[Michael 61]

Cruising out of Tampa for first time in a few weeks and plan to drive there the day of embarkation and leave car at their parking garage while on cruise. My embarkation time is 1230pm, but would like to drive down earlier that morning and have breakfast and maybe check out Ybor City before boarding. Question — what is morning rush hour traffic like in Downtown Tampa on a Friday morning? Are there peak hours I would be best to avoid? Any other tips about the Tampa cruise parking garage/port would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Doctor Who]

Tampa traffic always busy during the week. Add an extra half hour on to the trip. If you intend to go to Ybor City you can catch a streetcar from the port. Best to get to the parking garage early as spaces may fill up when the ships arrive 9am or so. Make sure you know what terminal your are leaving from as it is a bit of a walk from the parking garage to where the ship is docked. Once again you should drop your main baggage first before parking your car. Trip to Ybor only about 3 miles but it may be a bit of a rush if you intend to board at 12:30. Best of luck....enjoy the cruise.

[Calisport]

The freeway to Tampa is usually on the slow side so at least get there earlier than rush hour if you want to drive around. Nothing around there to eat at. It's a downtown environment. Walking is not that far but make sure you walk to the right out of the parking garage. There is a light and a walkway to the ships. If you go left, the walkway makes a big "U" turn and much longer walk. You can also stay overnight at a hotel as an option rather than rushing to the ship.

[Altavia]

How many days?

We've gone in the day before and use sleep, park, fly at a hotel near the doc to avoid the traffic. You would need to check rates given everything has increased since last time we did it.

Just used Village VIP Transportation for a 12 day cruise, $300, door to door, excellent service.

Many good restaurants, Columbia is one of our favorites.

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