More cruises to Cuba added from Port Tampa

TAMPA (FOX 13) - This past Saturday and Sunday Port Tampa Bay saw its busiest cruise weekend ever.  Six different cruise ships passed in and out along with a record 29,000 passengers. 

Friday, more news from the port, Carnival Cruise is adding 20 more cruises from Tampa to Cuba on the Carnival Paradise.  That ship is coming off a massive multi-million dollar renovation project.  The 5-day voyages begin next year, bringing the total number of Cuba cruises to 31 in 2019. 

“This is a great time we've had a lot of success this year,” said Greg Lovelace, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Cargo & Cruises.  “The more cruises we have the more the more economic impact for the community from tourists flying in staying in hotels visitors coming down there's really a ripple effect,” he added.

A ripple businesses owners like Carl Smalling are cashing in on. He runs Zelda's Cafe and Deli, in the Channelside district. 
       
"It's a good thing. They need to keep them coming. Everybody in the neighborhood needs the business," Smalling said. 

“The cruise business is trending up we look forward to a strong summer season going into a strong winter season,” said Lovelace. 

The first of the new cruises to Cuba sets sail in January.