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Cruises from Port Canaveral to Europe

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Transatlantic Cruises from Port Canaveral

There are Transatlantic cruises from Port Canaveral to Europe. Cross the Atlantic in luxury and comfort. See the calendar of departures below.

Three cruise lines have offer voyages to Spain, Portugal or the Netherlands out of Port Canaveral. The cruises leave in the spring, to reposition ships from their winter home in Florida to their summer home in Europe.

April 7, 2024: 12-day cruise to Italy on Norwegian . One-way from Port Canaveral (Florida) to Rome (Italy). Visit Gibraltar and Alicante (Spain).

October 25, 2024: 13-night cruise to Portugal on Royal Caribbean . One-way from Port Canaveral (Florida) to Lisbon (Portugal). Visit Tenerife (Canary Islands), Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and Funchal (Madeira).

Cruises from Port Canaveral to Europe

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Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages , per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. Rates are in GBP and valid for UK and Ireland residents only. Fuel supplement may apply. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees.

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. In addition, average cruise prices are updated nightly.

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Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of 26th April 2024 .

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

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6 Best Cruises Out Of Port Canaveral

By Zachary Laks | Published on April 9, 2024

It's time to start planning your next big vacation. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a family-friendly vacation or an extended voyage, you'll find cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida that tick all your boxes.

When considering one of the cruises out of Port Canaveral, plan extra time before and after your sailing to soak up all the fun that the area has to offer. There's so much to do in Orlando that you could stay for several days and never get bored — music to your ears if you're traveling with children. One of the best things about Orlando cruises is that you have your choice of theme parks to round out your vacation. They're expansive and immersive escapes into playful worlds, not unlike a great cruise. I love tacking on an extra day or two at an Orlando theme park, usually before my cruise departs. I always appreciate the days of racking up thousands of steps traversing a theme park before boarding a cruise, where I know I'll be able to lounge on a deck or relax in a hot tub.

Not far from Port Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great place to spend a day admiring the vast scope of NASA. The center offers one-of-a-kind immersion into space exploration, including the chance to strap into a rocket launch simulator for an adrenaline-pumping thrill.

For those seeking a more peaceful retreat before boarding their cruises out of Orlando, Port Canaveral is near the white sands of Cocoa Beach. Spend the day enjoying calm, low waves — great for year-round swimming, learning to surf and kayaking alongside manatees and dolphins. Or take a seat on an airboat ride through the wetlands for encounters with alligators and, depending on the season, bald eagles, herons and osprey.

Ready to book a cruise to Port Canaveral? Here are the six best cruises from Port Canaveral.

1. Best For A Long Weekend

Set to launch in the summer of 2024, Utopia of the Seas ℠ will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, Royal Caribbean's class of ships packed with adventure and entertainment. The new ship will focus on three- and four-night cruises from its year-round home port in Port Canaveral, with onboard upgrades that include reimagined pool decks, a Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen that spans two decks (try the osso buco!) and the new Pesky Parrot tiki bar, serving fruity cocktails on the Royal Promenade. This itinerary  to the Bahamas on Utopia of the Seas ℠ is the best for a long weekend exploring the highlights of The Bahamas, with a day in Nassau followed by a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean's private island destination.

2. Best For Beach Lovers

This exquisite itinerary to the Southern Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas ® routes you to the farthest corner of the Caribbean for some of its best beaches. Sailing on the Adventure of the Seas ® for eight nights from Port Canaveral, you'll stop in ports such as Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Kralendijk, Bonaire. Each port will welcome you with easily accessible, powdery sand beaches primed for world-class swimming, snorkeling and diving. You'll have your pick of 86 dive sites at Bonaire National Marine Park with more than 350 recorded fish species known to frequent the waters.

3. Best For A European Adventure

Transatlantic sailings make for such a special vacation, and this 13-night Transatlantic Azores itinerary on Adventure of the Seas ® packs four remarkable ports into the crossing. You'll cruise the Atlantic for the first nine days, living it up on a ship that is packed with ways to play and relax. You'll arrive in idyllic Tenerife in the Canary Islands on the tenth day. Immerse yourself in the local Spanish culture by spending part of your day exploring the Museum of Nature and Archaeology or the Basilica de Candelaria shrine. The cruise continues to Lanzarote, Canary Islands, where picture-perfect colonial mansions line cobblestone streets, then on to the adventurous mountain island of Madeira, Portugal before completing your journey in the charming streets of Lisbon, Portugal.

4. Best For Private Island Getaways

This unique Port Canaveral cruise itinerary  to Bermuda and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Adventure of the Seas ® visits both of Royal Caribbean's private destinations, where paradise is just steps away from the ship. On an eight-night journey, this ship will first cruise to Labadee, the cruise line's private peninsula adventure park and beach. Soak up this private spot by relaxing on the beach, enjoy the destination's signature cocktail specialty, the Labadoozie (a fruity rum cocktail) or opt for a zip line ride that will send you soaring over the ocean. The next private island destination is Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's oasis in The Bahamas. Here you'll port within short distance of pristine beaches, a thrilling water park and countless ways to unwind beneath the palm trees. There's also a stop in Bermuda, home to pink-sand beaches and rum swizzles.

5. Best For Foodies

Foodies will delight in fresh, authentic Caribbean dishes on this itinerary to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wonder of the Seas ® . In Cozumel, Mexico you'll find lunch specialties featuring locally caught seafood, often grouper and red snapper fried on a plate with rice and a vibrant salad. In Roatán, Honduras, ceviche is the local favorite, along with fried plantains and baleadas — tacos made with soft flour tortillas. The ship's final port is Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, a charming fishing village where the salbutes  (fried corn tortillas topped with shredded chicken) make a great appetizer to the catch of the day, served hot off the grill.

6. Best For Variety

This seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary  on Wonder of the Seas ® is a top choice if you want to change things up and go on a unique adventure in each port. Your first destination is Philipsburg, St. Maarten, where you can tour the island on an ATV, sample rum from a local distillery or end the day with a sunset horseback ride on the beach. When the ship arrives in the U.S. Virgin Islands at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, head straight to Magens Bay, often short-listed as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Or dive into a snorkeling tour to get face time with some sea turtles and coral reefs. On your final stop, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, everyone in your group can enjoy a seemingly endless array of activities. If the beach is calling, grab a spot on one of the many cushy beach loungers close to a bar serving up island cocktails that go great with the ocean view. For the adventurous ones, Daredevil's Peak® waterslide is North America's tallest and promises an adrenaline rush.

Encompassing ports of paradise and incredible culture, Orlando cruises are the ideal vacation getaway. Start planning your island escape from Port Canaveral now .

Cruise From Orlando

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PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

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WESTERN CARIBBEAN

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Transatlantic Cruises Calendar

This is the complete schedule of Transatlantic cruises in 2024 and 2025 . Most are in the spring and fall when cruise lines reposition ships between the United States and Europe. Throughout the year there are also cruises between New York and England on the Queen Mary 2.

On the calendar you'll find many Atlantic crossings to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark and the UK. In total, there are about 100 Transatlantic cruises annually.

January 2024

January 3: 8-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 January 11: 11-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on the Cunard Line January 11: 10-day cruise from Miami to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line January 27: 12-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on the Cunard Line

February 2024

February 13: 11-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line February 21: 10-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on the Cunard Line

March 2: 15-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Viking March 9: 16-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises March 15: 17-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to Lisbon (Portugal) on Azamara Cruises March 18: 15-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Viking March 23: 14-night cruise from Tampa to Barcelona (Spain) on Celebrity Cruises March 27: 15-night cruise from Miami to Rome (Italy) on Oceania March 30: 16-day cruise from Barbados to Lisbon (Portugal) on Star Clipper March 31: 14-day cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Regent Seven Seas

April 5: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Holland America April 5: 15-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Royal Caribbean April 5: 14-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Oceania April 5: 16-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises April 6: 20-day cruise from Antigua to Malaga (Spain) on Star Clipper April 7: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America April 7: 19-day cruise from Puerto Rico to Lisbon (Portugal) on Norwegian Cruise Line April 8: 16-day cruise from New York to Rome (Italy) on Norwegian Cruise Line April 10: 14-day cruise from New York to Barcelona (Spain) on Regent Seven Seas April 11: 12-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon (Portugal) on Celebrity Cruises April 13: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America April 13: 12-day cruise from Puerto Rico to Lisbon (Portugal) on SeaDream April 14: 13-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Celebrity Cruises April 14: 12-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on Seabourn April 15: 12-day cruise from Norfolk (Virginia) to Barcelona (Spain) on Carnival Cruise Line April 18: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Port Canaveral on Carnival Cruise Line April 21: 14-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean April 21: 14-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rome (Italy) on Royal Caribbean April 21: 15-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on MSC April 22: 13-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Amsterdam (Netherlands) on Celebrity Cruises April 25: 14-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line April 28: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 April 28: 13-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean April 28: 12-night cruise from New Jersey to Southampton (England) on Royal Caribbean April 29: 14-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line

May 1: 15-night cruise from Texas to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean May 2: 13-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Celebrity Cruises May 4: 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises May 5: 13-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Disney Cruise Line May 5: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 May 11: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Amsterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America May 16: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 May 23: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2

June 9: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 June 16: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 June 21: 21-night cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on Oceania June 23: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 June 24: 36-night cruise from New York to Amsterdam (Netherlands) on Viking June 29: 21-day cruise from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Boston on Holland America

July 5: 21-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises July 6: 8-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 July 12: 51-night round-trip cruise from New York to Europe on Oceania July 14: 24-night cruise from England to New York on Seabourn July 20: 17-day cruise from Boston to Rotterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America July 21: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 July 28: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2

August 2024

August 16: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 August 17: 15-night cruise from Tilbury (England) to New York on Oceania August 19: 22-night cruise from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Miami on Royal Caribbean August 22: 16-night cruise from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Boston on Royal Caribbean August 23: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 August 24: 16-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to New York on Regent Seven Seas

September 2024

September 15: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 September 23: 16-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises

October 2024

October 6: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 October 6: 12-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line October 6: 21-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Galveston (Texas) on Princess Cruises October 9: 22-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Puerto Rico on Viking October 12: 15-day cruise from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America October 17: 8-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 October 17: 13-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Port Canaveral on Norwegian Cruise Line October 19: 19-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on MSC October 20: 13-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Disney Cruise Line October 21: 14-day cruise from New York to Barcelona (Spain) on Norwegian Cruise Line October 23: 12-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises October 23: 16-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Galveston on Royal Caribbean October 24: 14-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Royal Caribbean October 25: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 October 26: 15-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Tampa on Carnival Cruise Line October 26: 13-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises October 26: 14-night cruise from Malaga (Spain) to Puerto Rico on SeaDream October 30: 18-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on MSC October 31: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America

November 2024

November 1: 14-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises November 3: 14-day cruise from Miami to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line November 3: 16-night cruise from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to New York on Oceania November 3: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Regent Seven Seas November 3: 14-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Cape Liberty on Royal Caribbean November 7: 16-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to New York on Norwegian Cruise Line November 7: 14-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Tampa on Celebrity Cruises November 8: 16-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on MSC November 9: 13-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises November 10: 13-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Port Canaveral on Norwegian Cruise Line November 10: 16-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises November 10: 16-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Port Canaveral on Royal Caribbean November 13: 12-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Azamara Cruises November 13: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 November 15: 12-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Miami on Oceania November 16: 13-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises November 16: 14-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America November 20: 10-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Barbados on Azamara Cruises November 20: 15-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Miami on Oceania November 21: 12-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Port Canaveral on Celebrity Cruises November 22: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Regent Seven Seas November 22: 14-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Silversea November 24: 13-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Port Canaveral on Royal Caribbean November 26: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line November 28: 17-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises November 28: 12-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Miami on Seabourn November 28: 22-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Viking November 29: 16-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Puerto Rico on Norwegian Cruise Line November 30: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line

December 2024

December 3: 12-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line December 3: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 December 4: 18-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises December 4: 15-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Silversea December 5: 15-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Viking December 15: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2

January 2025

January 3: 8-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 January 4: 13-day cruise from Miami to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line January 9: 9-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on Cunard Line January 9: 12-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Cunard Line

February 2025

February 2: 13-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line February 7: 12-day cruise from Miami to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line February 10: 12-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean February 18: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Princess Cruises

March 8: 13-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Celebrity Cruises March 8: 8-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 March 9: 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises March 14: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Cunard Line March 16: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Carnival Cruise Line March 19: 14-day cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Regent Seven Seas March 22: 12-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Celebrity Cruises March 22: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Princess Cruises March 24: 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rome (Italy) on Princess Cruises March 29: 8-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 March 31: 12-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on Azamara Cruises March 31: 15-day cruise from New York to Rome (Italy) on Norwegian Cruise Line

April 1: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon (Portugal) on Silversea April 4: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (England) on Princess Cruises April 4: 12-day cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on Regent Seven Seas April 5: 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America April 6: 14-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on MSC April 12: 16-night cruise from Tampa to Rome (Italy) on Celebrity Cruises April 12: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam (Netherlands) on Holland America April 12: 15-night cruise from Miami to Portsmouth (England) on Royal Caribbean April 19: 14-night cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona (Spain) on Celebrity Cruises April 19: 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (Spain) on Holland America April 19: 16-day cruise from Palm Beach (Florida) to Lisbon (Portugal) on SeaDream April 20: 15-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rome (Italy) on Celebrity Cruises April 22: 14-night cruise from Puerto Rico to Barcelona (Spain) on Oceania April 24: 16-day cruise from New Orleans to Barcelona (Spain) on Carnival Cruise Line April 24: 14-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line April 27: 8-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 April 27: 12-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on Norwegian Cruise Line April 27: 14-night cruise from Cape Liberty (New Jersey) to Rome (Italy) on Royal Caribbean April 28: 14-night cruise from Miami to Southampton (England) on Royal Caribbean April 30: 12-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean

May 1: 12-night cruise from Miami to Lisbon (Portugal) on Oceania May 3: 13-night cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona (Spain) on Royal Caribbean May 5: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 May 5: 13-day cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona (Spain) on Disney Cruise Line May 16: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 May 18: 36-day cruise from New York to Amsterdam (Netherlands) on Viking May 23: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 May 29: 30-day cruise from New York to Copenhagen (Denmark) on Silversea

June 6: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 June 11: 15-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to New Orleans on Carnival Cruise Line June 11: 13-day cruise from New York to Belfast (Northern Ireland) on Silversea June 13: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 June 24: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2

July 8: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 July 18: 15-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Boston on Princess Cruises July 19: 35-day round-trip cruise from Boston to Northern Europe on Holland America July 25: 14-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 July 27: 36-day cruise from New York to Amsterdam (Netherlands) on Viking

August 2025

August 2: 36-night cruise from Dover (England) to New York on Seabourn August 8: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 August 27: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 August 30: 15-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Boston on Royal Caribbean

September 2025

September 3: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 September 13: 14-day cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona (Spain) on Carnival Cruise Line September 16: 14-night cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to New York on Oceania September 26: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2

October 2025

October 7: 45-day round-trip cruise from New York to the Mediterranean on Holland America October 8: 21-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Galveston (Texas) on Princess Cruises October 11: 15-day cruise from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America October 11: 15-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises October 16: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Port Canaveral on Carnival Cruise Line October 16: 14-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Miami on Royal Caribbean October 17: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 October 19: 13-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Port Canaveral on Celebrity Cruises October 20: 16-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises October 22: 14-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Cape Liberty on Royal Caribbean October 24: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 October 16: 14-night cruise from Southampton (England) to Miami on Royal Caribbean October 26: 13-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises October 31: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 October 31: 16-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Tampa on Celebrity Cruises October 31: 13-night cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Cruises

November 2025

November 1: 15-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises November 2: 15-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America November 2: 13-day cruise from Malaga (Spain) to Puerto Rico on SeaDream November 7: 15-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to New York on Norwegian Cruise Line November 8: 14-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Tampa on Carnival Cruise Line November 8: 16-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Regent Seven Seas November 14: 16-day cruise from Southampton (England) to Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruises November 15: 14-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Holland America November 18: 14-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Puerto Rico on Seabourn November 19: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2 November 19: 14-night cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Oceania November 19: 13-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Silversea November 26: 14-day cruise from Barcelona (Spain) to Miami on Regent Seven Seas November 28: 15-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Galveston (Texas) on Norwegian Cruise Line November 28: 22-day cruise from Rome (Italy) to Fort Lauderdale on Viking

December 2025

December 8: 7-day cruise from New York to Southampton (England) on the Queen Mary 2 December 8: 14-day cruise from Lisbon (Portugal) to Fort Lauderdale on Silversea December 15: 7-day cruise from Southampton (England) to New York on the Queen Mary 2

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Cruises From Orlando (Port Canaveral)

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Orlando (Port Canaveral) Cruise Port Guide

While Orlando is best known for the thrills of its spectacular theme parks, there’s much more to this arty, energetic city, which encompasses long, tree-lined avenues, serene lakes, world-class museums, and an inventive culinary scene. Cruises from Port Canaveral offer an easy and convenient chance to spend time here and to explore Florida’s 72-mile-long Space Coast, where you’ll find uncrowded beaches, fragrant citrus groves, golf courses, and extraordinary wildlife. Another highlight is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can meet astronauts, marvel at moon rockets, and immerse yourself in space exploration.

Cruises from Orlando take you south to the dreamy tropical islands of The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and beyond. Explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, or the gorgeous beaches of the Dominican Republic. Absorb both Dutch and French culture in St. Maarten, try river rafting in mountainous Jamaica, and unwind on Grand Cayman’s blissful Seven Mile Beach. A world of adventure awaits on your exciting Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral.

Itineraries

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Featured Destinations on Cruises From Port Canaveral

Key west, florida.

Bohemian, fun-loving Key West lies off the tip of South Florida and is known for its lively downtown scene and pristine coral reefs. Discover teeming marine wildlife during a snorkeling excursion, or kayak through lush mangroves, where you’ll see stingrays, crabs, and other tropical fish. Explore the shops and pubs along Duval Street, visit the villa where legendary author Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote, and make time for a slice of tangy Key lime pie.

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau is surrounded by powdery white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons that invite swimming and snorkeling in the clear, warm water, where there’s abundant marine life. Head for Blue Lagoon Island for a day of blissful relaxation on a palm-fringed beach, or visit Atlantis for the adrenaline rush of the waterslides at Aquaventure. Browse local handicrafts at the colorful Straw Market, and sample delicious conch fritters, the local specialty.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata lies between long, golden beaches and forested mountains. This colorful, historic port is the gateway to adventure, whether you want to fly over the trees on a zipline, paddleboard through peaceful mangroves in search of manatees, or head for the hills on an off-road driving safari. At the 27 Charcos de Damajagua, slide down natural rock channels into freshwater pools as you follow the course of the 27 waterfalls. 

Why Sail From Port Canaveral With Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity’s cruises on the luxurious Celebrity Equinox take you to the heart of the Caribbean. Enjoy blissful days at sea as you head south, where culture, adventure, and exquisite beaches await. Swim with wild dolphins, snorkel over dazzling reefs, zipline over rainforests, taste local rum, and discover the fascinating history of each island.

On board, enjoy accommodation rivaling the world’s finest hotels and delicious meals from menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Relax at The Lawn Club, inhaling the aroma of fresh, living grass, or treat yourself to a massage or facial in The Spa. Lie back in a comfortable lounge chair beside the shimmering pool, and dig into made-to-order burgers and salads at the Mast Grill in the sunshine. As the day draws to a close, head for the Sunset Bar for cocktails with sweeping views of the ocean. Elevate your experience even further with The Retreat®, staying in a beautiful suite with access to a private lounge and the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat restaurant.

Port Canaveral Cruise Port Facilities & Location

Port Canaveral is located in East Central Florida, some 45 miles from Orlando and just south of the Kennedy Space Center. There are multiple cruise ship docks here, with parking available for each terminal. The terminals themselves have some amenities, such as restrooms, but The Cove, close to the port, is the place to go for bars, waterfront restaurants, shops, and views of the ships coming and going.

Top Sights & Attractions in Port Canaveral & Orlando

Kennedy space center.

Anybody with an interest in space exploration will be wowed by the spectacular Kennedy Space Center. Talk to working astronauts and admire mind-blowing exhibits such as the Space Shuttle Atlantis, displayed in a multi-million dollar exhibition space with immersive interactive activities. See artifacts and objects from former space missions, learn how astronauts are preparing to fly to Mars, and watch beautiful IMAX films detailing the Earth from space.

Orlando’s Theme Parks

In Orlando’s famous theme parks, you can ride some of the world’s most intricate and adrenaline-boosting roller coasters, or make a splash on wild water slides and lazy river rides. Immerse yourself in the glamorous world of Hollywood and the movies, or meet some of your favorite cartoon characters. Spot gorillas, giraffes, and elephants, or spend your time learning about anything from science to world cultures.

Downtown Orlando

Orlando’s downtown area is a delight to explore, with tranquil Lake Eola at its heart. You’ll find an impressive array of classy bars, restaurants, and shops here. Stop by Wall Street Plaza for a day of retail therapy. Learn about 12,000 years of history at the Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Square Park. Explore lush Thornton Park, home to hip cafés, and CityArts, which houses seven galleries. If you’re overnighting, catch a show or concert at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Learn More About Caribbean Shore Excursions

Top things to do in port canaveral & orlando, relax on cocoa beach.

With such gorgeous beaches stretching away in every direction, a day by the seaside beckons. Head to Cocoa Beach, just 15 minutes’ drive from Port Canaveral. Here, the classic 1960s pier, which is lined with shops and restaurants, extends 800 feet out into the warm Atlantic, with street entertainers providing a backdrop of music and art. The beach itself is a hotspot for surfers, with lifeguards, umbrellas and beach chairs to rent, and volleyball courts.

Spot Manatees on a Kayak Tour

Cocoa Beach is part of the Thousand Islands Conservation Area, which extends along the Banana River to the west of the beach town and consists of shady green mangrove tunnels, saltwater marshes, and lagoons. Wild manatees as well as numerous wading birds can often be spotted in this 338-acre preserve. The best way to see them is on a guided kayak tour. Eagle-eyed naturalists will help you spot these gentle, endangered creatures as you paddle the serene waterways.

Browse Orlando’s Malls

If you love retail, you’ll be in heaven in Orlando, where there are numerous gleaming malls to explore, offering everything from bargain-packed outlet stores to high-end designer fashion. Try The Mall at Millenia for designer labels or The Florida Mall for more mainstream items. Bargain-hunters should head to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, the location of dozens of designer outlet shops, as well as a handy location close to the theme parks.

What should I eat in the area?

You’ll find restaurants catering to every taste in Orlando, where there’s an impressive selection of high-end places to eat. Many are managed by celebrity chefs and have an emphasis on fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Head for the fashionable Mills 50 District for Vietnamese, Korean and other Asian specialties, and West Church Street in Winter Park, the epicenter of the city’s fine dining scene.

Near Port Canaveral, The Cove is the place to go for waterfront restaurants cooled by sea breezes, where you can dig into tasty fish tacos, fresh oysters, snow crab, and mahi-mahi sandwiches. Other local specialties to try include rum cake, salt water taffy, gator jerky (yes, made from alligator meat), and Florida craft beers.

What’s the culture & history of the region?

While it’s easy to dismiss Orlando as having barely existed before the theme parks put it on the map, the city was actually founded in 1875. During the late 19th century, Orlando thrived as the hub of Florida’s citrus industry, an era which abruptly came to a halt in the Great Freeze of 1894. During this time, many citrus farmers went bust and left the area, leaving the citrus industry in the hands of a few big producers. 

After the 1950s, Orlando and the surrounding area grew steadily as a tourist attraction, the appeal of the region boosted in 1955 when NASA opened its headquarters on Cape Canaveral. Theme parks followed, and the rest is history; Orlando now receives some 74 million visitors a year.

Where can I go shopping?

You’ll find an abundance of shopping opportunities in Orlando, specifically on International Drive, at Disney Springs, and in the outlet malls. You’ll find everything from designer labels to factory outlet bargains.

Nearer Port Canaveral, visit Cocoa Village for local art and bright, whimsical tropical clothing and homeware. Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach sells all you need for surfing. The gift shop at the Kennedy Space Center is a fantastic place for quirky gift ideas, from freeze-dried ice cream to model rocket kits. Around 30 minutes from the port, The Avenue Viera is an open-air retail center with some big names, while Merritt Square Mall, just 15 minutes away, is great for big department stores and specialty shopping.

How can I get around?

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore as you please and is a good idea if you’re staying in the area before or after your cruise. All the major companies operate here. In downtown Orlando, the I-Ride Trolley runs back and forth along International Drive, giving access to multiple restaurants, shops, hotels, and other attractions.

In Port Canaveral itself, there’s a shuttle service to Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. You’ll also find rideshare service here.

What’s the local currency & tipping customs?

The currency in Florida is the U.S. Dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping here is customary, as it is all over the United States. Leave 15-20% in restaurants for good service and tip taxi drivers and tour guides, too.

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Complete Guide to Cruising From Port Canaveral

While Miami might take the title of “Cruise Capital of the World,” many people don’t realize that Port Canaveral near Orlando is right with it in terms of popularity. In total, the port sees more than 4 million passengers each year (with a record 4.6 million in 2019, likely eclipsed in 2023), making it among the busiest cruise ports in the world.

Meanwhile, the port continues to grow. With a new terminal recently constructed to serve Carnival’s largest ship (Mardi Gras), the capacity of Port Canaveral simply keeps increasing. All told, each year sees hundreds of cruise ship departures from the port. That’s not to mention the ships that dock here during their cruises to allow passengers to visit nearby Orlando.

But as with any major port, first-time cruisers (or those who simply haven’t visited recently) may have lots of questions about sailing. To help you out, we’ve covered everything you need to know about cruising from Port Canaveral, along with tons of information about parking, terminals, navigating the port, and much more.

Have more questions about Port Canaveral? Let us know in the comments below.

• Distance from Orlando Airport: 45 miles
• Number of Cruise Terminals: 6 (plus one casino ship terminal)
• Passengers Carried Each Year: ~5 million
• Cruise Ship Dockings Each Year: ~ 800+

Port Location

Port Canaveral is located in eastern central Florida, approximately a 45-60 minutes from Orlando. Just south of the famous Kennedy Space Center, the area surrounding the port offers a lot to see and do within minutes. Nearby are the towns of Cocoa, as well as Cocoa Beach and Titusville.

The port itself is a large, “L-shaped” complex with a number of cruise terminals on the far western edge. In addition, there are cruise terminals along the southern end of the port.

While each terminal has a slightly different address, they are all in the same complex. If you plan to drive in, you can use the following address for navigation:

9241 Charles M Rowland Dr Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Once in the port area, you’ll see signage directing you to each individual cruise ship in port that day.

If you are flying into the Orlando area, then the chances are good you’ll be spending some time in the area, perhaps at the numerous attractions and theme parks. Here are the distances and times to get to Port Canaveral from a number of popular spots in the region.

• Orlando Airport: 45 miles | 45 minutes
• Disney World: 67 miles | 1 hour 15 minutes
• Universal Studios: 60 miles | 1 hour
• Downtown Orlando: 55 miles | 55 minutes
• Kennedy Space Center: 18 miles | 30 minutes
• Cocoa Beach: 5 miles | 10 minutes

Not sure how to get the Port Canaveral from Orlando? We outline your choices below.

Getting to Port Canaveral (Transportation)

The bad news about Port Canaveral is that it’s not extremely convenient to get to if you are flying into or staying in the Orlando area. The good news? There’s a thriving industry that caters to cruise passengers, including transportation options to get you back and forth between Orlando and the cruise terminals.

On our Port Canaveral transportation page , we’ve covered the main transportation options in depth. Below, we hit the highlights of how you can get to the port.

Driving to Port Canaveral If you live in the area, then driving to the port is convenient. Driving allows you to arrive whenever you want and head home on your schedule without waiting on anyone else. As well, given the distance between Orlando and the port — along with the number of things to do in the area — driving is especially nice as an easy way to get around.

If you do drive, keep in mind you’ll need to park your car. Parking at the port is convenient, but costs $17 per day. There are independent lots that are cheaper. See more details in our parking section below.

Independent Shuttles Not driving? As we mentioned earlier, there’s an entire industry that’s popped up catering to cruisers. Case in point: There are a number of companies offering shuttles back and forth between Orlando and Port Canaveral. The most convenient place to catch one of these shuttles is from the airport, however many will pickup from other spots like Disney. Expect to pay $40-60 per person roundtrip for the shuttles, which isn’t bad considering the distance.

Click here to see our article on port transportation to see a list of shuttle companies offering rides to the port.

Hotel Shuttles With so many hotels around Port Canaveral, there are several that will provide a plum service — they will pick you up at the airport with a shuttle, take you to the hotel, and then give you a ride to the cruise port. When you return, they will offer the same in reverse. It’s a nice perk for those flying in and planning to stay at a hotel the night before their cruise.

You can see our full list of hotels with airport and cruise shuttles here .

Other Modes Interested in other modes of transportation to Port Canaveral like taxis, Uber/Lyft, and cruise line shuttles? They can all get you to the port, but are typically more expensive and/or less convenient than the ways listed above. Still, you can read about all your options on our Port Canaveral transportation page .

Hotels in the Cruise Port Area

Given the location of Port Canaveral — about 45 minutes from the Orlando Airport and an hour from the city proper — it’s a good idea to head to the area the day before your cruise and stay the night. That way there’s no rush on embarkation day and you can relax before your cruise starts.

And Cocoa Beach, right next to the port, offers a ton of options on where to stay and things to do. Many hotels include shuttles to the port and/or cruise parking, making them especially attractive for cruise passengers.

Here are a few hotels in the area that are near the port:

• Country Inn & Suites By Radisson
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach
• Radisson Resort at the Port

You can see a more complete list of hotels here . For the most part, the hotels near the port are well-known, reputable chains. Nearly all will have a shuttle available to take you to the cruise port. 

Things to Do Near the Port

One of the good things about Port Canaveral is that the port complex and the surrounding area have a number of things to do nearby.

Restaurants In the port area are several restaurants that sit right on the water. Not only can you get a bite to eat or something cold to drink, but you can also have a first-rate spot to see the ships in port. If you aren’t sailing, then the cruise ships also pass right in front of you as they head out to sea. Places to eat include Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar and Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill (along with many others).

Exploration Tower When you arrive at the port, you can’t miss the tallest structure in the area that looks like the sail of a ship. It’s the Exploration Tower — an observation deck with exhibits about the port area on each floor. It offers a great view of the area and a unique vantage point where you can see all the ships in port.

Kennedy Space Center Of course, being on Cape Canaveral you are right near the Kennedy Space Center . Here you can see rockets launch (if they match your schedule) or visit the center to get up close an personal with NASA’s history with tons of exhibits. They even have the retired space shuttle Atlantis on display for visitors.

Cocoa Beach While you are headed to the beach on your cruise, why not get it started early? Cocoa Beach is just a short distance from the port. There you can hit the beach or explore the area where there are a ton of tourist activities, shops, and restaurants. Check out the area near the Cocoa Beach pier for one of the most popular hangouts.

Cruise Terminals

All told, Port Canaveral has six terminals that serve cruise ships, including Terminal 3, which is the newest addition that was built during the pandemic.

CT1 Located on the south bank of the port and to the east of most of the other terminals, CT1 is home to Royal Caribbean. There’s a small retail area and a parking garage right at the terminal. If you’re into ship spotting, there are restaurants right near the terminal that can give you an up-close look at the ship in port.

CT3 Cruise Terminal 3 is home to Carnival Mardi Gras — the cruise line’s largest class of ship to date and the first in North America to run on cleaner-burning LNG. The terminal is the largest single project in the port’s history and measures a staggering 185,000 square feet. It also includes a parking garage right next to the terminal.

CT5 Located in the northern part of the port, CT5 is home to Royal Caribbean ships. As with other ports, a parking garage is just a few steps from the cruise terminal.

CT6 Right next to CT5, this terminal is home to Carnival. It’s also in the middle of the northern part of the port, giving great views of any other cruise ships in port on embarkation day.

CT8 As you might expect given the relatively short distance to Disney World in Orlando, Disney Cruises has a large presence at the port. CT8 is the Disney terminal, where you’ll find its ships embarking to take families on cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

CT10 The last cruise terminal on the western side of the port is CT10, which serves Norwegian ships and MSC. From here it’s a nearly straight shot down the channel and out to sea.

Dropping Off/Picking Up Passengers

Are you taking someone to the cruise port? Or maybe you are picking up someone after their vacation? That can save a lot of money in parking fees, and make it much easier for them to start their cruise.

If you do plan to drop off or pick up, then just know that it’s a relatively simple concept. Just follow the signs to the appropriate terminal. From there, you will see signs pointing you to the drop-off and pick-up areas, which are clearly marked.

The procedure is much like the airport. You can pull up, let passengers out and they get their bags. In all, it should only take you a few minutes.

One word of warning — the port area (especially the western terminals) can be a bit confusing to get around. There are lots of signs, but also lots of twists and turns. It’s helpful to have a passenger to focus on the signage to direct you where to go while driving.

Parking for a Port Canaveral Cruise

If you are driving into Port Canaveral, then there is the question of what to do with your car while you are on your cruise. Given the size of the port, there are a number of parking options. We cover all your options on our Port Canaveral cruise parking page — including prices and locations. Below, we cover the main options — parking at the port, independent lots, and hotels with cruise parking.

Official Port Parking Looking for the most convenient parking for your cruise? Look no further than the official port parking. Each terminal has a parking garage that’s right at their respective terminals. In other words, you can park and be at the terminal. When it’s time to head home, you have only a short walk back to your car. Most garages offer more than 1,000 spaces, meaning there are plenty of spots.

It it hard to beat the convenience of parking right at your ship. The port charges $17 per day for most vehicles (card only, no cash). Oversized vehicle parking is also available.

One thing to note is that the garage charges for days of arrival and departure. Say you have a three-night cruise that departs Friday afternoon and gets back Monday morning. In this case, you’re charged for four days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), even though your ship gets back first thing Monday morning.

If you’re a disabled cruise passenger then you may be able to park for free at the port . If your vehicle has accommodations such as ramps or lifts, or you have a Florida Toll Exemption permit, or a Disabled Veteran plate from Florida, then you can get free parking. If you think you might be eligible, then call the port at 321-783-7831 for more details.

Independent Parking Lots One of the great things about sailing from Port Canaveral is that there are a number of independent parking lots near the cruise ships. The lots may not be right at the port, but they are close and offer shuttles. Best of all, they offer cheaper parking rates that can be around $10-12 per day (and in some cases even less expensive).

Similar to the cruise port, these lots usually charge by the day instead of the night. So a three-night cruise will have you paying for four days of parking, even if you get your car back early in the morning.

Hotels with Cruise Parking A nice perk with such a tourist hotspot is that there are a lot of hotels competing for your business. And as a cruise town, that means many hotels in Cape Canaveral will allow you to park your car while you cruise in return for a night’s stay. Sometimes parking is free, but usually it’s part of a package or an extra charge each night. Hotels will also set up a ride to the port for you.

In general parking at the hotel is even cheaper than parking at independent lots. That said, if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel before you trip, the added expense of a night’s stay isn’t worth the savings on cheaper parking. You can see our full list of Port Canaveral hotels with parking here .

Check-In & Security

Ready to get on your ship? Before you can board, you’ll have to go through two things at the port: security and check-in. The good news is that both are relatively easy.

As you reach the port, the first thing you’ll do is drop any checked bags with a porter before you enter the terminal building. These bags will be taken, loaded on the ship, and arrive at your cabin later in the evening. You don’t have to check any bags if you don’t want to. It simply makes it easier to board the ship than having to carry all your luggage around.

For most passengers, they likely envision security like going to the airport — long lines, invasive searches and tight rules on liquids. Cruise security is more relaxed.

As you enter the building, you’ll have someone check your boarding documents. You’ll then place your bags on an x-ray machine while you walk through the metal detector. Unless something comes up, that’s it. From there you head to check-in.

These days many cruise lines have online check-in, which speeds up the process. If checked-in online, you simply have your documents checked and finish up any last issues that need to be cleared before you board. You then walk your way to the ship and your room keys will be waiting for you at your cabin door.

Normally there are dozens of agents working, making the line move quickly. Once at the agent’s desk, you’ll set up your onboard spending account (if you didn’t already online), get your room key and then head to the ship. That’s all there is to boarding your cruise.

Disembarkation

One of the funny things about cruising is that while everyone can’t wait to get on the ship to start their vacation, they are just as eager to get off the ship when it arrives back in port. And as a major and modern cruise port, the disembarkation of the ship at Port Canaveral is usually smooth and relatively quick given the number of passengers on a modern cruise ship.

When you get back to Port Canaveral, you’ll have the option of carrying all your bags off the ship yourself, or setting out the larger bags to be picked up and brought ashore by the porters. Many people opt to just carry all bags themselves as this means you can be among the first group to get off the ship.

Once you depart the ship, you’ll enter the terminal and pick up any luggage that you had the porters carry off the ship ahead of time. You’ll then enter the line to be checked back into the country by customs agents. All told, the process will vary in length of time depending on a few factors — most notably the number of agents working to process the ship and if there are automated kiosks.

If sailing with a passport, terminals have kiosks that allow you to quickly take a photo, and once confirmed via facial recognition, head on your way. If you have a birth certificate, then expect to wait in line to meet with a Border Patrol agent to review your documents.

Once cleared, simply head out the doors to find your ground transportation. If using a shuttle service or if someone is picking you up, be sure to make plans on where you’ll be picked up before you get back to port. This will make it much easier and faster to get out of the port area after disembarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What About the Casino Cruise Terminal? Not every cruise ship that calls Port Canaveral home heads to the Caribbean or Bahamas. Victory Casino Cruises operates out of CT2, next door to CT3 (the new Carnival terminal). The casino ship runs two daily trips (most days) to out-of-state waters where gambling is legal.

On board you will find slot machines, dozens of table games, sports betting, a buffet and more. Considering that gambling is localized to only a few spots in Florida, the casino ship is a big draw for those looking to get their fix for a few hours. For more details on the Victory Casino Cruises, see our article here .

What’s the Cheapest Place to Park? As we mentioned above, parking at the port itself is convenient, but runs $17 per day. The cheapest spot we’ve found is parking with CruiseTime Parking . They actually allow you to park for as little as $10 per day. That rate is considerably less than what the port charges, though you don’t get the convenience of parking right at the ship.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Get to the Port? Thanks to the competition between shuttle companies, there are a number of inexpensive options to get between Orlando and the cruise port. A hotel with a shuttle will likely be the cheapest overall way assuming you plan to stay anyway. Other shuttles can be around $40-60 roundtrip. See our article on inexpensive transport options here .

What’s the Earliest I Should Schedule a Return Flight? Many people fly into Orlando for their cruise. That leaves the question of when should you schedule the flight back home? Cruise ships return to port early in the morning (6-7 a.m.), and then it can take 2-3 hours for everyone to get off the ship. That means you can get off the ship and on your way anywhere between 8-10 a.m. in many cases. Of course, you then have a 45 minute ride to the port, followed by security screening.

That’s why we suggest not scheduling a flight back until after 1 p.m. Yes, you may be able to get to the earlier, but this will allow plenty of time so that it’s not a mad dash to catch your flight. It’s also helpful if you have TSA PreCheck as the large number of families flying from Orlando can mean long security lines.

More on Sailing From Port Canaveral:

Port Canaveral Cruise Parking (Where to Park) Options, Prices, and Map

• 15+ Easy Port Canaveral Hotels With Airport & Cruise Shuttles

7 Easy Ways to Get From the Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral for a Cruise

Popular: 39 useful things to pack (17 you wouldn't think of), read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 15+ convenient port canaveral “park & cruise” hotels, 15+ easy port canaveral hotels with cruise shuttles to the ship, the cheapest ways to get from the orlando airport to port canaveral, port canaveral cruise parking discounts, coupons, & deals, 22 comments.

My husband and I will be doing back-to-back cruises on the Mardi Gras Aug-Sept 2023. How do we pay parking for both cruises at the same time of the 1st cruise in Aug?

Same question. Back to back cruises in March.

My husband has a handicap sticker because he has a bad hip. Can he park for free at the port? We are from South Carolina and parked free in Charleston earlier this year.

My understanding is that he must have a special license plate and/or modifications to the vehicle to park for free.

Yes need to know is it that know you don’t need travel insurance for the cruises now I see that they have updated also unvaccinated people do they get their Covic testing where they reside at 72 hours in advance or where and is it that unvaccinated people cannot get off in the Bahamas nor in Dominican Republic Carnival Mardi Gras‘s ship

Is the port conducting Covid-19 tests before you board? If they are how much is it?

That will depend on your cruise line, not the port. Some lines have a limited number of tests at the terminal. Contact who you are sailing for more.

I want to take a shared shuttle from Port Canaveral back to a Orlando. Is it necessary to prebook the shuttle or are there companies that allow walk on? I not in a hurry so would rather not commit to a 9:30 bus or 11ammif I’m processed very quickly.

You need to pre-book your ride. Not sure of any shuttle company that allows walk-ons.

Hi Tanner, do you think a United flight (in first class, which hopefully makes airport procedures a bit quicker) at 12:20pm is doable after a cruise on Carnival Mardi Gras next year (back in Port Canaveral on Jan 9)

Ooof. That’s a tough one. I’d think you’d be fine, but Orlando is our least favorite airport to fly out of. It ALWAYS seems to be backed up at security. It’s a major reason why we got TSA Precheck. If you have precheck, I’d say no problem. If you don’t, I’d say it is tight but doable if there are no delays.

Is there anyplace to store luggage if you get to the port early or in our case we have an entire day to explore the area between disembarking and going to the airport. We wont be renting a car.

Thanks very much Tanner. The distances aren’t a problem. My concern was that PC is like Port Everglades-dangerous to navigate on foot,but it sounds like there are walkways or paths to the Tower and Park.

There might be a few tight areas, but it’s a bit easier than Port Everglades in our opinion.

My NCL ship will be at Port Canaveral for a day in Feb. If I want to visit Jetty Park and the Exploration Tower and eat at the port-are all of these easily accessible on foot from my ship’s pier?

That’s a great question. If you are in shape and used to walking, then yes, it can be done but it’s a bit of a walk. The port complex is fairly large. It’s about 1.5 miles to the Exploration Tower and then another 1.5 miles to Jetty Park. So you’re looking at about six miles roundtrip.

Need info on excursions to Kennedy center

All the cruise lines will have an excursion to the KSC from Port Canaveral. They take place once your ship returns. On a recent trip Royal Caribbean had an offer for $120 that included an airport transfer to Orlando.

I want to travel up the East Coast of USA to NY Brooklyn. What cruises do you have? I live in Parrish , FL about 80 miles away

Mary, we aren’t the port or a cruise line. We’re an information website about cruising. Check with your travel agent, online cruise retailers, etc. Just FYI, it’s likely there are no cruises that go from Port Canaveral to New York. Most cruises depart and return to the same cruise port.

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Home » Cruise » Oceania Cruises » Oceania Cruises Debuts Mediterranean Itineraries For 2025

Oceania Cruises Debuts Mediterranean Itineraries For 2025

Oceania Cruises has announced its Mediterranean cruise schedule, which will take place aboard Marina and Nautica.

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Oceania Cruises has announced its 2025 Mediterranean schedule, which includes voyages that will range from nine to 56 days in length.

Nautica and Marina will offer voyages in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic, visiting cities including Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Rome, and Lisbon. Other port calls on the schedule include resort towns such as Monte Carlo, Cannes, Positano, Sorrento, Tirana, Sarande, Trapani, Calvi, Propriano, and Sibenik.

The 1,250-guest Marina will undergo an expansive refurbishment in May 2024. The renovation will include the addition of two new dining options: Aquamar Kitchen, the new wellness-inspired venue that debuted on Vista this year; and the al fresco evening Pizzeria serving Italian dishes including pizzas and burrata. There’s also an expanded poolside ice cream parlor serving milkshakes and smoothies. All Penthouse Suites and bathrooms will be completely reimagined, and the ship’s public areas will be refreshed.

Example itineraries:

• Barcelona to Athens, May 26, 2025 (9 days): Barcelona, Valletta, Rhodes, Ephesus (Kusadasi), overnight in Istanbul, Mitilini (Lesbos), Athens
• Istanbul to Athens, October 16, 2025 (11 days): One overnight stay in Istanbul, Pergamum (Dikili), Bodrum, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Santorini, Rhodes, Limassol, Marmaris, Heraklion (Crete), Mykonos, Athens.
• Athens to Barcelona, October 27, 2025 (11 days): Athens, Split, Kotor, Corfu, Katakolon, Messina (Sicily), Valletta, Tunis, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona.
• Athens to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, October 27, 2025 (21 days): Athens, Split, Kotor, Corfu, Katakolon, Messina (Sicily), Valletta, Tunis, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville (Cadiz), Casablanca, Agadir, Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz de la Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Nautica carries just 670 guests, served by 400 crew members. Boasting luxurious, residential furnishings and decks of teak, custom stone, and tile work, Nautica features four restaurants, the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, plus eight lounges and bars and a casino.

• Istanbul to Athens, July 27, 2025 (12 days): Istanbul, Pergamum (Dikili), Izmir, Samos, Bodrum, Rhodes, Antalya, Alanya, Limassol, Kos, Heraklion, Santorini, Athens
• Athens to Rome, August 8, 2025 (14 days): Athens, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari, Valletta, Tunis, Trapani (Sicily), Porto Cervo (Sardinia), Propriano (Corsica), Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence / Pisa / Tuscany (Livorno), Rome.
• Athens to Valletta, September 11, 2025 (14 days): Athens, Mykonos, Mitilini (Lesbos), Bozcaada (Troy), overnight in Istanbul, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Marmaris, Antalya, Limassol, Rhodes, Santorini, Heraklion (Crete), Valletta.

Grand Voyages

• Rome round-trip, July 7, 2025 (46 days)
• Venice to Rome, July 17, 2025 (36 days)
• Rome to Athens, October 4, 2025 (23 days)
• Athens round-trip, August 8, 2025 (34 days)
• Athens to Malaga, September 11, 2025 (26 days)
• Athens to Lisbon, September 11, 2025 (36 days)
• Rome to Miami, October 4, 2025 (56 days)
• Istanbul to Barcelona, October 16, 2025 (22 days)
• Istanbul to Tenerife, October 16, 2025 (32 days)

Have you ever taken an Oceania cruise? Are you interested in these 2025 voyages? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

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DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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What to do before or after your cruise from port canaveral.

By Janet K. Keeler

The act of “blasting off” is certainly an apt way to describe the action of Florida’s Space Coast, home to the Kennedy Space Center .

But Port Canaveral Cruise Por t is also taking off. Last year, nearly 7 million cruisers boarded one of the 13 ships that set sail from Port Canaveral. A fourth terminal is being built to accommodate even more travelers.

Port Canaveral is the closest of Florida’s seven cruise ports to the Orlando theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. That means travelers can fly into Orlando International Airport , spend a couple days in the parks, then head over to Port Canaveral, about an hour away. In fact, Disney is banking on that and has theme-park-and-cruise packages with transportation included to shuttle vacationers to its ships homeported at Port Canaveral.

Besides the theme parks, there is a variety of things to do around Port Canaveral either before or after a cruise. A novelty for many visitors is riding bikes on the hard-packed sand of Brevard County. There are loads of places in Cocoa Beach to rent bicycles by the hour and hit the sand, among them Beach Bums , A1A Beach Rentals and Village Cycle Shoppe .

Many of the bike shops also have kayaks, paddleboards plus fishing and beach gear. And surfing? They hang 10 along the Space Coast and you might want to book a lesson which usually comes with board rental. The Cocoa Beach Surf School caters to families and kids. Sebastian Inlet State Park is the epicenter of Florida competitive surfing and finding a place to watch the surfers ride the waves is a cool thing-to-do near Port Canaveral Cruise Port if you’re not ready to go all cowabunga.

Port Canaveral is near lots of small cities that have their own flavor. You could head over to the historic downtown of Melbourne and browse the unique shops then stop into Meg O’Malley’s for some serious Irish grub. Drive south to Indialantic and visit the Sea Turtle Preservation Society . North of the cruise port is Titusville and Dixie Crossroads restaurant, a favorite local spot that serves shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp and other seafood landed at the docks just miles away.

If you don’t have a car and depending on where you are staying for your extended vacation, the Brevard bus and trolley system could get you where you want to go. Tickets cost about $1.50 per ride, less if you qualify for a reduced fare or buy a multi-ride pass.

Here are four more things to do before or after a cruise from Port Canaveral.

 - Merge Studios

The Space of the Space Coast

For more than 50 years, Brevard County has been the center of America’s space program and there’s no better place to experience the history than the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex . The visitors complex is every bit as much of a theme park as the ones in Orlando except there’s no roller coaster—yet. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of thrills. The Rocket Garden gets you up close to some of the towering vessels that explored space, including the Mercury-Atlas which launched John Glenn’s historic mission to orbit the Earth in 1962. Like the brochure says, you really do feel like you’re walking among giants, literally and figuratively. Visitors have opportunities to meet astronauts in person. There is a shuttle simulation ride that punctuates both the excitement and danger of space travel, and astronaut training simulators , too. Don’t forget that the visitor center is part of the working space center. Look at the schedule in advance and you might be able to hear a bonafide countdown and watch a launch. You can also watch launches for free almost anywhere in the county. The beaches will be lined with folks and their binoculars.

 - Lauren Tjaden

The Natural World on Display

Just north of the cruise port is the Canaveral National Seashore , the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline. With so much development all around, the national seashore offers a respite to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The visitors center in New Smyrna Beach provides the history of the area and more information on things-to-do. There are 24 miles of beach and since this is Florida’s East Coast, the sunrise is a big draw. The park opens at 6 a.m. so you can get there in time for the daily sun show. The beach is also a nesting ground for protected marine turtles so you’ll need to tread lightly. Two-thirds of the park is Mosquito Lagoon , a favorite place for kayakers. Nearby is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge , a favorite spot for birders—there are 350 species in the refuge—and photographers (keep that smartphone charged!). Even without a fancy camera you can capture photos of bald eagles and egrets. Merritt’s bird population swells from November to April as migratory birds take to the Atlantic Flyway.

 - Florida Travel

The Zoo the Locals Love

The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne holds a special place in the hearts of many people who grew up on the Space Coast. They remember birthday parties, summer camps and feeding the giraffes especially. Giving nibbles to the lorikeets might come in a close second. If you’ve got young children in tow, the zoo is a wonderful spot to entertain them for at least a half a day—just remember that the giraffes take a rest on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so if you have your heart set on feeding them, plan accordingly. There are 900 animals from all around the world at the zoo, and the adventurers among you might want to kayak past the giraffes, rhinos and lemurs. The gentle train trip—it’s just 10-minutes long— past the camels might be more your wee kids’ style.

 - The Wizard of Oz Museum

Oddly, the Wizard of Oz

No, you for sure aren’t in Kansas. The new Wizard of Oz Museum in Port Canaveral is just minutes south of the cruise port. Why Florida? Mostly, the operators say, because there are so many tourists in Central Florida either going to theme parks or sailing away on cruises and they figured if they build it, they will come. The museum houses historic displays and artifacts from the making of the movie, including Dorothy’s iconic blue pinafore . But what sets this museum apart is the immersive experiences. Through modern technology, mostly laser projectors, visitors feel like they're caught in that movie’s tornado, traveling through Munchkinland or even floating in the poppy field. But wait, there’s more. The museum also houses immersive experiences via the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and a space experience using images from the James Webb telescope. Keep an eye out for the Wicked Witch everywhere. It’s open daily and tickets are $29 for adults and $15 for kids, immersive experiences included.

Places to Remember

Cape Canaveral

Cocoa Beach

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Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)

C ruising, as you may know, is one of the best ways to explore the world’s coastlines and nearby cities. But what if you lack a passport or your passport has expired? Exactly what are the passport requirements to cruise? 

As a United States resident, you may benefit from the ease of a so-called closed-loop cruise and not need a passport for a cruise vacation at all. Let’s dive in.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What is a Closed Loop Cruise? 

First, let's define a closed loop voyage. 

The itineraries of closed-loop cruises begin and end in the same port. For purposes of this conversation, that port is in the United States (even though the term “closed loop cruise” could be used to describe a cruise that starts and ends in the same city in another country). 

Think of it like a closed circuit, with the ship literally closing a geographical loop, even if that loop is an imperfect shape. However, along the route, you might stop at a few other places, either in the United States or abroad. 

The benefit of taking these “round-trip cruises” is that American travelers don’t necessarily need a passport as long as the trip begins and ends at the same U.S.A. port. However, you must understand the nuances of the itinerary you choose if you don’t have a passport, even if you have a travel agent to help guide you. 

That’s why we stress how imperative it is to read the detailed information below about identification requirements.

Closed Loop Cruise Origins

So how did closed-loop cruises come about? Well, in order to comply with U.S. maritime rules and the Passenger Vessel Services Act (also known as the Jones Act), all foreign-registered cruise lines leaving from American ports are required to include a port abroad. 

Nearly all cruise ships are foreign-flagged, so they must stop outside the nation. ( US River Cruise ships are an exception to the foreign-flagged generalization.) These destinations are usually contiguous United States territories such as Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean islands.

Example of a Closed-Loop Cruise

Here’s an example of a closed-loop cruise itinerary that starts and ends in a United States Cruise Port :

• A 4-night cruise departs from the Port of Miami in Florida.
• It makes a port of call in Nassau, in the Bahamas…
• …then sails onto Half Moon Cay.
• The cruise returns to Miami to disembark, where it departed from. 

Disney Cruise Line has a very similar 3-day or 4-day itinerary, usually departing from Port Canaveral, which is on Florida’s Space Coast near Cape Canaveral . It leaves, returns to Port Canaveral, and stops at Disney’s Castaway Cay island and Nassau in between. 

While these 3 or 4-day itineraries are considered short, there are plenty of longer sailings with more Port of Call available across many cruise lines. 

Most of the itinerary options are on bigger ships with 1,500+ passengers. 

If a Cruise Starts and Ends in the United States but From Two Different Ports, is it a Closed-Loop Cruise?

No. If a cruise starts in San Diego but ends in Los Angeles, for example, it is an open-jaw cruise, not a closed-loop cruise. 

Another example: If a cruise starts at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale but ends in the Port of Miami, it is not a closed-loop cruise.

What is an Open Jaw Cruise or Itinerary? 

Perhaps you’d prefer to explore beyond the destinations of a closed-loop cruise. 

A cruise that departs from one port and arrives/ends at a separate port of call is known as an “Open-Jaw Cruise.” Sometimes they’re referred to as “Open Loop” or “Repositioning” cruises. 

While these ocean trips on the high seas require a passport, you can access many more countries. 

On a map, such a trip may appear as a triangle or an “open jaw.” For example, you may do a yacht cruise on the Mediterranean as we did that departs from Athens, explores Greece, then heads to Sicily and ends on mainland Italy, and takes a flight home from Rome.

Without geographic restrictions, ships with an open itinerary can travel farther and often stop at more ports. This may also entail visiting places that other cruises would not have the time or ability to visit, such as more exotic locations.

Do you Need a Passport for a Closed Loop Cruise? 

A passport is typically not required for a closed-loop cruise for United States citizens if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. port. 

For example, this has made Hawaiian Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska cruises very popular.

You Need Valid Government Identification, Even if Not a Passport

However, valid identification to board the ship is required; you must also show that identification upon reentry to the US. Such ID includes proof of citizenship and a government-issued ID. If you happen to have a valid passport, it’s the only ID required.

Shop for Cruise document Holders

Stay organized with a dedicated container, book, or pouch for all your cruise documents, including your identification.

Ensure that this remains in your carry-on bag as you embark and disembark the ship.

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What documentation is needed for a closed-loop cruise .

Nervous about going on a cruise without a passport? While it’s true that you don’t need a passport for most US closed-loop cruises, you must present two forms of ID to board a closed-loop cruise ship. 

These forms of ID should be carried with you when you disembark at each port of call. 

Two Forms of ID

As we mentioned, adults must have two ID forms to board a cruise if they don't have a passport. The two documents must fall under the two categories listed below.

1. Proof of Citizenship

One form of ID must be your proof of US citizenship. For example, this can be a government-issued birth certificate. 

2. Government-Issued ID with Requirements 

The second acceptable piece of identification must be a government-issued ID with your photo, full name, and date of birth. A driver’s license will suffice.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a comprehensive list and details the criteria for taking a cruise without a passport, including what constitutes a government-issued photo ID.

Always check to see the latest details of the requirements before you book your cruise, while you await your cruise, and about four weeks before your cruise to make sure you’re good to go. 

While U.S. Customs recommend an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) as a passport alternative, very few states offer this form of government-issued ID. 

It’s also important to mention that as an ID, driver’s licenses are only accepted at land border crossings and sea border crossings, not airports for international destinations. You can also only use a valid driver’s license to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Closed-Loop Cruise Documentation

• Proof of citizenship, i.e., government-issued birth certificate
• Driver's License/Real ID
• Enhanced Driver's License
• Trusted Traveler Program  card (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
• Form I-872 American Indian card
• Enhanced Tribal card
• Lawful Permanent Resident card
• Voter registration card/ID
• Social security card
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth

Enhanced Driver's License vs. Real ID

Is a Real ID the same thing as an EDL? No. It is not.

The short answer is that EDLs can be used for limited border crossings and is only available in specific border states. Whereas a Real ID is available in all states, it cannot be used to cross borders like an EDL or passport.

A Real ID does not have an additional cost to obtain. It differs from previous driver's licenses because it shows a star icon in the top corner of the license.

An EDL is only offered in a handful of states and costs an additional $30.

The Department of Homeland Security states the following about an EDL:

Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive. DHS Enhanced Driver's Licenses: What Are They?

EDLs are only available to residents of the following states:

Real IDs are available in 55 states and territories, however, it is not a viable document to cross a border, including for international sea cruise travel.

REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. From “Real ID FAQs” on the Department of Homeland Security

Children Under the Age of 16

For children traveling under the age of 16, a variety of forms of identification, including an original birth certificate or a copy that has been notarized or certified, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization, are acceptable. 

What is Not Acceptable as a Form of ID? 

As per the US Government's regulations, documents proving voter registration and social security cards are not recognized as proof of identity. 

Lawful Permanent Residents

There are specific rules if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States. 

Even though the US Government doesn’t mandate that you need a passport, it is always advisable to double-check as some locations along your cruise journey may have various requirements, including having a visa. 

If you are an LPR, you must have your I-551, or Green Card, in order to re-enter the US. 

A valid passport from your nation of residence is required if you’re not a U.S. citizen or a LPR of the United States of America.

Closed-Loop Cruises: Popular Port Cities from the United States 

U.S. departure ports are plentiful, from coast to coast.

The most popular port cities on the East Coast are Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Port of Miami, and Port Everglades, respectively. 

On the West Coast, San Francisco sees the most cruise ships pass through every year. Quite a few other city ports are offering closed-loop cruises from the US, so let’s take a look.

West Coast Closed-Loop Cruises

An Alaskan cruise is one of the most popular closed-loop cruise options in the US. If departing from the United States, Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. They often stop in Vancouver, British Columbia (in Canada), to pick up more cruise passengers.

Mexican Riviera and Hawaii closed loop itineraries are accessible from the West Coast, departing from the cities of San Pedro and Long Beach, San Francisco, and San Diego.

East Coast Closed-Loop Cruises

If you’re looking to head somewhere warmer such as the Bahamas, look to sail from: 

• Florida: Either from Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, the Space Coast’s Port Canaveral, the Port of Miami, or Tampa.
• Maryland: Baltimore.
• Northeast and New England area: Manhattan in New York City, Cape Liberty in New Jersey, or Boston, Massachusetts.
• Texas: Galveston.

Some of these itineraries even stop in Bermuda if you take a closed loop cruise from Boston, Manhattan, Baltimore, or Cape Liberty. 

Of course, you can’t forget about a Caribbean cruise! There are quite a few port options if you want to travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The main cruise port options with itineraries sailing there are from Port Canaveral, Manhattan, Port Everglades, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans, Cape Liberty, Galveston, or Tampa. 

Popular Cruise Lines Offering Close Looped Cruises

Though cruise ships and their contracted ports of call may change annually, here’s a list of cruise lines and expected ports they sail from. 

Princess Cruises

Princess is one of our favorite cruise lines for a mature audience! It’s not great for traveling with kids but if you’re adults, it’s a wonderful option.

With Princess Cruises , you can travel to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or the Bahamas from the United States. They operate many cruises from Fort Lauderdale or off the West Coast, where you can sail from Los Angeles to Mexico or Hawaii.

In fact, we sailed on a wonderful closed-loop California itinerary that stopped in San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ensanda before heading back to Los Angeles. 

Celebrity Cruises

Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida, are popular ports for Celebrity Cruises . You can travel to Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean from here.

It’s another one of our favorite cruise lines, offering class and sophistication to a generally younger audience than Princess Cruises.

We absolutely love their class offerings – our favorite is “in “ The Retreat ” – and recommend booking a suite if you sail with Celebrity. 

Disney Cruise Line

Who doesn’t love a Disney cruise, especially when you can sail to Bermuda, the Bahamas, or the Caribbean with all your favorite characters? But even if the characters don’t pique your interest, sailing as adults, only, is always fun with Disney. We’ve cruised on DCL without kids many times! 

Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, is an incredibly popular destination that only Disney Cruise Line sails to.

Most Disney Cruises in the United States set sail from the East Coast, with the most popular ports being Port Canaveral and Miami. However, there is often a west coast cruise itinerary each year, like from San Diego. 

Holland America Line

The majority of Holland America Line (HAL) closed loop cruises leave Fort Lauderdale and head to the Caribbean. But if you’re looking for an incredible Alaskan experience, head out west to Seattle and catch a trip to The Last Frontier with HAL.

Royal Caribbean 

An incredibly popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean departs from 14 ports across the US. The most popular closed-loop itineraries leave from Port Canaveral and Miami, where they sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

People love to visit Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

Norwegian Cruise Line 

Despite its name, many cruises with Norwegian actually depart from the US. Amongst their popular itineraries is a Hawaiian closed-loop cruise from Honolulu, that tours around the Hawaiian Islands. 

To visit the Bahamas or the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line, choose the Port of Miami as the departure port.

Carnival Cruises

Miami, Galveston, Tampa, and Port Canaveral are the port of call where most closed-loop Carnival Cruises sail from. The top itineraries for all three ports will lead you to the incredible island nations of the Caribbean.

MSC Cruises

Dip your toes in Caribbean sand when you set sail from Port Canaveral or the Port of Miami. MSC Cruises offers hundreds of closed loop cruises each year.

Margaritaville at Sea

If you want a very short, low-cost cruise option that sails from the Port of Palm Beach, look into Margaritaville at Sea . 

Closed-Loop Cruises in Popular European Cities  

The United States isn’t the only region that offers closed loop cruises. Numerous cities in Europe also have such itineraries, although they aren’t always referred to as a closed loop cruise in marketing material. 

Rather, you’ll see terms like “return trip cruise” or “two-way cruises.” Check each itinerary very closely. 

However, it’s worth noting that while these cruises are technically closed-loop, because they start and end in the same port of call as our Emerald Cruises did in Amsterdam in The Netherlands, you need a passport to sail in Europe or Asia, for example, if you’re a United States citizen traveling abroad. You’ll also need a passport to fly there at an international airport.

One of the closed itineraries growing in popularity in Europe is a cruise to Iceland. Departing and ending at Rotterdam, in The Netherlands, you’ll get to explore this true wonder of the world. Cruises to Iceland also commonly include a port of call in Ireland as well.

The port of Civitavecchia in Rome, Italy, also offers a number of return trip cruises. These itineraries include stops in Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Or you can sail in a loop from the port of Ravenna in Venice, Italy, to see cities in Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

MSC offers popular cruises in the Mediterranean with return trips from Marseille, France . On these journeys, you will stop in places such as Genoa, Palermo, Ibiza, Valencia, Barcelona, and Naples.

Closed-Loop Cruises FAQs

What are the advantages of a closed loop cruise.

There are many, especially if you don’t have a passport!

• They don't require a passport.
• It’s much easier to book flights or arrange transportation if they start and end in the United States.
• There are many cruise itineraries to choose from across various cruise lines.
• Simplified planning.
• Cost is usually more economical.

What are the Disadvantages of a Closed Loop Cruise?

The main disadvantage is that fewer ports of call are available to you. Along with this, depending on your taste and travel preferences, your experience diving into different cultures and historical sites is lessened if you can only explore closed-loop cruise options. 

How Do I Know If My Cruise Is Closed-Loop? 

Two main things indicate if your cruise is closed loop and you won’t need a passport  (but don’t forget – you need other valid identification): 

• For Americans looking to travel without a passport, the first piece of information to note when investigating whether or not a cruise is closed-loop is if it departs from and arrives back at the same US port. 

In order for it to be considered a closed-loop cruise that you don’t need a passport for the ship must leave and return to the same exact American port. 

• The second criterion to check for is: Are all ports of call on the itinerary within the Western hemisphere? 

Today, the majority of cruises that are closed-loop and you don’t need a passport for as a US citizen are within the Western Hemisphere only.

The idea of a closed-loop cruise originated with the creation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) . 

The objective of WHTI was to enhance and fortify American border security after 9/11 in 2001. However, there was also the added objective of streamlining and improving entry procedures into the United States. Several aspects of the initiative also deal with easing entry for residents of Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. 

Can You Leave the Ship on a Closed-Loop Cruise Without a Passport?

The answer is yes and no. It depends on the port of call. 

It’s important to check the itinerary for your trip because there are a few places, even on a closed-loop cruise, that do require a passport to disembark. This is particularly common in the Caribbean in nations including Guadeloupe, the island of Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados, and others. 

Below is a list of Caribbean nations you can travel to without a passport on a closed-loop cruise (meaning you can disembark the ship if your cruise ship stops there and you do not have a passport):

• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Netherlands Antilles
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Turks and Caicos

If you travel to any of these countries without a passport, however, it’s a good idea to take your valid forms of ID with you when you walk around the port in case you encounter any problems. 

Precautions to Keep in Mind Traveling Outside the United States Without a Passport

Keep a few things to keep in mind if you travel on a closed-loop cruise without a passport. 

Imagine, for instance, that something goes awry, and you need to fly back to the United States from a foreign country for a medical emergency. In this situation and in the case of an emergency, you will need a passport in order to travel through an international airport and board an airplane traveling internationally.

Additionally, without a U.S. passport, getting home or catching up with the trip could be challenging if you miss the ship in one of the ports.

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. However, an EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel.

A closed loop cruise is a wonderful sea travel option for United States residents and citizens who want a vacation in multiple cities without needing a passport. (It’s an especially good option if you’re waiting for your new passport to arrive and you’re aching to go on a cruise, asap!) 

However, there are things to be aware of when you’re looking into going on a closed-loop cruise from the United States. With the important information we have provided here, you’ll be an informed traveler who can make the best decision for your’s and your family’s next cruise.

Interested in cruises? Read this next:

• River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?
• How to Decide the Best Cruises to Book
• Guide to Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart of America

Travel | Port Canaveral chalks up record month amid…

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Subscriber only, travel | port canaveral chalks up record month amid growing cruise demand.

Port Canaveral saw just under 800,000 cruise passengers move on and off its ships in March as part of a record year that keeps topping expectations.

That set a one-month record for the port with an average of nearly 25,600 people a day around 93 cruise ship calls. March is traditionally one of the strongest months of the year for the port with its spring break traffic.

It also marked the halfway point of the fiscal year that began in October 2023. Six months in, the port has seen 3.9 million passenger movements from 479 ship calls.

“The industry itself is very, very strong right now,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray at the port commission meeting on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of expansion plans. The companies are starting to reorder ships again after the pandemic.”

NCL details new dining on Canaveral-bound Norwegian Aqua

That includes more ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, which has been sending its new vessels to Port Canaveral as they debut including next year’s Norwegian Aqua.

“So a lot of great things, a lot of great things, a lot of enthusiasm and I can say that the industry is 110% of what it was prior to the pandemic,” Murray said. “They are back and booming right now. So we’re fortunate to be taking advantage of that here at the port.”

Operating revenue for the year is already at $98 million, which is $3.6 million above budget. It also means the record projection of $187 million in operating revenue through the end of the fiscal year in September is likely to get surpassed as well.

Ship capacity is determined to be at 100% if each stateroom is occupied by two passengers, so ships sailing with families, for instance, will push capacity above 100% and in turn increase revenue for the port from the cruise lines as well as add to an uptick in parking charges.

Royal Caribbean to send massive Utopia of the Seas to Port Canaveral

One of the big drivers has been the addition of a second Oasis-class vessel by Royal Caribbean so that the port hosts two of the largest cruise ships in the world.

Allure of the Seas joined Wonder of the Seas last fall to begin short three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas, and will continue that until the debut of Royal’s new Utopia of the Seas this summer. Since arriving, it has added more than 650,000 passenger movements to the port’s growing tally.

The port has been home port to 13 ships from Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and MSC Cruises, and is set to welcome its first ships from both Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises this fall.

Port Canaveral plots timeline to take over marina for new cruise terminal

Right now it has six cruise terminals, but is beginning the work to eventually build a seventh later this decade. During an interview earlier in April at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach, Murray said the key to growth for the port will be a shift in how the port gives access to each terminal, such as how it plans to operate its seventh terminal.

“It’s going to be multiuser. It’s not going to be a single-use facility. That’s going to be how our concept of operations would be going forward,” Murray said. “The only way you’re going to get good utilization of a terminal is if you can put multiple brands in there and not have it dedicated to just one user.”

That’s how it runs several of its terminals now including Disney Cruise Line at Cruise Terminal 8 and Carnival Cruise Line at its newest terminal, Cruise Terminal 3.

“If they’ve got seven days a week at one terminal and they’re only using three, maybe four days, that’s not high utilization,” Murray said. “Yet, it’s a facility that we’ve got blocked out that we’re not getting any benefit from it for the investment we’ve made.”

He notes Cruise Terminal 10, which gets used by three brands, gets used six days a week.

Murray said with newer and bigger ships on order from all the major lines, the demand is just going to continue to spike for parking space at Florida’s big three ports.

“I think the point now for all of the major brands is finding somewhere to operate,” Murray said. “Because there’s only Miami, [and] we all know how full Miami is; Everglades, [which has] limited capacity or opportunity for growth; and we have more land, but you know, it’s not all going to get committed to the cruise industry.”

“So the question is, how do we allow more opportunities for the cruise lines to operate? This is one — get high utilization out of the terminal.”

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Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• Beach Packing List
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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