TAMPA, Fla. — As spring break kicks off for students across the Tampa Bay area, many families are heading out of town for quick getaways.
Cruise travel from Port Tampa Bay is experiencing a major surge this season.
Officials say the cruise industry is booming this spring, reflecting a broader nationwide increase in cruise travel that has been steadily growing since the pandemic.
What You Need To Know
Cruise travel is on the increase nationwide and locally at Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay says it will see 1.8 million cruise passengers this year, up from 1.66 million last year
Port Tampa Bay is currently constructing a new cruise terminal to open in 2029
Port Tampa Bay says it will set a record this March with 51 port calls
The activity at Port Tampa Bay has been especially noticeable this week. Cruise terminals have been filled with travelers boarding ships and returning from voyages.
Earlier this week, Terminal 6 was packed with passengers boarding the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Hundreds of travelers moved through the terminal as the ship prepared to depart.
March is typically the busiest time of year for cruises in Tampa, and the port expects a record 51 port calls during the month, highlighting the strong demand for cruise vacations during the spring break season.
Port officials say the growth is not only due to cruise industry demand but also because the Tampa Bay region has become an appealing destination in its own right.
“We have a world class airport. It is easy to get around. Our passenger are finding it real simple to make a reservations, get on the ships and just have a great time,” said Matthew Thompson, VP of Port Operations. “We are also seeing and hearing stories that a lot of them either on the front end or the back end they want to spend some time in Tampa or maybe the beaches in Pinellas and just kind of check out this area in conjunction with their cruise.”
The port expects 1.8 million cruise passengers in 2026, up from 1.6 million passengers in 2025.
The continued growth is already prompting expansion plans.
Construction has begun on a new cruise terminal at Terminal 6, a major infrastructure project designed to accommodate the rising number of travelers. The new facility is expected to be completed in 2029.
The increase in cruise activity in Tampa reflects a broader national trend. According to AAA, 21.9 million Americans are expected to take a cruise in 2026— an increase of more than 4% compared to last year.
If projections hold, this will mark the fourth consecutive year of growth for the cruise industry, signaling continued recovery and expansion following the pandemic.