The Hemingway Experience in Key West
Back at the ship by about 12:40 pm, 2 h 50 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 1 h 50 min to spare.
Safety margin
- 8:00 amShip docks in Key West20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
- 8:20 amLeave the pierAbout 10 min to the start point
- 8:30 amEarliest tour startTour runs 4 h. Latest sensible start: 10:20 am.
- 12:30 pmTour ends10 min back to the pier
- 12:40 pmBack at the gangway2 h 50 min before all aboard
- 3:30 pmAll aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours
Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.
Our verdict
This tour fits a typical Key West call (8:00 am–3:30 pm). It runs 4 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:30 am and be back at the gangway around 12:40 pm — 1 h 50 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.
Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 1:40 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.
The operator lists a meeting point in town rather than at the pier, but Key West is small: anywhere in the centre is within about 10 min of the ships on foot or by a short taxi ride, so we count 10 min each way.
Among the 350 Key West shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 3 h); 85% of them fit a typical call.
Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Key West call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.
About this tour
The Hemingway Experience celebrates Key West’s most infamous author, Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, with a historical walking adventure retracing his steps on a "Bucket List" tour of Old Town. Our 4-hour guided experience stops at (6) locations, helping tell Hemingway’s story in Key West & Cuba.
Each ticket includes guided entrance into his famed Key West home. Then eat, drink, and explore the island on foot through “Papa’s eyes”, feasting on Cuban cuisine (& 3 boozy beverages) while your knowledgeable local guide impresses with interesting stories & amazing fun facts.
The adventure takes you behind the scenes of a 3rd generation family run cigar rolling factory, and into the newly remodeled Social Club at Hemingway Rum Co. for his favorite drink made with his family company’s premium rum. Then finish with a slice of our famous key lime pie!
After the tour, you’ll receive a collection of exclusive recipes, recommendations on restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and cultural offerings.
Max 12 per group English
What's included
- Ticketed entry into Hemingway's Home and Museum
- Sip homemade sangria, rum punch and "Papa" Hemingway's signature cocktail-the Papa Doble (3 Cocktails Total)
- Savor a hearty lunch of cuban and local seafood flavors
Not included
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
Itinerary
- 1The Ernest Hemingway Home and MuseumEnjoy a guided tour through Ernest Hemingway's home where he wrote literary works such as "For Whom the Bell Tolls," wander the lush gardens, pet his six-toed cats, and see the writers desk where it all happened.
- 2Stop 2Enjoy a full cuban meal of roast pork, rice, beans, and plantains accompanied by a glass of homemade sangria.
- 3Stop 3Stop into the iconic and nearly 100-year-old hotel in the heart of Key West - this culinary experience celebrates local flavor with a twist. Sip on Mojitos and savor local shrimp cocktails in a Havana inspired modern restaurant. There might even be a surprise visit from the Chef!
- 4Rodriguez Cigar FactoryMeet the close cuban family of this 3rd generation owned and operated Cigar Factory. Learn how they moved their business and rebuilt their lives in Key West. See the cigar rolling process in person, peek your head into their humidor and leave with a surprise.
- 5Drive-byPop into the original and the new Sloppy Joe's to see where Hemingway rubbed shoulders with his local "mob" at their favorite watering hole, now turned into a MUST SEE for every Key West visitor.
- 6Stop 6No Key West Food Tour would be complete without a slice of the pie that put us on the map!
- 7Hemingway DistilleryFinish the tour inside the Hemingway Rum Co's newest renovation, The Social Club, for his signature drink that he fell in love with during his many stints in Cuba taking back to introduce stateside. Become familiar with the drink and space over a distillery guide's entertaining presentation.
Meeting point and getting there
Start point
Please meet your guide in front of museum entrance. *Do not go to the ticket booth* Your tickets are only valid with the tour guide.
Please meet your guide in front of museum entrance. *Do not go to the ticket booth* Your tickets are only valid with the tour guide.
From the cruise pier
About 10 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Ends at
Good to know
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Traveler reviews
Operated by Key West Food Tours. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.
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