Celebrity Summit - March 7, 2027 (7 Nights)

Once nothing more than a sleepy retirement community for east coasters, the Tampa Bay area is now a bustling, modern metropolis that offers a wide range of entertainment opportunities for both vacationers and locals. It is an important cruise departure/arrival port for tourists heading to the Western Caribbean and Panama Canal, and those who choose to spend a couple of days in the region before or after their cruise will delight in the wonderful mix of Old and New World charm, the beautiful beaches and the myriad of fine shops and restaurants.

Cruises depart from the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, a modern facility located just a few minutes from the central business district. The terminal is adjacent to the Channelside Complex which is full of gift shops, movie cinemas and restaurants. There are several bank branches and a number of ATMs at the terminal, and visitors can take a waterfront cruise via catamaran for free. Taxis and public buses can be hailed at the terminal facility, which includes a full-service parking garage.

One of the biggest tourist draws in the region is the Busch Gardens, located off of Busch Blvd. Perfect for families, this amusement park has every conceivable kind of ride, offers an off-road safari and the complex holds the largest zoo in all of Florida. Right beside the cruise terminal one finds the Florida Aquarium, home to more than 5,000 animal and plant species. At 1 Dali Blvd is another of Tampa Bay's marvels - the extraordinary Salvador Dali Museum. The largest collections of works by the famous artist can be seen here daily. And just a short taxi ride away is St. Petersburg, with its beautiful 19th century architecture and the famous Central Avenue that is chock full of antique shops. Beach enthusiasts should head north to Clearwater, where the North American equivalent to Rio's Ipanema is found. Some of the best surfing, plenty of volleyball and the finest white sand in Florida awaits here. And don't forget the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League, who play their home games at Tropicana Field.

Over 2,000 restaurants are found in the Tampa Bay area, many of them specializing in Cajun, West Indian and Southern U.S. cuisine. Near the cruise terminal at 615 Channelside Drive is the popular Tinatapa's Restaurant, serving up a variety of shrimp dishes, gazpacho and soups, bread and salads. The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City district is one of the oldest eateries in the state, and besides the great food, visitors will love the live performances by flamenco dancers. In St. Petersburg the place to be is Skyway Jack's, popular with the locals and featuring breakfast anytime. The French toast, crepes and the renowned creamed chipped beef are the best in town.

Aside from the taxis, which can be called for at the cruise terminal and from any major hotel, the airport shuttles will take passengers from the Tampa International Airport to downtown, the waterfront and also to St. Petersburg. Rental cars can be reserved and can be picked up or dropped off both at the airport and the cruise terminal. Public buses and trolleys are operated by HART, and its TECO line streetcar operates between all the major waterfront destinations and the central business district.

The weather in Tampa can change in an instant, and the high humidity means a lot of freshening up in the restrooms. Bring light raingear when visiting this part of Western Florida, and be ready for slick roads and possible splash from vehicle tires. Near the cruise terminal and at most major hotels there are Internet cafes for those wanting to use their laptops. But above all, be ready for extremely friendly natives, excellent public transportation and plenty of fun and adventure before or after the cruise.

Popularly known as the "Conch Republic" and storied in its history, Key West, FL is a favorite stop on the cruise log for tens of thousands annually. Its charming architecture, the fun-loving attitude of the locals and the many funky restaurants, shops and souvenir stands make for an energy-filled vacation destination. Perhaps the only frost-free community in the United States, Key West offers visitors a welcome Caribbean breeze, plenty of fishing and boating, beach strolls and some of the most unusual specialty shops on the planet.

Cruise ship traffic is heavy in this town, which serves both as a destination and departure point. Most of the larger vessels anchor near the Truman Annex at Pier B, at Malloy Square or at the Navy Mole adjacent to Fort Zachary Taylor. If arriving or departing from the base location, a trolley service takes visitors from the cruise pier to the waterfront near the center of town. The Truman Annex dock has visitor information booths, souvenir shops and ATMs on the site.

Key West has a long and varied history, having been in existence since the early 19th century. A walking tour that takes visitors away from the bustling waterfront and into the heart of the community soon reveals a number of charming mansions and restored manor houses. The famous home of Ernest Hemingway is located at 907 Whitehead Street and is now a small museum, complete with the old writing studio which was left intact. The swimming pool on the property is the oldest in the city, and the many cats that wander about the house are direct descendents of the late writer's pets. The two mile long Harborwalk is a never-ending street of curios shops and snack restaurants, and will delight visitors for hours. The Key West Aquarium, located on Whitehead Street, is the oldest attraction on the island, and has one of the most amazing seahorse displays to be found anywhere. Also on Whitehead Street is the famed Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, named after the famous painter and birdwatcher. Rare prints by the artist and the immaculately kept grounds are a highlight of the visit. And of course there are a number of seaplane and boat tours departing from the marinas along the waterfront, which is a favorite spot for photographing the many schooners and other boats that never seem to stop cruising by the city center.

Aside from shopping at the huge number of gift shops in town, the community is perhaps best known for its unusual dining establishments. The A & B Lobster House on Front Street serves the best lobster platters in town and also has a full service cigar bar. Mangoes is a favorite stop for visitors and is renowned as a people-watching establishment. Near Mangoes and also on Duval Street is the local's choice - Louie's Backyard. The outdoor deck is right on the water's edge and the sound of the breakers on the beach below is memorable. Not to be forgotten is Pepe's Cafe and Steakhouse on Caroline Street, which serves the best omelets around and has a huge assortment of grilled meat entrees.

Most visitors prefer to walk, since the town itself is rather small in size. Tourists can make the walking trip from one end of town to the other in less than 20 minutes. Besides, the community is set up to serve the visitor with its centrally located curios shops and restaurants. The locals enjoy getting around on bicycles and mopeds, and tourists can rent these from a number of vendors in the Duval Street area. Conch Cruisers, which are battery operated open-air vehicles, are a good way to get to one of the landmarks once the feet get tired. And there are plenty of taxis that take cruise visitors from the docks to the center of town. Public bus service connects the city to the rest of the Florida Keys and then eastward to Miami. The Old Town Trolley Tours offer another alternate means of transport and are extremely fun for the kids.

Key West is a part of the State of Florida, and as such uses US Dollar as a currency. There are a number of banks that will exchange funds from several of the Caribbean republics. Some of the restaurants have Wi-Fi connections, with or without purchase depending on the merchant, and there are plenty of telephone booths in the hotel lobbies and near the cruise docks for those who have left their cell phones at home.

Cozumel is Mexico's most famous tropical island resort and is located off the coast of the Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Every year hundreds of cruise ships ferry travelers, honeymooners, and adventure seekers alike from all over the world to this beautiful Caribbean island. Ancient Mayan ruins and natural reefs compliment Cozumel's immaculate coastline. You don't even need to travel far from the port to walk along the island's near-perfect beaches or explore its lush tropical landscape.

Three piers serve cruise ships passing through Cozumel. The primary docking terminal lies at Punta Langosta, located on the shores of the island's only city, San Miguel de Cozumel. But the International Pier and Puerta Maya to the south of Punta Langosta also see plenty of cruise ship traffic throughout the year. No matter where you arrive and disembark for the day, Cozumel's prime attractions are very accessible on foot, or by taxi, which is the most useful way to get around the city.

If you happen to be in the mood for an adventure, look no further than the San Gervasio Mayan ruins only a few miles east of San Miguel. In fact, Cozumel is home to many ancient Mayan landmarks that are over 2,000 years old. But the San Gervasio ruins take the prize as the largest ancient structures left standing on the island. The Plaza del Sol is another attraction you have to see while docked in Cozumel. This retail complex provides cruise ship travelers with plenty of opportunities to find the perfect souvenir. Locally known as 'zocalo', Plaza del Sol houses shops, which sell jewelry, clothing, handcrafted products as well as other memorabilia. One of the most popular activities on the island is the Palancar Reef. From San Miguel follow the shoreline south on the Rafael E. Melgar Boulevard in order to find Cozumel's world-renowned snorkeling and diving waters. Water sports like sailing and surfing have a strong following as well on the island's long, pristine beaches. You can take part in all kinds of outdoor activities while on Cozumel. For example, Chankanaab National Park services over a million visitors each year. Both snorkeling and diving, especially into the infamous underwater Chankanaab Caves, are very popular activities in Cozumel.

While there are a number of restaurants within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, a short taxi cab ride into the heart of San Miguel can give you a better feel for the wide range of dining options. Mexican and Caribbean cuisines are the most common ones. Cozumel's fresh seafood is very popular and is a major attraction in town and out on the beach.

Once you set foot on Cozumel, many of the island's best amenities are located within walking distance from the dock. But a large number of visitors opt to get around the island by taxi. If you happen to be the adventurous type, you can rent a vehicle for the day. But it is advised that first time visitors stay close to San Miguel since many of the island's inland rural roads are isolated and may be in poor condition.

While the official currency is peso, most shops accept (even prefer) US dollars. Also, almost all shops have English speakers in case you don't know Spanish. There is also a calling station (located at Plaza Orbi - Local 1, Av. Rafael E. Melgar 27) that you can use for Internet or for making an international phone call.