Sunday, March 31, 2024

BEST Key West Cruise Deals 2024 + 2025: Cheap & Discount Cruises to Key West

carnival cruise to key west

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 as required by the U.S. 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.

See the Truman “Little” White House

Cuban Coffee Queen also serves hearty breakfasts, refreshing smoothies, and Cuban sandwiches to keep you going as you continue on your way through town. 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. The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date.

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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.

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Today the spot is home to dozens of cats, of which roughly half are polydactyl (meaning they have six toes). In our visit, tourists seemed much more enamored with seeing the cats than with the author himself. Love of Key West goes back a century and includes some of the most famous people you can imagine. President Truman has what was called “The Little White House” on the island and would visit on working vacations during his presidency. Beyond that, it was visited and used by other presidents including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton. 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.

Sun lovers can relax on a waterfront daybed at Chill Island, taking a break for Caribbean bites and cocktails. Elevate your experience even further with an overwater cabana at the luxurious Coco Beach Club, and gaze over the sparkling aquamarine sea. Key West’s official currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and ATMs are widely available. Credit cards like VISA and MasterCard are accepted most places as well. Don’t forget to tip your barista for your morning cafe con leche, too. Key West isn’t as famous for its beaches as it is for other activities, but you can still lay down a beach towel and read a book at Smathers Beach.

Mallory Square is the site of a long-running tradition to watch the sunset. Gather among locals and fellow tourists, musicians, and food vendors for a taste of Key West culture. 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. 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.

Margaritaville at Sea

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. One of the first things you’ll notice on your Key West cruise is the colorful gingerbread wooden houses and the amazing sunsets, and the constant crowing of roosters. All of which is truly enjoyed by vacationers who cruise to Key West, Florida.

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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.

Hats, t-shirts, novelty signs, keychains, and tons more are available. Mel Fisher was a famous treasure hunter, perhaps most famous for discovering the wreck of the Atocha. In this museum that’s right by the cruise terminals, you can explore some of his finds. Displays include everything from cannons to enormous silver bars to gold jewelry and coins pulled up from shipwrecks dating back to the 1600s. 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.

Cruises to Key West, Florida are one of the most popular ways to see this walkable, immersive city. 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. To 5 p.m., making it ideal to visit if you’re in Key West on a cruise.

carnival cruise to key west

No Caribbean cruise is quite complete without experiencing Key West’s day-and-night bustle. If you have enough time, book a catamaran 70 miles west for a day trip to the one-of-a-kind Dry Tortugas National Park, home to the historic Fort Jefferson. 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.

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You’ll find this half-mile stretch of white sand is the largest public beach in Key West. 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. Even in December, the forest and plants at this botanical garden in Key West retain their leaves and lush palms. The Garden describes themselves as “frost-free,” a benefit of the tropical climate.

We think you see by now that, from sun-up to sunset and well into the night, you'll find a day aboard Carnival Sunrise full of amazing ways to have fun. (Plus, don't forget the amazing destinations to see!) Best of all, at the end of the day... Remember that your vacation on Carnival Sunrise features another great one tomorrow. Also, the Key West Police Department reports are filled with lost-and-found property reports from visitors.

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carnival cruise to key west

What’s a visit to Key West without having a bite of its famous Key Lime Pie? You’ll find it around the island, but one of the most well-known spots is The Original Key Lime Pie Bakery. It is located on Greene Street, almost in the shadow of the cruise ship. Hemingway’s home is located less than a mile from where the ships dock. The two story house is largely preserved with how it appeared when the author lived there, so you can tour and get a sense for what life was like back then. One neat feature is his swimming pool, which was the first on the island.

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No matter the reason, Key West offers a convenient — and free — bus route that makes a loop around the western half of the island. So you can ride it from the cruise ship and get to all the famous landmarks like the Hemingway House, the Southernmost Point and more. Cruise ships usually dock at either Pier B, near the Truman Annex, or the Navy-owned Outer Mole pier, near Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. If docked at the latter, a tourist trolley shuttles you off the base into town.

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Key West comes alive along the main drag of Duval Street, akin to New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street. During the daytime, art galleries and outdoor cafes line the street. When the workday ends (or a little before), stop in for a drink at Rick’s Bar or Sloppy Joe’s and find live music along the way. Pub crawls down Duval are famous here, giving travelers a true sense of how fun the Key West nightlife can be.

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If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for. In the hours leading up to dusk, head to Mallory Square and watch as it comes to life with acrobats, dancers and performers. But the state park also has one of the largest stretches of beach in Key West.

carnival cruise to key west

Carnival Cruises to Key West

Bring the kids for an educational tour on the native plants, and don’t miss the butterfly garden. Damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017 affected the plant life, but passionate employees are working tirelessly to bring the garden back to peak  fullness. 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.

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Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Other ports of call might include Falmouth in Jamaica, where the sound of reggae drifts on a tropical breeze, or historic Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Some itineraries take you southwest to Mexico, where you can soak up the sunshine on the beaches of Costa Maya and snorkel over the reefs around Cancun.

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Self-Guided Walking Tour

Head out and within just a minute you can be at the Mallory Square Market, an area with all the beach town attractions you could ever want. Souvenir stores, a museum of shipwrecks (different than the Mel Fisher museum mentioned earlier), food, and more are all available right here. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but if you don’t want to go far, there is plenty to see. 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.

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There are also rentals for snorkels, chairs and umbrellas if you need them. If you want to see the real thing, the sign is on the corner of Whitehead Street and Fleming. Below, we’ve mapped out the island showing the location of the cruise port and our list of things to do. Below, we cover a ton of things that are all within a short distance of the port and available to do during the day while the ship is docked.

Key West Florida Port Guide

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. Even beyond a president, we’d say that author Ernest Hemingway is the most famous resident to ever call Key West home. That’s why it’s funny that today the cats that still live there seem to be the biggest draw.

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. Stop in after your visit to the Hemingway House; the museum is just around the corner. Hold sea stars, hermit crabs, and conches in the palm of your hands in the “touch tank” of the Key West Aquarium, plus enjoy free guided tours and maybe even a shark feeding session. Open 9am to 6pm, the Key West Aquarium is a delight for the entire family.

It’s hard to say you’ve been the Key West if you don’t visit the sign. We like the free bus route as a convenient way to get around the town in relative comfort. If you’re wanting something a bit more memorable, there are a couple of options for guided tours that will take you to the sites and give you the background. RedFrog Pub® could be called Carnival Sunrise's center of good cheer and great beers! For delicious bites served with that same casual, can-do-fun attitude, look to Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse™.

Before the Overseas Highway was built in 1912 to connect the various Florida Keys, Key West itself was in isolation from the rest of the world. Just 90 miles from Cuba, Key West features a huge influence of Cuban culture, particularly in its food and drink.Today, Key West’s economy is driven by tourism. It’s also known for an inclusive, close-knit LGBTQ-friendly community.

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