New Petition Launched to Block Large Cruise Ships from Tampa Port

Just last week, Cruise Fever broke news about a newly proposed cruise port near Tampa, Florida that would allow large cruise ships to sail into the region.  Now, there is an effort to block the project from ever seeing the light of day.

Days after a proposal for the Knott-Cowen Cruise Port was announced, the cruise port idea is facing a petition that seeks to oppose the “construction of a cruise port on Rattle Snake Key”.

The petition on Change.org consists of residents and business owners saying they want to block the construction of the multi-berth terminal in Manatee County.

The group argues that while the port promises to bring the world’s largest cruise ships to the region, the cost to the environment and local infrastructure is far too high.

Bypassing the Bridge

As we reported last week, the primary draw of the Knott-Cowen tract is its location on the Gulf side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Because the bridge’s 190-foot clearance prevents larger cruise ships (like Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class and Carnival’s Excel-class ships) from reaching Port Tampa Bay, this new site was pitched as a “game-changer” for the region.

The new area would also cut down on cruise ship fuel costs and the time it takes to navigate the channel in and out of Tampa Bay.

But the very thing that makes the site accessible for ships is what has locals worried. The proposed site is near the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and Rattlesnake Key, areas known for their shallow-water ecosystem.

“Old Florida” Concerns

For some signers of the petition the area represents the last stand of undeveloped coastline in the area.

“This would be absolutely devastating to Tampa Bay,” wrote Timothy, a local signer and fishing guide. “This is the last shoreline that is undeveloped in Manatee County and it should stay that way. It would also kill my business as a local fishing guide.”

Other residents pointed to the physical strain the project would put on the community.

“I fish this area weekly; this is a quiet area of Old Florida,” said one signer. “The traffic would be unbearable as it already is… Manatee County is not going to add roads or fix the roads that we already have to accommodate that many people.”

The Developer’s Preservation Strategy

Despite the pushback, the developer, SSA Marine, has made clear that conservation is a very important part of the project. In late 2025, the company purchased the 710-acre Rattlesnake Key for $18 million specifically to prevent it from being commercially developed.

Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s Cruise Division, has stated the company intends to use the island as a “natural buffer” and ensure its permanent conservation. The developers argue that by bringing in newer, low-emission vessels, they are actually helping the industry modernize in a more sustainable way.

What’s Next for the Port?

While the petition has racked up over 5,000 verified signatures so far, the project is still in the “early planning phase.” Manatee County officials recently confirmed they have not yet received a formal development application, so everything is very much in the early innings.

This means there is still a long road ahead involving environmental impact studies, traffic evaluations, and public hearings.

For the residents signing the petition, the goal is to stop the project before it gains enough momentum to become a reality. They are currently organizing via Facebook and GoFundMe to “Save Rattlesnake Key” and are urging officials to find other ways to grow tourism.