Best One-Day Cruises Leaving From Tampa
Balmy weather coupled with world-class leisure activities makes Tampa a year-round destination.
But it's the water of beautiful Tampa Bay that you'll find irresistible. Whether you're a nature lover or a party family, you'll find a cruise that fits your personality and interests. Instead of just liking pictures, plan to be in them and share real moments with family and friends as you step aboard one of the many one-day cruises leaving from Tampa.
Yacht StarShip Cruise
If you prefer your meals with a million-dollar view from the water, hop aboard one of the year-round sailings offered by the Yacht StarShip cruise line. Enjoy a gourmet three-course meal on the dinner cruise and burn off some of those calories by dancing the night away. If you visit in summer, don't miss the special summer sunset cruise. Lunch cruises offer the same noted cuisine along with a narrated tour of the history of maritime Tampa. Celebrate special family events such as Easter and Mother's Day with a delicious brunch cruise.
Florida Aquarium Dolphin Cruise
Few sights compare to seeing playful dolphins up close in their natural habitat. The Wild Dolphin Cruise takes you from the Florida Aquarium in the heart of downtown Tampa into the bay on an air-conditioned, 72-foot catamaran. The 75-minute narrated tour gives you a chance to see Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins thriving in one of the busiest ports in the South. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, too, including numerous species of birds, sea turtles and even manatees. The cruise offers an open-air upper deck and bow sections along with a cafe that sells snacks and beverages, including beer and wine.
Tampa Bay Fun Boat
It's not that other cruises aren't fun; it's just that the Tampa Bay Fun Boat turns it up a notch or two. Head out on the water with your friends and celebrate on this 35-passenger party boat with the tunes cranked up and the deck doubling as a dance floor. The one-hour cruise includes complimentary drinks, including Caribbean punch, but you're also welcome to bring coolers with your own beverages and snacks. Of course, the Fun Boat sails through the same historic districts and dolphin-spotting areas as other local tours—except with a more casual, festive atmosphere.
Tampa Water Taxi
Looking for something a little different than a Tampa dolphin tour? Try the Tampa Bay Water Taxi's Hillsborough River Eco Tour, a trip up a narrow waterway teeming with mangroves, bird sanctuaries and a calming oneness with nature. For something a little splashier, look for your favorite celebrity houses on the Davis Island Canal and Famous People Home Tour, including the home of baseball great Derek Jeter.
StarLite Dining Yachts
If you're spending the day at the gulf beaches or taking in the sites in St. Petersburg, you don't have to head back to Tampa for a cruise. Live the dream of owning a yacht, without the hassle of sailing one and board one of StarLite Dining Yachts' two vessels. The Majesty picks up in Clearwater, while the Sapphire stops in St. Petersburg. Enjoy live entertainment, narration from the captain and top-notch dining on all the StarLite vessels.
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