Three U.S. cruise lines (Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Carnival) sail from Tampa and many cruise ships call at Key West, which is a very popular visit.

As with all Florida coastal resorts both cities have water activities. These include fishing, canoeing, scuba diving and sailing.

Tampa

When cruising from Tampa many people stay in the city for a few days to sample what is on offer.

Ybor City is the heart of Tampa's international history. It is where Cubans, Germans and Italians settled in the 19th century. Nowadays it is well known for its variety of restaurants and lively night life.

History of a different kind can be found at the delightful Henry B. Plant Museum. This takes up a portion of the University of Tampa which is easily recognizable from a distance by its aluminum turrets and domes. It was originally built by Henry Plant in the 19th century and called the Tampa Bay Hotel.

Wanting to build something different to the Mediterranean Revival style favored by other entrepreneurs of the time, Plant went Oriental. The building is about a quarter mile long and is topped by the thirteen domes and crescents of the Mohammedan year.

Inside the Museum is a gem with some of the original furniture and artifacts, including lighting by Thomas Edison.

The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Sunday, noon - 4.00 p.m.

Suggested donation: Adults $5 and children $2.

The museum is at 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard (just a few minutes from the port) and parking is free.

The Florida Aquarium is in Channelside Drive next to Cruise Terminal 2 (Carnival Cruises) and for those who are interested in fish, is a wonderful place to visit. Here you can swim with the fishes, dive with the sharks and also feed them. For those who adore penguins, three times a day is the Penguin Promenade.

The aquarium has over 20,000 aquatic plants and animals, not only from Florida but from around the world.

Opening hours: 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day.

Admission: Adults $17.95/Children $12.95/Seniors (60+) $14.95.

Parking is $5.

Key West

As synonymous with Florida as Walt Disney World, this small island has been a popular resort for far longer.

Among its famous residents and holidaymakers were President Harry S. Truman and Ernest Hemingway.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is at 907 Whitehead Street. Here you can meander in the gardens and go into the house to see where this world-renowned writer and adventurer lived.

The museum is open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. every day.

Admission: Adults $12/Children $6.

The Harry S. Truman Little White House is Florida's only Presidential Museum. Even in the late 1940s security was important for America's President so a house at the naval station was chosen for Mr. Truman when, in 1946, he needed a vacation. Thereafter he made regular visits.

Other Presidents that have spent time in this delightful house have been Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy and Britain's Prime Minister Harold Macmillan held a one-day summit here in 1961.

The guided tour is fabulous, giving insights into a way of life long departed - and reveals a few secrets about the private life of Harry S. Truman.

The Little White House is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Entry is from Whitehead Street.

Admission: Adults $12/Children $5.

Of course there are lots of water activities around the island, loads of shops and plenty of wonderful restaurants.

Both place have many more things to see and do. To find out more contact Tampa Bay and Company and The Florida Keys.

Florida has three ports on its East Coast.