Florida Cruise and Stay Holidays – Flights, Hotels and Sailings Combined

What Is a Florida Cruise and Stay Holiday?

A Florida cruise and stay combines hotel time in Florida with a Caribbean sailing, all wrapped into one booking. You fly out, spend a night or more exploring before you board, then cruise — and we handle the flights, the hotel, the transfers between airport and port, and the cruise itself. It is a genuinely complete holiday rather than a cruise with logistics left over.

Almost all of these sailings depart from Florida ports, so the stay naturally bookends the sailing — arrive a day or two early to recover from the flight, or add nights at the end if you want time ashore after you disembark. Either way, the whole thing sits on one booking with Cruise1st.

A small handful of departures leave from Southampton, which means a small share of these holidays need no flight at all — you reach the port by road or rail and sail directly from the UK. Those are worth looking at if you would rather skip the airport entirely.

Where Do Florida Cruise and Stay Holidays Sail?

The Caribbean is where the overwhelming majority of these sailings head. You can expect azure water, island stops and a mix of short and longer voyages — itineraries in the sample run from 5 nights up to 50, with a median around 16 nights, so there is room for a short island hop or a genuinely extended cruise. The Western Caribbean is also well represented, giving you a different mix of ports and scenery from the broader Caribbean routes.

Beyond the islands, transatlantic crossings feature in the mix — a one-way voyage across the Atlantic that suits someone who wants to make the sailing itself the event. If you book a one-way itinerary, bear in mind you will need a return flight from your disembarkation port; we can arrange that as part of the same booking.

The East Coast USA, Central America and South America all feature too, alongside occasional world cruise departures for those who want to go further still. It is a genuinely broad spread of destinations, all departing from Florida.

Which Ports Do Florida Cruise and Stay Holidays Sail From?

Most sailings depart from 4 main Florida ports. Miami is the busiest, followed by Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades). The two ports are about half an hour apart, so it is worth checking both for dates and prices — you may find more options or a better fare by being flexible about which one you use. Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast is the third major option, and Tampa on the Gulf Coast rounds out the main departures.

A small number of sailings also depart from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey — useful if you are planning time in New York before or after your cruise, since the port is within easy reach of the city.

Which Cruise Lines Offer Florida Cruise and Stay Packages?

Royal Caribbean leads the field here, with the widest range of sailings and ships. Princess Cruises follows with a strong programme of Caribbean and longer voyages. Cruise1st Packages — our own curated cruise-plus-hotel combinations — make it straightforward to book the whole thing in one go. Carnival Cruise Line brings a lively, value-focused option, while MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises cover the premium end of the market with well-appointed ships and wider fare inclusions.

Other lines sailing from Florida include Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line, so whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends, there is a line that fits.

Top Ships for a Florida Cruise and Stay

The ships sailing from Florida span a wide range of sizes and styles. Below are some of the most popular, with a sense of what each one offers.

Harmony of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

One of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Harmony of the Seas offers a scale of onboard experience that suits guests who want to feel like the ship itself is part of the holiday. If you are thinking about cabins and deck plans, the Harmony of the Seas cabin and deck plans page gives you the full picture.

Freedom of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Freedom of the Seas brings a 3D cinema and an open-air cinema screen, an ice skating rink, and the Tropics bar for exotic cocktails at sea. It is a ship with real variety built in — suited to couples and families alike. See the Freedom of the Seas cabin and deck plans if you want to compare grades before you book.

Adventure of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Adventure of the Seas carries a climbing wall, a water slide, an ice rink and a roller-skating track — and figure-skating shows in the evening. The ship works well for families looking for activity alongside relaxation. For stateroom options, the Adventure of the Seas cabin and deck plans detail every grade.

Explorer of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Another well-established Royal Caribbean ship sailing from Florida, Explorer of the Seas gives you a broad Caribbean programme with plenty of sailing variety. Check the Explorer of the Seas cabin and deck plans for the full stateroom breakdown.

Independence of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Independence of the Seas has a surf simulator, a mini-golf course and a skating rink on board — plus a production theatre running West End-scale shows. See the Independence of the Seas cabin and deck plans for a full look at the stateroom grades.

Sun Princess and Sky Princess — Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises sails both Sun Princess and Sky Princess on Florida itineraries. If you are comparing stateroom options, the Sun Princess cabin and deck plans and the Sky Princess cabin and deck plans set out each grade clearly.

Regal Princess — Princess Cruises

A Royal-class ship built for 4,250 guests across 19 decks, Regal Princess has a Princess Theater, a Vista Lounge and a multi-level atrium at its heart. On the dining side, the Salty Dog Gastropub, Crown Grill steakhouse and an International Café open around the clock cover every appetite. MedallionClass technology with OceanNow delivery means drinks and meals can be ordered and delivered anywhere on board, and The Sanctuary adults-only retreat offers a quieter corner for those who want one.

Cabin grades on Regal Princess range from compact interiors to full penthouse suites — see the Regal Princess cabin and deck plans for the complete picture:

• Inside cabin IA — 15.4 m², sleeps up to 4, available across multiple decks 9 to 14, giving you flexibility in choosing your position on the ship.
• Ocean-view cabin O6 — 20.9 m², sleeps up to 4, noticeably more spacious than the inside grades with natural light from a window.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin D4 (aft) — around 22.5–29 m², sleeps up to 4, the most spacious of the deluxe balcony options.
• Penthouse Suite S3 — 54.5–63.4 m², sleeps up to 4, considerably more spacious than the mini-suites and one of the premium choices on board.

MSC Seashore — MSC Cruises

MSC Seashore is built around 13,000 m² of outdoor space. Walk the glass-bottomed promenades running along both sides of the ship, or cross the glass-floored bridge 22 metres above the waterline. The Pirates Cove Aquapark on Deck 18 connects to the Long Island Pool, with a 360-degree fountain island, a zip line and an MSC Formula Racer simulator nearby. A Times Square-themed area with an 8.5-metre LED wall runs through the heart of the ship, and a four-deck-high Murano glass sculpture fills the atrium.

Cabin choices on MSC Seashore are listed in full on the MSC Seashore cabin and deck plans page. The key grades are:

• Premium Inside Cabin Fantastica — 28 m², sleeps up to 5. At twice the size of the standard inside cabins, this is a noticeably more spacious way to travel inside.
• Ocean-view cabin Bella — 17 m², sleeps up to 4. A window brings in natural light and sea views that inside guests do not have.
• Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea — 49 m², sleeps up to 6. The only multi-room suite on board — well suited to families or guests who want separate sleeping arrangements.
• MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite — 98 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest suite on board, with a separate bedroom, living room and dining room.
• Super Family Cabin Plus — 51 m², sleeps up to 10. Generous living space with separate sleeping and living areas, designed for larger families.

MSC Poesia — MSC Cruises

MSC Poesia has an atrium waterfall and a Zen garden that set it apart from other ships in the fleet. The MSC Yacht Club — newly expanded on Poesia from April 2026 — delivers butler service, private dining and an exclusive sundeck for those who want a more intimate experience within the larger ship. Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito Sushi Bar, and the Aurea Spa with a salt grotto and Kneipp therapy pool round out the experience. See the MSC Poesia cabin and deck plans for the full stateroom selection.

What Do the Fares Include?

What is covered varies by cruise line and fare tier, so it pays to check before you book. Here is a plain guide to the main lines.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a range of fare types. The standard Cruise Fare covers the sailing itself, with extras such as drinks, Wi-Fi and speciality dining available to add. Fare types such as last-minute offers and reduced fares for third and fourth guests appear on select sailings — our team can tell you which apply to the departure you are looking at. Solo travellers can book a dedicated single fare covering one-occupancy of the stateroom. See the Royal Caribbean fly-cruise options for more.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises sails with two main fare levels. Princess Standard is the base cruise fare, covering the sailing with drinks packages, Wi-Fi and gratuities available to add separately. Princess Plus bundles in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 each (with a daily limit of 15 drinks), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating — useful if you want a more predictable total cost. The Princess Cruises 2027 from Southampton page is also worth a look if you want a no-fly option.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises runs 3 fare tiers. The best-rate fare covers the cruise and onboard activities, with guests choosing extras themselves. The best-value All Inclusive fare adds a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi in one price. The Retreat is the premium tier, covering suite accommodation, premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service — worth considering for a longer sailing where those extras add up.

Why Book a Florida Cruise and Stay With Cruise1st?

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st handles Florida cruise and stay bookings differently from a general travel agent. We know the ships, the cabin grades and the fare differences — so rather than leaving you to compare dozens of options alone, our experts help you choose the one that actually fits your trip.

Because almost every sailing here involves a flight, we put the whole journey on one booking. That means flights, hotel nights before or after you sail, transfers between airport and port, and the cruise itself — all confirmed together, with no gaps for you to fill. Cruise1st Packages are our own curated combinations that do exactly this, making it straightforward to compare total costs rather than adding up individual parts.

We are ABTA and ATOL protected, and rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews. If you want to talk through the options before you book, our cruise experts are on the phone to help.

Deals and Offers on Florida Cruise and Stay Holidays

Cruise lines regularly run promotions on Florida sailings — fare types such as last-minute offers, early-booking bonuses and reduced fares for additional guests appear across Royal Caribbean, Princess and other lines throughout the year. The best way to find what applies to a specific sailing is to speak to our team or check the individual listings, as availability and terms change frequently.

Our Caribbean cruise deals page is also updated regularly and worth a look alongside the Florida-specific options here.

Shore Time: Making the Most of Florida Before You Sail

One of the real advantages of a cruise and stay format is that you arrive with time to spare. If you are sailing from the Miami area, Miami itself rewards a couple of days — the waterfront, the art scene, the food. Fort Lauderdale is a quieter alternative and only half an hour from Miami, so you can cover both without much effort. If you are departing from Port Canaveral, the surrounding area of Florida’s Space Coast is within easy reach, along with the broader attractions of Central Florida.

We can add tours and excursions to your booking as part of the package — so if you want a day out before you board, that can be arranged at the same time as your flights and hotel, rather than sorted separately once you arrive.

Florida and Caribbean Cruises: What Else to Consider

The Caribbean is the natural pairing for a Florida sailing — and if you want to explore that combination further, the Caribbean cruise and stay 2027 page and the Caribbean fly cruises 2026 page both cover it in more depth. For transatlantic options, the transatlantic fly-cruises page is the right starting point.

If you are open to cruising more broadly — not just from Florida — the cruise and stay holidays page and the fly-cruises hub give you a wider view of what is available, including Mediterranean fly cruises, Canary Islands fly cruises and fly cruises across 2026. For those who want the longest possible trip, our world cruises from Southampton page is worth a look.

If you are also considering sailing from the UK without flying, cruises from Southampton and short breaks from Southampton are the places to start.