Table Of Content
Back in George Town, shop for duty-free goods and sample local specialties like delicious conch chowder and Tortuga rum cake. You can catch all kinds of exotic fish in Key West’s tropical waters, so it’s no surprise that much of the local cuisine centers on fresh seafood. Be sure to try some conch fritters and the iconic key lime pie, of course.
Ships
When it comes to bars, you’ll find no shortage along lively Duval Street. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. If you prefer a casual encounter with the island, take a taxi to Mallory Square, the island's historic downtown district. For a full tour of the island, consider taking an open-air trolley tour.
Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise
Start your day in Key West with a cortadito, cafe con leche, or Cuban coffee. Coffee is taken seriously in Key West, just like in neighboring Miami, heavily influenced by the Cuban coffee tradition. Cuban Coffee Queen also serves hearty breakfasts, refreshing smoothies, and Cuban sandwiches to keep you going as you continue on your way through town. Even in December, the forest and plants at this botanical garden in Key West retain their leaves and lush palms. The Garden describes themselves as “frost-free,” a benefit of the tropical climate. Bring the kids for an educational tour on the native plants, and don’t miss the butterfly garden.
Related Cruises
Mallory Square, on the waterfront near the docks, has restaurants, shops and public restrooms. Key West, the southernmost city in the continental U.S., is the last in a chain of tiny tropical islands -- the Florida Keys -- scattered off the mainland. Dubbed the "Conch Republic," Key West is a very popular destination on Western Caribbean itineraries -- and is easily one of the funkiest and fascinating ports of call in all of cruising. Even with limited time in Key West, it’s tradition to cut into a huge slice of key lime pie while you’re there.
During days at sea, unwind by the sparkling pool on board, or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment. Stop in sunny Key West, a quirky city with a lively downtown and pristine coral reefs. Discover vibrant marine wildlife during a snorkeling excursion or go on a kayaking trip around maze-like mangroves, where you’ll see stingrays, crabs, and other tropical fish. During one of these unforgettable cruises, you’ll revel in warm tropical weather and heavenly beaches, where you’ll discover a wealth of natural wonders both on land and underwater. Caribbean cruises that depart from Tampa also spend several days at sea, allowing you to fully enjoy all of the visionary venues and unlimited entertainment options aboard our award-winning ships.
Night 7 Nt Key West, Belize & MexicoDetails
Explore the treasures of the Sunshine State, on this round-trip cruise from the charming city of St. Petersburg. After a welcome reception on board, get close to nature on Marco Island, the largest mangrove forest in the western hemisphere and home to a population of resident dolphins. Immerse yourself in the colorful Caribbean culture of Key West, where author Ernest Hemingway penned some of his most famous works. Cruises that stop in Key West help the world become familiar with the city’s culture and history. Key West became a Spanish territory, then called Cayo Hueso, in the 16th century. The British claimed ownership of Florida in the 18th century, expelling Native Americans and the Spanish from the area.
Night Bahamas & Perfect DayDetails
When your cruise ship docks, seek out a cafe con leche and a slice of key lime pie immediately. Then set out for attractions along Duval Street or Mallory Square, both hubs for shopping and nightlife. Don’t miss the six-toed cats living at Ernest Hemingway’s famed Spanish Colonial house-turned-museum.
Video of the Day
It’s also known for an inclusive, close-knit LGBTQ-friendly community. While on cruises to Key West, Florida, you’ll find no shortage of souvenir shacks, roadside t-shirt vendors, and Florida-related memorabilia celebrating and embracing Key West’s quirkiness. Head to Duval Street for the majority of shops, independently-owned boutiques, and galleries in the city. Or shop at Mallory Square for interesting goods like sandal and surf shops or markets for seashells and sea sponges. Key West is only about four miles long and two miles wide, which means tackling the city on foot isn’t such a daunting idea.
Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Key West
Teachers, military, first responders can sail for free on new Margaritaville at Sea cruise out of Tampa - WFLA
Teachers, military, first responders can sail for free on new Margaritaville at Sea cruise out of Tampa.
Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Soon after, he read a proclamation at Mallory Square declaring the Keys no longer a part of the U.S. and demanding $1 million in foreign aid. At the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street in Key West is a concrete buoy marker of the southernmost point of the continental United States. Passengers on cruises that stop in Key West should see why this is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world.
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in AUD and valid for AU and New Zealand residents only. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees.
Meet fellow travelers for lunch and attend an afternoon enrichment program presented by our onboard expert. Sail into the colorful waterfront of Curacao, where Dutch colonial buildings in bright, pastel hues welcome you to its friendly shores. Take photos of this picturesque harbor during a walk around Willemstad’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unwind under the shade of a palm tree at Mambo Beach, one of the island’s finest. Or descend into the Hato Caves, where spectacular limestone formations await.
Locals will serve you fresh coconut water by drilling a straw hole into one of the green fruits that come from the island's palm trees. Key West’s official currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and ATMs are widely available. Credit cards like VISA and MasterCard are accepted most places as well.
Key West cruise ship passengers, who number some 820,000 a year among the island's 3 million visitors, disembark at Mallory Square, a Navy pier near the Westin Resort. But the island city is a breeze to explore by walking, bike, scooter or even pedicab. Famous residents have included Pulitzer Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway, whose home on Simonton Street is now a museum where six-toed cats roam the grounds, pool and living quarters. Key West was also a home away from home for President Harry Truman, whose one-time respite from Washington, D.C., is the "Little White House," a museum by the waterfront. On land, shopping, museums, art galleries, tours, theaters and more await you.
No comments:
Post a Comment