Paradise from Tampa- How long does it take to get to the bridge?

Hello all! Taking tha paradise out of Tampa in January. Ship leaves at 4:00 PM. Wondering if I can still make it to dinner at 6 and be able to be on the deck when we go under the Subshine Skyway bridge. TIA :cool:

If I recall correctly, it was about two hours after sailaway.

Funny I timed it yesterday on marinetraffic dot com and they left the pier at 4:00 and were under the bridge at 6:30.

I’ve been on the Paradise twice with the 6pm dinner time and neither time were we able to see the ship sail under the Skyway.

We were sitting at our 6:00pm dining table as we passed under the bridge

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It was one hour and forty minutes the last time I cruised out of Tampa.

We do YTD and go at 5:45pm and are definitely at dinner when we go under the bridge, about 2 hours after sail away from the Port. We have sailed on the Paradise 5 times in the past year and it was the same on the Miracle in March. I wouldn't give up dinner to be up on deck when we go under it - the ship is clear of it before you know it.

We sail next month, will definitely check this out.

6:30pm

The answer will depend on weather. We sailed the Paradise in January. There was dense fog that kept us docket till late dusk, impinging on dark.

Frankly, the fog was so thick, I'm not even sure there really was a bridge, and think it's just some made up nonsense that Carnival tells us about to try and steal our money with false adverlolol no, it's there. For reals.

So seriously, plan for 2-2 1/2 hours, but be cognizant of change.

It depends. We were under the bridge about 6:15 on the Miracle in April.

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When we were on the Paradise, it was right at 2 hours. I will see if it holds true for the Brilliance and Majesty, in October.

If you have early dining time, plan on eating in the buffet if you want to see the bridge.

I have sailed out of Tampa several times and it has always been between 2 and 2.5 hours as others have stated in this thread.

We sailed the Miracle a few weeks ago, and we were at the bridge during a ferocious lightening storm in about 2 and 1/2 hrs.

I sail from Tampa a lot, and always enjoy early dinner. We're almost ALWAYS crossing under the bridge at 6:30 or so. You can rush to the window in the dining room, but it isn't nearly as impressive as being out on deck when you go under the bridge. Looks like you "ain't gonna make it" for sure.

Enjoy.

"SKY"

Have sailed out of Tampa numerous times and at different times of the year.

If sailing during the winter months, the bridge is a beautiful sight to see, at least once, all lit up. We skipped dinner that cruise and ate at the buffet. Yes, it goes by real fast but it's amazing to see just how close the ship comes to underneath the bridge. A little freaky.

IMHO, I think it's a worth while experience to do at least once.

LOW BRIDGE AHEAD.....

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We've sailed on Paradise several times -- sometimes it takes 2 hours, sometimes 2 1/2 hours; I'm not sure if the variation is speed or waiting for the special pilot. But it's always fun to be up on the top deck when we go under the bridge!

It usually runs between 2:15 and 2:30 after leaving the dock

We live right by the bridge and watch the ships leave which is very hard to do wishing we were sailing. For a 4pm departure, you should be going under the bridge at 6:30 give or take 10 minutes pending on the tides and weather.