Florida has five main cruise ports and they are located in these cities - Jacksonville, Cape Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa. I've often said that when you live on a peninsula you had better enjoy the water. If you're a regular cruiser you know the diversity of cruises Florida has to offer. If you've never been on a cruise, even a weekend cruise, they offer one of the
best Florida vacation values available.
Port Canaveral
Cruises offered from
Port Canaveral include 1-7 day trips aboard ships from 3 major cruise lines; Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. Many cruises out of the northeast U.S visit Port Canaveral making scheduled port-of-call stops here. This gives their passengers the opportunity to enjoy a day of fun exploring,
Cape Canaveral,
Cocoa Beach and the
Orlando attractions area.
Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world with nearly 1.3 million multi-day cruise passengers passing through annually; it hosted 109,175 multi-day cruise passengers in October of 2008 alone.
Port Canaveral Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines currently has two beautiful ships home ported in Port Canaveral, including one of the largest on the seas today - the impressive
Carnival Dream, the other is the
Carnival Sensation. Carnival offers 3-4 night cruises to the Bahamas and 7 night cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean. These itineraries include stops in Nassau, Freeport, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Key West, Belize City, Cozumel and Progreso Mexico. Carnival Cruise Lines has a brand new 3,650 passenger ship called the Carnival Dream that made Port Canaveral its home in December 2009 it's 1004 feet long and 158 feet wide.
Disney Cruise Lines has two ships the
Magic and the
Wonder in port they offer 3, 4 and 7-night cruises to the Bahamas, the eastern and western Caribbean and Disney's private island getaway Castaway Cay. These itineraries include stops in Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, Castaway Cay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
Royal Caribbean International has one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the cruise market. The
Monarch of the Seas and
Freedom of the Seas ported at Cape Canaveral offer 3, 4, and 7 night cruises to the Bahamas, eastern and western Caribbean and private island Coco Cay. These itineraries include stops in Nassau, CocoCay, Charlotte Amalie, Phillipsburg, Ocho Rios, George Town, Labadee and Cozumel.
Cruise Ships at Port Canaveral »
Port Everglades - Fort Lauderdale
Port Everglades is a huge cruise port located in
Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades is one of the world's busiest cruise departure ports and holds the world record for hosting the most cruise passengers in a single day, 49,234 passengers cruised from there on January 3, 2009. More than 4 million cruise passengers pass through Port Everglades annually with ships sailing year round, the peak season is from November to April. Fort Lauderdale is crisscrossed by 300 miles of navigable waterways and is known as the "Venice of America". They also have 23 miles of beaches, shopping and entertainment making Fort Lauderdale a great place to explore either before or after your cruise.
Ten cruise lines with more than 30 cruise ships sail out of Port Everglades. A majority of cruises go to the islands of the eastern Caribbean but some go to the exotic Mexican coast of the western Caribbean. There are many varieties of ships and cruises to choose ranging from the ultra-luxury Yachts of Seabourn to the more casual Carnival Cruises; they offer everything from day cruises to 8-day excursions.
Ships Sailing from Port Everglades
Carnival Cruise Lines has two ships that sail from Port Everglades the
Carnival Miracle and the
Carnival Freedom they set sail on 6- and 8-day cruises. These itineraries include stops in St Maarten, St Kitts, and St Lucia, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Limon, Colon, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands ; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; St. Thomas, USVI ; Antigua ; Tortola, BVI and Key West.
Celebrity Cruises has 7-15 day Caribbean cruises aboard the
Celebrity Constellation, the
Celebrity Infinity and the new
Celebrity Solstice. These itineraries include stops in St Maarten, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. They stop in Cartagena, Colombia; Costa Rica; Huatulco, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta Cabo San Lucas and Cozumel Mexico. They cruise to Manta, Lima Peru; Arica, and La Serena, Valparaiso, Chile, Costa Maya and Roatan.
Costa Cruises brings the spirit of Italy to the Caribbean, you can cruise Italian-style aboard the
Costa Fortuna on week-long cruises. Their itineraries include stops in Bermuda, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Tortola, St Thomas, Grand Turk Island and the Bahamas.
Holland America Lines has over 130 years of cruising experience. This cruise line prides itself on spacious, elegant ships and accommodations. They have six ships that sail from Port Everglades on 7-19 day trips, all over the Caribbean, to and through the Panama Canal and a 16-day transatlantic cruise to Rome. You can sail on the
Holland America Noordam, the
Holland America Westerdam, the
Holland America Statendam, the
Holland America Maasdam, the
MS Eurodam or the
MS Zuiderdam.
Their itineraries include stops in Grand Cayman, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Tortola, St Maarten and Half Moon Cay, their own private island. The 16-day transatlantic cruise to Rome includes Lisbon and Portimao, Portugal; Cadiz, Almeria, Ibiza, and Barcelona, Spain; and Monte Carlo, Monaco.
MSC Cruises have a distinctly authentic Italian style. The Italian essence is evident in the way the cabins and common areas are furnished and in the excellent cuisine. Enjoy 7-10 night cruises aboard the
MSC Poesia or the
MSC Magnifica. Their itineraries include stops in Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Barbados, Martinique, St Maarten, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, St Lucia, St John's, Aruba, Cartagena, Panama, Playa del Carmen, the British Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Key West and the Bahamas. They also have their own private paradise, Cayo Levantado for their cruisers to enjoy.
Princess Cruises, of the Love Boat fame, sail many ships including the
Caribbean Princess,
Ruby Princess and
Emerald Princess for 7-10 day cruises from Port Everglades. Their itineraries include stops in Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St Thomas, Dominica, St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten, St Thomas, Grand Turk, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and their own private island the Princess Cays.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a true luxury cruise line sailing from Port Everglades. Regent Seven Seas luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the hundreds rather than the thousands. They specialize in personal, individual service - upscale but not uptight, that's their motto. They have two ships sailing from Port Everglades the
Seven Seas Voyager and the
Seven Seas Navigator. They have 7-10 Caribbean cruises as well as a 24-night Transatlantic cruise with stops in Southampton (England) via Baltimore, Norfolk, New York, Halifax, Corner Brook, L'anse Aux Meadows, Reykjavik, Heimaey, Torshavn, Kirkwall, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cobh and Falmouth.
Their shorter 13-night transatlantic cruise goes to New York, Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax and L'anse Aux Meadows on your way to Iceland. They have a 135-night world cruise that offers exotic ports of call including Papeete, Sydney; Bali, Singapore; Shanghai, Hong Kong, Saigon, Port Victoria, Cape Town and many more.
Their Caribbean itineraries include stops in St Thomas, St Barts, St Kitts, St Maarten and Grand Turk; with stops in Key West, Cozumel, Belize City, Santo Tomas and Costa Maya being added in November of 2010.
Royal Caribbean has three ships that sail from Port Everglades. The
Enchantment of the Seas, which sails all year round, the
Independence of the Seas and the brand new, gigantic
Oasis of the Seas. Enjoy 4-13 night cruises their itineraries include stops in Key West, Grand Cayman, Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti. Their 14-night transatlantic cruise to England stops in the Azores, Lisbon, Vigo, Cherbourg and Southampton; this is a one-way repositioning cruise.
When you take a cruise on a
Yachts of Seabourn cruise from Port Everglades, the experience is truly unique. Each of the yachts is a private pleasure craft for just 104 couples. Some special amenities on these cruises include movies under the stars, caviar in the surf, open bar, spa, and casino. They offer exclusive shore excursions that often include sumptuous meals or private visits not available to the general public. When the conditions permit, the ship lowers a unique water sports platform that allows guests to swim, snorkel, jet ski, and water ski from the back of the yacht.
Seabourn Cruise Line has three identical all-suite ultra-luxury ships choose from the
Seabourn Pride,
Seabourn Spirit, and
Seabourn Legend. They have 5-14 day Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises, their itineraries include stops in Grand Turk, Antiqua, Guadeloupe, Grenadines, Barbados, St Barts, St Maarten, St Kitts, BVI and La Romana, Belize City, Hunting Caye, Roatan, Puerto Moin, Panama City, Puerto Quepos, San Juan Del Sur, Caldera, Grand Turk, Jost Van Dyke, St Thomas, St Martin, and St John. Other cruises go to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Visit Belize and Hunting Caye, Belize; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Moin, Costa Rica; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica; and San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. They have a 28-day Central America cruise that sails to Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. They have several one way cruises:
A 13-day cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Lisbon, Portugal with a stop at Madeira.
A 29-day Transatlantic cruise from Port Everglades to Venice, Italy with stops at Madeira, Lisbon, Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, Mahon, Sicily, Malta, Gythion, Corfu and Dubrovnik.
And finally, they offer a spectacular 108-day world odyssey cruise sailing from Port Everglades to Athens, Greece via the Panama Canal to Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Dubai, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Israel.
Silversea Cruises are authentic luxury; their cabins are all suites with ocean-views. The two ships they sail from Port Everglades the
Silver Shadow and
Silver Whisper are smaller in comparison to mass-market vessels but just as opulent. They have one of the finest wine cellars at sea with a chilled bottle of Pommery Champagne waiting in every cabin along with a fully stocked complimentary beverage cabinet that is restocked daily with your personal favorites. They offer 8-15 day round trip and one way cruises, their itineraries include stops in Grand Turk, Virgin Gorda, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Samana, Tortola, St Martin, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Barbados, St Thomas, St Barts, St Vincent, Tortola, Key West, St Kitts, Virgin Gorda, Cartagena, San Blas Islands, Puntarenas, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Cabo San Lucas and San Diego.
More about Fort Lauderdale »
Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is one of America's busiest ports and is recognized worldwide with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. The Port contributes over $17 billion annually to the South Florida economy with an annual cargo tonnage of 7.5 million and nearly 4 million in passenger traffic a year.
Nearby
South Beach Miami is also a popular port of call with
Lummus Beach, one of Florida's most popular
beaches featuring natural white sand and excellent water quality. South Beach is also famous for it's Art Deco an eclectic form of elegant and stylish modernism characterized by geometric and jumbled shapes.
Ships Sailing from Port of Miami
In an effort to continue its position as a world-class facility, Miami is continuously preparing for the next generation of cruise vessels. Two of the terminals are some of the most modern cruise facilities in the world featuring a VIP lounge, a high-tech security screening facility for embarkation, airline counters and an airport-style conveyor baggage system. Each terminal features a convenient one-stop federal multi-agency facility for passenger processing.
The Port of Miami offers a choice of popular 3-11 day cruises plus a few that sail longer, with prices to fit all budgets. Ports of call easily reached from Miami extend from the Bahamas to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Mexico, Key West, South America and further. The cruise lines homeported at Miami are:
Azamara Cruise Lines sails one ship the
Azamara Journey their itineraries include stops in St. John, U.S.Virgin Islands; Marigot, Saint Martin; Roseau, Dominica; St. Johns, Antigua; Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Castries, St. Lucia; Pointe A Pitre, Guadeloupe; Gustavia, St. Barts;
Carnival Cruise Lines has six ships that sail out of Miami the
Carnival Imagination,
Carnival Destiny,
Carnival Valor,
Carnival Imagination,
Carnival Glory and the
Carnival Liberty their itineraries include stops in Nassau, Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay,Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Mexico and Key West.
Crystal Cruises sails two ships in and out of Miami the
Crystal Serenity and the
Crystal Symphony their itineraries include stops in Africa, Australia & New Zealand, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Canada, South America, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and all over Europe.
Celebrity Cruises has four ships that sail from Miami the
Celebrity Century,
Celebrity Eclipse,
Celebrity Constellation,
Celebrity Infinity their itineraries include stops in Key West Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Willemstad, Curacao, Oranjestad, Aruba, Scarborough, Tobago, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, St. Johns, Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie, Bridgetown, Barbados, Scarborough, Tobago, St. George's, Grenada, Willemstad, Curacao, Cartagena, Colombia, Panama Canal (Cruising), Manta, Ecuador, Lima, Peru, Arica, La Serena and Valparaiso, Chile.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers smaller ships in an effort to provide a home-away-from-home feel they sail four ships from Miami the
Balmoral, the
Boudicca, the
Black Watch, and the
Braemar to ports all over the Caribbean, the Amazon, all over Europe, West Africa and the Mediterranean.
Norwegian Cruise Lines has six ships that sail to or from Miami the
Norwegian Epic,
Norwegian Jewel,
Norwegian Pearl,
Norwegian Sky,
Norwegian Star and the
Norwegian Sun. Their itineraries include stops in London St. Maarteen, ST. Thomas, Roatan, Belize, Coasta Maya, Great Stirrup Cay, Samana, Tortola, Nassau, Cartagena, Puntarenas, Huatulco, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles, Santiago, Coquimbo, Africa, Lima, Puerto Limon and they sail through the Panama Canal.
Royal Caribbean International sails fours ships out of Miami, the
Majesty Of The Seas, the
Navigator Of The Seas, the
Liberty Of The Seas and the
Jewel Of The Seas their itineraries include stops in CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Labadee, Haiti; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; George Town, Grand Cayman; St. Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Oceania Cruises has one ship homeported in Miami, the
Regatta, its itinerary includes stops in Grand Turk, Samana (Cayo Levantado), Tortola, St. John's, Castries, Portsmouth, Virgin Gorda, Gustavia, Cartagena, Panama Canal Crossing, Puntarenas, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles
Port of Tampa
The
Port of Tampa has three cruise terminals that deliver state-of-the-art design, customer-friendly information areas, superior security, full passenger amenities and on-terminal parking. Passengers receive the type of service that meets and exceeds their expectations.
Together with the city of Tampa, the Port of Tampa continues to develop
Channelside, a bustling complex that is an enticing combination of dining, shopping and an IMAX theater. Its outdoor plaza often hosts live music and it is literally steps from the Port's cruise terminals. While at Channelside be sure to visit the adjacent Florida Aquarium. The Aquarium is a large scale, 250,000-square-foot facility that is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world.
Ships Sailing from Port of Tampa
Port of Tampa now homeports five vessels from three cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, offering the variety of 4- 14 day cruise itineraries.
Carnival Cruise Lines has two ships Carnival Legend and the Carnival Inspiration their itineraries include stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize City, and Roatan,
Holland America Lines has one ship that sails from Tampa the ms Ryndam it cruises to Key West, Belize City, Santo Tomas, Guatemala and Costa Maya.
Royal Caribbean has two ships, the Grandeur of the Seas and the Radiance of the Seas currently sailing from the port of Tampa their itineraries include stops in to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Key West, Florida; George Town and Grand Cayman.
More about Tampa Florida »
JAXPORT - Jacksonville
Cruises in
Jacksonville sail from the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, which is in North Jacksonville.
Carnival Cruise Lines is the only cruise line in service at JAXPORT, from there they sail the
Carnival Fascination. The Fascination, which entered service in 1994, offers four-day cruises to Freeport and Nassau, and five-day cruises to Half Moon Cay/Key West and Nassau. Jacksonville currently operates from a temporary cruise terminal provided by the Jacksonville Port Authority but to get to this terminal, all ships have to sail beneath electric power lines and the Dames Point Bridge. This is problematic because more than, 80 percent of cruise ships in service today are too tall to do this and the cruise industry is phasing out smaller vessels which do fit underneath the bridge and power lines. JAXPORT is currently in the process of reviewing options for a permanent cruise terminal without height restrictions.
Key West - Port of Call
While
Key West has no active cruises that use it as a home port many cruises that leave from other Florida ports make stops or port calls in Key West, some for a short time some for the entire day. Key West is a great port of call because there is so much to do. If you're there later in the day you have to go to
Mallory Square to watch the sunset and all the street performers and vendors that it brings out. World famous
Duval Street is a party any time of the day with all of its history, restaurants, shops and bars you could spend all day just hanging out there. They also offer all kinds of tours throughout the city on trains, trolleys or walking tours, there is even a ghost tour at night.
Cruise Vacation Features
Cruise ships are amazing and have often been called floating cities, think about the advisements you've seen on T.V. and how much they show to do and see. The amenities on the ship will depend on the size of the ship. Some ships have rock climbing walls; some have mini wave pools you can surf on, some even have ice skating rinks. They all have duty free shops where you can buy everything from liquor to jewelry and of course all the souvenir trinkets you can fit into you luggage. They all serve world class cuisine 'round the clock it seems because there's always a buffet or snack table somewhere.
The shows are Broadway quality and many have comedy clubs or piano bars as well. Most have play rooms and special places and events for the kids, especially on the Disney Cruises. Cruise lines have some of the best casinos around; they have poker tables where you can play 21, Texas Hold'Em and other card games. Other
gambling options are craps tables, roulette tables, gamming machines of all kinds including video poker. They all have workout rooms and one or more pools with wide expansive pool decks where people can gather and hang out or join in the games the cruise directors have planned, because there is always something going on. When you get to your ports of call you can enjoy shore excursions for the day which can be booked either on the cruise or as you're planning your trip before you even board your ship. So "All Aboard "and let's set sail.
With all the ports to choose from and the many itinerary options they offer you're sure to find a cruise that suits your schedule and captures your imagination.
Please Note
Cruise itineraries change frequently and
PlacesAroundFlorida.com will make an effort to keep up to date, please check with your Cruise Line for current information.
