Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers are all cities that lie along Florida's Gulf Coast in the southwest region. The area is known for its white sand beaches and year-round sunshine. People come from all over to spend their vacation days on the Emerald Coast. For those who aren't used to the heat and humidity, outdoor recreation can be draining. If you're planning a visit to the area consider these indoor activities and come in out of heat.
South Florida consists of Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County and Miami-Dade County. Known for its year-round sunny weather and warm water temperatures, South Florida is a prime vacation spot for many East Coasters who wish to avoid cold winters. Numerous hotels located on the southeast coastline of the Sunshine State offer countless water activities, such as surfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and jet skiing.
Florida's roughly 1,200-mile coastline is the longest in the contiguous United States. Beaches and coastal systems are vital to the state's economy and environment. The state's lengthy coastline helps promote fishing and tourist industries, which represent large sectors in the state's economy. The beach and dune system is also Florida's first line of defense against incoming storms.
Miami, Florida offers visitors fine dining, luxury resorts, white sand beaches, and outdoor activities. Visitors can find a wide range of boating activities, from fishing charters to dinner cruises through coastal waterways. Boat tour companies offer regularly scheduled tours, or passengers can design their own excursion to celebrate special events. Vessels available include party boats for large functions and luxury yachts for extended vacations to destinations such as the Bahamas or the Caribbean.
Florida attracts millions of tourists each year to its port cities and beaches. Some of these tourists opt to go off the Florida coast by way of cruise ships. Cruises are a good way to get away from the mainland and relax. From superb dining to onboard entertainment, each ship provides an itinerary sure to make your journey memorable.
Florida offers short, daytime and evening cruises to appeal to the guest seeking recreation or adventure. The cruises are available for individual or group tours.
South Florida's two primary cruise port cities, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, harbor cruises that offer one-night ship excursions to Nassau, Bahamas. These cruises usually occur on weekends throughout the year. Dining options, casinos, swimming pools and live entertainment are some of the amenities on these cruises. All passengers on Florida cruises to the Bahamas must have a valid passport and arrive to the cruise two hours before the ship embarks.
Taking a casino cruise out of South Florida is the only option for true Las Vegas-style gambling in Florida. Gambling action begins when the ship enters international waters, just three miles out to sea. Many casino cruises out of South Florida port in the Bahamas to offer passengers a chance to explore, lay on the beach or shop. Most casino cruises offer food, drinks and other entertainment aboard the ship. Some cruises offer gaming lessons for beginners.
Carnival Cruise Lines has a fleet of cruise ships designed to provide a vast array of entertainment and dining experiences for its passengers as they sail out of Florida to various destinations. The ships offer age-appropriate activities for adult passengers as well as for those as young as two.
From Florida all the way up the eastern coast of the United States there are plenty of shore excursions and historical sites for tourists on cruise ships to enjoy. Even while on the water, travelers can watch for the many scenic views the Atlantic side of America has to offer.
Depending on your point of departure, a cruise from Florida to Grand Bahama Island can be a day trip or a five-day vacation. Some cruises advertise their ship as a fun way to travel to your Bahamas destination; others consider the cruise itself to be the vacation. Whichever is your preference, there are a number of cruise lines leaving from a variety of Florida ports headed for the Caribbean.
Florida to Bermuda cruises can be a perfect way to enjoy a top-rate vacation. Cruises set sail from a range of Florida ports and extend for different lengths of time. Costs can vary; however, luxury accommodations on the many cruise lines deporting from Florida will provide you memories to last a lifetime.
The beautiful Bahamas have long been a destination for travelers, dreamers and tourists. With 700 islands and cays (small sandy islands formed on top of coral reefs), the country covers approximately 100,000 miles of tropical sea. The island's ample beaches, friendly locals and rich culture make this the perfect destination for a one way boat trip from Florida. Although there are fewer travel options for one way cruises, several companies provide services that allow you to book passage to the Bahamas without a return ticket.
For a taste of history along with the salty sea air, take a cruise on a tall ship. Several tall ships operate out of Southwest Florida, where the Gulf of Mexico's warm waters offer temperate sailing conditions year round. Whether you're planning an idyllic sunset wedding ceremony or an educational birthday party for curious children, there's a clipper, a schooner or a ketch awaiting you in Southwest Florida.
The Clearwater area touches Tampa Bay on the western side of Florida and is one of the premiere cruise destinations in the nation. For cruise enthusiasts who love to gamble, many of the big-name cruise companies that sail from the harbor offer gaming options. For those seeking an exotic place to gamble and not a full-fledged cruise, there is also a day-cruise for those willing to take a moderate drive.
Florida is a vacation destination that is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Multiple points of interest and attractions are located throughout Florida, and one travel option is to take a cruise while in the state. There are shorter length cruises available from Florida for those seeking a quick getaway.
The "Sunshine State" of Florida's four major ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Tampa are popular starting points for cruise ships. From there, ships usually leave to tour the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Central and South America. Competition between cruise operators is great enough for them to post different types of promotional discounts online, to entice more paying passengers. If you're looking for a discounted Florida cruise deal, this is the way to go.
Of all the cruises that depart from locations in Florida for you and your family, there are 10 that stand out as the best cruise ships with the best accommodations and amenities. They cruise to locations ranging from many areas of the Caribbean, the Transatlantic, or the Transcanal/Panama Canal. Don't be overwhelmed by the abundance of options. Instead, explore the different and extraordinary choices available.
Many people would like to enjoy a Caribbean cruise on a ship that has few children or no children aboard. Fortunately, there are Florida-originating cruises that fit the bill. According to the website Adult Only Cruise and Resort, a cruise described as "adult-only" means that there are no age restrictions and that all activities are geared for adults but that everyone is welcome. However, children will feel left out on such cruises and should not be brought on board.
Florida ports deliver thousands of passengers and millions of dollars into local economies. The ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa each offer departure points for wonderful vacation cruises visiting Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The highlighted cruises below are some of the best sailing from Florida in 2010, 2011 and into 2012.
Trans-Atlantic cruises are some of the most glamorous in the world. Ships for these cruises have luxury amenities to pamper guest during the two weeks or more spent at sea. While not offered as often as the daily cruises to the Caribbean, several trans-Atlantic cruises depart per month from Florida's major ports, including Cape Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Nearly every cruise visits at least three European countries before disembarking.
If you are considering a quick getaway in Florida, there are many alternatives. Whether you are looking for a tropical destination or are interested in Las Vegas-style gambling, walk-on cruises are an inexpensive option for those who cannot allot more than a day to their getaway.
Sailing to ports in the Europe's British Isles, eastern and western Mediterranean and Scandinavia, cruises out of Miami and Florida offer one-way itineraries that sail in April and May. Whether sailing to Europe for the culture, history or just to get away, cruises range from small, 794-passenger capacities to extra-large ships that hold 3,634 passengers, cruises out of Florida offer plenty of amenities both in port and at sea.
Water surrounds Florida on three sides, so it's not surprising that many visitors get overwhelmed by the abundance of boat cruises in the Sunshine State. Boat cruises in Florida come in several lengths: a few hours, all day, or multiple-day. No matter what type of cruise you want to incorporate into your vacation, you can find it in Florida.
Port Canaveral is a popular venue for Caribbean cruises, with three major cruise lines setting sail on a regular schedule. Port Canaveral is conveniently located about an hour's drive from the Orlando attractions. Many vacationers include a cruise while visiting the theme parks. Orlando International Airport is about 45 miles away, with independent transportation services that shuttle passengers to and from the port. Each of the cruise lines at the port has an individual personality, and each ship within a company offers something slightly different as well. With so many choices, the cruise passenger is sure to find just the…
Port Canaveral, which is located just west of Orlando in Cape Canaveral, is considered an ideally located cruise port for its close proximity to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, and Orlando's many theme park attractions and hotels. Cruises out of Port Canaveral depart with three- to 15-day, round-trip or one-way options to ports in the Bahamas, the eastern and western Caribbean, the Panama Canal and the Transatlantic.
Watching dolphins in the wild is both educational and entertaining. Because of the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico, bottlenose dolphins are a common sight along the western coast of Florida and the northern panhandle. Dolphin cruises of all types are available, from romantic excursions to narrated tours for larger groups. Bring along a camera or camcorder, because you will definitely want to capture the memories of getting up close to these beautiful creatures in their native habitat.
Planning a memorable trip to Florida oftentimes includes a cruise along the coastline or through the Intercoastal Waterway. A port of call to consider for a Sunshine State cruise is Stuart, Florida. Located along the majestic Treasure Coast, Stuart is located in south Florida on the Atlantic Ocean.
The state of Florida is a sun-drenched peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Outdoor activities are abundant with several locations across the state for swimming, fishing and sun-bathing. Florida visitors and residents have a unique opportunity to take advantage of local cruises within the state. Many cruise options are available for a leisurely evening sail or an adventurous journey.
Celebrate your New Year's Eve in Florida and have the best time of your life. You can dine and party in one of the hottest clubs, or better yet, enjoy one of the New Year's Eve cruises from Florida. From simple to elaborate, there are a multitude of cruises to fit everyone.
A pirate cruise can transport you to a time when ruthless buccaneers ruled the high seas as you set sail in on one of many vessels modeled to replicate the real pirate ships of the past. You can take part in a swashbuckling good time or just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The short cruises, located throughout Florida, are a great activity to add to your day whether you head out on your own, as a family or want to host a private get-together aboard the ship.
Everyone sailing from Florida to the Bahamas on a cruise must carry a valid passport, passport card or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-approved document. The Bahamas require one of them for entry, the United States requires one of them for re-entry and cruise lines usually deny boarding to passengers with insufficient documentation.
