Table Of Content
Mallory Square is known for coming alive around sunset, but it’s also where the cruise ships dock. By far the easiest (and the least expensive!) thing to do in Key West is take a simple walking tour. There’s an amazing amount to see in the area near the cruise port, from shops to architecture to simple palm-tree lined streets complete with resident chickens that are a classic Key West attraction. Visit Key West on the all-new Margaritaville at Sea Islander, a completely new way to cruise into an Island State of Mind.
Take a Trolley Tour
Even with limited time in Key West, it’s tradition to cut into a huge slice of key lime pie while you’re there. The shop has been locally owned and operated for over twenty years. They offer a lunch menu as well, but the key lime is literally their namesake. Try a slice of key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate for a really adventurous, decadent take on a classic.
Night Tropical CaribbeanDetails
Find Caribbean food and classic Cuban fare at Bien, a primarily takeout spot with outdoor seating in a laid-back, casual setting. They’re known for their grill-roasted corn-on-the-cob, served with aioli, cilantro, salt, paprika, and lime juice. In 2023, ACL-American Cruise Lines included Key West as a call port of its 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys" itinerary.
A SMALL CRUISE SHIP IS COMING TO KEY WEST - Florida Keys Weekly
A SMALL CRUISE SHIP IS COMING TO KEY WEST.
Posted: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Take a Bus Tour (Free)
The island is one of nearly a thousand coral islets (Florida Keys archipelago) stretching southward from Miami. Key West is directly linked to mainland-USA (Miami) via Overseas Highway (113 mi / 182 km long US Route 1). Overseas Highway is part of US Highway 1 (serving East Coast USA) that has total length 2369 mi (3813 km), starts in Key West and ends in Fort Kent (Maine, at the USA-Canada border). Here are some tips for getting around, top landmarks and sights to see, and exciting adventures to experience when you cruise Key West. The Conch Tour Train is an open air “train” that navigates the street of Key West while you get to sit back and take in the sights. There’s also the Old Town Trolley that features 13 stops and a hop-on, hop-off system where you can come and go as your please.
Related Cruises
The port is your home base, and you'll want to take full advantage of it either before you board or after you depart. Vacation cruises to Key West and the Bahamas depart from Miami, Tampa and Orlando in Florida, and Galveston, Texas. The perfect island vacation means as little hassle as possible, and as much peace and relaxation as you can handle. That's what makes the Caribbean — particularly cruises to the Caribbean — so ideal for travelers looking to leave behind the daily grind. Hit three of the hottest spots on the Gulf when you visit the wandering paradise of Key West, followed by the two Mexico jewels of Cozumel and Progreso, plus two smiling days at sea.
Margaritaville Links
From here, you are roughly 90 miles to Cuba, meaning you are closer to Cuba than Miami. One thing is that when you get there, you might find a line of people waiting to get a picture, so pack a little patience. Cruises to Key West are packed with coastal-town energy and layers of American history just waiting to be discovered. Enjoy a laidback Caribbean vibe with a dash of the high life on Carnival cruises to Key West.
To 5 p.m., making it ideal to visit if you’re in Key West on a cruise. As well, it’s right around the corner from the Southernmost Point, giving you a chance to do to things in a short amount of time. We like the free bus route as a convenient way to get around the town in relative comfort.
In a city that’s built on tourism, you better believe that there is souvenir shopping available. If you’re wanting just about anything with “Key West” written on it, then just venture off the ship a little bit and you’ll be in the heart of the souvenir shops. Hats, t-shirts, novelty signs, keychains, and tons more are available. Hemingway’s home is located less than a mile from where the ships dock.
It’s all a breeze in the keys
The quaint streets with the Bohemian style architecture are rich in history and are home to a bustling live entertainment scene in the local bars and restaurants. The Conch Republic is filled with amazing sights to see, fun-filled activities to enjoy, and a great experience is to be had exploring charming old town Key West during your time in port. Key West is famous for its party culture, and that includes a number of bars that are well-known.
Mallory Square, on the waterfront near the docks, has restaurants, shops and public restrooms. In mid-July 2020, to the November ballot was added a referendum (3 proposed amendments) to limit the number of big-sized cruise ships calling at Key West. The city famously appeals to all types of folks, and attracts artists, hipsters, foodies and beach bums along with cruise ships. Locals love to repeat the line about never knowing if the guy beside you at the bar in flip flops and a tank top is a millionaire or a former merchant marine -- or both. Rich retirees rub elbows here with those who work two and three jobs to be able to call Key West home.
The southernmost island of the Florida Keys, Key West is a sunny, fun-loving place with plenty of charm, and more than a little touristy goofiness. (But that’s optional.) Key West cruises deliver you to palm-shaded streets lined with gaily-painted bungalows, vintage saloons and blooming tropical flowers. Whether life’s a beach or you’re life of the party, cruises to Key West definitely over-deliver. Blue Lagoon Island might be the most holistic Bahamas adventure experience.
You can climb to the top of The Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum for panoramic views of colorful beach homes, signature Florida greenery, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico unfolding below you. Stop in after your visit to the Hemingway House; the museum is just around the corner. Head to this Florida State Park and National Historic Landmark for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddling, and more. Walk along the beach directly overlooking the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Stop at nearby sandwich stand Cayo Hueso for a cold drink or a sandwich.
Compact, cozy and adorable, the city's Old Town neighborhood is filled with cottages with gingerbread-topped porches, Victorian compounds, sidewalk cafes, cigar stands and T-shirt shops. Residential throughout, every sign, window and awning in Old Town must pass scrutiny of the city-appointed Historic Architectural Review Commission. It's so exciting to dive into the distinct culture here, consisting of Goombay music and local cuisine like johnnycakes, rock lobsters, pigeon peas and rice, and guava duff. Add the rambunctious pigs on Great Exuma Island and snorkeling among the reefs, and you've got more than enough fodder for an epic Bahamas vacation. In 2019, the cruise port handled 417 ship calls and nearly 965,000 passengers. Located in the Mallory Square area and right next to the ships, the Key West Aquarium is a perfect option if you are visiting with kids.
The roundtrip from Tampa was specifically designed for ACL's newbuild catamarans (Coastal Cats) and was first operated by American Glory in 2023. It’s not every day you get a chance to eat something this unique, so don’t miss your chance. Here, you’ll sit on a man made beach overlooking the water and have your choice of a number of options including salads and sandwiches. Rich and with lots of flavor, the pie costs about $30 and will easily feed two adults. There’s also a real-time bus tracker so you can see exactly where it is.
The pigs aren't island natives, and no one is quite sure how they first arrived here, but they've nonetheless made the island home. "Pig Beach" is uninhabited by humans and only accessible by boat, via a guided tour. Once there, you'll be able to swim alongside not only pigs, but also nurse sharks, and you can even have a sandbar picnic. Extend your short sojourn to Key West with a stop in the Bahamas for the ultimate cruise vacation. Just off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas has something for everyone. Nearly 700 coral islands make up the Bahamas — and only 30 of those are inhabited.
That’s why it’s funny that today the cats that still live there seem to be the biggest draw. The island has adopted the Mile 0 marker, and you’ll see it pasted on everything from stickers to t-shirts to hats to business names. It’s hard to say you’ve been the Key West if you don’t visit the sign. Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of April 21st, 2024. Also, the Key West Police Department reports are filled with lost-and-found property reports from visitors.
