Upscale cruising is coming to a new port in Florida — one you might not expect

28.08.2024 - 19:15 / thepointsguy.com / Royal Caribbean / Oceania Cruises

Fans of upscale cruises are about to have a new option for sailings to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

Upscale cruise operator Oceania Cruises on Wednesday announced it would begin regular sailings to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal out of Tampa in 2026 — a first for the line.

It'll mark the first time an "ultra-premium" cruise line such as Oceania has operated out of Tampa. The cruise port typically serves as a hub for mass-market brands such as Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Oceania said its 670-passenger Insignia would operate out of Tampa starting in March 2026 for an initial two-month season of sailings ranging from seven to 20 nights.

The new routings will include stops at the islands of St. Thomas, St. Kitts and Tortola; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Belize City, Belize, among other destinations in the Caribbean.

Several of the sailings will include a daylight transit of the Panama Canal paired with an overnight stay in Panama City.

"Port Tampa Bay represents an exciting new chapter as Oceania Cruises becomes the first ultra-premium cruise line to have dedicated voyages from Tampa, opening the door as a convenient gateway to Florida's west coast and the Gulf of Mexico," Oceania Cruises president Frank Del Rio said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

"This is a natural expansion for our brand, as Tampa echoes the cosmopolitan essence of our beloved hometown of Miami with its diverse mix of international influences and cultures," Del Rio added.

In a statement, Port Tampa Bay president and CEO Paul Anderson said the port was thrilled with Oceania's move.

"The arrival of Insignia marks a significant milestone, enhancing Tampa's status as a premier cruise destination," Anderson said. "We look forward to welcoming new guests to our beautiful city and gateway, as the increased tourism will create substantial economic opportunities for our region, workers, and businesses."

The new Oceania sailings from Tampa will include:

The latter sailing begins in Tampa but ends in Miami.

"Ultra-premium" is a term that cruise industry insiders use to denote cruise brands that are more upscale and expensive than the typical mass-market cruise brands but not quite as high-end as the top luxury lines.

Tampa currently is home to ships from four main lines — all of which are considered mass-market brands and not upscale or luxury brands. They are Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

In addition to Oceania, one other higher-end cruise brand, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is planning to operate cruises out of Tampa in late 2026 — months after Oceania arrives. However, Regent only plans two such sailings, and it isn't planning to keep a ship in Tampa for a longer