Are you looking to book a sunset cruise in the gorgeous Tampa Bay? If so, you’re in the right place!
Whether you want an unforgettable romantic experience with your partner or a relaxing evening on the water with beautiful views, a sunset cruise is a great choice. Before you book your trip, you should plan ahead for the weather conditions and know what to expect.
Read on to learn 5 essential tips on planning your next sunset cruise and how to prepare for a cruise of a lifetime.
Why Choose Tampa Bay for the Perfect Sunset Cruise
If you’re planning a vacation in Florida and want to experience all it has to offer, a sunset cruise is a perfect start to your trip. Tampa Bay has some incredible sunsets, paired with wonderful weather, white sandy beaches, and water that sparkles in the sun.
When the sky is clear, you’ll get to witness a beautiful pink and purple sunset over a glass of bubbly that you can share and experience with your closest family and friends.
1. Find the Best Date and Time For Your Cruise
To best prepare for a sunset cruise, first, you need to research the types of cruises available, as well as the departure times. This is the best way to ensure the trip fits your budget and expectations, as well as your personal preferences. For example, some cruises are more private and only host 10-20 people. Others are bigger and can host up to 70 people.
If you want, you can always book a private romantic cruise for just you and your partner or book the boat for your entire circle of family and friends.
Since it’s a sunset cruise, there’s likely a single departure time so the boat can get to sea on time to catch the sunset. This is why planning ahead is important so you can be at the port at least 40 minutes before departure.
2. Prepare For the Weather
Even though Florida and Tampa Bay have pretty predictable weather, it’s always worth double-checking the weather on the day of the short cruise departure. If there’s a storm or harsh wind, the cruise may be canceled for everyone’s safety.
Wearing the right clothes for the trip is very important because the temperature on shore and at sea are different, especially if there’s wind. Also, once the sun sets, you can expect the temperature to drop, so to avoid being chilly, bring a cardigan or a light sweater, a pair of closed-toe shoes, and a scarf.
During the cruise before sunset, it’ll still be daytime, so you can wear your normal summer daytime clothes. This can be a pair of shorts, a simple t-shirt, and a pair of sandals. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, a hat, and your bathing suit in case you get a chance to swim.
3. Know What To Expect
Depending on your itinerary, the type of cruise you book will be different for each location. Each sunset cruise has a program that you can read to see what to expect once on board. This includes meals, drinks, entertainment, stops (if any), and the approximate length of the trip.
The first thing to expect is a beautiful sunset that you’ll have uninhibited views of. The cruise company will also offer dinner, either buffet style or a regular meal. Some cruises will have live entertainment on board, while others will play music on speakers. In both cases, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and even do a little dancing after sunset.
Depending on the type of cruise, you can expect a few stops where you can get off the boat and walk around the port a bit. In some cases, you can even take a swim and cool off in the water.
If this is your first time on a boat and you don’t know how you’ll react, bring motion sickness medication just in case. Though cruise boats are pretty stable, you’ll still be on open water and should expect a little rocking and swaying.
4. Make Your Trip Extra Special
Sunset cruises are highly customizable, and you can make them extra special. For example, you can book a cruise trip just for your group of friends or family members. You can also extend the cruise trips and turn them into evening boat trips to keep the party going.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion such as an engagement, anniversary, honeymoon, or birthday, you can book a champagne cruise. Even if you don’t book a special cruise trip, you can still make it special by having a romantic dinner on board or having a nice romantic evening with your partner.
5. Don’t Forget Your Camera
As you cruise along, you’ll want to take photos of all the breathtaking coastline views and the stunning sunset. If you have a professional camera, bring it on your cruise to take high-quality photos. Otherwise, your phone can take some great photos and videos as well.
Then after the cruise, you can print the photos and put them in picture frames or use them on social media. Depending on the itinerary, you can look for inspiration online to see what the most photographed places are.
If you’re planning a romantic proposal on the cruise, talk to the crew and see if they can set up something to film or capture the special occasion. You can always pay a photographer to come as a part of the group, so your significant other doesn’t suspect anything.
Plan Your Next Sunset Cruise With Carbon Cat Charters
Whether you’re a regular cruiser or have never been on a sunset cruise before, these 5 tips will help you plan your trip better so you can be sure everything will go smoothly. From planning your weather-appropriate outfits to knowing what to expect on board, you can make your sunset cruise extra special and memorable.
Ready to experience a breathtaking sunset cruise in Tampa Bay? Book your trip with Carbon Cat Charters, and let us take you on a trip you’ll never forget!