8 Best Cruises From Fort Lauderdale

You can cruise from just about every major port city in Florida — Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral, you name it. But hands down, one of the most popular places to cruise from in the Sunshine State is Fort Lauderdale. Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines sailing from Fort Lauderdale, and the city’s Port Everglades is home to some of the finest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

While the ships themselves are filled with tons of activities and attractions, one of the most important things that makes a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean truly unforgettable is the itinerary. Whether you choose an eastern or southern Caribbean sailing that takes you to St. Maarten and San Juan, or a western Caribbean sailing with stops in Cozumel and Falmouth, Fort Lauderdale cruises with Royal Caribbean take you to some of the most incredible shores in the tropics. We’ve rounded up some of the best tropical destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise getaway from Port Everglades.

Key Takeaways: Best Cruises From Fort Lauderdale

● Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a major point of departure for adventurous cruises to the Caribbean and beyond.

● Some of these cruise offerings are week-long vacations stopping in numerous ports, while others are quick long-weekend or 4-day sailings.

● Top destinations include The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Maarten, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Turks and Caicos.

● When you want to see the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, you can simply explore Royal Caribbean cruise vacations from this bustling port.

1. The Bahamas Cruises

If you're planning on sailing from Fort Lauderdale,The Bahamas is just a hop and a skip away — but that doesn’t make the island any less exotic. With its lively beaches and bustling markets, Nassau always guarantees a great time. Don’t forget to visit Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island for a taste of vacation bliss.  You can also make some time to sample the nation's heritage at Fort Charlotte, the Queen's Staircase, Pompey Square and the Heritage Museum of The Bahamas. And nearby Grand Bahama Island is a go-to spot for honeymooners from around the world. 

Cruises to The Bahamas: You can cruise to The Bahamas on Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. Some of these sailings are weekend cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, while others are weeklong vacations.

2. Perfect Day at CocoCay Cruises

The Bahamas is home to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the private island destination by Royal Caribbean. You’ll find it all here — peaceful beaches with great snorkeling, a water park that boasts the tallest waterslide in the Caribbean, a helium balloon ride that offers spectacular views and even the largest freshwater pool and first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas.

Cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay: Long weekend and 4-day cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, often via other destinations in The Bahamas, are available on board a wide variety of ships in the fleet.

3. Falmouth, Jamaica Cruises

When you cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica, a western Caribbean jewel, few of its cities shine as brightly as Falmouth. This picture-perfect port isn’t just beautiful to look at — though you’re definitely going to want to snap more than a few shots of its gorgeous pastel-colored verandas. It’s also teeming with unforgettable things to do, from tours of centuries-old plantations and rum distilleries to beach breaks along pristine stretches of sun-soaked shoreline. Whatever your ideal way to spend the day ashore, Falmouth makes a great addition to any Caribbean getaway sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

Cruises to Falmouth, Jamaica: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica on Western Caribbean itineraries.

4. Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruises

Setting sail on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to St. Maarten (also known as Sint Maarten) is the closest you can get to Europe while still enjoying the balmy breezes and perpetual sunshine of the tropics. Separated into French- and Dutch-governed sides, this southern Caribbean favorite is home to a global community made up of 120 different nationalities. 

Encompassing just 40 miles, St. Maarten is a tiny island that packs a real cultural punch. You’ll find plenty of great hiking trails within the Loterie Farm natural sanctuary; the Caribbean’s largest saltwater lagoon, Simpson Bay; and some of the most amazing food in the tropics in Philipsburg, the capital of the island’s Dutch side. One bite at any of the city’s East Indian, French or Dutch eateries and you’ll see why St. Maarten is nicknamed “the gourmet capital of the Caribbean.”

Cruises to St. Maarten: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries.

5. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Cruises

The Dominican Republic is one of the gems of the Caribbean. Cruise vacations from Fort Lauderdale provide a great chance to get to know Puerto Plata, the country's oldest northern city and a beloved destination. Whether you're strolling Parque Independencia or seeing the whole city from a sky-high cable car, you'll be enchanted by the Victorian architecture and tranquil natural vistas. If you have the time, you can browse local contemporary and traditional art at La Casa de la Cultura and get a real feel for the Dominican Republic.

Cruises to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata is a stop on both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

6. Basseterre, St. Kitts Cruises

Visiting Basseterre, St. Kitts on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale is all about breathtaking natural scenery and soca vibes. The port city of Basseterre is peppered with stately monuments, like the Brimstone Hill Fortress. But if you really want to take your visit to the next level, hit the Mount Liamuiga trail for incredible island views or hop aboard the last railway in the West Indies for a scenic ride past sprawling estates and hilly green countryside — it’s one of the best ways to get a good look at the island. If you have time (or if it’s your second visit to this lovely isle), take a 45-minute ferry ride to Nevis for secluded white-sand beaches and incredible diving that rivals that of Cozumel.

Cruises to Basseterre, St. Kitts: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Basseterre, St. Kitts on Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

7. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Cruises

Cruises to the Turks and Caicos Islands allow you to discover stunning beaches, limestone cliffs and distinctive architecture that blends British influences with Caribbean style. Grand Turk, the capital, is a mere seven square miles. You can easily see Grand Turk on foot, walking the picturesque coastline or visiting the Grand Turk Lighthouse. Look around on the beaches and you might glimpse a wild horse or donkey, reminding you that you're truly having a Caribbean adventure.

Cruises to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos: Eastern Caribbean cruises and voyages to San Juan, Puerto Rico, originating in Fort Lauderdale, stop in Grand Turk. 

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