The Tampa Port Authority and Royal Caribbean International are pleased to announce that the cruise line will be deploying a second ship at the Port of Tampa beginning in the fall of 2014. Royal Caribbean International has been operating one ship at the Port of Tampa, during winter cruise seasons, since January 2002.

Brilliance of the Seas, which will sail seasonally four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, will now be joined by a second Royal Caribbean ship, Vision of the Seas, which will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises, sailing from Tampa throughout winter 2014-15.

Vision of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas’ winter 2014-15 cruises from Tampa are now open for sale.  “It is extremely exciting to see Royal Caribbean International’s continued support of the Tampa cruise market by adding an additional vessel to our thriving home port. Royal Caribbean is a very important partner, offering a quality cruise experience to its guests and significant economic value to the port and our region,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

Vision of the Seas will sail every Saturday from Tampa to destinations in the Western Caribbean,including Grand Cayman; Cozumel; Costa Maya; Roatan, Honduras or Belize. The 915-ft. ship has a capacity of 2,000 guests, double occupancy and a crew of 742. Previously announced, Brilliance of the Seas also will sail from Tampa in winter 2013-14 and 2014-15 on four-night cruises to Cozumel, and five-night Cozumel itineraries, which additionally call at Grand Cayman or Key West.

“The Port of Tampa has been a great partner for more than a decade and we look forward to continued growth with the Tampa Port Authority in the future,” said Anderson.

For more information about the Port of Tampa, visit www.tampaport.com