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If docked at Pier B, the cruise traveler will be exiting right into Front Street by the Customs House Museum and next to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Exploring beyond the Key West Cruise Port allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture of this unique island. For those looking to venture beyond the typical tourist trails, here are some off-the-beaten-path activities that offer a glimpse into the island’s unique charm and hidden gems. One of the joys of visiting Key West is how easy it is to explore on foot, by bike, or on a guided tour. Its strategic position not only makes it a popular stop for Caribbean cruises but also offers easy access to the many attractions within Key West itself. Here’s an overview to help you get acquainted with the Key West cruise port and what it offers.
Fun Things to Do in Key West, Florida for Cruise Visitors
The historic Seaport area, bustling Duval Street, and several beaches are accessible on foot. However, visitors are not permitted to walk into town if their ship docks at the Navy Outer Mole pier due to crossing Navy property — a complimentary shuttle is provided. 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. 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.
Tour the Hemingway House (and See 6-Toed Cats)
Of course, once you get there — however you get there — if you choose to explore by foot, bicycle, or the world-famous Conch Tour Train, you will have the time of your life. The island of Key West is 4 miles long and 1 mile wide, which makes it walkable and small enough to see a lot in a single day. Here are my recommendations for making the most of Key West when you’re short on time. Old Town Key West is the heart of our quirky tropical island, Duval Street, with museums, amazing restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutique shopping. In Old Town Key West you will also find the three cruise ship docks, Pier B, Mallory Square, and the Outer Mole where larger ships dock. Mallory Square is the hot spot in Key West for all of your souvenir shopping.
Take Your Picture At The Southernmost Point In The Continental United States
Dubbed the "Conch Republic," Key West is a very popular destination on Western Caribbean itineraries -- and is easily one of the funkiest and fascinating ports of call in all of cruising. One suggestion is that the spots near the cruise ship offer the less expensive gifts. If you want things that are nicer quality, explore Whitehead Street where there are some more boutique shops with unique souvenirs. In a city that’s built on tourism, you better believe that there is souvenir shopping available.
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The move to secede was short-lived but remains a point of pride for Key Westers, who still fly the blue "Conch Republic" flag in the subtropical heat and ocean breezes. Key West was first settled in 1822 and by 1886 had become America's richest city per capita. Compact, cozy and adorable, the city's Old Town neighborhood is filled with cottages with gingerbread-topped porches, Victorian compounds, sidewalk cafes, cigar stands and T-shirt shops.
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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. It’s hard to say you’ve been the Key West if you don’t visit the sign. The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date.
But Key West's mayor and his supporters failed to sway a federal court in Miami to lift the roadblock. Soon after, he read a proclamation at Mallory Square declaring the Keys no longer a part of the U.S. and demanding $1 million in foreign aid. Even a small piece of pie is plenty sweet to where you might not want to finish the whole thing. The Southernmost Point is by far the most famous landmark in Key West, and we think it’s a must-see if you visit. 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.
Try A Guided Tour!
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. Today you can tour the famous facility and its grounds and see a number of artifacts and exhibits from the Truman era. Anyone that’s a fan of presidential history will love this spot, just a short five-minute walk from the ship.
Key West Cruise Ship Port Map
Come along on a marine adventure at the Key West Aquarium, located right on Mallory Square! Immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea as you discover a wide range of marine life indigenous to the surrounding waters of Key West. On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. 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.
Which is right in the heart of Old Town and Key West’s Historic Seaport. The Southernmost Point of the Continental US, an anchored concrete buoy, is one the most famous landmarks in Key West. To get around Key West, you can rent a bike, a scooter, or an electrical car. Car rental is not advisable unless you wish to travel to other Keys nearby; parking in Key West is expensive and very limited.
Cruise lines that frequently stop in Key West include Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Holland America Line. Because of this, Royal Caribbean plans to begin tapering off the number of cruises to Key West in the near future. In addition, Key West features an extensive selection of dining establishments and nightlife venues, including a variety of bars, clubs, and concert halls. Shopping is another favorite pastime for cruise ship passengers, and there are a wide variety of souvenir shops, boutiques, and art galleries available to them. Over the course of the last two years, I have visited Key West on three separate visits, twice by ship and once by car. The Overseas Highway is an experience in itself and is the gateway to Key West by car.
Additionally, keep an eye out for any potential weather changes and seek shelter if necessary. Yes, for those looking to explore beyond walking distance, renting motor scooters, bicycles, golf carts, or jeeps is an option. This allows for greater flexibility and the opportunity to see more of what Key West has to offer.
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