Bigger ship could cruise from Tampa, port chief says

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 17, 2010

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TAMPA --

One of the three cruise lines serving the Port of Tampa could announce plans to use a bigger ship on a current Tampa itinerary, port director Richard Wainio Tuesday.

Wainio did not identify the cruise line but said he planned to visit five companies in Miami beginning Tuesday to discuss business prospects, including wrapping up details with Norwegian Cruise Line, which will be the port's fourth cruise line.

Norwegian will home-port the 2,240 passenger Norwegian Star in Tampa for the 2011-12 season.

Carnival, Holland America and Royal Caribbean International provide cruises from the Port of Tampa.

Wainio has been on target with public predictions of recruiting new service to Tampa, including Norwegian and the launching of direct container shipping service from the Far East.

Cruise lines cannot bring to Tampa the biggest of their new cruise ships, which are limited by the height of the Sunshine Skyway at the channel entry leading to the port.

Ted Jackovics