A new upscale cruising destination is set to debut in Florida — and it might surprise you

Luxury cruise enthusiasts will soon have a fresh option for Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages.

Oceania Cruises revealed on Wednesday that it will launch regular sailings to the Caribbean and Panama Canal from Tampa starting in 2026 — a first for the cruise line.

This will be the inaugural operation of an "ultra-premium" cruise line like Oceania from Tampa, which usually caters to mass-market lines such as Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Oceania announced that its 670-passenger ship, Insignia, will set sail from Tampa beginning in March 2026, with an initial season lasting two months featuring voyages from seven to 20 nights.

The new itineraries will feature stops at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Tortola, Cozumel, Costa Maya in Mexico, and Belize City, among other Caribbean destinations.

Many sailings will include a daylight passage through the Panama Canal, coupled with an overnight stay in Panama City.

"Port Tampa Bay marks an exciting milestone as Oceania Cruises becomes the first ultra-premium line to offer dedicated voyages from Tampa, creating a convenient gateway to Florida's west coast and the Gulf of Mexico," said Frank Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises, in a statement regarding the announcement.

"This expansion feels natural for our brand, as Tampa mirrors the cosmopolitan spirit of our beloved Miami with its rich blend of international cultures and influences," Del Rio noted.

In a statement, Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, expressed excitement about Oceania's decision.

"The arrival of Insignia is a pivotal moment, elevating Tampa's reputation as a top-tier cruise destination," Anderson remarked. "We eagerly anticipate welcoming new visitors to our beautiful city and gateway, as the boost in tourism will bring significant economic benefits for our region, workforce, and local businesses."

Oceania's new sailings from Tampa will feature:

• A 15-night "Leeward Isles Serenade" voyage with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas; St. Maarten (the Dutch side of St. Martin), Antigua, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Croix, and Tortola
• A seven-night "Western Caribbean Escape" trip with visits to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; Belize City; and the island of Roatan in Honduras
• A 10-night "Palms & Panama Canal" journey through the Panama Canal, including stops at Cozumel; Costa Maya; Belize City; Roatan; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; and Panama City (with an overnight stay)
• A 20-night "Panama Canal Connoisseur" cruise through the Panama Canal, featuring stops at Cozumel; Costa Maya; Belize City; Roatan; Puerto Limon; Colon; Panama City; Cartagena, Colombia; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman

The latter voyage departs from Tampa and concludes in Miami.

"Ultra-premium" refers to cruise lines that are more luxurious and costly than standard mass-market offerings, yet not quite at the level of the elite luxury brands.

Currently, Tampa hosts ships from four primary cruise lines, all of which fall into the mass-market category rather than the upscale or luxury segment. These include Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises.

Alongside Oceania, another upscale cruise line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is set to begin sailing from Tampa in late 2026, just a few months after Oceania's debut. However, Regent's plans only include two sailings and no intention to base a ship in Tampa for an extended period.

Regent, which is a sister brand to Oceania, is classified as a luxury cruise line rather than an ultra-premium one.