mays3 Posted December 18, 2007 #1 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Hello everyone, we are sailing out of Tampa this Saturday. I have read post about sailing under the Skyway Bridge. Can someone please tell me how long it takes to reach the bridge once you leave the port? I don't want to miss this! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky58 Posted December 18, 2007 #2 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We were just on the Legend 12/9-12/16, and we left Tampa at 4:15. We got to the Skyway Bridge at about 6:15. Don't worry though - there was a general announcement onboard that you can't miss, as well as some narration about the bridge as we passed under it. Try to get up on a top deck, and don't foget the video camera - it's pretty awesome with only about 10 feet of clearance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozLov'r Posted December 18, 2007 #3 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Seems to me it was 1 hr 45 minutes or so. It may depend on how many whales the ship has to maneuver around, however. (Not really...;) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted December 18, 2007 #4 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Figure about 2 hours. If you leave on time and have early dining you will have to make arrangements to be a few minutes late.. that is about as long as it lasts to go under the bride. Blinked ya missed it-- we went to the highest deck- which was the funnel deck. Many people were standing outside the roof of the supper club. It is impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted December 18, 2007 #5 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We always go up to the front sports deck on the Inspiration. Its really awesome to see how close the funnel passes under the bottom of the bridge deck. We also passed under around 6 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dappledumpling Posted December 18, 2007 #6 Share Posted December 18, 2007 As stated earlier about 2 hours...definitely something to see. A warning though..... If you go up top to see the sights remember that it is very windy and if say you are in a skirt you will add to the sights that everyone sees.... My last trip a young lady gave us all an eyeful.. I would tell you the color of her undegarments only she wasn't wearing any. She quickly went back to her room and put on a pair of jeans.. a much more suitable choice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echo Posted December 18, 2007 #7 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Its cool , try not to miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallyb Posted December 18, 2007 #8 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We went on the Miracle. We went up top to see the skyway bridge. Our camera battery died minutes before we got there!:eek: We are going on Legend. I got extra batteries.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middleager Posted December 18, 2007 #9 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Yap, it takes about 2 hrs from port to the bridge. We were all on the funnel deck watching. We had late dinner. I also told my wife and MIL to look at the traffic on the bridge. I explained to them there are controls in place so that no heavy trucks are allowed on the bridge while a cruise ship is trying to pass under, to ensure there's enough clearance. Those few feet can matter.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle2 Posted December 18, 2007 #10 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We had early seating for dinner and didn't want to miss the bridge. We went to the dining room on time and ordered, then we explained to our waiter that we would be right back after the bridge. He didn't seem to mind at all. In fact we showed him some of our pictures on our digital camera. The bridge is really cool - don't miss it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Posted December 18, 2007 #11 Share Posted December 18, 2007 As stated earlier about 2 hours...definitely something to see. A warning though..... If you go up top to see the sights remember that it is very windy and if say you are in a skirt you will add to the sights that everyone sees.... My last trip a young lady gave us all an eyeful.. I would tell you the color of her undegarments only she wasn't wearing any. She quickly went back to her room and put on a pair of jeans.. a much more suitable choice... My friend wore this wonderful flowing dress on our Sensation cruise. As we stood on the deck watching the water, we suddenly realized what a show she was giving. This picture is staged, but it really happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorbinCatFan Posted December 19, 2007 #12 Share Posted December 19, 2007 At this time of year, it will be dark when you pass under the bridge. When we went, I found it very hard to believe that it too that long to make it from the port to sea (gulf). A good site but at this time of year, I wouldn't worry about missing it. (I'd rather have the sushi. :D ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle2 Posted December 19, 2007 #13 Share Posted December 19, 2007 At this time of year, it will be dark when you pass under the bridge. Oh, you are right CorbinCatFan. I didn't even think about it being dark this time of year when I said "don't miss it". It was June when we went under. I wonder if the bridge is lit up at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimtheCruiser Posted December 19, 2007 #14 Share Posted December 19, 2007 On a business trip to south Florida, I was lucky enough to be driving over the Skyway while one of the Carnival ships went under it - not sure which one - I stopped as soon as I could after getting over the bridge to take pics of the ship. Next time, I hope to be on the ship rather than on the bridge - but that will be 2009! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandersx4 Posted December 19, 2007 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Yap, it takes about 2 hrs from port to the bridge. We were all on the funnel deck watching. We had late dinner. I also told my wife and MIL to look at the traffic on the bridge. I explained to them there are controls in place so that no heavy trucks are allowed on the bridge while a cruise ship is trying to pass under, to ensure there's enough clearance. Those few feet can matter.:D Did they believe you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalgonCruiser Posted December 19, 2007 #16 Share Posted December 19, 2007 On a business trip to south Florida, I was lucky enough to be driving over the Skyway while one of the Carnival ships went under it - not sure which one - I stopped as soon as I could after getting over the bridge to take pics of the ship. Next time, I hope to be on the ship rather than on the bridge - but that will be 2009! Kim-do you still have them pictures, if so, mind sharing them? Happy Cruising, Sea YA !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorngal Posted December 19, 2007 #17 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Oh, you are right CorbinCatFan. I didn't even think about it being dark this time of year when I said "don't miss it". It was June when we went under. I wonder if the bridge is lit up at night. Yes, the bridge is beautifully illuminated at night. And at this time of year, you are sailing into the proverbial sunset...it is gorgeous and definitely not to be missed. But that wind up on the funnel deck can really be an eye-opener!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemon Posted December 19, 2007 #18 Share Posted December 19, 2007 At this time of year, it will be dark when you pass under the bridge. When we went, I found it very hard to believe that it too that long to make it from the port to sea (gulf). A good site but at this time of year, I wouldn't worry about missing it. (I'd rather have the sushi. :D ) This time of year though the bridge is beautifuly lighted at night. The yellow support looks great at night. This bridge has won many awards for structure and apperance. Make sure you all see this bridge whether light or dark.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimtheCruiser Posted December 19, 2007 #19 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Kim-do you still have them pictures, if so, mind sharing them? Happy Cruising, Sea YA !! Not a great picture - I didn't have my good camera with me since it was a business trip - this was in May of this year - I don't think you can even see the ship - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbjl24 Posted December 19, 2007 #20 Share Posted December 19, 2007 This time of year though the bridge is beautifuly lighted at night. The yellow support looks great at night. This bridge has won many awards for structure and apperance. Make sure you all see this bridge whether light or dark.;) Unfortunately, there is construction going on right now. The bridge was not lit up on our cruise last Thursday. Still a cool sight to see though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middleager Posted December 20, 2007 #21 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I also told my wife and MIL to look at the traffic on the bridge. I explained to them there are controls in place so that no heavy trucks are allowed on the bridge while a cruise ship is trying to pass under, to ensure there's enough clearance. Those few feet can matter.:D Did they believe you? My wife wasn't paying attention (she knows me). But my MIL seemed to believe me, and knodded her head. Other friends stood nearby and all had big grins listening to my explanation to her. Oh, the Carnival ships are always sold out sailing out of Tampa. They need to do that, to ensure there're enough people to properly weigh down the ship, so it won't float too high and hit the bridge.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessemon Posted December 20, 2007 #22 Share Posted December 20, 2007 By the way (mays3)...If you yahoo (sunshine skyway bridge pictures) you will see 3 right at the top taken in the eventing about sunset. Next to that it says more pictures. Click there and there are many. You are going to see pics there though of the first bridge that was struck by a freighter that's radar went down during a freakish storm. The center span of the bridge collasped. That happened in the early 80's. Enjoy the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALVINF Posted December 20, 2007 #23 Share Posted December 20, 2007 My wife wasn't paying attention (she knows me). But my MIL seemed to believe me, and knodded her head. Other friends stood nearby and all had big grins listening to my explanation to her. Oh, the Carnival ships are always sold out sailing out of Tampa. They need to do that, to ensure there're enough people to properly weigh down the ship, so it won't float too high and hit the bridge.:p I did some studying on this after our cruise. The Legend does have to go at a faster then normal speed when going under the bridge to help drive it lower in the water. I also read that the distance between the tallest antennae on the Legend only clears the underside of the bridge by a couple of feet.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVMet Posted December 25, 2007 #24 Share Posted December 25, 2007 I was on the Miracle on Dec. 24, 2004 when we got hit by an 82 knot wind gust (on the anomometer on top of the ship as displayed in the cabin) just as the ship was going under the Skyway bridge upon returning to Tampa. The ship listed severely as the captain tried to keep us in the narrow channel. It felt and sounded like we were hitting ground, I talked to an ex-Navy officer on the Lido deck and he thought we hit ground a couple of times. Luckily it would just be a sandy bottom in the middle of Tampa Bay. The official wind gust was 71 knots (surface wind) at the Port of Tampa at about this time so the wind of 82 knots on top of the ship is realistic. You could see power flashes onshore (St. Petersburg) as the high winds knocked out power lines. Once closer to the ship channel leading to our dock, several large tug boats kept us under control for an hour or so until the storm had passed. I heard a story that a smaller RCCL ship almost ran aground in the ship channel just before us. One heck of a way to end a Christmas cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown cruisers Posted December 26, 2007 #25 Share Posted December 26, 2007 love this clip..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHFJoPdc7Qk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.