Florida is often called the “Cruise Capital of the World.” Sun-drenched weather and shimmering white-sand beaches have been at the forefront of many cruise vacations. An extremely popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean offers exciting trips to beautiful destinations. In this blog post, we’ll dive into why you should consider a Royal Caribbean cruise from Florida, the major ports in Florida, what types of cruises are available, and a detailed cost comparison to help you plan your next adventure.
Why Choose Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean is known to have something for everybody on board. Travel with your family, friends, or by yourself and you will find tremendous things to do on board. Here are some highlights below:
- Family-friendly activities: The incredible features of Royal Caribbean cruise ships include its water parks, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and even surf simulators. Surfing is fun for the kids, too!
- Diverse Destination: The places you can visit are diverse, ranging from the Bahamas to Jamaica or Cozumel. Each destination varies in experiences about staying on the beach and viewing local cultures.
- All-inclusive experiences: With cruise packages, lots of them offer meals, entertainment, and activities onboard. Within cruise packages, you can have fun en route while being exempt from other extras during the vacation.
Fantastic Onboard Experience on Royal Caribbean Cruise from Florida
Royal Caribbean ships are like floating cities. They provide a huge amount of choices on dining, shows, and things to do to pass the time. Some things you may expect include:
- Dining Options: There are numerous cafes casual eateries and fine dining restaurants available. You can try something different every night!
- Entertainment: Broadway-style shows, live music performances, movie nights under the stars, and many more activities on board will entertain guests to the core.
- Relaxation: Want to unplug? The spa or the pool lounge are the best. Some areas are designated as adults-only, providing the perfect retreat and quiet ambiance needed for a perfect vacation.
Major Cruise Ports of Florida
Florida has four major cruise ports, on which Royal Caribbean sails. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Tampa. Now, take a closer look at each port.
Miami
Miami, the busiest cruise port in the world, is a city with dazzling beaches and one of the wildest nightlife scenarios. Many Royal Caribbean cruises depart from here.
Cruise Options: The Miami ports hold short weekend getaways and longer week-long voyages. The cruises go to popular destinations such as the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean islands.
Onboard Features: Among the newest ships leaving from Miami is Icon of the Seas. This ship has multiple pools, a surf simulator, and several restaurants. You will never run out of something to do!
Pre-Cruise Activities: Before your cruise, you should spend some time exploring Miami. Then, stroll along the world-famous Art Deco District or take some time off to relax on South Beach. You can also try local food in restaurants or shop in popular boutiques.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has good beaches and scenic waterways. For those who want a more leisurely cruise experience, this may be the best alternative to Miami.
Cruise Options: Fort Lauderdale is another place that offers varying cruises to the Caribbean. You can have short cruises or even much longer voyages.
Onboard Features: Some of the vessels that leave from Fort Lauderdale include the Oasis of the Seas, for example, which offers unrivaled at time in features that range from an AquaTheater offering live shows with diving acrobats and much more live shows.
Local Attractions: While in Fort Lauderdale, walk along Las Olas Boulevard for shopping and dining, or take a cruise through the beautiful canals. The city is often called the “Venice of America” for its many waterways.
Orlando (Port Canaveral)
Orlando is often famous for its theme parks, and it is an excellent place to embark on a cruise as well. Port Canaveral is only a short distance from such attractions as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.
Type of Cruises Offered: Many families prefer cruises out of Port Canaveral because they may visit theme parks and also take their cruise. Some popular destinations include the Bahamas and Western Caribbean islands.
Amenities on Board: Royal Caribbean ships docking at Port Canaveral are excellent for families and regularly offer kids’ programs catering to every age. On board, look for water slides, kids’ clubs, and family-friendly dining.
Nearby Attractions: Before you board for your cruise, it is worth taking in Disney World or driving down to the Kennedy Space Center. Both of these are within driving distance and great ways to sneak in some fun trips before sailing.
Tampa
Cruising from Tampa is much more low-key than any other port in Florida. The city is known for its parks and outdoor recreation.
Itineraries: You can get several cruises leaving out of Tampa bound for the Western Caribbean. These cruises usually touch down upon a variety of ports including Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
Shipboard Activities: One of these Tampa ships is *Liberty of the Seas*. This ship has great water slides and multiple choices of dining in it to satisfy every craving.
Things to Do in Tampa: Whenever you are visiting Tampa, before embarking on your cruise, take time to visit the Florida Aquarium or walk through Busch Gardens amusement park. The city also has several beaches around it, in which you can find some time before you set off.
Types of Cruises Offered by Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean also offers a wide range of cruises to satisfy most interests:
Short Getaway Cruises
It is generally for 3 to 5 nights giving customers a break from their daily routine. These are usually more localized-cruising around the Bahamas or Key West when departing from the hometown.
Family Cruises
Royal Caribbean is a family-friendly line. Several of their vessels have excellent programs for kids and teens so that everyone in your family will have a wonderful time on board.
Adventure Cruises
If you like adventurous travel activities such as snorkeling, zip-lining, or hiking, find itineraries to destinations known for outdoor adventures, then these adventure cruises would be your perfect pick.
Relaxation Cruises
If you need to relax, consider cruises focused on relaxation at beautiful beaches or wellness programs on board.
Cost Comparison Table
To budget your cruise, you will need to compare the cost of several different Royal Caribbean cruises offered out of Florida. Below is an approximation of the cost comparison table for several Royal Caribbean cruises offered from Florida:
| Cruise Itinerary | Duration | Starting Price (per person) | Departure Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Night Bahamas Cruise | 3 nights | $299 | Miami |
| 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise | 5 nights | $499 | Fort Lauderdale |
| 4-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise | 4 nights | $404 | Orlando |
| 7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise | 7 nights | $699 | Tampa |
Knowing the Costs
Initial Cost: Prices quoted are per person, double occupancy in an interior cabin.
Additional Costs: Gratuity, Port excursions charge, Specialty dining, Drink packages, and Travel insurance amongst others are also charged.
Trips Tips on Booking Your Cruise
Booking a cruise can be very overwhelming when it comes to all the options available. Here are some tips to help make your planning easier:
Book Early
Booking early often allows you to secure better rates and cabin selections. Plus, it gives you more time to plan excursions at your ports of call.
Look for Deals
Watch for special promotions or sales that Royal Caribbean runs regularly. You might catch onboard credits or reduced fees for traveling during off-peak seasons
Travel Insurance
In case something should happen before you depart or while you’re cruising, travel insurance can ensure your peace of mind. Especially if you’re traveling with family or spending big money on shore excursions, it can pay off.
Know Your Ports
Before you book a cruise, you should research every port of call to identify your greatest interest. This will enable you to prepare ahead and make reservations where necessary.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean has exciting cruise offers for a family adventure or romantic couple holiday and relaxation. Major ports around Florida include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Tampa, offering you a variety of itineraries and experiences to suit almost any taste!
Whether you wish to discover urban extravaganzas before sailing off or indulge in fantastic facilities onboard one of the cutting-edge ships run by Royal Caribbean, your next break may just be waiting for you. And so, start getting ready today to set sail for an experience that can never be forgotten!
Frequently Asked Questions
Royal Caribbean offers cruises out of four major Florida ports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Tampa. All four Florida ports offer a wide range of cruise itineraries to the most popular Caribbean and other destinations.
The cheapest month to cruise the Caribbean is September. During this month, demand declines drastically as most schools go back in session, lowering the prices and offering promotions by the cruise lines. However, that may coincide with the hurricane season as well, which runs from May through November.
Cruise lines available in Fort Lauderdale are Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises. This port is one of the favorite places because of its diverse options and accessibility to plenty of Caribbean destinations.
Royal Caribbean has ports of departure at various locations: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Tampa in Florida. Each port offers different itineraries to different destinations and caters to various traveler needs.
All of it depends on the facilities you have opted for, the time you are traveling in and a lot more. On average, the Caribbean cruise will cost $400-$4000.