Saturday, April 20, 2024

Key West Cruise Port Tips, Tricks & Activities For Cruise Visitors

key west cruise ship port

We’ve decided to come up with all the fun things to do in Key West, Florida while on a cruise. Mallory Square is in the Historic District’s northwest tip, where locals and visitors gather for the famous Key West sunsets. Other notable attractions in this district include Duval Street, known as the town’s main artery, with its array of bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as Fort Zachary Taylor.

Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House

In general, excursions should be toured in advance, because they may sell out. On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. The Port of Key West is a major economic engine for the city and local businesses, resulting in an economic impact annually of $85 million (pre-pandemic). The port provides 1,250 direct and indirect jobs to the 25,000 citizens of Key West, while contributing 6 percent of the city’s total general tax revenue.

Key West's Cruise Future Now In the Hands of Governor - Cruise Hive

Key West's Cruise Future Now In the Hands of Governor.

Posted: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

History

Then, we walked to Books & Books at the Studios, the bookstore co-owned by famed young-adult author Judy Blume. This is a great place to pick up the latest beach read, especially if you need a book to read on your cruise. They have lots of wonderful books, including staff suggestions if you aren’t sure what to purchase. It was nice to get a ride to those destinations, while also learning about the history of Key West. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, but you can also buy them once you arrive at the port. There might be a solution that will put some of the referendum choices in play, but that changes very little to the status quo.

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One of the most popular options is the Overseas Highway, a scenic drive that connects Key West to mainland Florida. This 113-mile stretch of road takes travelers through the Florida Keys, with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Along the way, visitors can stop at various attractions, such as the Turtle Hospital in Marathon or the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. Visitors who are interested in literature can visit the Hemingway Home, where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most famous works. The Audubon House and Tropical Gardens is another popular destination for visitors who want to experience the city's natural beauty. The Butterfly Conservatory is a great place for visitors to see a variety of butterfly species and learn about their habitats.

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Tours Key West offers shore excursions for every time commitment during your Key West shore time. Key West is the USA’s southernmost settlement, located at the bottom end of the island chain known as the Florida Keys. The town is well known for its unique spirit; it harbors a populace that prides itself on free thinking and tolerance. After a railroad connected all the Keys in 1912, and a road in 1938, the town still stood as a home to the independently minded. In conclusion, cruise tourism has a significant economic impact on Key West, generating jobs and revenue for the local economy.

key west cruise ship port

Historical landmarks, museums and religious sites

The process is designed to be quick and hassle-free, ensuring that you spend less time in lines and more time enjoying your visit. Staff are on hand to assist with any questions or concerns you may have. For international cruisers, the Key West Cruise Port offers streamlined customs and immigration procedures. Nestled at the end of the Florida Keys archipelago, Key West is located on the island’s western end, facing the Gulf of Mexico. Before going back to the ship, we stopped at Mallory Square, an area with some great souvenir shops and kiosks.

Shopping In Key West

Entrance to the park is $2.50 per person if walking or biking (a nice way to get there). Higgs Beach is on the Atlantic side, east of Duval Street or 2-miles from the Cruise Port. Great for cruise travelers with kids, Higgs Beach has a distinctive wooden pier and lots of watersports are available. Naturally, sailing, deep sea fishing and all type of water sports are a main atraction of Key West and there are lots on offer including a few nice beaches - more about these below.

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Discover the best ways to witness Alaska’s breathtaking and awe-inspiring wildlife. You will have no shortage of outstanding places to eat and drink in Key West. After exploring the island, refresh yourself at one of Key West’s top restaurants.

Duval Street bars and attractions

It’s a short walk from the Mallory Square pier, and it’s located among shops and restaurants. It’s important to note that there has been some talk of local ordinances and changes to cruise ship rules in Key West. During the cruise shutdown, Key West voters to limit cruise tourism in the area. Key West has been receiving cruise ships in the last couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean the issues playing up in Southern Florida have been cleared up and done with. The island group voted to ban cruise ships during the pandemic, but the results from that referendum never came to fruition. If mystery is your thrill, visit Key West Cemetery to learn the interesting part of the town’s former times.

Port operator asks to expand cruise ship capacity - KeysNews.com

Port operator asks to expand cruise ship capacity.

Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Guests will experience going through narrow mangrove tunnels at night, floating around shallow and calm waters as the tour guide will look for interesting critters for everyone to see. Warm temperatures can be expected throughout the year due to the island’s tropical climate. Temperatures that reach into the mid-90s are typical from June through September, which are also the warmest months.

As your ship docks, simply follow the signs leading to Mallory Square. Every corner seems to come alive with entertainment, from jugglers and magicians to musicians and painters. Inevitably, because cruise ships sail before Duval Street starts pulsing with revelers, you will miss this aspect of Key West. But, even so, many bars are still fun to enjoy during the day - Sloppy Joe’s (Hemingway was a regular patron) and Whistle Bar are two to look for. Other big names have bars here such as Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville Cafe or Fat Tuesday. In the Fort Zachary Taylor Park, besides the Historical Fort, you will find one of the nicest beaches in Key West and the closest to the Cruise Port - slightly over 1-mile (half hour walking).

The cart can accommodate up to three extra passengers, and you can easily cover the small island. To fully experience the wonders of Key West during your visit, you’ll need to decide between sightseeing and outdoor activities. If you prefer sightseeing, we have a plethora of artistic attractions and picturesque spots to recommend.

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