Port Celebrates As Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas Sails Into Tampa Bay Saturday

TAMPA, FL — There is good news for Tampa Bay residents dreaming of taking a long, relaxing ocean voyage and businesses eagerly anticipating the economic impact from the return of cruises to Port Tampa Bay.

Port Tampa Bay and Royal Caribbean International celebrated the return of cruising on Saturday with the arrival of the Serenade of the Seas, a week ahead of her first commercial cruise and first revenue cruise from the port in more than 18 months.

Port Tampa Bay welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas to Cruise Terminal 6 before she departs on her maiden voyage next Saturday.

This will be the first cruise ship to depart from Port Tampa Bay since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order on March 14, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Royal Caribbean cruise will be followed by cruises with Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line in November and Norwegian Cruise Line in December, departing from Port Tampa Bay.

"The return of cruising will have a far-reaching impact on our region, with many small and local businesses standing to benefit," Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson said. "Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a home port city."

Anderson was on hand at a news conference at the Joseph Garcia International Building at 1101 Channelside Drive in Port Tampa Bay to celebrate the cruise comeback Saturday. Joining him were Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean Group vice president of government relations, Americas; Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay; and Vicky Evans, assistant vice president for The Auto Club Group.

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Port authorities say the Tampa port is becoming a coveted destination.

"The development of Sparkman Wharf, Water Street, Armature Works and other hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment projects in Tampa continues to boost the attractiveness of the Bay area as a home port," Anderson said. "Cruise visitors to Tampa have the convenience of accessing a nationally top-ranked airport, secure parking garages – just steps away from all three cruise terminals, world-class beaches and local attractions like Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium and Ybor City."

He noted that the return of cruise ships to Tampa will not only impact the cruise lines and the port but will have a far-reaching impact on Tampa Bay in general.

"Tampa has long been regarded as an attractive home port, thanks to the variety of quality hotel and dining options, our world-class beaches and nearby attractions," Anderson said. "The return of the cruise industry will have a far-reaching economic impact on our region."

Florida is home to some of the busiest ports in the world, 15 in all including Port Miami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Manatee, Port Tampa Bay, Port St. Joe, Port of Palm Beach, Port of Fort Pierce, Port of Pensacola, Port of Panama City, Port of Fernandina and Port of Key West.

Not only are the ports the berths for some of the country's biggest cruise lines but are integral to international trade, importing and exporting cargo to and from countries around the world.

After losing $14.1 billion in trade during the pandemic, Michael Rubin, program administrator for the Florida Seaports Transportation and Economic Development Council, said Florida's ports are poised for a major comeback.

"While most individual seaports experienced declines consistent with the overall trend for 2020, Florida's 15 seaports are resilient, and we expect to see a near complete recovery in 2021," said Rubin.

The cruise industry is getting some help to ensure that there's smooth sailing ahead.

In late July, DeSantis and DOT Secretary Kevin Thibault allocated $250 million in federal relief to shore up Florida's seaport industry and replaced the 169,000 jobs and nearly $23 billion lost during 2020.

Port Tampa Bay's share was $20,120,889.

"Port Tampa Bay is incredibly grateful for the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis," Anderson said. "We will use our $20 million allocation to continue to support our strategic priority infrastructure and growth of the port. These funds will have an impact on the more than 85,000 direct and indirect jobs we touch."

Anderson said Port Tampa Bay is Central Florida's largest economic engine, contributing more than $18 billion in economic impact. He said Port Tampa Bay is not only Florida's largest cargo tonnage port, it is also one of the most diversified ports in the country, shipping a wide range of cargo, providing a major shipbuilding and repair center and serving as a cruise home port.

For information on upcoming Port Tampa Bay cruises, click here.

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