10 BEST CRUISE DESTINATIONS FROM ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Adventure-packed Orlando is your springboard to exciting destinations like the balmy Bahamas, musical Jamaica and utopian CocoCay.
Published on January 20, 2020
Where you sail from can be as enticing as your destination. Enjoy some time in the land of amusements and perfect family moments while you wait for your cruise to paradise. A myriad of landscapes, from coasts to mountains, await your arrival by sea. Not one island is the same, not one destination repeats itself. Sail to the Caribbean from a destination like no other. Orlando cruises await you with exciting adventures and lifelong memories for the whole family.
BAHAMAS
A Bahamas cruise from Orlando offers many adventures in a short amount of time. Find the brightest sun and sand in the Bahamas, home to translucent water caves, stunning private isles and majestic coral gardens. Sink your toes into the powdery sand of Ford's Beach, shop at ultra-chic resort Atlantis and dive the warm waters of places like Bimini. Leave the sand behind and head to Nassau or Freeport for a taste of local life. Take a nature walk by mangroves or venture through pine forests. Then get to know this destination through its historic treasures like Fort Charlotte, Queen's Staircase and Pompey Square. Don't forget to shop for souvenirs at the different markets around the Bahamas; Bimini has a craft center filled with artisan creations, Grand Bahama is home to a beautiful straw market and Atlantis resort houses the celebrated Crystal Court, an exclusive shopping destination. Even if it's just for a weekend, a Bahamas cruise from Orlando can be jam-packed with adventures for all.
PERFECT DAY
Thrills, chills and water-soaked adventures await on your Perfect Day at CocoCay, where vacation dreams do come true, no matter what your ideal beach escape looks like. Take relaxation to a whole new level at Chill Island, home to transparent waters, white sands and comfortable lounging areas. Get your thrill on as you zipline across the island, go down the tallest waterslide in North America and bodysurf the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean. This is the place to relax, have a blast and let all of your stresses go. Take the day off and submerge in the utopian ambiance of this slice of paradise. The entire family will find something special to do during this Perfect Day.
JAMAICA
Jamaica is the land of good vibes. With its reggae music, laid-back attitude and heart for adventure, this destination will teach you and your family to go with the flow and enjoy what mother nature gifted us. Jam to the beat of Jamaica with its wondrous waterfalls, coral-filled bays and emerald rainforests. Head to Ocho Rios and enjoy the turquoise waters of Bamboo Beach Club, explore a dense forest at Mystic Mountain or hike your way to splendid views at Mount Zion Hill Walk in Montego Bay. For more water adventures, go rafting on the Martha Brae River in Falmouth or the River Rapids Adventure in Ocho Rios to get in touch with the wild side of mother nature. For a taste of Jamaica, pick up rum or jerk seasonings and take them home, or shop for handmade local art at places like the Old Fort Market in Montego Bay. If your vibe is more about relaxing by the sea, head to Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios Bay Beach for tranquil waters and lounging areas perfect for decompressing.
LABADEE
Explore your own private island — your very own paradise — at this exclusive destination in gorgeous Haiti. Found on the northern coast of Haiti, Labadee offers adventures and relaxation of all kinds, all in one exciting place. For those who dare to feel their adrenaline pumping, Dragon's Breath Flight Line, which holds the title for the Caribbean's longest zip line over water, will have you flying down 500 feet over the bright teal ocean, from a mountain right onto the beach. Get your camera ready as you coast down a mountain at 30 miles per hour on the Dragon's Tail Coaster and catch amazing tropical views. Over-the-water cabanas, stunning flora and fauna, lively Haitian life, and scrumptious delicacies (you must try a Labadoozie) — Labadee is your private escape in the Caribbean.
COZUMEL, MEXICO
Home to Maya ruins by the sea, a majestic underwater world and some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, Cozumel is famous for its duality when it comes to mixing the serene vistas by the ocean with a lively Caribbean spirit. Start with a trek to a temple, like San Gervasio, the largest ancient site on the island. Then head to Chankanaab National Park for close encounters with dolphins during a scuba tour. Shop the mile-long San Miguel market, a waterfront section filled with artisan treasures. Then indulge in the delicacies of Mexico, biting into cochinita pibil (a pork dish) and washing it all down with a delicious margarita or a shot of local tequila.
PUERTO COSTA MAYA, MEXICO
Costa Maya, located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, is an expanse of Caribbean coastline dotted with Maya ruins, misty jungles and private beach clubs. There's a lot going on in this 250-square-mile paradise. Start with the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest reef in the world — it's home to more than 75 species of coral and hundreds of species of mollusks, fish, turtles, crocodiles and manatees. Dip into the cerulean waters of Cenote Azul, a freshwater cenote you can dive and explore. For connections with the ancient world, head to Chacchoben or Kohunlich, both found within the jungle and featuring Maya ruins that are thousands of years old.
PUERTO RICO
Set sail from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on the largests cruise ship to ever voyage the ocean, Wonder of the Seas, to arrive in gorgeous San Juan, Puerto Rico. Unleash your inner wild with a trek through El Yunque National Forest, a 29,000-acre marvel filled with waterfalls, dense jungles and mountain trails. Then, step into the past at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th-century citadel that looms over the coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will transport you through history as you climb the spiral staircases within. Finish your Puerto Rican getaway in Old San Juan, where you can walk cobblestone streets and shop for hand-rolled cigars and handmade lace, all before grabbing some mofongo (mashed fried plantains) from a local street vendor. When it comes to paradise, Puerto Rico has it all.
ST. MAARTEN
For a myriad of cultures and influences, sail to the always beautiful St. Marteen. With over one hundred nationalities represented on the island and more than 80 languages spoken, St. Marteen is the little microcosm of the Caribbean (and the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations). Explore the island from the shore or from high up in the mountains, taste your way through the many fusions that restaurants offer, or shop in the Dutch capital for island finds that are duty-free. Swim in Simpson Bay Lagoon, the largest saltwater lagoon in the Caribbean, or visit the Loterie Farm, a nature sanctuary containing different hiking trails, a multi-level pool, waterfalls and a zip line course.
ST. THOMAS
This lively port is adorned by yachts and sailboats on the coast, lush mountains on its center and colorful homes all around. This is usually the first stop on a trip to the Caribbean, a place filled with fine island dining, natural wonders and great shopping. If you're in the mood for historical landmarks, head to Blackbeard's Castle, built in 1679, which contains the world's largest collection of life-sized pirate statues. Or go to the St. Thomas Synagogue and Frederick Lutheran Church, two of the oldest churches of their kind in the Western Hemisphere. Treat yourself to some tropical bites at the many beachside bars serving everything from coconut chicken to conch fritters. And bar-hop around town tasting local favorites like Blackbeard Ale and St. John Brewers Virgin Islands beer. And then, reach the pristine pool-like waters of beaches like Sapphire Beach or Magen's Bay, the former known as one of the best beaches in the world.
ROATAN, HONDURAS
For a mix of white sand beaches and dense jungle canopies, cruise from Orlando to Honduras, where you'll witness natural majesty and years of history and culture. If exploring the depths of the sea is what you're searching for, head out on a snorkeling adventure through the world's second largest barrier reef off the coast of Honduras' Bay Islands. You'll swim with over 500 species of underwater critters, from stingrays and spotted trunkfish to dolphins and whale sharks. If you're more of a land lover, trek through Gumbalimba Park, where you'll see monkeys soar through the trees as you zipline through the canopy. Finish your Honduran adventure by taking a water taxi to the West End Village of Roatan. Once you arrive in this bustling area, be sure to grab some local conch soup before shopping for Lenca pottery in the nearby markets.
If you love island-hopping as much as adventure-hopping, then you'll love cruising with Royal Caribbean. No other vacation can take you from the excitement of amusement parks to the tropical magic of island time. Hop on a Port Canaveral cruise and sail toward the time of your life.
