Margaritaville Islander at Port Tampa Bay
Everything you need for boarding Margaritaville Islander (Margaritaville at Sea) at Port Tampa Bay. Terminal info, parking, restaurants, hotels, and pro tips.
Official Terminal
Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea)
Margaritaville Islander sails from Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea) at Port Tampa Bay. The drop-off lane, the sourced parking rate, and check-in timing are below.
Key Boarding Times for Margaritaville Islander
- Terminal doors close
- 2:30 PM
Margaritaville Islander sails from Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea) at Port Tampa Bay. Terminal doors close at 2:30 PM. Confirm the exact times for your sailing with your cruise line — the arrival window on your boarding pass takes priority.
When can you board a cruise? Boarding times by line →
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Upcoming Sail Dates
Official schedule · Verified Aug 11, 2026
Sources: Port Tampa Bay cruise schedules, Port Tampa Bay cruise schedule events feed
Terminal: Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea) — every date below departs from it.
- Sat, Aug 15, 2026
- Sat, Aug 22, 2026
- Sat, Aug 29, 2026
- Sat, Sep 5, 2026
- Tue, Sep 15, 2026
- Sat, Sep 19, 2026
- Sat, Sep 26, 2026
- Sat, Oct 3, 2026
- Sat, Oct 10, 2026
- Sat, Oct 17, 2026
- Sat, Oct 24, 2026
- Wed, Oct 28, 2026
- Sun, Nov 1, 2026
- Sat, Nov 7, 2026
- Sat, Nov 14, 2026
- Fri, Nov 20, 2026
- Wed, Nov 25, 2026
- Mon, Nov 30, 2026
- Sat, Dec 5, 2026
- Thu, Dec 10, 2026
- Mon, Dec 14, 2026
- Sat, Dec 19, 2026
- Wed, Dec 23, 2026
- Mon, Dec 28, 2026
- Sat, Jan 2, 2027
- Sat, Jan 9, 2027
- Sat, Jan 16, 2027
- Thu, Jan 21, 2027
- Mon, Jan 25, 2027
- Sat, Jan 30, 2027
- Sun, Feb 7, 2027
- Mon, Feb 15, 2027
- Sat, Feb 20, 2027
- Sat, Feb 27, 2027
- Thu, Mar 4, 2027
- Tue, Mar 9, 2027
- Sat, Mar 13, 2027
- Thu, Mar 18, 2027
- Tue, Mar 23, 2027
- Sat, Mar 27, 2027
- Thu, Apr 1, 2027
- Mon, Apr 5, 2027
- Sat, Apr 10, 2027
- Thu, Apr 15, 2027
- Mon, Apr 19, 2027
- Sat, Apr 24, 2027
- Thu, Apr 29, 2027
- Mon, May 3, 2027
- Sat, May 8, 2027
- Thu, May 13, 2027
- Mon, May 17, 2027
- Sat, May 22, 2027
- Thu, May 27, 2027
- Mon, May 31, 2027
- Sat, Jun 5, 2027
- Thu, Jun 10, 2027
- Mon, Jun 14, 2027
- Sat, Jun 19, 2027
- Thu, Jun 24, 2027
- Mon, Jun 28, 2027
- Sat, Jul 3, 2027
- Thu, Jul 8, 2027
- Mon, Jul 12, 2027
- Sat, Jul 17, 2027
- Thu, Jul 22, 2027
- Mon, Jul 26, 2027
- Fri, Jul 30, 2027
Most cruise lines assign an arrival window during online check-in, and arriving inside that window is the best way to avoid the longest terminal lines. General boarding usually runs from late morning into the early afternoon, but the exact timing varies by ship, port, and sail date. Follow the check-in instructions your cruise line sends you — they always take priority over general guidance.
Where does Margaritaville Islander depart from at Port Tampa Bay?
The current schedule lists Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea). Confirm your terminal with the cruise line before traveling.
Drop-off: Terminal 6 is at 1333 McKay Street, separate from Terminals 2 and 3. Follow signs for Terminal 6 or McKay Street once you're in the port area. The drop-off lane has porter service — hand off luggage curbside before parking. This terminal is a bit farther from the main Channelside area.
When should I board Margaritaville Islander?
Most cruise lines assign an arrival window during online check-in, and arriving inside that window is the best way to avoid the longest terminal lines. General boarding usually runs from late morning into the early afternoon, but the exact timing varies by ship, port, and sail date. Follow the check-in instructions your cruise line sends you — they always take priority over general guidance.
Windows and opening dates vary by ship, homeport, and loyalty tier, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.
Where can I park for a Margaritaville Islander cruise?
- Driving & Port Parking: The port publishes no daily rate — it quotes one inside a prepay portal that asks for your cruise line before your dates. The off-site lots on the same street do publish: Park4Cruise lists $59.96 online for four nights up to $209.86 for fourteen (plus 6% tax and a $4 fee), and Harbor Lot advertises $6 per day.
Rates change — check parking and transportation options near Port Tampa Bay before you travel.
Official Terminal
Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea)
Drop-off: Terminal 6 is at 1333 McKay Street, separate from Terminals 2 and 3. Follow signs for Terminal 6 or McKay Street once you're in the port area. The drop-off lane has porter service — hand off luggage curbside before parking. This terminal is a bit farther from the main Channelside area.
Parking: Terminal 6 has its own parking area on McKay Street at a rate the port quotes at booking rather than publishing. It's a smaller lot than the main garage, so arriving early is smart on busy days. Pre-book online through Port Tampa Bay's website. Credit cards and cash accepted.
Check-in tips:
- Use the Margaritaville at Sea app to complete check-in before arrival
- Have your boarding pass and photo ID ready at the security checkpoint
- Terminal doors close at 2:30 PM sharp — arrive well before the cutoff or you will be denied boarding
- Guests with Express Passes, Signature Packages, or suite bookings get the earliest arrival windows and VIP check-in lane
Getting to the Port
From Tampa International Airport (TPA)
TPA is about 10 miles from Port Tampa Bay — roughly 20 min by car, making it one of the most convenient airport-to-port transfers in Florida. The airport is modern, well-organized, and rarely has the chaos you see at MIA or FLL.
From Orlando International Airport (MCO)
MCO is about 75-90 minutes west of Tampa. Some cruisers fly into Orlando for better flight deals or to combine a Disney trip with their cruise. Factor in the longer drive and possible I-4 traffic.
Driving & Port Parking
Port Tampa Bay's Channelside garage at 810 Channelside Drive sits across the street from Terminal 3 and is the walk-up option for Terminal 2 as well; Terminal 6 sailings park at 1331 McKay Street, next door to the terminal. The port is easy to reach from I-4 (Exit 1) or the Crosstown Expressway (SR-618). Follow signs to your specific terminal once on Channelside Drive.
Hotel Shuttle Services
Several Tampa hotels offer park-and-cruise packages with shuttle service to the port. The Hampton Inn Channel District is walking distance. The Barrymore Hotel, Quality Inn Airport, and several others include port shuttles in their cruise packages.
Still weighing where to leave the car?
Nearby Restaurants
Sparkman Wharf Food Hall
Waterfront food stalls in shipping containers. Everyone picks what they want and the kids run on the lawn.
$-$$Columbia Restaurant
Florida's oldest restaurant with tableside salad prep that kids think is a show
$$-$$$Splitsville — Channelside
Eat, bowl and burn energy in one stop at an upscale bowling alley with solid food.
$$The Sail Pavilion
Open-air Riverwalk spot where kids can watch boats and play while you eat
$$Nearby Hotels
Affiliate links. If you book a stay through Booking.com we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep CruiseDayGuide free, and it never changes which hotels we recommend. How we make money
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
The closest hotel to the cruise port, with a walk to the terminal, free breakfast and discounted parking.
Home2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District
Extended-stay suites with kitchenettes and a rooftop pool — two blocks from the cruise port
Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center
All-suite hotel with free made-to-order breakfast and an evening reception, where families spread out and save.
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Riverwalk hotel with free port shuttle and a park-and-cruise package that covers everything
Local Tip
Margaritaville Islander docks at Terminal 6 on McKay Street, which is separate from the main Channelside terminals and has its own a rate the port quotes at booking rather than publishing parking lot. Terminal doors close at 2:30 PM sharp with no exceptions, so arrive well before the cutoff. There are limited food options near Terminal 6, so eat before you get to the port area. The Florida Aquarium plaza is nearby for a quick bite if needed.
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