Port of Tampa Bay Proceeding with New Terminal to Meet Growth Demands

As the global cruising population continues to grow, Port Tampa Bay has carved out its niche in the cruise world as Florida’s only Gulf Coast cruise homeport. It is constantly working and planning to keep cruisers and cruise lines more than happy with the product the port provides.

Although final figures for 2026 were still being processed, Greg Lovelace, the port’s Senior Vice-President, Business Development and Marketing, projects a record 1.7 million cruise passengers sailed on cruises from the port. It was expecting 397 cruise ships to sail under the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge on their way to or from this historic city, known for its long, established Indigenous presence and its incorporation in 1855.

The Port of Tampa Bay continues to build momentum in the cruise industry. In 2025, Port Tampa Bay welcomed 1.66 million cruise passengers, the highest total in its history. In March, it reported that it was set to break its all-time monthly record for cruise ship calls in March, with 51 scheduled visits as part of a year in which it was scheduled to have 53 three-ship days in 2026, more than double the roughly 20 recorded in previous years.

The port boasts three cruise terminals and homeports five lines: Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Margaritaville at Sea. It also welcomes the occasional cruise port call.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →