What is the best port to catch a cruise north of Ft. Lauderdale?

Question

I live in South Carolina, I don't want to go all the way to S. Florida. Jacksonville, Charleston??Tell me the options, and pros and cons. Like, is there somewhere safe to leave my car near the port. Thanks!!

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I hate to fly, and I don't want to drive all the way to Miami (besides I just went there in July & last week). That's why I specified North of Ft. Lauderdale.

Answer 1

carnival has a ship that leaves from jacksonville now. i went in july and left my car there. it is a locked parking lot and everything was fine when i got back. it goes to key west and the bahamas.
hope that helps.

Answer 2

I have been on many cruises and have parked my car at the ports in Miami and in Ft Lauderdale. Both are safe. First off, you need an ID, or a cruise ticket, to even get on the ports so people cannot just wander onto the ports and parking areas. Ft Lauderdale has a covered parking garage, so your car is actually inside. In Miami you park right next to where your ship is docked, just like going into a department store at the mall. Both places have security.

So, don't let the departure port limit you to certain cruises by certain lines, and also limit your port stop options. I have driven to the ports from Maryland and from NC. In both cases I drove about 90% of the way to the port the day before the cruise (stayed in Vero Beach, Fl) and left myself about 2 or 3 hours to drive the remainder on cruise day. That means I can start driving the rest of the way about 10:00 AM and get there by noon or 1:00 PM when boarding usually starts. We will be driving there again in November for a cruise.

Driving is now a lot less hassle than flying and cheaper. You pack your car at home and unpack it at the port. Porters will take your bags at the terminal and deliver them to your cabin. No need to worry about lost or late luggage and all that security stuff, weight limits, and hauling it through the airport.

The port in Miami is easy to get to, just follow I-95 South, and there will be signs directing you to the port. Same in Ft Lauderdale.

Answer 3

Canaveral has more ships with better itinaries than jax or charleston. You can park at the ports if you are driving the day of the cruise, usually costs 10-12per day. Also, most hotels offer free parking and a shuttle to the pier. Jax usually has older ships that run 4-5 day cruises to the key west and nassau. Charleston only has 1 or 2 old ships that leave out of it. I think norfolk occassionally has bermuda cruises leaving out of it. Tampa and Pt. Canaveral have 7 night cruises on newer ships that leave out of them. They also have the same parking / hotel arrangements. Bascially, if you want a short cruise to key west, nassau or freeport you can go out of charleston or jax. If you want cozumel, jamaica, grand caymen etc you have to go to fla. On most travel sites like yahoo, you can go to the advanced search and search for cruises out of specific ports.

Answer 4

Hi, how about Cocoa Beach. It's still in Florida, but it's about 3 hours north of Ft. Lauderdale. Have fun on your cruise!!