Last Word

My addictions are innocent enough—art, coffee, collecting music and cruising the Caribbean. So when the time came to celebrate a birthday that would mark a new decade, I rallied up a group of friends and boarded a ship heading out of Tampa Bay.

Tampa has evolved into one of the fastest-growing ports for destinations such as the western and southern Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. In fact, this trip marked the first time I didn’t have to road trip it to catch a boat in Port Canaveral or Miami.

You can now find four vessels from three major cruise lines leaving the Port of Tampa: Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America and Royal Caribbean. In addition to convenience, one of the biggest benefits of having cruise ships nearby is the ability to take advantage of those last-minute bargain fares.

Being the cruise junkie that I am, I gathered up all the information I could find. And I was surprised to learn that there are a variety of day excursions available as well.

For example, I found that the Yacht Starship Dining Cruise offers brunch, lunch and dinner cruises as well as special events and holiday celebrations. Some of the most recent shipboard events have included New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day shindigs.

If you’re a social butterfly, like I am, then this may also be a great way to meet new people in the Bay area. For more information you can visit www.yachtstarship.com or call (813) 223-7999.

Another day cruise worth mentioning is The Florida Aquarium’s Eco Tour on a 64-foot catamaran called Bay Spirit. The Aquarium offers weekend tours around the Bay area during which you might see wild dolphins and other marine animals at play. It’s a real adventure for the young and the young at heart. More information is available at www.flaquarium.org under Eco-Tours or you can call (813) 273-4000.

Art and history lovers may enjoy the American Victory Museum Cruise. It’s on a circa-1940s cargo vessel and the programs, as you might expect, are historically themed. In addition, a Tugboat Cook-Off and Maritime Art Exhibit are also held on board. Visit www.americanvictory.org or call (813) 228-8766 for more information.

Knowing that there are a handful of options for cruising out of Tampa and into the big blue, I’ve made it my personal goal to try each one of the boats offered.

You can find more information on the various cruises out of Tampa Bay by also visiting www.tampaport.com or calling (800) 223-4250.