Located in between two bodies of sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the small southernmost US island of Key West Florida is prime destination for cruise ships. Many cruise vacations that leave from the Port of Miami make a first, or final, stop in one of the three cruise ships dock located in Key West. Making a cruise stop in Key West allows passengers to experience a tropical and historic island paradise right in the United States, making it simple to communicate with the locals, use American currency, and even have cell phone connection. In this article we'll give you some idea as to what you can expect from a cruise stop in Key West and what you can spend your time doing while you're in our lively island.
Cruising to Key West and the Docks
Key West Florida has three main docks where cruise ships come into. Two of them are conveniently located in the heart of Old Town Key West, right where all the famous bars, attractions, historical sites, restaurants, and tours are located. The third cruise dock is located in the quieter part of Downtown, but a convenient shuttle transports passengers to the heart of downtown so they do not have to worry about hailing a taxi or walking. Most cruise ships dock in Key West for the majority of the day, a typical stay in Key West runs from 7AM to 5PM or 10AM to 7PM. While this is definitely not enough time to get a full taste of everything Key West has to offer, it is enough time to get a good sampling and know what to expect on your next visit, which would hopefully be for longer than just one day.
Key West Tours and Activities for Cruise Passengers
There are all kinds of excellent Key West tours, activities and excursions that cruise ship passengers can take part in. Tours like snorkeling, jet ski island tours, wild dolphin encounters, glassbottom boat tours, and parasiling all last less than 4 hours and give cruise travelers plenty of time to either explore downtown Key West or go on a second excursion. Most of these tours also leave from the heart of Downtown, where all the action in Key West happens, so getting from the cruise ship to the check-in location for the cruise ships is usually extremely easy. Snorkeling in Key West is one of the most popular activities in Key West for any type of visitor and even for locals. This is because Key West is located just a couple miles from some of the densest and most diverse areas of the coral reef ecosystem of the Florida Keys. On any of the Key West snorkeling excursions, you will get a sneak peak at the fascinating world of the colorful soft and hard coral that provide a home to hundreds of marine species ranging from tropical reef fish to moray eels to sea turtles. What you get to see on a snorkeling is always different but you can be sure you will see a world unlike any you've ever seen before. Some of the best snorkeling trips we have include the Snorkel Adventure, the Reef Express and the brand new Looe Key Snorkel trip. The Jet Ski Island Tour is hands down the most exciting Key West tour. For two hours, you get to ride your own waverunner all around the island of Key West, hitting both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico and following our expert tour guide as he makes seven stops to give you some information on the layout and history of Key West Florida. You even get 20 minutes of free time to make waves and have fun on your jet ski. And then there's Key West parasailing, an excellent way to have fun and see the beauty of the island of Key West Florida form a bird's-eye vantage point. Fly in the air for 7-15 minutes with your best buddy and not only feel the thrill of being suspended in thin air, but also get some stunning views of historic Key West and its surrounding islands.
Exploring Old Town Key West
When disembarking your cruise ship, you will be right in the heart of all the action and history of Key West Florida. It's best to have some type of excursion planned in order to get a taste of the type of unique activities Key West has to offer. But before and after your excursion you will have some time to walk the charming streets of Old Town Key West. Stop in at a bar, grab some classic Key West cuisine at a restaurant, see some of the historic properties, and do some shopping in the many stores that line Duval Street. A great way to see all of downtown Key West is to take a trolley tour. The Conch Train and the Old Town Trolley both provide guided tours throughout downtown that give you information on the history, culture, and geography of Key West. You can also stop in at one of the several museums such as the excellent Pirate Soul Museum, the interesting Shipwreck Historeum, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
