Florida is the undisputed gateway to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. On any given day, ships are sailing from six homeports: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Port Tampa Bay (Tampa), Port of Palm Beach (West Palm Beach), Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), PortMiami (Miami), and JAXPORT (Jacksonville). Five of these — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Tampa — see the major cruise lines year-round or seasonally. Jacksonville and Palm Beach are the “boutique ports,” with Jacksonville offering Carnival’s short Bahamas sailings and Palm Beach focused on quick getaways on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
What makes Florida special isn’t just the number of ships; it’s the flexibility. You can mix theme parks with a cruise, try two different cruise lines back to back, or even stitch together a “rail-and-sail” vacation using the Brightline train between Orlando and South Florida. In this article, I’ll cover what lines sail from each port, what’s nearby, and practical ways to get there (from someone who lives here!), plus step-by-step tips for doing side-to-side (S2S) and back-to-back (B2B) cruises like a pro.
PortMiami (Miami)
If cruising had a capital city, this would be it. PortMiami’s views, constant ship traffic, and shiny new terminals set the stage for your vacation. If you love choice — size of ship, brand, itinerary length — Miami’s your port of choice.
- Selection: From budget-friendly mid-size and mega-ships to smaller premium and luxury vessels, there’s usually a ship that fits your style, wallet, and dates.
- Pre/post fun: South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana — Miami is perfect for a night or two of restaurants and beach time.
- Transit perks: With an international airport and the Brightline station downtown, Miami is easy to reach and easy to connect from.
- Hotel strategy: If your ship departs on a Saturday or Sunday, expect higher rates near the port and in South Beach. Downtown/Brickell often have lower rates while keeping the convenience of being close to port.
- Embarkation day: Leave more buffer than you think. Miami traffic can be wild; plan your ride to arrive in the middle of your boarding window, not at the very start or end. Most cruisers arrive first thing, causing huge delays; PortMiami’s roads get jammed.
- S2S made easy: Miami ↔ Fort Lauderdale is the easiest same-day side-to-side thanks to short rideshares and frequent Brightline trains between the two downtowns. Uber/Lyft are easy to grab right outside your terminal.
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
Calm, beachy, efficient, and far less hectic than PortMiami. Port Everglades is just minutes from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport and not far from the beach. It’s a favorite for those who want a low-stress start and an easy finish to their cruise. In fact, Port Everglades is my favorite of the Florida ports to sail from.
- Close airport: Getting from the plane to your ship is faster here than anywhere else in Florida.
- Beach time: Tons of hotels along the beach and Intracoastal. A one-night pre-cruise here is something I always recommend.
- Lineup: Year-round Royal Caribbean and Celebrity; seasonal Princess and Holland America; many premium/luxury ships homeport or call frequently.
- Early flights home: Much more realistic here — but always keep a buffer.
- Hotel pick: For a quick overnight, look near 17th Street Causeway or the beach. Cruise-savvy hotels offer luggage storage, early breakfasts, and shuttles.
- S2S made easy: Port Everglades ↔ Miami is simple by rideshare or Brightline.
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
While not near Orlando proper, Port Canaveral is close enough to earn the “Orlando port” nickname. About an hour away, it pairs perfectly with Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, or Kennedy Space Center. Nearby Cocoa Beach has that laid-back old-school surf-town feel.
- Ship variety: From Disney’s magical ships to the newest giants from Royal Caribbean and mainstream options from Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian.
- Parks + cruise combo: Do Disney/Universal/SeaWorld before or after your sailing.
- Space nerd bonus: If the timing cooperates, watch a rocket launch from the beach or Jetty Park.
- Airport reality check: MCO has the most flights, but it’s still 50–60 minutes to the port. Book reputable shuttles/car services — especially for families or lots of luggage.
- Brightline note: Great for Orlando ↔ South Florida, but it doesn’t go to the port; you’ll need a road transfer.
- Overnight trick: Stay in Cocoa Beach the night before; wake to ocean views and head to the terminal relaxed.
Port Tampa Bay (Tampa)
Tampa is an easygoing Gulf Coast gateway with walkable pre-cruise fun. The Channelside/Sparkman Wharf area has food halls and harbor views, and The Florida Aquarium is steps from Port Tampa Bay’s terminals.
- Western Caribbean access: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman are common. For Bahamas/Eastern Caribbean, choose another Florida port.
- Small ship, classic vibes: Sunshine Skyway Bridge limits mega-ships, so you’ll find smaller ships (fewer passengers), often older and less flashy.
- Airport proximity: TPA is efficient and close.
- Pre/post cruise haunts: Ybor City’s historic charm, rooftops, Cuban sandwiches. Orlando’s parks are ~90–120 minutes away.
- Connecting from other ports: No Brightline (yet). For Tampa + Miami/Fort Lauderdale/Orlando, plan a drive or short flight; consider an overnight.
- Parking & drop-offs: On busy weekends (sports, concerts), arrive earlier to beat downtown traffic.
Jacksonville (JAXPORT)
Jacksonville’s cruise port has a single terminal with straightforward parking and quick check-in — perfect for a no-fuss Bahamas escape. Carnival runs 4–5 night Bahamas itineraries most of the year (Princess Cays, Bimini/Nassau/Half Moon Cay depending on schedule), typically on Carnival Elation.
- Fast start to vacation: Small-port ease means less terminal time and more “I’m-on-vacation” time.
- Budget-friendly short sails: Great for a quick reset or a first-timer test run without big travel days.
- Easy airport access: JAX is less than 15 minutes by taxi/rideshare in light traffic.
- The terminal sits in North Jacksonville on the St. Johns River with on-site, fenced, monitored parking steps from the building.
- Brightline does not serve Jacksonville. It runs Orlando ↔ South Florida only; plan car/taxi/short flights if pairing JAX with South Florida ports.
Port of Palm Beach (West Palm Beach / Riviera Beach)
If you want a quick Bahamas reset without the hassle of a mega-port, the Port of Palm Beach is your spot. Options are limited: the only cruise ship sailing from this port is the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, one of the oldest ships afloat.
- Speedy process: With only one homeported ship, parking, check-in, and boarding are straightforward.
- Location: Minutes from Palm Beach/West Palm dining and shopping, plus PBI.
- Easy add-on: Tie a short sailing to a South Florida vacation without the Miami hustle.
- Town hopping: Brightline to/from West Palm Beach is handy; short rideshare to the terminal in Riviera Beach.
- Stay the night: Consider Palm Beach or downtown West Palm for dining, walkability, and stress-free morning transfers.
Getting There (Airports, Driving, and Brightline Made Simple)
- MIA → PortMiami: A quick city hop; add extra time if your boarding window is late morning.
- FLL → Port Everglades: One of the shortest airport-to-port rides — still buffer for baggage/ride queues.
- MCO → Port Canaveral: About an hour by road; shuttles and private vans are great for families.
- TPA → Port Tampa Bay: Smooth drive; rideshares are plentiful.
- JAX → JAXPORT: Less than 15 minutes by taxi/rideshare in light traffic.
- PBI → Port of Palm Beach: Easy in/out; winter high season is busier.
- Where it runs: Orlando (MCO) ↔ Miami with stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura.
- Why it’s great: Fly into Orlando for parks, then train to South Florida for your cruise (or vice versa). Frequent trains, comfy seats, downtown stations.
- Know the limits: No Tampa or Jacksonville service; no direct Port Canaveral connection. You’ll still need a road transfer to/from MCO ↔ Canaveral.
- Private car/SUV: Best for families/groups wanting door to door.
- Hotel shuttles: Some airport/port-area hotels offer free or paid transfers.
- Rental car (one way): Often cost-effective Tampa ↔ Canaveral or Orlando ↔ Tampa; many lots shuttle you to the terminal.
Back-to-Back vs. Side-to-Side
Back-to-Back (B2B): Two (or more) cruises on the same ship. On turnaround morning, you’ll usually meet a crew member, briefly step off to clear customs, and hop right back on. Keep the same cabin and you don’t even unpack.
Side-to-Side (S2S): Two cruises on different ships and/or different ports. You’ll handle your own transfer between ships — easy between Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm; more advanced between Tampa/Canaveral.
For more on Back-to-Back and Side-to-Side cruises, check out my in-depth article here.
Back-to-Back Cruises vs. Side-to-Side Cruises: What’s the Difference?
How to Pull Off Side-to-Side Between Florida Ports
- Same-day friendly. Plan a mid-morning departure from Ship A, rideshare or Brightline to the other city, and arrive at Ship B’s terminal inside your boarding window.
- Packing smart: Carry-on bags only make this a breeze. If you check luggage, keep toiletries/meds in a personal item.
- Use Brightline. Frequent and fast, with short rideshares to PortMiami/Port Everglades and the Port of Palm Beach.
- Timing: Aim for a mid-morning train and arrive during the boarding sweet spot.
- Two-segment move. Brightline to Orlando, then a pre-booked shuttle or private car to Canaveral.
- Pro move: Overnight near MCO or Cocoa Beach to reduce stress.
- Drive 2–3 hours. One-way rental car is flexible and often cheaper than private transfers. Orlando traffic can be brutal — budget time.
- Same-day or overnight? Same day can work with early disembark and a later boarding window; overnight is lower stress.
- No rail. Either drive (often 4–5 hours) or take a short flight. If driving, start early to beat I-75/I-4 traffic.
- JAX ↔ Port Canaveral (Orlando): ~2.5–3 hours by car. One-way rental is easiest if you’re hopping between cruises.
- JAX ↔ Tampa: ~3–3.5 hours; doable same day with an afternoon boarding window.
- JAX ↔ Miami/Fort Lauderdale: 5+ hours by car — fly or plan an overnight.
- JAX ↔ Palm Beach: ~4.5–5 hours by car — safer with a hotel night.
- To Canaveral: Brightline to Orlando, then shuttle/car to the port.
- To Tampa: Rental car or short flight; build in a cushion if attempting same day.
Sample Itineraries
Theme Parks + Cruise (Orlando → Miami):
Fly into Orlando, hit the parks for two days, catch Brightline to Miami, rideshare to PortMiami, cruise. On return, take the train back to Orlando for your flight home.
Two Ports, One Trip (Fort Lauderdale → Miami):
Disembark at Port Everglades, rideshare to Brightline, take the train ~30 minutes to Miami, rideshare to PortMiami, board the afternoon sailing. Carry-on only makes it smooth.
Gulf then Atlantic (Tampa → Canaveral):
Sail from Tampa first, grab a one-way rental after disembarkation, drive to Cocoa Beach, overnight, and board in Port Canaveral the next morning.
Extra Tips You’ll Thank Me For Later
- Pick by itinerary + flight price. If airfare to Miami is high, check Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach. For parks, choose Canaveral and fly into Orlando. Tampa’s great for Western Caribbean; Palm Beach is perfect for a quick Bahamas trip.
- Boarding window = your friend. Aim for the middle of your assigned time — shorter lines, less waiting.
- Pack a “day bag.” Keep meds, chargers, swimsuits, and a change of clothes with you.
- Travel insurance: If you’re stringing together trains, cars, and multiple cruises, it’s cheap peace of mind.
- Kids & groups: Private vans or one-way rentals can beat per-person shuttle pricing and keep everyone together.
With six ports, countless ships, and a rail line that ties the state together, Florida is a cruiser’s paradise. Keep your logistics simple, build in buffers, and you can create anything from a low-stress weekend to a multi-port, multi-line epic cruise vacation.