Which Florida Cruise Port is Right for You?

Cruises from Florida depart from several ports. Sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, you have four appealing options.

• Miami: Known as the Cruise Capital of the world, the Port of Miami is a global cruise hub serving over 8.5 million passengers a year.

• Port Canaveral: Less than an hour from Orlando, Port Canaveral is a family-friendly hub with easy access to major theme parks and central Florida attractions.

• Tampa: A picturesque gateway for Gulf Coast travelers, Port Tampa Bay is within walking distance of pre-cruise hotels. 

• Jacksonville: Situated in Northeast Florida, JAXPORT is ideal for smaller crowds and a low-key departure.

Over 800 ships dock in Florida every year. Drawn by sun, sand, and swaying palms, travelers flock to Florida like moths to a flame. It's easy to see why. This state is a major travel hub with all the amenities you could want for your vacation, both on land and on sea.

Florida is known as the air traffic hub of the United States, with 128 public-use airports. Florida draws over 120 million visitors a year, and over a third of them arrive by air. Orlando International Airport alone offers nonstop service to over 170 destinations. Florida's interstates and highways make it easy to travel by car as well. 

Norwegian cruises leaving from Florida travel to the Bahamas, The Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and Europe. Whether you want a short jaunt to a private island or an extended Transatlantic retreat, it all starts here. This extreme versatility makes Florida a no-brainer for travelers who crave a warm, sunny escape.

Florida's major cruise ports are destinations in and of themselves. You can easily spend as much time enjoying your departure city as you do on the cruise itself. This gives you endless opportunities to extend your vacation.

Florida's cruise ports are sleek and streamlined. Each one has something special to offer. Choosing your cruise port well sets the stage for your vacation.

The largest cruise port in the world, PortMiami is a bustling hub of activity. Cruises from Miami host every type of cruise and every type of traveler. Just 15 minutes from Miami International Airport, it's easily accessible from just about anywhere. While you're in Miami, you can enjoy its art scene and atmosphere. Take the family to Zoo Miami or enjoy the single life as you mix and mingle amid the South Beach nightlife. Extremely walkable, Miami makes it easy to explore.

Port Canaveral is about 45 minutes away from Orlando. Orlando's status as the theme park capital of the world makes cruising from Port Canaveral a natural choice for family fun. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando both offer multiple theme parks and water parks for endless kid-friendly fun. Port Canaveral is also minutes away from the Kennedy Space Center for a science-infused experience visitors of all ages can enjoy.

Tampa's location on the Gulf Coast makes it a natural pick for calm waters, manatee viewing, and perfect beach days before your departure. Thrill seekers can get a kick out of Tampa as well thanks to its convenient access to Busch Gardens. Cruising from Tampa provides superior convenience and a less crowded experience than Miami and Port Canaveral.

JAXPORT is Florida's largest container port, but it handles more than these shipments. Its single cruise terminal provides a simple operation for setting sail on your vacation. Just 20 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport, cruising from Jacksonville makes it easy to streamline your vacation. Atlantic Beach is dotted with waterfront hotels for a picturesque pre-cruise stay. 

If you're having a hard time choosing your cruise port, take some time to think about your entire experience from start to end. These considerations can narrow down your options.

Compare flights from your home to Florida's top destinations. If you find a great deal to Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Miami, choose the associated cruise port to secure great savings. For those within driving distance of Florida, the port's vicinity itself is a factor. Jacksonville is just two hours from Savannah, Georgia, and within six hours of Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. Tampa is within five hours of Columbus, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama.

Jacksonville is best for a short getaway to the Bahamas. Tampa is well-situated for four to seven nights in the Western Caribbean. From Port Canaveral, you can best enjoy a five- to seven-night cruise in The Caribbean. Miami is the port of choice for longer Florida cruises, and offers the most diverse selection of cruise itineraries.

If cruising is the focus of your vacation, airport transfers and cruise port parking are easiest at Tampa and Jacksonville. Port Canaveral has the longest drive between cruise port and airport. Miami's cruise port parking is far more expensive than the other Florida ports, though it's easily accessible via a cruise port shuttle or taxi from the Miami International Airport. Miami, Tampa, and Port Canaveral all offer excellent accommodations near the cruise port.

Port Canaveral is the obvious winner if you want to add a theme park trip to your vacation. Miami is a bustling city with a little of everything from the thrill of the Everglades to the vibrancy of Little Havana to the sprawl of South Beach. Tampa offers a good assortment of attractions for an extra day exploring the Riverwalk, Sparkman Wharf, and Florida Aquarium. Jacksonville is good for a low-key and low-cost extended vacation.

Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is accessible from all four Florida cruise ports, so you can reach Norwegian's exclusive island experiences no matter where you embark. The finer points of your cruise vacation may vary slightly by port, influencing your final choice.

If you're looking for a quick jaunt to the Bahamas, Jacksonville is your best bet. Tampa and Port Canaveral tend to include the Bahamas as part of a bigger itinerary. If you're looking for options, Miami has the greatest selection of Bahamas cruises.

Florida offers a variety of Caribbean cruises, with destinations and itineraries that vary by departure port.. Tampa focuses on Western Caribbean cruises with ports like Mexico, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Miami and Orlando offer more Eastern Caribbean cruises. If you want a little of everything, Miami and Orlando have that, too, with extended itineraries that include the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Great Stirrup Cay.

Great Stirrup Cay is a private retreat in the Bahamas exclusively for Norwegian guests. Its latest addition, the Great Tides Water Park, makes this coveted island escape better than ever. You can reach Great Stirrup Cay from any of Norwegian's Florida cruise ports. Miami is the closest, with three-day cruises that get you to the island first thing in the morning just a day after you embark.

Are you looking for a worldwide cruise experience or a short trip close to your port? Your travel style narrows down your options.

Port Canaveral is your go-to port for families combining theme parks and a trip to the Bahamas or Caribbean. Miami offers family-friendly ships, extensive itineraries, and plenty of post-cruise entertainment. 

Tampa and Miami stand out for couples and groups. You'll find great nightlife, upscale dining, and diverse attractions for adults. Beach bumming is an art all its own in these areas, so you can add a few days of sun and sand easily.

Jacksonville and Miami offer the shortest, easiest itineraries. You're close to the airport with 3- and 4-day itineraries available. Great Stirrup Cay is a regular highlight on these trips.

Miami has the broadest selection for long cruise vacations with Transatlantic trips to Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Miami also offers 15- and 16-day Panama Canal cruises. You can take a 15-day Transatlantic cruise to Lisbon from Jacksonville.

Cruising out of Florida is a popular plan, which means there are seemingly endless ways to do it. Streamline your trip-planning with these tips.

• Compare cruise itineraries from each port

• Arrive early and consider a pre-cruise hotel stay

• Confirm your terminal and check in early to get eDocs 

Norwegian is proud to offer a wide variety of cruises from Florida. With a private island in the Bahamas, two-week trips to Europe, and more, there's little that you can't do from Florida. Start planning your unforgettable adventure now.

Norwegian cruises depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Florida.

The best port depends on your travel plans. Port Canaveral is ideal for families adding Orlando theme parks, Miami offers the widest selection of itineraries, Jacksonville is great for short Bahamas getaways, and Tampa is well-suited for Western Caribbean cruises. All four offer an efficient embarkation experience.

Port Canaveral is best for families who want to add Orlando theme parks to their vacation, while Miami is closest to the Bahamas for a short and simple getaway.

Port Canaveral is the closest cruise port to Orlando, about 45 minutes away.

It depends on your priorities. For the quickest airport-to-port transfer, PortMiami is just 15 minutes from Miami International Airport, and JAXPORT is about 20 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport. If you want the most flight options, Port Canaveral is under an hour from Orlando International Airport, which offers nonstop service to over 170 destinations.

Families who want a theme park vacation should sail from Port Canaveral. 

You can cruise to the Bahamas from Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral.

Yes, you can cruise to Great Stirrup Cay from all four Florida cruise ports.