Fort Lauderdale, home to Port Everglades, is one of Royal Caribbean’s most important cruise departure hubs. Many travelers assume Miami is the main launch point, but Fort Lauderdale is equally powerful—especially for Caribbean, Bahamas, transatlantic, and seasonal repositioning cruises. If your question is “Which destinations does Royal Caribbean serve from Fort Lauderdale?”, this complete guide provides everything you need to know in a detailed, interactive, and easy-to-understand style.
Fort Lauderdale offers modern terminals, quick access from the airport, and smooth check-in processes. Several of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ships—including Quantum-class, Freedom-class, and Oasis-class vessels—often sail from this port, offering a wide variety of routes.
From sun-soaked Caribbean islands to private-island getaways, Panama Canal journeys, and holiday-season cruises, Fort Lauderdale departures provide something for every traveler. Below is a deeply detailed breakdown of all destinations served by Royal Caribbean from this exciting Florida port.
Royal Caribbean’s Fort Lauderdale itineraries cover multiple regions throughout the Caribbean and beyond. These include:
The Bahamas
Eastern Caribbean
Western Caribbean
Southern Caribbean
Transatlantic routes (seasonally)
Panama Canal sailings (seasonally)
Each region offers distinct experiences, landscapes, excursions, and cultural flavor. Let’s explore them in depth.
One of the most popular Royal Caribbean destinations from Fort Lauderdale is the Bahamas. These itineraries are often short 3–4-night getaways, but many 5–7-night routes also include Bahamian ports. They are ideal for weekend travelers, families, and first-time cruisers.
Royal Caribbean frequently includes the following on Fort Lauderdale sailings:
Nassau, Bahamas
Perfect Day at CocoCay (private island)
Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
These ports combine relaxation, culture, shopping, and world-class beach adventures.
CocoCay is one of Royal Caribbean’s crown jewels. Travelers departing from Fort Lauderdale can enjoy:
Thrill Waterpark with massive slides
Overwater cabanas
Chill Island’s calm beaches
Upgraded dining experiences
Ziplining and snorkeling activities
Oasis Lagoon — the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool
Cruisers frequently rank CocoCay as the highlight of their entire voyage.
Nassau offers a lively mix of:
Atlantis Resort activities
Cultural city tours
Markets and shopping
Snorkel excursions
Rum and chocolate tasting tours
For short cruises, it provides a great balance of adventure and relaxation.
Eastern Caribbean routes are some of the most scenic and diverse. These itineraries typically last 6 to 8 nights and include stops known for turquoise waters, postcard-worthy beaches, and vibrant local cultures.
Royal Caribbean departures from Fort Lauderdale often visit:
St. Thomas (USVI)
St. Maarten
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Labadee (depending on ship and season)
Tortola (British Virgin Islands)
Each port has a unique personality, from idyllic beaches to picturesque towns.
Travelers can enjoy:
Famous Magens Bay Beach
Cable car rides
Snorkeling at Sapphire Beach
Duty-free shopping
Scenic island tours
This destination blends nature, shopping, and family-friendly attractions.
St. Maarten is well-known for:
Maho Beach plane-watching
Catamaran cruises
Snorkel adventures
Island cuisine
French-influenced villages
Its vibrant cultural mix makes it a highlight of many Eastern Caribbean cruises.
From Fort Lauderdale, Royal Caribbean also sails to San Juan, offering:
Historic forts
Old Town walking tours
Local cafes and shops
Rainforest excursions to El Yunque
San Juan delivers one of the most authentic cultural experiences in the region.
Western Caribbean itineraries cater to adventure seekers, history lovers, and ocean enthusiasts. These routes are typically 6–7 nights, offering a mix of ancient ruins, crystal-clear waters, and outdoor thrills.
Royal Caribbean’s Fort Lauderdale departures may include:
Cozumel (Mexico)
Costa Maya (Mexico)
Roatán (Honduras)
Grand Cayman
These destinations provide a rich combination of beaches, wildlife, and archaeological sites.
Popular Cozumel activities include:
Snorkeling at Palancar Reef
Visiting Mayan ruins
Beach clubs and waterparks
Local cuisine and tequila tastings
This island is a paradise for water lovers and culture seekers.
Costa Maya excites travelers with:
Mayan archaeological tours
Natural lagoons
Jungle ziplining
Beachfront relaxation
It’s ideal for combining history with modern attractions.
Roatán stands out for:
Coral reefs perfect for diving
Jungle canopy tours
Wildlife encounters
Secluded beaches
Nature enthusiasts love this stop for its authenticity and biodiversity.
Beyond the Caribbean and Bahamas, Royal Caribbean uses Fort Lauderdale as a launch point for several longer and specialty itineraries.
These limited-time voyages add unique options for experienced cruisers or travelers seeking something different.
Southern Caribbean routes are less common from Fort Lauderdale, but certain ships offer them seasonally. These cruises are usually 8–12 nights and visit some of the most exotic and remote islands.
You may find itineraries that visit:
Aruba (Oranjestad)
Curaçao (Willemstad)
Bonaire (Kralendijk)
Barbados
St. Lucia
Grenada
These islands deliver culture, volcanic landscapes, and world-renowned diving.
Travelers can enjoy:
Eagle Beach
Jeep desert tours
Snorkel trips
Casinos and nightlife
Aruba’s year-round sunshine makes it dependable for beach lovers.
Curaçao offers:
Colorful Dutch-style architecture
Snorkeling at Blue Room Cave
Historic museums
Local coffee shops and markets
Its charm lies in its colorful buildings and warm, welcoming culture.
Bonaire is a diver’s dream, with:
Marine sanctuaries
Shore diving
Quiet beaches
Eco-friendly attractions
For underwater photography fans, it is one of the best stops.
Another exciting category from Fort Lauderdale includes Panama Canal sailings. These voyages are popular with retirees, seasoned cruisers, and travelers seeking bucket-list journeys.
Colón, Panama
Puerto Limón (Costa Rica)
Cartagena, Colombia
Falmouth (Jamaica)
These multi-country itineraries offer historic, scenic, and educational experiences.
Royal Caribbean ships departing from Fort Lauderdale often include:
Educational narration
Canal lock viewing
Historical insights
This is one of the most memorable cruise experiences available.
During repositioning seasons—typically spring and fall—Royal Caribbean moves ships between the Caribbean and Europe. These transatlantic voyages are among the most unique departures from Fort Lauderdale.
Barcelona, Spain
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Southampton, UK
Lisbon, Portugal
Canary Islands
These cruises last 10–15 days, mixing sea days with exotic international stops.
With so many regions served from Fort Lauderdale, choosing the right destination depends on what type of vacation you want.
Below are helpful breakdowns.
Different itineraries vary in length, giving travelers flexibility.
Best for:
Quick escapes
First-time cruisers
Families with limited time
Destinations include the Bahamas and CocoCay.
Best for:
Balanced vacations
Couples
Families wanting multiple ports
These trips often include Eastern or Western Caribbean stops.
Best for:
Destination collectors
Experienced cruisers
Travelers wanting exotic stops
These include Southern Caribbean or Panama Canal routes.
Your interests should guide your cruise choice.
Best choices:
Bahamas
Eastern Caribbean
Southern Caribbean
These routes offer the clearest waters and the best beach variety.
Ideal routes:
Western Caribbean
Panama Canal
Southern Caribbean
These regions offer ziplining, diving, ruins, and more.
Choose:
San Juan
Cartagena
Curaçao
Barbados
These ports offer rich history and vibrant traditions.
Royal Caribbean frequently assigns some of its best ships to Fort Lauderdale.
Popular vessels include:
Odyssey of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Adventure of the Seas
Oasis-class ships (seasonal)
Each ship offers a different experience, from high-tech innovations to family-friendly entertainment.
Fort Lauderdale remains one of the best starting points for Royal Caribbean travelers because it offers:
Quick access to the Caribbean
Wide variety of destinations
Modern cruise terminals
Seasonal specialty itineraries
Convenient airport access
Whether you're looking for a short Bahamas escape, a family-friendly Caribbean adventure, or a once-in-a-lifetime Panama Canal journey, Fort Lauderdale has a Royal Caribbean itinerary perfect for your travel style.
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