
In January, I took a long weekend cruise on Enchantment of the Seas as a getaway trip. While I missed all the fun things on Icon, I still found things to keep me busy and occupied.
People that cruise a lot will tell you it's a "classic cruise experience", meaning low on thrills, big on enjoying time in a deck chair, in a lounge, or watching the world pass by.
If you're okay with forgoing water slides, big production shows, and a cavalcade of top deck activities, these ships will still deliver an enjoyable tropical sailing.
Easy in, easy out
Something else I like about cruising from Tampa is how convenient it is.
To be fair, Royal Caribbean has nailed the whole embarkation process. Thanks to advances in its app and a fine-tuned terminal approach, you'll get on your ship fast.
One difference in Tampa is the parking garage is conveniently located across the street from the terminals, making it a short walk. Tampa even advertises its parking as affordable, clearly comparing itself to how much on site parking costs at other Florida terminals.
For example, pre-paying at the Port of Tampa's website, it's $90 total to park your car for a 5 night cruise.
I especially love the valet parking option.
Drive up, hand them your keys, and walk into the terminal. Then at the end of the cruise, they bring your car right to you.
It's only $15 more (total) on top of the standard parking rate, and worth it every time to me.
Inside the cruise terminals, it's quick and easy. They aren't as ornate as the new ones in Miami or Port Canaveral, but they're functional.
Overall, it's an easy process and makes it more attractive to sail from knowing there aren't any hassles waiting.
It's easy to overlook a Tampa cruise, but it's the best value right now
If you're on a budget, a cruise from Tampa is usually going to be the cheapest Florida cruise out there.
With cruise prices on the rise, I'd recommend looking for cruises here to save a lot of money. You might be able to move up to a balcony or suite for the same cost of a lower category stateroom on a bigger ship.
The key in choosing any ship is understanding what it offers and doesn't offer, but our readers consistently ask for tips on how to save money on their cruise vacation.
Tampa recommendations
Readers often ask for recommendations for where to stay, eat, and explore while in Tampa, so here are some easy favorites:
Hotels offering free shuttles
- Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown (free shuttle to downtown and cruise port)
- Tampa Marriott Water Street: TECO trolley (city run) stop is next to hotel. Free to use to get to terminal
- Quality Inn at Airport/Cruise Port: Free airport shuttle, extra cost shuttle to terminal
- Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown: TECO trolley (city run) stop is next to hotel. Free to use three stops away from terminal
Restaurants to try
- Columbia Restaurant: Cuban cuisine
- Toojay's: New York style diner
- American Social: Sports Bar
- Rick's on the River: riverside pub
- Harpoon Harry's: surf n turf
