• Introduction
• Cruising from the Northeast
• Cruising from the Southeast with Florida
• Cruising from the Gulf Coast
• Cruising from California
• Cruising from the Pacific Northwest with Alaska
• Cruising from Hawaii
• Our Favorite Homeport Cruises
• Tips for Booking Homeport Cruises

Cruising from the Southeast with Florida

The Southeast region of the United States is the irrefutable cruise capital of America, touting five bustling ports in Florida alone (althought Tampa is listed in our Gulf Coast section), as well as smaller, up-and-coming ports in Charleston and Norfolk, further up the coast. Cruisers from this region have plenty of vacation possibilities, with diverse Caribbean itineraries offering passengers the chance to awaken each morning on a new exciting tropical island, while sailings to the Bahamas provide rejuvenating quickie escapes. Several cruise lines offer longer voyages to Central and South America, including options to coast through the Panama Canal. This high volume of cruise traffic also translates to competitive rates year-round; expect higher discounts during hurricane season (which officially lasts from June 1 to November 30).

What homeports can I sail from?

* Charleston
* Fort Lauderdale
* Jacksonville
* Miami
* Norfolk
* Port Canaveral (Orlando)

What cruise destinations can I sail to?  

* Bahamas (from Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami, Norfolk, Port Canaveral)

Our favorite itineraries:

* Azamara’s 12-night southern Caribbean winter sailings from Miami
Ports of call: Miami, FL; St. John, USVI; St. Bart's; Martinique; Grenadines; Domnica; St. Kitts; Virgin Gorda, BVI

* Holland America’s 14-night Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale
Ports of call: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Aruba; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Huatulco, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California

PORT OVERVIEW: CHARLESTON
It's hard to feel cynical in this gardenia-scented confection of a city, with its rainbow rowhouses, ornate churches, riverside parks and tucked-away cafes. Founded in 1670, Charleston was once one of the most important ports in America. These days, around 4 million tourists hit the well-preserved downtown every year.

Cruise Terminal: Port of Charleston

PORT OVERVIEW: FORT LAUDERDALE
No longer a rowdy spring break mecca, Fort Lauderdale charms sophisticated beach bums with luxury resorts, culinary delights, and a burgeoning cultural scene to complement the year-round outdoor activities.

Cruise Terminal: Port Everglades

Find cruise deals from Fort Lauderdale on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: JACKSONVILLE
As the third most populous city on the east coast (after NYC and Philadelphia), Jacksonville comprise a diverse Floridian destination with tons to see and do aside from beaches – hotspots include the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Huguenot Memorial Park, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

Cruise Terminal: Jaxport

Find cruise deals from Jacksonville on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: MIAMI
Sprawling, sexy, sometimes unruly, and occasionally outrageous, Greater Miami has become an urban mix unlike any other in America. The beach vacation city of Miami is one part sun-splashed resort playground, one part glamorama party capital, and one part bustling, Latin-flavored sprawl.

Cruise Terminal: Port of Miami

Find cruise deals from Miami on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: NORFOLK
Bordering Chesapeake Bay and the Elizabeth River, this Virginia city is surrounded by a spectacular waterfront. Take in nautical attractions like Nauticus (the National Maritime Center), or indulge in a savory seafood meal, followed by shopping on the waterfront or a stroll on the sandy beaches.

Cruise Terminal: Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center

PORT OVERVIEW: PORT CANAVERAL
An old-fashioned stretch of Florida oceanfront roughly an hour east of Orlando, Cape Canaveral went high-tech when NASA set up shop, earning the region the title “Space Coast.” A major departure point for all major cruise lines, this little slice of the sunshine state boasts wide, relatively empty beaches and plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep you occupied before hitting the high seas.

Cruise Terminal: Port Canaveral

See Alaska Travel Guide | See Asia Travel Guide | See Bahamas Travel Guide | See Bermuda Travel Guide | See Canada Travel Guide | See Caribbean Travel Guide | See Europe Travel Guide | See Hawaii Travel Guide | See Mexico Travel Guide | See Pacific Northwest Travel Guide | See Tahiti Travel Guide | See Turkey Travel GuideSee United States Travel Guide