cruise ship free days?

While I'm an avid cruiser, this trip to Key West will be by car. Are there any days that there are NO cruise ships in port during the week's schedule? It would make for a less crowded visit.

There are a few days a week without cruise ships in port. It's a completely different town on those days and it's quite nice! You can really see the sights without all the hustle and bustle.

Without the cruise ships all those "$5 T-SHIRTS" are being advertised!

While I'm an avid cruiser, this trip to Key West will be by car. Are there any days that there are NO cruise ships in port during the week's schedule? It would make for a less crowded visit.

It depends on the season since in the winter sometimes there are ships here everyday.

Here is the city calendar where you can check to see what ships will be in port.

http://www.keywestcity.com/department/calendar.php

Mike:)

You can also look it up on cruisett.com

Without considering where you are going to park you could spend an entire day on the upper end of Duval and never know whether or not there were cruise ships in port. Hang out at the Southernmost beach Café, walk to Higgs beach and maybe even snorkel there or rent a chair and an umbrella, walk out onto the Reynolds Street or White Street pier, and visit the botanical garden at the West Martello Tower.

Pjk

Without considering where you are going to park you could spend an entire day on the upper end of Duval and never know whether or not there were cruise ships in port. Hang out at the Southernmost beach Café, walk to Higgs beach and maybe even snorkel there or rent a chair and an umbrella, walk out onto the Reynolds Street or White Street pier, and visit the botanical garden at the West Martello Tower.

 

Pjk

This is certainly not true. upper Duval is far more crowded when cruise ships are in town, especially multiple ships. All of Old Town fills up with traffic from the increased trolleys, electric cars, scooters and bikes cruisers rent. Certainly Lower Duval is much more crowded (like it always is,) but there is a big difference all over Old Town and certainly on Upper Duval with ships in port vs. not.

This is certainly not true. upper Duval is far more crowded when cruise ships are in town, especially multiple ships. All of Old Town fills up with traffic from the increased trolleys, electric cars, scooters and bikes cruisers rent. Certainly Lower Duval is much more crowded (like it always is,) but there is a big difference all over Old Town and certainly on Upper Duval with ships in port vs. not.

I've had that discussion with him before. He hasn't caught on to how we call the North end of Duval "upper" and the South end "lower." He's referring to the higher addresses when he says upper.

To the OP, it isn't just cruise ships that you need to be aware of in Key West. When there are extra special events such as Fantasy Fest, the speed boat regatta, Conch Republic Days, Hemingway Days, New Years Eve and so on, crowds and traffic will be a challenge. Be sure to check a schedule of special events before you plan to come.

Also if you come during Key West's high season in the winter when the weather is the most comfortable, there will be lots of traffic and crowds PLUS cruise ships.

To the OP, it isn't just cruise ships that you need to be aware of in Key West. When there are extra special events such as Fantasy Fest, the speed boat regatta, Conch Republic Days, Hemingway Days, New Years Eve and so on, crowds and traffic will be a challenge. Be sure to check a schedule of special events before you plan to come.

This is very true. Events like those above and the Poker Run et al can have a dramatic effect on your visit.

Mike:)