Best cruises from Florida: Our top 9 trips from the Sunshine State

Cruises from Florida are the most popular options for travelers who wish to sail from the United States. It was only this year that Miami was dethroned as the busiest cruise port in the world — replaced by rival Florida home port, Port Canaveral.

Not only do cruises from Florida allow you to see some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and Bahamas, but they also allow travelers to experience some of the biggest and best cruise ships sailing right now. The largest cruise ship afloat, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, sails from Port Canaveral; family-friendly rival Disney Wish, the newest Disney cruise ship in a decade, also home ports in Florida.

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Families planning multigenerational getaways, couples seeking child-free vacations and groups of friends looking to have a good time can all find their perfect ship and itinerary departing from one of Florida's six departure ports.

To give you a taste of the diversity of options available from the Sunshine State, here are our picks for the best cruises from Florida.

Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's flagship and the largest cruise ship in the world, departs weekly from Port Canaveral (the cruise port closest to Orlando). The ship sails seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, stopping at tropical destinations like Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

While the islands offer plenty of fun in the sun, the ship itself is filled with tons of family-friendly activities. Siblings or parents and kids can race each other to the bottom of the twin waterslides, named Typhoon and Cyclone. If you prefer to stay dry, hop into the Ultimate Abyss tunnel slide, where riders will glide down 10 stories of darkness before bottoming out on the ship's Boardwalk.

Kids ages 6 months to 17 years old have their own hangouts with dedicated programming supervised by fun counselors. While the kids play with new friends, adults can veg out in the glass-encased Solarium, relaxing on padded loungers or in a bubbling hot tub.

When it's time to come together for a meal, you’ll please all palates at The Mason Jar, one of Royal Caribbean's newest restaurants that highlights Southern comfort food. The menu teems with tasty dishes like fried chicken, gumbo and po’boys that will leave you completely satisfied. Brunch here comes with a side of live country music.

Related: Wonder of the Seas 3 ways: Inside, balcony and suite compared

Cruisers who are loyal to Royal Caribbean or those who want to test the waters with the brand without the commitment of a seven-night sailing can enjoy short, three-night sailings on Freedom of the Seas out of Miami.

The quickie voyages take you to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, and a day spent on Royal Caribbean's stunning island is reason enough to book this cruise. At this private Bahamian beach resort, cruisers can ride the slides at Thrill Water Park, rent a beachside cabana for a mix of shade and sun, or float about in a sheltered lagoon. A barbecue lunch is included, and passengers can utilize their onboard drink package.

The 4,635-passenger ship provides fun around every corner. Challenge one another to a round of minigolf, show off your skills on the FlowRider surf simulator or test your muscle on the rock climbing wall. Entertainment on Freedom of the Seas ranges from Royal Caribbean's iconic ice skating shows to live music in the pub. Pool parties, outdoor movies and laser tag are also included with your cruise fare.

With so much to do on board, plus the short sailing times, cruises on this ship can have a distinct party vibe. There's a reason that the College Party Cruise charter company uses Freedom of the Seas for its March spring break sailings.

No cruise is complete without great food, and this ship offers 11 different dining venues highlighting such cuisines as Italian, Mexican and Japanese.

Related: Caribbean vs. Bahamas cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

Carnival Elation is unique because it's the only ship from any cruise line that sails from Jacksonville. Its four- and five-day sailings to the Bahamas stop at Nassau and a second destination that varies. Choose from cruises to Bimini, Freeport, Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays — the latter two are private beaches operated by the Carnival Corporation.

The 2,606-passenger cruise ship is one of Carnival Cruise Line's smallest and oldest ships. Aboard the intimate vessel allows you to get to know the crew and other cruisers. Popular hangouts include Carnival's beloved Alchemy Bar, where you can order cocktails at a vintage pharmacy-themed bar.

For outdoor dining, head to Guy's Burger Joint, created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Order a loaded burger and perfectly golden-brown fries, then head to the Lido Deck near the pool for great people-watching.

Entertainment on this small ship is still plentiful. Cruisers can splash around at WaterWorks, the family-friendly water playground, or head up to the adults-only Serenity Retreat for a quieter experience. The Punchliner Comedy Club hosts a variety of comedians that will have kids and adults laughing throughout the night. Catch a live production in the main theater or sing along with the pianist at the popular Piano Bar.

Related: Visiting a cruise line's private island? Don't make these mistakes

If you’d prefer to sample one of Carnival's newest and largest ships, you can sail from Port Canaveral on the line's Mardi Gras. Its Eastern Caribbean sailings visit island destinations like St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk. Mardi Gras’ six- to eight-night itineraries provide a good mix of sea days at the start and end of the sailings.

The impressive ship is known for its party atmosphere, which is highlighted by an onboard zone themed to New Orleans’ French Quarter. Here, passengers will find Emeril's Bistro 1396, an homage to NOLA's cuisine developed in partnership with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. Don't miss the Brass Magnolia and the Fortune Teller bars, which start hopping when the sun goes down.

The Ultimate Playground on the ship's top deck is where adrenaline junkies and sports lovers will want to hang out. You’ll get all the thrills with a ride on BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, or take a lap around the elevated ropes course. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, minigolf and a full-size basketball court await.

Related: Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style

When the summer of 2024 rolls around, Disney Magic will set sail from Disney Cruise Line's newest home port in Florida, Fort Lauderdale. The ship's shorter three- and four-night Bahamian itineraries include a visit to Nassau and either Castaway Cay, Disney's stunning private island, or Lighthouse Point, Disney's newest island destination. Longer five-night sailings include a stop at both private beaches or a double dip at Castaway Cay, along with a day at Nassau.

Disney Magic is among Disney's smaller ships, but fans love it for its intimate size and fewer crowds. Beloved Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse welcome you aboard with hugs and photo ops throughout your sailing.

Guests rotate each night among the ship's three dining rooms, including Rapunzel's Royal Table — inspired by Disney's animated "Tangled." There's also Animator's Palate, an homage to Disney's animation studios. You'll have the same servers at all restaurants, so they get to know your family and your dining preferences. At night the Walt Disney Theater features Broadway-caliber shows, like "Tangled: The Musical."

Families looking for some time apart will love that Disney has an included kids club where younger cruisers can enjoy fun activities under the watchful eye of the ship's youth staff. The Oceaneer Club features themed areas like Andy's Room from "Toy Story" and Tinkerbell's home at Pixie Hollow. Kids can also take superhero lessons from Thor. The Oceaneer Lab offers baking classes inspired by "Ratatouille" and sessions where kids learn how to draw their favorite Disney characters.

Adults can use their free time to savor a meal at the adults-only Italian restaurant, Palo, or kick back in the ship's multiple bars and live music venues.

Prefer to sail on a newer Disney ship? Check out Disney Wish, with three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral to Castaway Cay and Nassau.

Holland America is known for its elegant ships and longer itineraries, such as Rotterdam's nine- to 16-night Southern Caribbean options out of Fort Lauderdale. The newest ship in the fleet, Rotterdam sails to Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba and Half Moon Cay on nine-night voyages, while its longer 16-day sailings add on Grand Turk, the Dominican Republic, and Key West.

With just 2,668 guests onboard, Rotterdam is homey and charming with a touch of luxury. The ship doubles down on live music; a live band plays all the rock hits at the Rolling Stone Rock Room, while an eight-piece band gets everyone on their feet when they play R&B favorites at B.B. King's Blues Club. For some daytime activity, the competition is on at the ship's pickleball courts, where cruisers can take lessons or play in tournaments against their shipmates.

Expect impeccable dining at specialty restaurants like Rudi's Sel de Mer, a French-inspired restaurant from Holland America's master chef Rudi Sodamin; Canaletto, an Italian bistro offering all of the classics; and Tamarind, where diners can sample regional dishes from China, Japan and Southeast Asia. For daytime snacks, don't miss the Dutch pancake bites called poffertjes or the French fries with peanut dipping sauce.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship

If you’re looking for a weeklong cruise out of Miami, consider sailing on Norwegian Encore to the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and Tortola. Each island offers spectacular sandy beaches that give way to sparkling blue waters, plus options for water sports, museum visits and hikes to the top of lush mountaintops.

The itinerary also includes a stop at Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. There you can enjoy a relaxing beach day, where all you have to worry about is getting back to the ship on time from the tender dock.

On board the ship, zip around the Encore Speedway in a go-kart, play laser tag in an Atlantis-themed arena, splash around the AquaPark or experience virtual reality games inside the Galaxy Pavilion. For a calmer diversion, purchase a pass to the Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only retreat with lounge chairs, umbrellas and specialty food and drinks. The pass is good for the entire cruise, so you can come and go as you please.

There's a wide range of dining options, including complimentary and extra-charge restaurants. Belly up to the Local Bar and Grill for classic pub dishes and cocktails on tap. If you’re willing to pay extra for a meal, Q Texas Smokehouse is worth a stop. The a la carte restaurant serves authentic Texas-style barbecue and all the classic sides. After dinner service, the restaurant turns into a country dance club with a live band and an open dance floor.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex sets sail from Fort Lauderdale to some of the most picturesque islands in the Caribbean. From November 2023 through April 2024, Apex will offer weeklong sailings to Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic. Two sea days give you time to relax and have fun on the ship.

What makes this itinerary special is that it features later all-aboard times in San Juan and St. Maarten, allowing guests to see the islands as they come alive in the sunset glow.

Celebrity Apex is part of Celebrity Cruises' Edge class of ships, with standout features like high-end design and modern touches. One of Apex's highlights is the Magic Carpet, a suspended lounge that hangs off the side of the ship. When it's positioned by the pool deck, you can stop in to sip cocktails; when it's at water level, it serves as a platform for easy boarding of tender boats.

There are lots of chic spots to chill with your travel companions. Savor some kebabs or a flatbread pizza among live plants in the ship's Rooftop Garden, then watch the sun sink into the sea at the aptly named Sunset Bar. Submerge yourself in a martini-shaped hot tub out on the pool deck or enjoy a dip on a rainy day in the covered adults-only Solarium.

With 29 different food and beverage options on Apex, cruisers will never be bored at meal times. Specialty dining includes Le Grand Bistro, themed after a traditional Parisian boulangerie-patisserie, and the Eden Restaurant, with its tasting menu of international dishes.

If you don't want to spend extra money on food, stick with the ship's four themed main dining rooms and the Mast Grill, which serves juicy burgers and hearty salads. The Oceanview Cafe serves made-to-order breakfast and lunch offerings, while dinner features a rotating menu with international flair.

Related: Eastern Caribbean vs. Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

Step aboard the adults-only Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady for a Fire and Sunset Soirees cruise to Key West, Florida and Bimini, Bahamas, from Miami. The four-night sailings are great for cruisers who want to try out Virgin Voyages or those who want a long weekend away.

You can book an excursion in Key West, but it's easy to explore on your own. Take a ride on the hop-on, hop-off bus or saunter down Duval Street and around Old Town. For local fare, swing by D.J.'s Clam Shack for fresh seafood or Garbo's Grill for Korean barbecue beef tacos. Both were showcased on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Treat yourself to key lime pie on a stick before you head back to the ship.

In Bimini, head straight to Virgin's exclusive beach resort, the Beach Club at Bimini. Here, you can enjoy floating in the pool, Caribbean-themed lunch and games on the beach.

Scarlet Lady is a playground for grownups. The Redemption Spa is a relaxing retreat where you can book a block of time to enjoy the thermal suite or try out a couples massage. For a permanent reminder of your cruise, get a tattoo at Squid Ink. The ship is known for its creative theatrical performances and rollicking nightlife. Head to The Manor for comedy and drag shows, plus late-night revelry. Don't miss Virgin's hyped-up Scarlet Night, which culminates in an epic pool party.

All of the table-service restaurants on Scarlet Lady are included in your cruise fare. You won't find a traditional main dining room. To secure your preferred mealtimes, book dinner reservations through the Virgin Voyages app as soon as you can. Restaurants that are not to be missed include Extra Virgin for Italian fare; The Wake, the fine-dining steakhouse; and Gunbae, the Korean barbecue restaurant where you start your meal with a drinking game.

You can find cruises from Florida to fit every traveler's wants and needs, from a weeklong family vacation to a shorter getaway for a couple or group of friends. Older-yet-intimate ships, newer mega-ships and everything in between depart from the Sunshine State to destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Whether you choose one of our favorite sailings or find an itinerary that suits you better, you can't go wrong with a cruise out of Florida.

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