7 BEST CRUISES FROM FORT LAUDERDALE AND THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT

You can cruise from just about every major port city in Florida — Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral...you name it. But hands down, one of the most popular places to cruise from in the Sunshine State is Fort Lauderdale. The city’s Port Everglades is home to some of the best ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet — like the Allure of the Seas. In fall 2021, the cruise line’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, returns from Europe to cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean, too.

While the ships themselves are filled with tons of activities and attractions — let’s face it, nobody does the cruising like Royal Caribbean ­— one of the most important things that makes a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean truly unforgettable is the itinerary. Whether you choose an eastern or southern Caribbean sailing that takes you to St. Maarten and San Juan, or a western Caribbean sailing with stops in Cozumel and Falmouth, Fort Lauderdale cruises with Royal Caribbean take you to some of the most incredible shores in the tropics. We’ve rounded up some of the best tropical destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise getaway from Port Everglades.

1. THE BAHAMAS AND PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

If your planning on sailing from Fort Lauderdale, The Bahamas is just a hop and a skip away — but that doesn’t make the island any less exotic. With its lively beaches and bustling markets, Nassau always guarantees a great time. And nearby Grand Bahama Island is a go-to spot for honeymooners from around the world. The Bahamas are also home to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the newly reimagined private island destination by Royal Caribbean that has been making headlines and topping charts since it reopened last spring. You’ll find it all here — peaceful beaches with great snorkeling, a water park that boasts the tallest waterslide in the Caribbean, a helium balloon ride that offers spectacular views, and even the first Floating Cabanas in The Bahamas.

Cruises to the Bahamas: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay on western, eastern, and southern Caribbean cruise itineraries onboard Allure, Odyssey, Wonder and Liberty of the Seas, which also sails short Bahamas getaways.

2. FALMOUTH, JAMAICA

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

Cruises to Falmouth, Jamaica: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica on western Caribbean itineraries onboard Harmony of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.

3. PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN

Set sail on a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to St. Maarten (also known as Sint Maarten) is the closest you can get to Europe while still enjoying the balmy breezes and perpetual sunshine of the tropics. Separated into French- and Dutch-governed sides, this southern Caribbean favorite is home to a global community made up of 120 different nationalities. Encompassing just 40 miles, St. Maarten is a tiny island that packs a real cultural punch. You’ll find plenty of great hiking trails within the Loterie Farm natural sanctuary, the Caribbean’s largest saltwater lagoon, Simpson Bay, and some of the most amazing food in the tropics in Philipsburg, the capital of the island’s Dutch side. One bite at any of the city’s East Indian, French, or Dutch eateries and you’ll see why St. Maarten is nicknamed “the gourmet capital of the Caribbean.”

Cruises to St. Maarten: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Philipsburg, St. Maarten on eastern Caribbean itineraries onboard Allure of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, and southern Caribbean itineraries onboard Vision of the Seas.

4. PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA

If you’re looking for wild adventure after visiting fort lauderdale, you need to add Puerto Limon, Costa Rica to your vacation list when sailing from Fort Lauderdale. The capital of Costa Rica’s Limon province, this culture-rich hub is an outdoor enthusiasts’ dream come true. Most nature lovers head straight for Veragua Rainforest Park, a 3,212-acre nature reserve that’s home to prehistoric forests where you can see three-toed sloths, a biological exhibit where you can meet and talk to the area’s wildlife researchers, and an aerial tram that yields stunning views of the surrounding vegetation. If you’re a beach lover, you’ll find an abundance of unspoiled coastline. Playa Bonita and Playa Blanca are among the region’s top-rated shores.

Cruises to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica on southern Caribbean itineraries onboard Vision of the Seas.

5. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

The Isle of Enchantment has lured beachgoers, culture seekers, and celebrities for decades with its turquoise waters, flavorful cuisine, wild jungles, and vibrant culture. When you cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Puerto Rico, your adventure begins in San Juan, the island’s sun-kissed capital. There’s so much to see and do here, from hitting the golden shores along glitzy El Condado or venturing out to pretty Culebra Island, to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites like the 16th-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Even a stroll along the cobblestone streets of San Juan’s historic Old Town is an unforgettable experience in and of itself.

Cruises to San Juan, Puerto Rico: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Puerto Rico on southern Caribbean itineraries onboard Vision of the Seas, or on eastern Caribbean itineraries onboard Allure of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.

6. BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS

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

Cruises to Basseterre, St. Kitts: You can Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Basseterre, St. Kitts on southern Caribbean itineraries onboard Vision of the Seas, or eastern Caribbean itineraries on Allure of the Seas.

7. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

Tropical island vibes, laid back beach towns, leafy plazas and impromptu merengue and cumbia parties on the streets...Cartagena, Colombia checks all the boxes for an idyllic coastal escape. You can spend a full day wandering the city on foot — it’s charming colonial monuments, museums and parks are well worth exploring. But if it’s a day at the beach you’re craving, you’ll find your own little slice of paradise at either Playa Blanca or Playa de Oro in Manzanillo del Mar.

Cruises to Cartagena, Colombia: You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena, Colombia on a Panama Canal itinerary onboard Enchantment of the Seas, or southern Caribbean itineraries onboard Vision of the Seas.

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