Short Cruises From Florida
Six ports, dozens of two- to five-night sailings every week.
Ask Us to Find Your SailingNo state offers more short cruises than Florida. Six cruise ports send ships to the Bahamas, Key West and Mexico on trips of two to five nights, many of them every week of the year. Short cruises from Florida are the easiest way to try cruising, celebrate a weekend or add a sea break to a Florida holiday.
Short Cruises From Florida, Port by Port
| Port | Typical short sailings | More on our network |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Palm Beach | Margaritaville at Sea’s Paradise: two-night Bahamas trips to Freeport, plus three- and four-night sailings to Key West, Nassau and Freeport | Cruise From Palm Beach |
| PortMiami | Three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from several lines, including Royal Caribbean trips to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay | Caribbean Cruise Ports |
| Port Canaveral | Three- and four-night Bahamas sailings, including Carnival’s and Royal Caribbean’s | Caribbean Cruise Ports |
| Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) | Four-night Bahamas sailings in some seasons, including Disney trips to Nassau and Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean getaways, alongside longer Caribbean voyages | Caribbean Cruise Ports |
| JAXPORT (Jacksonville) | Carnival’s four- and five-night Bahamas sailings | Caribbean Cruise Ports |
| Port Tampa Bay | Four- and five-night trips to Cozumel, Progreso and Key West | Cruise From Tampa Bay |
Ships and routes change by season, so treat this as a map of what each port usually offers and check the current schedule before you plan.
Bahamas, Key West or Mexico?
From the Atlantic ports, most short sailings head to the Bahamas: Nassau, Freeport and the cruise lines’ own private islands. Key West appears on some three- and four-night trips. From Tampa, the Gulf crossing to Mexico’s Yucatan makes four nights the natural minimum. On a three-night trip expect one or two ports and little or no time at sea; four- and five-night trips add a sea day or a third stop.
Picking the Right Short Sailing
- Drive in. If you live in Florida or the Southeast, choose the port you can drive to and skip flights entirely.
- Check embark and return times. Many short cruises return early in the morning, which suits a drive home or a later flight.
- Thursday or Friday departures turn a weekend into a cruise; midweek sailings are often quieter.
- Look at the ship. Some lines use their newest, largest ships on short Florida runs; others use older, smaller ones. Both can be right for you.
- Add a hotel night if you are flying in, so a delay does not cost you the cruise.
Short cruises from Florida are also popular for birthdays and group celebrations. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle groups of every size.
Florida Short Cruise Questions
What is the shortest cruise from Florida?
Two-night sailings to the Bahamas run from the Port of Palm Beach on Margaritaville at Sea. Elsewhere, three nights is the usual minimum.
Do I need a passport for a short Bahamas cruise?
U.S. citizens on a closed-loop cruise (starting and ending at the same U.S. port) can often travel with a birth certificate and government photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended in case you must fly home from abroad. Check the line’s document rules.
Find a Florida Getaway
Tell us your dates and nearest Florida port. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will send free quotes for short sailings that fit.
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