Best Cruises From Miami Florida
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Over the last century, Miami, Florida has evolved from being a mangrove swampland to an affordable cruise heaven for tourists around the globe.
Many cheap cruises depart from Miami offering the ultimate luxuries and amenities to the sailing tourists.
Cruises leaving from Miami vary in their size and luxury.
Amenities like spas, wellness centers, and lounges are very common among the cruises which start from Miami.
There are numerous kinds of cruise packages departing from Miami.
All you have to do is make your choice depending on the facilities, entertainment and itineraries you want on your cruise holiday.
Starting from cheap cruises for big crowds to the expensive ones for more private cruisers the list covers the top best cruises sailing from Miami Port.
Carnival Horizon Resumes Cruises From Miami
The Vista-class cruise ship is the first in the fleet to resume operations out of PortMiami and the second in the fleet to restart cruises overall. It marks a huge step forward after the cruise line has spent more than 15 months on hold.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Carnival Horizon departed Miami at around 4:00 PM for a six-day cruise which includes stops in Amber Cove and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay. The ship was originally scheduled to visit Bimini in the Bahamas, but that was canceled and replaced with an extra day in Half Moon Cay.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Duffy said:
PortMiami is our number one homeport in terms of ships and passenger embarkations and todays return to cruising with Carnival Horizon represents an important first step in getting our company back to business while infusing much-needed capital to the thousands of workers who rely on the cruise industry for their livelihood.
The past year has been challenging to say the least and I wish to thank our state and local officials, PortMiami, and our business partners and suppliers for their incredible support and patience during this time.
Carnival Horizon Welcomes First Guests
Norwegian Cruise Line Could Move Ships Elsewhere
Governor DeSantis has been a staunch supporter of the cruise industry in recent months however, his most recent Bill does nothing good for the cruise industry and will limit if the cruise lines can conduct business from the State.
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The cruise lines need to comply with a wide variety of measures that include a 95% vaccination mandate for passengers onboard the ships if the vessels want to sail from mid-July. And that mandate is what Governor DeSantis is firmly against.
Del Rio now says that if Florida does not allow Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, something the line has committed itself to, for passengers and crew, it will take its ships elsewhere.
The threat came during the earnings call earlier this week, a few days after DeSantis signed the Bill into law. As the worlds third-largest cruise operator Norwegian Cruise Line makes significant contributions to the Florida economy, something Del Rio will take away if he needs to:
NCLH President and CEO Frank Del Rio:
At the end of the day, cruise ships have motors, propellers and rudders, and God forbid we cant operate in the State of Florida for whatever reason, then there are other states that we do operate from. And we can operate from the Caribbean for ships that otherwise wouldve gone to Florida.
Frank Del Rio:
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Ncl Cruise Ship Dining Packages
On each of its ships, NCL offers up to 28 dining options. In 2016 on all ships were introduced upgraded main dining room menus with added new menu items. The upgraded complimentary food menus offer more variety of appetizers, soups, and salads, signature entrees, desserts. New are the seafood offerings .
NCL is noted for its high-quality shipboard foods, restaurants, unique dining concepts, well-trained certified chefs-waiters-sommeliers.
- Almost all the shipboard food is made on the ship and from scratch – including all sauces, bread, pastries, and desserts.
- All ships have full-service butcheries.
- All fish is bought whole and cut and trimmed on the ship.
- Cruise Itinerary-based regional dishes and local beers and wines are always available,
- On NCL Bliss were introduced the restaurants Q and Los Lobos .
Cruise Itineraries To And From Miami Florida
Follows a list of destinations visited by ships leaving out of Miami:
- World Cruises – around the world voyages from Miami are offered in January, as well as shorter itinerary segments part of the main round-trip itinerary.
- South America itineraries from Miami are operated by luxury lines or by budget lines ships on relocation routes to Brazil or Argentina . Round-trip itineraries usually visit ports in the Southern Caribbean, Brazil , then go back to Florida.
- 8-day Southern Caribbean itineraries visit Grand Turk Island, Dominican Republic, Aruba , Curacao .
- Panama Canal transits between Miami and California ports are offered with one-way itineraries . They include transition through Panama Canal and usually visit ports in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico .
Repositioning – Panama Canal transits from Florida to Alaska are offered in late Spring. The itineraries end either in California ports or in the turn-around ports for round-trip Alaskan departures – Vancouver BC or Seattle WA. The reverse routes are operated in early Fall.
Repositioning – Transatlantic crossings from Florida to Europe are offered in Spring. Ships on relocation routes from Miami usually include in the itineraries Canary Islands and Mediterranean ports, and often Bermuda . Longest relocation itineraries end in Baltic Sea turnaround ports .
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Top Destinations On Cruises From Miami
Bahamas
Tropical bliss awaits in the Bahamas, where youll spend a day lounging on powdery white sand and dipping in warm turquoise waters. Sample some of the best rum in the world, feast on the freshest of seafood, or go snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, where youll see colorful schools of fish and sea turtles.
In Nassau, relax under a palm tree at Cable Beach, or spend a fun-filled family day at the Atlantis Resort, where youll find water slides, lazy rivers, and a stunning aquarium filled with exotic underwater species.
Ncl Cruise Ship Lifeguards
In April 2017, NCL Norwegian Cruise Line announced the company will employ certified lifeguards on some of its vessels and fleetwide . The news made NCL, the 3rd major cruise company with lifeguards onboard its ships – following Disney and Royal Caribbean.
- The onboard lifeguards are stationed only at the family pools during scheduled swimming pool hours. This staff will be “American Red Cross” trained and certified.
- NCL will also offer complimentary swim vests for both adults and kids. Parents can obtain safety vests at the Lido Deck’s towel station during daytime hours.
- The first NCL ships with lifeguards will be Norwegian Epic , Norwegian Escape , Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway .
- NCL started testing monitoring through CCTV cameras at family pools since 2015. So adding full-time lifeguards was a decision for more safety on pool decks. However, it should be known that lifeguards don’t replace parental supervision and that parents remain the best form for preventing onboard accidents.
- Disney Cruise Line employs certified lifeguards since 2013. RCI Royal Caribbean employs cruise ship lifeguards since February 2017 . RCI’s onboard lifeguards are dressed in special uniforms and stationed at every onboard swimming pool, including the Solarium during the complex’ opening hours.
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Cruises Are Back These Ships Will Sail This July From Florida
Find out which cruise ships are resuming operations out of Florida this July including from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Are you planning on taking a cruise this summer from Florida but getting confused about the offerings? You are likely not alone. Cruise companies have been changing their schedules, ships, requirements, and itineraries on an almost daily basis in the last few months.
Nonetheless, Cruises Are Back!
So, the question is then, which cruise ships are sailing? We look at what we can expect from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line this July and some other cruise lines that will sail from the sunshine state.
Still Much Work To Do
It is the second mountain the cruise industry will have to climb before setting sail again this summer. It seems unlikely DeSantis will be backing out of his policy, especially now his name is in the minds of many as a running mate for a possible vice-president position. There is a way out though, as Frank Del Rio believes the law possibly does not affect the cruise industry:
Weve had discussions with the Governors office. Those continue, but it is a classic state versus federal government issue. Legally, lawyers believe that federal law applies and not state law, but Im not a lawyer. And we hope that this hasnt become a legal football or a political football.
The CDCs requirements have also become significantly more difficult to pass since the update earlier this week.
Industry lobby group Cruise Lines International Association reacted in a statement. The group says it sees a long road ahead for the cruise lines, but CLIA is happy to see the CDC work towards its commitments towards the industry. It also warns of the consequences of a delayed resumption while pointing out the successful restart of cruising elsewhere in the world:
Between all the noise, it is difficult to pinpoint a date and time when we will see a cruising restart, be it from Florida or elsewhere in the United States. With these many obstacles, it is easy to see why cruise companies could decide to move their vessels to other nearby ports in the Caribbean.
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Another cruise line set to sail this July is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which sails 2-day itineraries onboard its Grand Classica cruise ship starting July 2. Guests do not need to be vaccinated but will be held to additional health and safety regulations onboard the ship.
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
Useful Information About Miami For Cruise Passengers
Miami has an extensive public transit system, which connects you to all major attractions in the city. Metrobus, Metrorail, and free trolley buses make it easy to explore Miami without a car. Miami Beach and Downtown are easily explored on foot, although having a car or traveling by taxi and public transit are the best way to get between districts.
Downtown Miami is home to the citys major attractions and is the commercial hub of the city. From theaters and shops to government officers and corporate headquarters, the district is a bustling part of the city with plenty of hotels and things to do.
To the north is Midtown and the hip Design District, while Cuban culture flourishes with authentic Latin restaurants and shops in Little Havana to the west. Coconut Grove is a lush part of the city with historic sites, fine dining and luxury hotels.
Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Downtown Miami. Often thought of as part of Miami, it is a separate and distinct municipality. The popular beach destination on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean is home to several oceanfront resorts, sandy beaches, and colorful South Beach.
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What Each Cruise Line Says About Sailing In Florida
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Monday announced plans to set sail from two Florida ports requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 despite state legislation banning businesses from asking for proof.
Norwegian announced sailings from New York, Los Angeles, Port Canaveral and Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line, also based in Miami, announced sailings from the Port of Galveston, Texas, with vaccinated guests and was working with Florida officials for a ship to leave from PortMiami.
The cruise lines plans appear to be at odds with the new state law. The sailings are contingent on obtaining a certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it remains unclear how the plans can be reconciled with Florida law. Norwegian said in a statement that it is contact with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis office on the requirements.
We are currently in communication with his staff and legal counsel to ensure that we can offer the safest cruise experience for our passengers departing from the cruise capital of the world, said Norwegians CEO, Frank Del Rio.
In April, DeSantis signed an order banning businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination and prohibiting state agencies from issuing so-called vaccine passports that document COVID-19 vaccinations and test results. The governor argues the legislation was meant to preserve individual freedom and medical privacy.
Ncl Cruise Cabin Upgrades
In February 2017, NCL started a new cruise cabin upgrade program that allows already booked passengers to bid for upgrades to higher-category staterooms.
- The new “Norwegian Upgrade Advantage” program was tested and approved by a group of top travel agencies. The entire system is automated and don’t require travel agent intervention and pays commissions on the enhanced fare.
- NCL’s senior sales VP Camille Olivere commented: “After final payment guests can bid on an upgrade and there’s a little dial that will show them in red, yellow or green the likelihood their bid is going to be accepted. When NCL offers the cabin upgrade to the guest we email the travel agency of record, so they see the guest has been offered the ability to upgrade, and if the bid is accepted we notify the agency. The agency has to do absolutely nothing”.
- Once the passengers’ bids are accepted, they are assigned to an available higher-level stateroom – interior to oceanview, oceanview to balcony, balcony to a suite or to The Haven accommodation. However, they can’t choose the exact stateroom to which they are assigned.
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Cruise Ships Resume Sailing Out Of Florida As Legal Battles Play Out And State Covid
More than a month after Royal Caribbean did a test voyage to simulate how the line would handle passengers if they tested positive for COVID-19, the cruise line this week faced the real thing: Six guests aboard the Adventure of the Seas ship tested positive, the company confirmed Friday.
Four of the guests, who are not traveling together, are vaccinated. Of these adult passengers, three are asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms. The remaining two passengers, traveling together, are unvaccinated children and are not presenting symptoms.
In an email, Royal Caribbean International wrote that the guests were quarantined and close contacts were traced. So far, they all tested negative. Each guest and travel companions disembarked in Freeport, The Bahamas.
The company confirmed that in order to travel on the Adventure, which departed Nassau on July 24, people 16 and older must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and had to test negative before boarding. Children under 12 who aren’t eligible for vaccines also had to test negative. All of the staff are fully vaccinated.
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“Weve worked so hard on so many protocols, that I really wanted to get out there and test out how does it actually pan out,” Shen said.
No American cruise line, however, has said it wants to sail with unvaccinated crew or passengers.
Cdc Rules For Cruise Ships In Florida To Remain In Place For Now
The CDC’s rules will remain in place the agency can appeal the original decision.
A federal appeals court ruled late Saturday night pandemic-era cruise restrictions could continue in Florida after a previous ruling had decided they weren’t enforceable.
The ruling created a temporary stay, allowing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue to enforce its cruise regulations on ships in Florida, The Associated Press reported.
The decision comes weeks after a federal judge ruled the CDC’s coronavirus-related rules could only “persist as only a nonbinding ‘consideration,”recommendation’ or ‘guideline,'”The New York Times reported at the time. That decision was set to take effect on July 18 before the temporary stay was issued at 11:50 p.m. on July 17.
This temporary stay will allow the CDC’s rules to remain in place until the agency can appeal the original decision, according to the AP.
Currently, the CDC requires cruise lines to sail “simulated voyages” with volunteer passengers to start unless at least 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. Last month, Royal Caribbean completed the first of its test cruises on its Freedom of the Seas ship out of south Florida.
However, Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis has argued the CDC’s cruise rules are “overly burdensome” and “disregard the freedom of Floridians to make decisions for their families.”
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Port Of Miami Parking
If you are driving your own vehicle to the port, parking garages and lots are conveniently located at all the cruise terminals. There are designed parking spots in each garage for disabled permit holders, and a wheelchair accessible shuttle connects passengers from their vehicle to their cruise terminal.
If you are driving a recreational vehicle or have a trailer, there are spots for oversized vehicles at Lot 2 close to Terminal E. All parking facilities are patrolled by security.
All parking areas at cruise terminal and Lot 2 are open on cruise days only. Long-term parking states at $22 per night . On non-cruise days, you will need to contact PortMiami or port security to gain access to your vehicle.
Payment for parking is available using major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You can also pay using major U.S. Travelers Checks or cash. Parking at Garage J is only available on a pre-paid basis.
Affordable short term parking is available at two designated lots. These are great options for friends, family and others if you are being picked up. Cell phone waiting lots are found across from Terminal B and Terminal 2 .
Additional several Miami hotels offer cruise parking for the duration of your voyage. You pay a fee/ night to leave your car at the hotel or book a parking package which includes a night stay, shuttle service and cruise parking.
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