History & Cigar Cruise
Set sail aboard Craft’s History & Cigar Cruise to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the first cigar rolled in Ybor City. This special edition cruise brings Tampa’s cigar story to life through narration by historian Rodney Kite-Powell and insights from Drew Newman, fourth-generation cigar maker and general counsel for J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Together, they’ll share how a single industry transformed a quiet Gulf Coast town into one of Florida’s most distinctive communities.
Aboard America’s first open-kitchen river cruiser, guests will enjoy a chef-crafted brunch prepared fresh in view of the dining room using state-of-the-art gas cooking equipment. As the captain guides the vessel under Tampa’s historic bridges—sometimes with only inches to spare—Rodney will weave stories of Ybor’s cigar rollers, factory life, and the city’s rise as “Cigar City.”
Blending food, history, and waterfront views, the cruise offers a one-of-a-kind way to experience Tampa’s past. Whether you’ve called the Bay home for years or are discovering it for the first time, this journey promises an afternoon filled with flavor, storytelling, and a few surprises along the way.
Reserve your seat now for a Crafted History Lunch Cruise that promises to be as enriching as it is enjoyable.
History & Cigar Cruise Details:
- Monday, April 13, 2026
- Boards 11:15 a.m., Cruises Noon – 2:00 p.m.
- Unparalleled views of scenic waterways and passage beneath low bridges
- Includes brunch entrée, dessert & soda, coffee and tea
- Narration from Rodney Kite-Powell, Tampa Bay History Center
- Guest appearance from Drew Newman
- Complimentary J.C. Newman Cigar (smoking is only allowed on the outside decks. No smoking inside the dining room.)
Appetizers & craft cocktails are also available for purchase. Gratuity is not included in the ticket price.
Reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Related Events
Plan ahead.
Museum hours
The history center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Galleries are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and open until 3 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
We can host your event.
Weddings
The History Center provides a dramatic and historic backdrop for your wedding, wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Give your wedding a unique Tampa flair your guests will remember for a lifetime.
Corporate events
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind Tampa experience for your next corporate event or convention party? Are you a meeting planner looking for a unique setting to host a board retreat or employee function? Located within walking distance of downtown hotels, the History Center is perfect for your next corporate event.
