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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.