Miami-based luxury cruise liner debuts Tampa sailing

Oceania Cruises, which bills itself as a "culinary and destination focused ultra premium" cruise line, will be sailing out of Port Tampa Bay in March 2026. The 670-passenger Insignia will be the maiden voyage. 

The Insignia was built in 1999 and became part of the Oceania fleet in 2006 aside from a brief two year lease to Hapag-Lloyd from 2012-2014. The 593-foot vessel underwent renovations in 2018. 

The voyages include itineraries ranging from seven to 20 nights bound for Caribbean islands including St. Thomas, St. Kitts and Tortola; calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize City; plus a daylight transit of the Panama Canal and overnight stay in Panama City.

"Port Tampa Bay represents an exciting new chapter as Oceania Cruises becomes the first ultra-premium cruise line to have dedicated voyages from Tampa, opening the door as a convenient gateway to Florida's west coast and the Gulf of Mexico," says Frank Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises, in a statement. "This is a natural expansion for our brand, as Tampa echoes the cosmopolitan essence of our beloved hometown of Miami with its diverse mix of international influences and cultures."

Oceania Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has a fleet of eight ships that carry 1,250 passengers. Voyages set sail to more than 100 countries on seven continents.