CRUISES
Cruises from Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral compared
Compare the three big Florida cruise ports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. See airports, drive times, parking and which port suits your trip.
Florida is the centre of cruising in the United States. Three ports handle most of the traffic: Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. Each works with a different airport and suits a different kind of trip, so choose the port before you choose the ship.
The three big ports compared
| Port | Nearest airport | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| PortMiami | Miami International (MIA), a short drive | The widest choice of ships and lines, and a few days in Miami before or after |
| Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), very close | Easy flights and lots of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings. Often the simplest airport trip |
| Port Canaveral | Orlando International (MCO), roughly an hour by road | Combining a cruise with Orlando theme parks, and driving from central Florida |
Cruise and Orlando together
Port Canaveral is the natural choice if you are visiting Orlando. Plan a park stay first, then a transfer or rental car to the port. Read our Orlando car rental guide and our guide to driving in Orlando, or book a shuttle with our airport transfers guide. Portuguese-speaking readers can use our guide to aluguel de carro em Orlando.
Getting to the ship
- Fly in the day before. A flight delay on the morning of sailing is the most common reason people miss a ship. A hotel near the port or airport helps.
- Parking. Port parking is available at all three ports, usually charged by the day. See our parking guide.
- Transfers and rideshare. Pre-booked shuttles take away the guesswork. Compare options in airport transfers.
- Flights. Compare fares to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando on our flight search. The cheapest airport is not always the closest.
Where the ships go
From Florida you can sail to the Bahamas, the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and on longer sailings to the Southern Caribbean, Central America, the Panama Canal and Bermuda. CruiseDirect lists Panama Canal cruises and Bermuda cruises too. Some seasonal ships also sail from Florida to Europe in spring and autumn.
Choosing between the ports
- Start with the flights. Whichever airport is cheapest or has the best schedule often decides it.
- Think about the days either side. Miami suits a city break, Canaveral suits Orlando parks, and Fort Lauderdale suits beach days.
- Compare sailing times and cabin prices from each port on the same dates.
- Count the cost of transport, parking and a hotel.
For savings, see cruise deals and cheap cruises. If you sail from Texas instead, see cruises from Galveston.
Frequently asked questions
Which Florida port is the best?
There is no single best. Fort Lauderdale is easiest for airport access, Miami has the widest choice, and Port Canaveral works best with Orlando.
How far is Port Canaveral from Orlando?
Roughly an hour by road from Orlando International Airport, depending on traffic.
Should I fly in the same day as my cruise?
It is safer to arrive the day before. A delayed flight can mean a missed ship, and travel insurance may not cover every case.
Can I park at the cruise port?
Yes. All three ports offer parking, charged by the day. Prices and rules change, so check before you go.
Do cruises from Florida go to Europe?
Some do, as seasonal repositioning sailings in spring and autumn. Most Florida sailings go to the Caribbean and Bahamas.
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