Discover the 7 Top Cruises to Experience from Florida

Florida's ports are the starting point for more cruises than any other location worldwide. The best cruises departing from Florida—especially from Miami, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral near Orlando—offer easy access to Caribbean islands and far-off destinations.

Besides being the gateway for countless delightful cruises, Florida allows travelers to extend their adventures with a few beach days or visits to theme parks, making it a perfect spot to kick off or conclude your cruise.

Though the Caribbean reigns supreme as the favorite cruise destination from Florida, journeys through the Panama Canal (usually in spring and fall) and extended winter voyages like multi-month world cruises or South American itineraries also depart from Florida's ports. Some routes even venture from Florida up the Eastern Seaboard to Canada and across the Atlantic as ships reposition for spring and summer in the Mediterranean.

Here are our top selections for the finest cruises departing from Florida.

1. Western Caribbean with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Proposed itinerary: A 10-day “Heavenly Sunsets” journey in February 2025, starting at $6,299 per person (prices include unlimited excursions and round-trip airfare).

On the recently unveiled “world’s most luxurious” vessel, the 746-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur, travelers experience cruising at its finest, complete with a 1,600-piece art collection, sailing from Miami to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. This all-suite, all-balcony ship showcases masterpieces, including Picassos and the one-of-a-kind 18-karat white-gold Fabergé egg— the only permanent Fabergé egg at sea. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining and drinks at a variety of venues, including a steakhouse, a French restaurant, and an Asian-fusion eatery. The onboard Culinary Arts Kitchen offers hands-on classes led by professional chefs. During a stop in Port Royal, Jamaica, guests can partake in a Bob Marley Cultural Experience, visiting the legendary musician’s home and the museum's One Love Café (interest is likely to spike with the release of the new movie about Bob Marley, One Love, this month).

2. Explore South America with Cunard

Proposed itinerary: A 52-night “South America Discovery” cruise in January 2025, starting at $9,405 per person.

In January, Cunard Line’s 2,061-passenger Queen Victoria will embark on an awe-inspiring nearly two-month journey circumnavigating South America, departing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. This cruise features stops in Caribbean destinations like Turks and Caicos, Barbados, Aruba, and the Bahamas, as well as several Brazilian ports (including an overnight in Rio), Uruguay, Argentina (with an overnight in Buenos Aires), scenic passage around Cape Horn, Chile (with views of the PIO X and Amalia glaciers), Peru (with an overnight in Callao near Lima), Ecuador, and through the Panama Canal. Onboard, dress to impress for a glamorous gala with a live big band in the Queens Room ballroom, enjoy darts in the Golden Lion Pub, and sample the extensive cocktail menu at the Gin & Fizz bar located in the stunning multilevel Grand Lobby.

3. Engaging Caribbean Cruise with Azamara

Proposed itinerary: A 14-night “Eastern Caribbean Voyage” in November 2024, starting at $2,423 per person.

Celebrate Thanksgiving aboard Azamara Cruises’ intimate 680-passenger Azamara Onward, visiting 10 Caribbean nations over two weeks. This extensive journey departs from Miami, making stops in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda). That’s a fantastic number of destinations to check off your travel list! Azamara also offers a variety of shorter and longer sailings. Enjoy the ship’s welcoming, country club-like ambiance and savor dishes like a classic martini and filet mignon at the Prime C steakhouse. On land, choose from excursions like sliding and swimming at the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, or exploring the artistic side of St. Maarten on an island art tour. Complimentary AzAmazing Celebrations showcase local culture, such as a vibrant Bajan carnival with a traditional drumming Tuk band in Barbados.

4. Sustainable Central America Voyage with HX Expeditions

Proposed itinerary: An 11-night “Tropical Waters and Remote Island Communities in the Caribbean” cruise in September 2024, starting at $3,909 per person.

HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) is setting sail on its 500-passenger Roald Amundsen from Miami to Colon, Panama, while visiting isolated island communities. This journey takes you through Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Panama, with stops at UNESCO-protected nature reserves such as the Belize Barrier Reef and Colombia’s Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, where you might encounter iguanas and vibrant blue lizards, as well as Panama’s Coiba National Park—one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Enjoy snorkeling around Panama’s Zapatilla Island, famously featured on the TV show Survivor. The ship boasts an infinity pool and is committed to sustainability, utilizing hybrid-electric engines that enable several hours of battery operation, thus minimizing its carbon footprint.

5. Family-Oriented Mexican Caribbean Voyage on ‘Disney Treasure’

Proposed itinerary: 7-night westerly Caribbean cruises, starting at $6,973 for an adult and two children sharing a cabin.

The highlight from Disney Cruise Line in 2024 is the December launch of the 4,000-passenger Disney Treasure, the sixth ship in the fleet, designed to operate on cleaner liquefied natural gas while exploring the Eastern and Western Caribbean. If you have young fans of the Disney Pixar film Coco, this Western Caribbean sailing is perfect. Departing from Port Canaveral, you’ll spend seven nights visiting Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the cruise line’s exclusive island, CocoCay in the Bahamas. The ship features a Coco-themed restaurant inspired by the film and its characters. The Coco experience continues in Cozumel, where guests can enjoy a chocolate tasting workshop while learning about alebrije, the colorful folk-art sculptures that inspired Dante, Miguel’s spirit guide in the movie. Adults can unwind in exclusive areas like a Haunted Mansion-themed bar, inspired by the popular Disney attraction.

6. Craft Your Own Caribbean Journey with Explora Journeys

Recommended itinerary: 7-night A Journey from Miami to San Juan, starting from $4,050 per person; or 14 nights from $7,650 per person.

The newly established luxury line Explora Journeys, based in Switzerland, operates resort-like vessels Explora I and the upcoming Explora II, each accommodating around 740 passengers. They offer unique, non-repeating seven-night Caribbean itineraries, allowing you to cruise for a week and return home or extend your journey for another week without revisiting ports. For instance, embark from Miami to San Juan, visiting Anguilla, Saint Martin (Marigot), Guadeloupe, and Dominica, then fly home, or stay on to explore St. Barth’s, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda). The ships are elegant retreats designed for couples and families, featuring four pools (including one for adults), activities like pickleball, 18 dining options, and a fun club for kids aged 6 to 17.

We recently experienced a journey aboard the Explora I.

7. Discover the Eastern Seaboard and Canada with Viking

Recommended itinerary: 15-night “Canada & the Atlantic Coastline” cruise in April 2024, starting from $11,295 per person.

Viking embarks from Fort Lauderdale to Toronto with its cutting-edge, 378-passenger expedition vessels, Viking Polaris in April 2024 and Viking Octantis in April 2025, transitioning from Antarctica to the Great Lakes for the summer months. This journey includes stops in Charleston, New York, Quebec City, and Norfolk, Virginia, while exploring the untamed regions along the Canadian coast. Activities may involve kayaking or hiking on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, spotting seals and birds on the uninhabited Brion Island, discovering the rugged landscapes of Trois-Rivieres in Quebec, or navigating the famous lochs and canals of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The ships, featuring elegant Scandinavian design, seamlessly blend traditional cruising with expedition experiences, allowing guests to board Zodiac boats from an enclosed marina known as the Hangar. Additionally, two six-passenger submarines provide unique underwater perspectives.