As one of the biggest ports in the country, a cruise from Fort Lauderdale can get you just about anywhere in the world. From idyllic Caribbean beaches to the historic streets of Europe, if you’ve got the time and the budget, a cruise from Fort Lauderdale can accommodate your every need.
Best cruises from Fort Lauderdale
Short breaks, world-voyages, family holidays, romantic getaways … you name it, a cruise from Fort Lauderdale has it.
Best for world-adventures: Princess
If you're looking to settle into a longer cruise, choose from its selection of world voyages setting sail from this port. Round trips last upwards of 100 days and visit as many as 48 ports across six continents before returning to Florida. Shorter cruises can last between two to three months, soaking in the sights of Australia, South America, and the Far East — but you'll need to organize your own return flight.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card, JCB
Price ($-$$$):
Best for short cruises: Royal Caribbean
If you're in the mood for a cheeky weekend cruise, Royal Caribbean has you covered. While its two- and three-day cruises will have you soaking up some sun at CocoCay in the Bahamas, its four-day cruise allows you to see the sights of the Western Caribbean.
Room service included
No free alcohol
Food included
Price matches
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Though not exclusive to adults, the intimate atmosphere and cultural enrichment offered onboard a Holland America cruise usually attracts an older crowd. Start the day with a romantic breakfast in bed with its 24-hour room service, move onto a wine-tasting on the top deck in the afternoon and, for the cherry on top, make use of the in-room spa bath facilities.
Want to travel beyond the Bahamas and the Caribbean? Celebrity has a huge variety of sailings across the Atlantic to many ports in Europe. Most sails head to the delights of the Mediterranean, though you'll find a smattering that head up to Ireland, France and other northern European countries.
It's not hard to keep the whole family happy on a Carnival Cruise. Yep, that's mom, dad, the kids, and the grandparents. Adjoining staterooms are designed with families in mind, buffet and some sit-down meals are included in your cruise fare so you don't have to worry about anyone going hungry. Even babysitting services and kids clubs can be found onboard if you need some quality, kid-free time with your partner.
No free room service
No free alcohol
Food included
No price matching
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Paypal, Carnival EasyPay, Gift Card, Discover Card, Debit, Western Union, Cheque
Best for an all-inclusive luxury getaway: Seabourn
No expense is spared on a Seabourn cruise where you can enjoy the luxuries of having one staff member to every guest onboard. With everything from your mid-morning snack to your nightcap included in your fare, sit back on your private sun deck and relax with a glass of bubbly.
With such a busy port as Fort Lauderdale, narrowing down the best cruise lines sailing out of Port Everglades was never going to be easy. That’s why we took plenty of time to analyze the itineraries and onboard facilities of these major cruise liners.
Our top priorities were cruises with well-paced routes, interesting itineraries and quality amenities onboard. This means that we looked at the cabin and staterooms available, onboard dining options offered and daily entertainment to make sure they were good value for you.
And, we didn’t just leave this down to the opinion of our experts, but we consulted online blogs, unbiased reviews and travel websites to bring you a well-rounded and honest overview.
Where do cruises from Fort Lauderdale go?
Conveniently located on the edge of the Atlantic and as one of the busiest ports in the world, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a destination you can’t access from Port Everglades. Some of the most popular place to sail to include:
The Bahamas
The Caribbean
Transatlantic cruise to Europe
Belize
South America
West Coast of USA
When is the best time to cruise from Fort Lauderdale?
Cruises from Fort Lauderdale generally run throughout the year, though you’ll find the largest selection of itineraries from December through to April. This also happens to be peak season so get ready for very busy ports, hikes in cruise prices and crowded waterways.
If crowds aren’t your thing, consider booking a cruise in May, June or August through to November. Considered to be off-peak, this is when you’ll find the smallest crowds and best bargains. But hurricane season peaks from August until October, so be prepared for last-minute cancellations or itinerary changes.
Getting to the port for your cruise from Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport is conveniently located just three miles away from Port Everglades, which is where you’ll be jumping on your cruise. While there’s no free shuttle, it’s just a ten-minute drive in an Uber or Lyft for about $15. Some cruise lines offer a shuttle from the airport to the terminal, but at $16 per person, this is one of the more expensive options.
From Miami Airport, Uber and Lyft can provide a car to Port Everglades for around $40 for four people. A taxi from the airport can cost around double that. Cruise lines offer shuttles for $30 per person each way, though independent shuttles are also available for a lower price too.
If you’re spending the night in town before your cruise, it’s worth checking with your hotel for a free shuttle to the terminal. If not, Lyft and Uber are your best bets as Florida’s public transport is notoriously unreliable.
Bottom line
If you’re planning on setting sail from The Sunshine State, Fort Lauderdale offers a range of itineraries only rivaled by ports in Miami. When you decide you want to sail, check out these deals and discounts on cruises first to save a heap.
Frequently asked questions
It takes between two and four hours to reach the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale, which is why you’ll find so many itineraries offering quick two or three day trips.
Still classed as peak season, cruises in March include a range of itineraries sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Some of the most popular destinations include the Bahamas and the Caribbean, but you’ll find sailings to South America and across to Europe at this time too.
New to 2020 is Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas along with some old favorites including Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean offers a shuttle bus service exclusive to its passengers for $30 per person for a one-way transfer. These should be booked in advance of your arrival.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
With babysitting and tot-friendly activities, these are the best cruise lines for toddlers that will have your little one smiling at sea from ear to ear.
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