History of Key West and Cruise Ships
Key West is a Port of Call for several cruise lines, including Carnival and Disney. The first regularly scheduled cruise ship, Sunward, arrived in 1969. Since then, the number of ships to visit Key West has grown exponentially.
In 2020, Key West residents voted to drastically reduce the number of ships that dock in Key West. However, Florida State laws voided that vote. So, the cruise ships are a point of contention for some people on the island. Now, we will just have to wait and see how everything eventually plays out on the political stage. And, with COVID and of course weather that comes up, the schedules for the cruise ships change often.
About Key West’s Cruise Ship Ports
There are three docks that the cruise ships will dock at, and they are listed below. And, depending on which dock your ship moors at, as well as what your last port of call was, it could take you anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to disembark the ship and get to the downtown area to start enjoying Key West Activities and Key West Attractions. So, this is something that should be considered when making Key West activity reservations.
As of 2022, cruise ships of all sizes will continue to visit Key West. However, only one cruise ship at a time will be in port. The privately run Pier B will host virtually all cruise ships visiting the island. The two city-controlled docks (Outer Mole and Mallory Square) will only host smaller ships with up to a 1300 person capacity. And, only if no ships are at Pier B.
The Outer Mole Pier (OM)
Truman Waterfront is US Navy property. So, access to this area is restricted and requires all cruise passengers to go through a security checkpoint. But, to make things go smoother, you should make sure to have your ID and cruise card at the ready. And, since this is the closest dock to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, you can walk right over to the best beach on the island. Or, Historic Tours of America provides free transportation service to and from the cruise ship; this is the only way to get back to the Outer Mole.
Pier B (B)
Located directly in front of the Opal Resort and Marina at Mallory Square makes this is a great starting location to explore downtown Key West. And, no transportation is needed to get to and from Pier B as it is in the middle of it all already.
Mallory Square Pier
Located at Mallory Square right off front street, really close to Duval Street, a great starting point for exploration of the downtown area. And, no transportation is needed to get to and from downtown Key West from this pier.
Key West Cruise Ship Activities Advice
Before you even go on your cruise, it is always a good idea to book your Key West Activities with a reputable Key West company and not on the cruise ships. Especially if you plan on going Key West fishing, sight seeing tours, Private boating charters or booking a veteran Key West fishing guide. And, you will save money and get the best services available.
See the Key West fishing report.
Key West Activities – Via Cruise Ship
There are an entire slew of Key West activities that you may be able to do to enhance your visit. But, that all depends on what time your cruise ship docks and departs.
Most Popular Key West Activities – Cruise Ship Visitors
- Backcountry Fishing Charters – The most popular fishing trip offered in Key West. And, since most of the cruise ships are in port long enough for a 4 hour Key West fishing backcountry fishing charter, this is a great option.
- Snorkeling And Fishing Adventure Charters – Snorkeling and fishing all in one charter here in Key West. And, you get the most out of you day and your money.
- Sandbar Excursion – A growing interest in hanging out on the water makes this a popular trip. And, it is private so you can get away from the big crowds of the cruise ship.
Key West Cruise Ship Schedule
2023
AS HINTED ABOVE, THESE SCHEDULES MAY NOT BE ACCURATE. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK DIRECTLY WITH YOUR CRUISE SHIP ABOUT ANY CHANGES TO THE SCHEDULE.
April 2023
- April 15 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- April 16 – Celebrity Apex (B) 8am – 5pm
- April 17 – Grandeur of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- April 20 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- April 23 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- April 24 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- April 25 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
May 2023
- May 2 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- May 4 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- May 8 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- May 9 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- May 12 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- May 16 – Carnival Paradise (B) NOON – 6pm
- May 22 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- May 23 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- May 26 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- May 29 – Grandeur of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- May 30 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
June 2023
- June 1 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- June 5 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- June 6 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- June 9 – Carnival Sunrise (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- June 15 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- June 18 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- June 19 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- June 20 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- June 23 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- June 28 – Norwegian Sky (B) 7am – 2pm
- June 29 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
July 2023
- July 2 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- July 3 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- July 4 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
- July 7 – Carnival Sunrise (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- July 11 – Carnival Paradise (B) NOON – 6pm
- July 13 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- July 16 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- July 17 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- July 18 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- July 21 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- July 27 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- July 30 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- July 31 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
August 2023
- August 1 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- August 4 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- August 8 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
- August 10 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- August 13 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- August 14 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- August 15 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- August 24 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- August 27 – Serenade of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- August 28 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- August 29 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
September
- September 1 – Carnival Sunrise (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- September 4 – Grandeur of the Seas (B) 8am – 5pm
- September 5 – Carnival Paradise (B) 11:30am – 6pm
- September 7 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- September 11 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- September 12 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- September 15 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- September 18 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
- September 21 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- September 25 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- September 26 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- September 29 – Carnival Sunrise (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
October
- October 5 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- October 9 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- October 13 – Marella Discovery (B) 8am – 6pm
- October 17 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
- October 19 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- October 23 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- October 24 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- October 26 – Norwegian Sky (B) 6:30am – 2pm
- October 27 – Europa (B) 9am – 4:30pm
- October 30 – Radiance of the Seas (B) 8am – 7pm
- October 31 – Carnival Paradise (B) 11:30am – 6pm
November
- November 2 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- November 3 – Mein Shiff 6 (B) 7am – 6pm
- November 4 – MSC Explora1 (B) 8am – 4pm
- November 6 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- November 7 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- November 9 – Aratnia (B) 8am – 6pm
- November 13 – Europa2 (B) 10am – 5pm
- November 16 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- November 17 – Celebrity Silhouette (B) 7am – 5pm
- November 18 – MSC Explora1 (B) 8am – 4pm
- November 20 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- November 21 – Carnival Glory (B) 9am – 5pm
- November 23 – Rotterdam (B) 11am – 6pm
- November 24 – Carnival Sunrise (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- November 25 – MSC Magnifica (B) 9am – 6pm
- November 26 – Celebrity Apex (B) 8am – 5pm
- November 27 – Norwegian Jade (B) 10:30am – 6:30pm
- November 28 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- November 30 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
December
- December 1 – Seven Seas Mariner (B) NOON – 7pm
- December 2 – Celebrity Silhouette (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 3 – Norwegian Viva (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 4 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- December 5 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
- December 8 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 9 – MSC Magnifica (B) 9am – 6pm
- December 10 – Celebrity Apex (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 11 – Norwegian Jade (B) 10:30am – 6:30pm
- December 12 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 13 – Seven Seas Grandeur (B) 7:30am – 5pm
- December 14 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 15 – Celebrity Silhouette (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 16 – MSC Magnifica (B) 9am – 6pm
- December 19 – Ritz-Carlton Evrima (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 20 – MSC Magnifica (B) 9am – 6pm
- December 22 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 23 – MSC Explora1 (B) 8am – 4pm
- December 24 – Carnival Dream (B) 11am – 7pm
- December 25 – Celebrity Equinox (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 26 – Ritz-Carlton Evrima (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 27 – Celebrity Summit (B) 7am – 5pm
- December 28 – Scarlet Lady (B) 8am – 5pm
- December 29 – Nieuw Amsterdam (B) 7:30am – 4pm
- December 30 – Carnival Conquest (B) 7:30am – 1:30pm
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