You Can Save Money By Skipping The Hotel
Conventional wisdom says that you should arrive at least a day before your cruise departure date if you will be flying into your embarkation city. And this is clearly sound advice. However, in many circumstances, it can also be reasonable to make a different choice.
Depending on where you live, it is entirely possible to fly into and out of Florida on the same day as your embarkation and disembarkation dates with ample time to spare. One big advantage of doing so is saving money on hotel. We have done this many times. However, this is not for the faint of heart.
You can minimize potential problems if you can book nonstop flights. Trying to switch plans en route adds more opportunities for things to go wrong. And, you should try to take the earliest flight thats practical. If your flight is scheduled to land at least 4 hours before boarding for the ship closes, that provides a nice buffer.
Although we have done this many times without incident, we have some travel companions on a recent cruise out of Tampa who werent quite so lucky. This family flew from their home state in the middle of the country on a flight itinerary that required one change of planes. If everything had gone according to plan, they would have arrived in Tampa several hours before the ship was scheduled to depart. But, several things went awry including weather delays, mechanical problems, and a plane rerouting.
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What Is The Best Cruise Ship Out Of Florida
- #1. Disney Fantasy. Disney Cruise Line.
- #2. Disney Dream. Disney Cruise Line.
- #3. Norwegian Escape. Norwegian Cruise Line.
- #3. Allure of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International.
- #3. Harmony of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International.
- #6. Norwegian Sun. Norwegian Cruise Line.
- #6. Mariner of the Seas.
- #8. Carnival Magic.
People Also Asked, What is the best cruise line out of florida?
Symphony of seas Based in Celebration, Florida, Disney Cruise Line was No. 1 as Best Cruise Line for Families and No. 1 for Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean.Royal Caribbean came in second in the Families category followed by Doral-based Carnival Cruise Line.
Also know, where do most cruise ships leave from in Florida?
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The Best 2019 Cruises From Florida
You have a lot of options when it comes to cruising from Florida. The Sunshine State has four major cruise ports Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral . From these cruise ports, you can cruise to almost anywhere in The Caribbean from Jamaica to the British Virgin Islands. Whether you want a new cultural experience or a short weekend getaway, you’ll find a cruise to suit your needs.
You’ll find an almost limitless range of things to do when you take a cruise to The Caribbean. You can visit one of the oldest Mayan cities in Belize or an iguana farm in Honduras where more than 2,000 iguanas roam freely. A Caribbean cruise from Florida offers just about any adventure you crave.
You are not limited to The Caribbean when you cruise from Florida. Other destinations include South America, The Panama Canal, and more. Spend the day exploring the ski resorts and vineyards of the Andes on a South American cruise to Santiago, Chile. Hike the Carara Tropical Rainforest in Costa Rica with a local guide. No matter what your travel style, you’ll find something to love on a cruise from Florida.
Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced the 2019 cruises from Florida, and there are plenty of options for any kind of traveler. However, to get the best deals on cruises from Florida, you’ll want to start planning your next vacation right now. To make it easier to plan, here are the best 2019 cruises from Florida.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Sues Florida Surgeon General To End Vaccine Passport Ban
- Norwegian Cruise Line filed a lawsuit, hoping to put an end to the state’s law preventing businesses from requiring customers to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
- Without a lifting of the ban, the company says it could be forced to cancel cruises.
- Norwegian’s first sailing from Florida is set for Aug. 15.
In this article
Norwegian Cruise Line filed a lawsuit against Florida’s surgeon general, hoping to put an end to the state’s law preventing businesses from requiring customers to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Norwegian asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to throw out the state’s ban and grant the company a preliminary injunction that would allow it to resume sailing with the health and safety protocols it developed in order to comply with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the court filing, Norwegian said the state’s ban hurts its ability to prevent the spread of the virus onboard its ship. As a result, it could be forced to cancel upcoming cruises, which would result in a “devastating, unrecoverable loss.”
The company said it would like to require passengers to show proof of vaccination, but that would violate Florida’s law and open the company up to prosecution and fines of up to $5,000 per passenger, which it cannot afford.
Norwegian’s first sailing from a U.S. port is scheduled for Aug. 7 and its first sailing from Florida is set for Aug. 15.
So Is Your Cruise Ship Safe
Answers to this question will vary for every individual. The circumstances that seem safe for one person may appear ominous to another. In the end, all COVID-era travel entails weighing available information in light of personal health factors and ones tolerance for risk. The new CDC color code system for cruise ships offers one more metric to help make these tough decisions.
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What About Stopping In Ports
Ports could have their own requirements, like not being able to leave the ship if you didn’t book a shore excursion. Your departure country also may have its own vaccination or testing regulations for arriving tourists stricter than your cruise line. Again, do your research.
As for countries that haven’t opened their borders to full tourism yet, your ship won’t be stopping there at all. That means for the time being, Alaska cruises won’t be departing from, or calling at, Canadian ports. Until recently, that would have made Alaska cruising impossible due a federal law that prohibited foreign-flagged ships from carrying passengers between two US ports without stopping at a foreign port. But last month President Biden signed a bill that temporarily lifted that regulation. Now ships can sail from Seattle to Alaska nonstop.
But until Australia opens its borders you won’t be able to cruise there.
Dont Assume That Guys Offering Taxi Service Mean Private Rides
Heres a disembarkation tip that is particularly relevant for Florida cruise ports. If you have not pre-arranged a ride to the airport, either through the cruise line or a third-party service, you will step outside looking for a taxi. Now in many large cities, you will often find legitimate car service guys hanging around asking people if they want rides because something happened to their original fare.
If you step outside and get approached by someone who otherwise looks legitimate, be sure to ask if it is a private ride or a group taxi. Oftentimes, the term taxi may be used loosely, and its actually a shuttle van.
We missed a plane with this mistake. We had done the early morning walk off the ship so that we could catch an early flight in Miami. They loaded all of our luggage into the cargo trailer. We stepped into a van and there was already one guy in it. That was fine since we were all going to the airport. But what we did not realize was that the driver would proceed to drive by several other terminals looking for additional fares. And, since we werent full, the driver made a whole other loop around the port for a second try.
Turns out that the guy who first approached us worked for a shuttle company. And the shuttle company had someone stationed at each terminal to solicit folks and hustle them into the van. Although this team of folks was moving rather efficiently, it still added an extra 20-30 minutes that we hadnt expected.
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Small Ship Line #1: Quark Expeditions
If youre after white sand and turquoise waters, Quark Expeditions isnt for you. This line specializes in polar expeditions: each of its six ships is an icebreaker or an ice-strengthened vessel capable of bringing guests to the farthest reaches of the northern and southern seas. While youre guaranteed to explore some incredible rugged terrain, you might also sail in a pretty rugged shipthe two icebreakers, in particular, are nothing to write home about in terms of luxurious decor. But the access they provide to the polar regions is unparalleled and well worth the authentic expedition experience. The swanky new Ultramarine, however, is another story entirely.
The Cruise Lines That Are Rated
As of the latest update , ships operated by the following cruise lines are included in the table: American Queen Steamboat Company, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Company, Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc., Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea Cruises LTD.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Bahama Paradise Cruise Line
You mightve already guessed from its name, but the Bahama Paradise Cruise Line operates cruises to the Bahamas, sailing two-day itineraries from West Palm Beach, Florida. It has just two ships in its fleet, neither of which is necessarily a showstopper, but thats not what the crowd is here forthis is a relatively no-frills cruise line for those interested in quick, affordable getaways. Many passengers opt to extend their experience with a multi-night stay in the Bahamas, which the cruise line organizes for its guests.
Medium Ship Line #1: Marella Cruises
U.K.based cruise line Marella, which is operated by TUI UK, has a fleet of six ships that hold between 1,100 and 2,000 passengers, sailing itineraries around Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean, with some special journeys to Asia. The sailings are billed as all-inclusive, and they do include alcoholic beverages and tips, but some of the specialty restaurants cost an extra fee.
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Mega Ship Line #: Royal Caribbean International
If you truly want to feel like youre living in a floating city, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you, given that it has the four largest cruise ships in the world. Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas top the lists in terms of passenger count , length , and gross tonnage . Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think ofand plenty you cant even imaginefrom waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. Youll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship.
Best Cruises From Florida
- Caribbean
Several of the biggest cruise lines offer scenic cruises from Florida. An extremely popular sun-sea-and-sand destination as it is, Florida attracts party-goers, nature lovers, beach enthusiasts, water sports fans, retirees and even foodies. Home to vibrant cities like Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, it has more major cruise ports than any other state, which are also among the worlds busiest.
In fact, Florida is the main departure point for cruises to the sunny Caribbean. Nowhere else will you find the sheer number of Caribbean cruise itineraries than in Florida. Additionally, the Sunshine State is also a great place to embark on cruises to the Bahamas, Mexico and the iconic Panama Canal.
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When Booking A Hotel Stick Close To The Port
If booking a hotel, choose one close to the port .
In the ideal world, you will have plenty of time to get from any hotel in town to the port. But, in reality, lots of unexpected and uncontrollable things happen. Like construction, traffic delays, and road hazards. Or a pre-embarkation shopping trip that goes awry. It is much better to have a shorter distance to cover on embarkation day.
Each of the major Florida cruise port cities has excellent hotel options:
Medium Ship Line #: Viking Ocean Cruises
Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched six ocean-going vessels since 2015, the most recent being the brand-new Viking Jupiter, whose maiden voyage took place in February 2019. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean guests do receive one free excursion in each port , beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Princess Cruises
Of Princess Cruises 17-ship fleet, its five smallest include the Coral Princess, Island Princess, Sun Princess, Sea Princess, and the infamous Pacific Princess, which was the star of the TV show The Love Boat. The Pacific Princess is by far the smallest, holding just 680 passengers. The four other ships carry around 2,000 passengers and are the perfect size to sail through the Panama Canal.
Cruise From Home And Relax
Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.
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Can I Take A Cruise Now
Yes. After a few false starts over the last year, many cruise lines are scheduling sailings well into 2022. Celebrity Cruises was one of the first lines back in action with a seven-night Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Millennium that left St. Maarten on June 5 and required passengers 16 and older to be vaccinated.
Most of the other major cruise lines, including Princess, Holland America, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Cunard and Norwegian, also have announced sailings. See our sister site, The Points Guy, for a comprehensive breakdown of upcoming sailings.
Smaller lines are adding to their schedules as well, and some have been operating for a few months. American Queen Steamboat Company, for example, resumed with a Mississippi River voyage on March 15.
Just keep in mind that no schedule is guaranteed. Royal Caribbean postponed a sailing of its Odyssey of the Seas by four weeks to July 31 when eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19.
Of course, if you book a trip and it’s canceled or postponed, you’ll be able to reschedule or get a refund. Generally, lines also are letting you cancel ahead of time with no penalty. And as I discuss in the next question, your onboard experience will be different than before COVID-19 hit.
The Celebrity Reflection docked in Mykonos in pre-pandemic times. Celebrity was the first big cruise line to schedule a sailing.
Small Ship Line #1: Star Clippers
Star Clippers has a fleet of three ships, with its flagship Royal Clipper holding the record as the worlds largest full-rigged sailing ship. All three are sailing yachts, unfurling their sails for itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, with classic exteriors and interiors featuring several bars, a swimming pool, library, and formal dining room.
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Small Ship Line #1: Ponant
Fine French cuisine, Hermès bath products, and personalized service come standard on Ponant’s fleet of globe-circling ships. The line has recently expanded its original fleet of four expedition ships and one sailing yacht with six new Explorer-class ships designed for a form of luxury expedition-style cruising, each featuring an infinity pool, an underwater viewing lounge, and itineraries that include destinations as far-flung as Papua New Guinea and West Africas Bissagos Islands. It also acquired Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, adding another ship to the fleet. Ponant will launch Le Commandant Charcot, an ice-breaking expedition ship, in 2021.
Large Ship Line #: Disney Cruise Line
If theres one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, its hospitality. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. That said, the ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, theyre quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean Alaska Europe the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal. Three more ships are scheduled to be added to the fleet between 2022 and 2023.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Msc Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many! The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size shipsthe Lirica classwhich accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.