Cruising under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Gatormama · #1 (**permalink**) January 23rd, 2005, 07:05 AM

Ok, here's one for all of you cruisers who have sailed out of Tampa. What's it like ro sail under the skyway bridge? Have crossed the bridge while ship is ging out and that is cool. Staties keep traffic moving but its neat to see. Am wondering what its like from below. Love to hear as we have 2 balcony rear cabins and am going out on the Legend in Nov. Am wondering how much we clear the bridge by?
Anne

#2 (**permalink**) January 23rd, 2005, 07:25 AM

Its a beautiful sight, we went under it after dark. Don't know how close the ship is to the bridge, we were a dinner when we went under it.
Have a great cruise

Sea Trekker · #3 (**permalink**) January 23rd, 2005, 08:15 AM

Hi,
We live in the Tampa bay area and have salied under the Skyway serveral times.
The feeling is weird, but exciting too. It looks like the bottom of the bridge is only inches away, but they say it is about 6 feet. Many of the larger ships can not sail under or thru the channel as it is too shallow at low tide.
I don't know if you remember, but a Carnival ship got stuck on a sand bar near the bridge that was just a couple of years ago.
In 1980, during a storm a freighter hit the old span of the bridge and caused it to collapse sending a bus and several cars in to the water. Now there is a newer and higher bridge with several dolphin bumpers around the supports.
It was completed in 1987, is 29,040 feet long and the center span is 1200 feet.
Type in Sunshine Skyway Bridge in your browser to learn more.
Have a great cruise.
Carole

Mgram · #4 (**permalink**) January 24th, 2005, 09:34 PM

It is AWESOME......be sure to be on the top deck.

#5 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2005, 12:15 AM

Our ship was late getting into the Tampa port , so we did not leave the dock until around midnight. I had told everyone that "after dinner" I wanted to be on the balcony with a glass of champange as we go under the bridge.
Well, needless to say, it was 3AM when we finally "just missed" the bridge, but it was an awsome site. I WAS on the balcony, with champange and Lorna Dunes. What a combination!!! It is a very close fit getting under it. I could see the cement roughness....I really thought we were going to plow into it. I'm sure being on the top deck would be great, too...if it weren't at 3 AM.
Alice in FL