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Key West is an island, or Key, that is just two miles long by four miles wide, so all the essentials are near the docks -- bars, restaurants, shopping, scuba diving and beach-going. Mallory Square, on the waterfront near the docks, has restaurants, shops and public restrooms. Cruise in comfort from Miami to explore the southernmost point in the U.S. on this fabulous Key West day trip. Key West, as part of the Florida Keys archipelago,is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Cruise ships have been coming to Key West for half a century. Here are the big moments - Miami Herald
Cruise ships have been coming to Key West for half a century. Here are the big moments.
Posted: Sun, 03 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Culture & History of the Key West Cruise Port
On land, shopping, museums, art galleries, tours, theaters and more await you. Or you can simply relax in the sand at one of our Key West beaches, by the pool at your Key West hotel, or on Duval Street with a cocktail in hand. Visit the Museum of Art and History at the Custom House, a “must-see” when in Key West. At night, streets filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants with island specialties come alive. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. You can catch all kinds of exotic fish in Key West’s tropical waters, so it’s no surprise that much of the local cuisine centers on fresh seafood.
Miami to Key West Day Trip
Learn about the island’s military and mercantile history at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, and shop for historic replicas as souvenirs to take back with you. Cool Key West is happy to offer Key West glass-bottom boat tours, one of the island’s most popular attractions, as part of an exciting Miami to Key West Day Trip combination package. There’s also fun water activities, like snorkeling, a glass bottom boat ride, jet ski tours, and parasailing. Key West cruise ship passengers, who number some 820,000 a year among the island's 3 million visitors, disembark at Mallory Square, a Navy pier near the Westin Resort. But the island city is a breeze to explore by walking, bike, scooter or even pedicab. Famous residents have included Pulitzer Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway, whose home on Simonton Street is now a museum where six-toed cats roam the grounds, pool and living quarters.
Miami to Key West Day Trip with Snorkeling
From beach bonfires to private cabanas and floaty pool parties — all in a resort-like experience where you can actually let your salty hair down. From captivating coasts to laid-back island vibes, the exclusively adult cruise vacation of your dreams is here. Yes, after the tour, we will return you back to the hotel that we picked you up from. Cool Key West offers complimentary drop-off service to all hotels in Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. This tour accepts both printed and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers).
Carnival Conquest, Key West & Cozumel from Miami, March 11, 2024
If you have time, drive less than an hour northeast to Bahia Honda for the kind of Florida beach experience the state is famous for. 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.
You will literally be driving right over the ocean and across a thin chain of islands and bridges, including the famous 7-Mile Bridge. Besides being great fun, a Key West glass-bottom boat tour is also the environmentally-friendly way to experience the wonders of the fragile coral gardens. Popular bars, T-shirt and souvenir shops and art galleries line both sides of the street and can be found from the 200 block to the end near Mallory Square.
Key West, Florida Keys

Be sure to try some conch fritters and the iconic key lime pie, of course. When it comes to bars, you’ll find no shortage along lively Duval Street. 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.
Key West residents want to limit cruise ships - Miami Herald
Key West residents want to limit cruise ships.
Posted: Thu, 07 May 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It’s easy to feel at home in Key West among swaying palms and small fishing boats glittering off the harbor. Once mostly cut off from the rest of the world, it has persevered through countless hurricanes. In Mallory Square, you’ll find lots of local vendors selling seashells, souvenirs, cigars, rum, and of course, key lime pie. If you’re looking for art galleries and clothing boutiques, head to Duval Street. Hop on the world-famous Conch Train to get a lesson in Key West history and hear local legends while touring Old Town and some of the island’s most iconic landmarks.
Gather among locals and fellow tourists, musicians, and food vendors for a taste of Key West culture. At the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street in Key West is a concrete buoy marker of the southernmost point of the continental United States. Passengers on cruises that stop in Key West should see why this is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Stay hydrated with still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas and even drip coffee. We’re making waves from the Caribbean to the Med, the Adriatic to the Red, and everywhere in between across 4 continents.
Float through the air as one of the 12-passenger parasailing boats glides you past sights that can only be seen from the air. As you parasail, take a look below to spot dolphins playing in the surf, or colorful tropical birds flying past. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #keywest — you may see them right here. Cool Key West wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.
If docked at the latter, a tourist trolley shuttles you off the base into town. Also, the Key West Police Department reports are filled with lost-and-found property reports from visitors. Keep an eye on your belongings while you're downing a rum drink or frosty brew, or while singing along with the whole bar to a Jimmy Buffett or Kenney Chesney classic.
Key West was also a home away from home for President Harry Truman, whose one-time respite from Washington, D.C., is the "Little White House," a museum by the waterfront. Embark on a relaxing journey along Florida’s coast and through its sun-drenched island chain on cruises from Miami to Key West. You’ll visit the southernmost point in the U.S., swim over dazzling corals, tour prehistoric archaeological sites, and learn about hundreds of years of maritime history while in the Keys and beyond. Walk the walls of a massive fortification, and enjoy snorkeling over shipwrecks and coral reefs. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees.
The British claimed ownership of Florida in the 18th century, expelling Native Americans and the Spanish from the area. Tapas, tostones, plantains, and traditional Cuban sandwiches are all available here. For dessert, indulge in the coconut flan, then catch the sunset from the outdoor seating overlooking Mallory Square. Walk in the footsteps of famous Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, who lived at 907 Whitehead Street in Key West from 1931 to 1939. Come see where Hemingway wrote several critically-acclaimed short stories, plus catch sight of the six-toed cats roaming the grounds.
Key West is famous for its laid-back lifestyle, artistic cultural heritage, and natural tropical splendor. Enjoy the island’s unique charm as you explore its historical architecture along Duval Street where you can enjoy cool frozen drinks and delicious fresh seafood in one of its many inviting bars. Visit the former home of Ernest Hemingway, and take a walk around the iconic fortification at Dry Tortugas National Park.
You can either print the voucher and present a paper copy on the day of travel. Or, if you travel with a mobile device, simply show your Photo ID and present your voucher on your Smartphone or tablet on the day of travel. A world-class Overseas Highway attraction comes into view about 90 minutes into the drive, when the touring coach reaches the western end of Marathon Key. The legendary Seven Mile Bridge rises gracefully above the water and carries the roadway across 6.79 miles of open sea to touch down on tiny, uninhabited Little Duck Key. Flagler wanted to extend his Florida East Coast Railway to offer trade and tourist access to the island of Key West 128 miles from the tip of the Florida Peninsula. Art galleries, Cuban coffee, fine dining and overstuffed sandwiches all abound in Key West.