Proface

Key West’s location at the end of the Florida Keys makes it a frequent stop for cruise ships. Hundreds of thousands of tourists arrive by cruise ship every winter to banish thoughts of cold weather from their minds. The Port of Key West is served by some of the most popular cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean. To handle the thousands of cruisers who arrive every week, there are three working docks in Key West: Mallory Square, Pier B (at the Hilton Resort), and the Outer Mole pier at the U.S. Navy Base. Key West is small, and many attractions are within walking distance of the port. But if you’re only in the city for a few hours, it makes sense to rent a scooter or electric car to help you make the most of your time in port, so you spend more time on fun excursions like snorkeling or parasailing than transportation issues. Scooter rentals start at just 2 hours, electric car rentals at 3 hours. If you’re going to be in Key West electric car rentals for more than a day, standard rental cars are also available, . However, with the hassles of parking a full-size car, many people still opt for scooters or eCars. Key West can keep you hopping during every moment of your port call--your worst problem will be deciding which attraction you want to enjoy first. Historic Old Town is a popular attraction among those who enjoy history and culture. There are family-friendly activities like dolphin encounters, glass bottom boat tours, jet ski island tours, snorkeling trips, and all-inclusive watersports packages. Romantic options include several different sunset cruises or a walk along the beach, or tandem parasailing for the more adventurous. There’s even a biplane ride for couples. Singles gravitate toward the nightlife and bars on Duval Street and Mallory Square. Remember that you’ll be arriving with hundreds, if not thousands, of other tourists, so it pays to have some activities planned in advance. Although your cruise line will be happy to sell you tickets, they will be at a stiff mark-up. The local shop ToursKeyWest.com sells discount attraction tickets for some of the island’s most popular things to do, such as fishing charters, parasailing trips, sunset cruises, glass bottom boat tours and jet ski rentals. If you’re arriving during a popular holiday season, it’s even more important to book your excursions in advance, because the most popular trips sometimes sell out. You don’t want to be the only one in Key West with nothing to do, so book early. In fact, you can’t go wrong when you book your attractions a few weeks in advance. Key West truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re arriving on a cruise ship, deplaning at Key West International Airport or via Route 1, you’re sure to find an array of enjoyable attractions on Key West. If you’re considering a cruise this year, it pays to find a trip that includes Key West.