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What are the top cruises from miami.

Cruises from Miami in 2024 are defined by easy access to stunning ports and locations like the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean . Some of the top cruise lines out of Miami include Royal Caribbean and its Symphony of the Seas , along with MSC Cruises like the MSC Seashore .

Can I get a cheap cruise out of Miami?

Yes, and all you need to do to find cheap cruises out of Miami in 2024 is to sort your results by price. This will automatically put the cheapest options at the top of your list. Keep in mind that most of the more affordable cruises out of Miami, Florida, will ferry you to nearby locations like the Bahamas or Cozumel rather than something farther south in the Caribbean.

Which cruise lines operate out of Miami?

Just about every major cruise line offers cruises out of Miami, including Carnival Cruises , MSC Cruises , and Royal Caribbean , so you can find a wide variety of options available when booking. If you favor a particular cruise line, you can sort your search results by your preferred lines using the available filters for a customized journey to sea.

How can I find good deals on cruises from the port of Miami?

Deals on 2024 Miami cruises come in many forms, allowing you to book a higher quality seafaring adventure for a lower price or get additional amenities and features you may otherwise have to go without. Miami is one of the most popular cruise ports in the world, so these extra features may be state-of-the-art. Any special deal will be marked on the search results page, and the discounts are already included when you sort your results by price.

What should I look out for when booking a Miami cruise in 2025?

Cruises out of Miami can offer a variety of vacation experiences, from romantic to family-friendly. You could also book an adults-only cruise. When you plan your journey to sea, think about the entertainment options you'd like access to and, of course, the destination. You may just want a simple trip to the Bahamas, or you may be interested in a 5-day cruise from Miami to anchor in several spots throughout the Caribbean.

What are some of the best destinations for cruises departing from Miami?

Cruises departing from Miami can take you to many different destinations, though some of the most popular options include The Bahamas, Mexico , Bermuda , the Panama Canal Zone , and several different islands throughout the Caribbean. Wherever you go, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico are a sight to behold as you stand on deck during the voyage.

What are some of the top luxury cruises from Miami?

For a luxury cruise from Miami, you may want to consider something that will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Caribbean, setting anchor at several ports and letting you stretch your sea legs on a variety of islands. The 2025 high-end cruises, such as what you'll find with the upper-level offerings of Norwegian and Disney , feature an array of things to do on the ship itself whether it's a water park on the deck, live theatrical performances, or a smorgasbord of food options.

Are there any great gay cruises from Miami?

Yes, several options for LGBTQ-friendly cruises are available out of Miami in 2024, and you can enjoy them traveling to destinations like the eastern Caribbean or the Panama Canal Zone. The sheer variety of options means you can book something as short as a 2-nights cruise from Miami or something a bit longer that stretches on for more than a week at sea.

Can I get last-minute Miami cruises?

Last minute cruises out of Miami are available, and you can find them by simply inputting your travel dates into the search. Last-minute cruises from Miami go just about anywhere throughout the Caribbean, but longer cruises tend to fill up in advance more quickly.

What is a singles cruise from Miami like?

Booking singles cruises out of Miami means your adventure to the sea is designed to help you meet other single people. These cruises tend to anchor in several stunning ports like the Bahamas or Cozumel. The cruises out of Miami can vary in length, so the destinations really depend on how long you want your adventure to last.

Are there weekend cruises out of Miami?

Weekend cruises out of Miami in 2024 have much to offer and are easy to find, as all you have to do is filter your results for short-length cruises. You may further sort your results by cruise duration to help find the shortest ones easier. Common weekend destinations out of Miami are relatively close such as the Bahamas.

Can I book New Year's cruises from Miami in 2025?

If you're looking for a New Year's cruise out of Miami to celebrate 2025, simply put the travel dates around New Year's into the search to see what's available. Find the right journey, and you may spend that special midnight on deck looking out into the sea reflecting the stars. Depending on how long the cruise is, the Miami port can get you to a variety of destinations around the Caribbean.

How do I book a cruise from Miami on Expedia in 2024?

Expedia makes it easy to book a cruise out of the Miami cruise port, as all you have to do is set Miami as your departure destination. Then, you'll be met with all the available options setting out from that port. You can narrow it down even further by setting an arrival destination and applying filters to your trip, sorting the results by cruise line, cabin features, and more.

Do I need a passport for a cruise from Miami?

For cruises out of Miami, you don't need a passport no matter where you go as long as your cruise begins and ends in an American port. If you travel to Jamaica, for example, and return to the same Miami port at the end of the cruise, you don't need a passport despite Jamaica being an independent country. This is known as the closed-loop policy. If your cruise does not end in an American port, however, you will need to bring your passport with you. Check details when booking.

Is it possible to cancel a cruise booking?

Yes, you can cancel your cruise right from the My Trips page on Expedia using the big cancellation button. Alternatively, you can simply get in contact with customer service, and they can help cancel it for you. Just keep in mind that all cruises tend to have different refund policies. How much of a refund you get typically coincides with how far in advance of the departure date you cancel. The further in advance you cancel, the better refund you're typically able to get.

Why should I book a cruise out of Miami with Expedia?

Booking a 2024 cruise from Miami with Expedia allows you to explore cruise options from a wide variety of cruise lines and destinations all across the Caribbean and eastern Mexican coast. Plus, the search tools make it easy to narrow down your results as you see fit.

Miami Cruise Guide

Miami is considered the cruise capital of the world due to it having the most diverse range of sailings from the largest range of cruise lines. From this port you can find affordable getaway cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, all the way to 40+ day world cruises. Cruises to the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Canada and New England, South America, and even Asia can also be found disembarking from here, although less common than the Caribbean itineraries.

The city itself, nicknamed "Magic City," is a non-stop party, with a temperate climate year-round, and vibrant nightlife along Ocean Drive. Along Little Havana you’ll find the heart of Miami’s traditional Cuban culture. Walk by the classic Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive, where you’ll find a variety of shops, bars and nightclubs. South Beach is also a popular spot to take a dip in the ocean or go for a surf if the waves allow for it.

If you’d like an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Miami, check out the Florida Everglades, where you can take an airboat tour and check out Florida’s unique habitats which include alligators and crocodiles.

Pre and Post Cruise Hotels in Miami

Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024

Ramada by Wyndham Miami Springs/Miami International Airport

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Brickell-Downtown

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Miami Airport North

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Brickell - Port of Miami

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Weekend cruises: How to find 2- and 3-night getaways

Weekend trips let you get away without missing too much work or school — but what if your preferred escape is a cruise? I'm here to tell you that weekend cruises are a real thing and can be a wonderful way of getting your ship fix when you're short on time.

The days of the two-night cruise to nowhere are gone, but two- and three-night weekend cruises still exist from ports ranging from Miami to Los Angeles. Read on to learn who sails these short getaways, where you can go and how much that weekend jaunt to the Bahamas is going to cost you.

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Best weekend cruise itineraries

If you're looking to hop a ship for a few nights, you can't just sail from anywhere to anywhere. It's not like booking a hotel. Thanks to the complicated Passenger Vessel Services Act , foreign-flagged cruise ships cannot leave port, sail in circles with their casinos, shops and spas open, then return back to port two nights later. Nor can they hop from one U.S. city to another. Ships need to call in another country before heading back – which limits where you can sail on a weekend cruise.

The most popular weekend cruises sail from Miami, Port Canaveral or Palm Beach in Florida, to the Bahamas, with one or two stops in Nassau, Freeport or the cruise line's private island. Consider it a quick dash to the beach — ironic because you have to get to a warm-weather, coastal area to meet your ship in the first place.

On the Pacific Coast, weekend cruises from Los Angeles, San Diego or Long Beach in California (near Los Angeles) head to Ensenada, Mexico for a quick getaway. Farther north, you might find a short repositioning sailing between Seattle or San Francisco and Vancouver, British Columbia at the beginning or end of the Alaska cruise season .

Weekend cruises from New York or other East Coast ports like Boston or Baltimore don't really exist because two or three nights is not enough time to get to Canada, Bermuda or the Bahamas and back again.

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

The other key thing to understand is a weekend cruise will typically require some time off work or missed school. That's because most cruise ships board in the afternoon and depart in the early evening then return to port in the morning. You can't punch out of work at 5 p.m. on Friday, hop aboard a ship and return Sunday night.

The most likely scenario is that you'll arrive at your ship Friday afternoon for a three-night cruise, which will deliver you back to port on Monday morning. Depending on your working hours, you might need to take a half day off on Friday and arrive late to work on Monday. If you've got a flexible schedule or Fridays off — no problem. A few lines offer Thursday or Saturday departures for three-night cruises, but they're rare and would require more missed school or work.

Two-nighters are rare in the weekend cruise world but do exist. The key line for cruisers short on time is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (come late April, it will transition into Margaritaville at Sea ).

This line sails exclusively two-night cruises back and forth between West Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas. Depending on the week, you could depart on a Friday, spend Saturday on Grand Bahama Island and come home Sunday. Or, leave Saturday, beach it up Sunday and return Monday morning.

Cruise lines sailing 2- and 3-night weekend cruises

You can count on Bahamas Paradise/Margaritaville at Sea for a quick weekend cruise fix, but that's a one-ship cruise line sailing an older, refurbished ship. From the major cruise lines, most of the big-ship lines offer a consistent schedule of three-night cruises. The higher-end, luxury lines rarely offer a sailing that short.

Carnival Cruise Line , Disney Cruise Line , MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean all offer three-night Bahamas cruises from Florida to Nassau and/or the line's private island. Departure ports include Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale.

Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean also take care of West Coast folks with three-night sailings from southern California (Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego) to Ensenada, Mexico.

You can count on those lines to offer entire seasons of short sailings. A few other lines, such as Holland America or Princess Cruises , will offer the occasional repositioning sailing along the Pacific Coast between San Francisco or Seattle and Vancouver. Sometimes those short cruises will fall over a weekend, allowing you that quick getaway without missing work.

Weekend cruise cost

Cheap weekend cruises are not hard to find; three-night sailings are among the most affordable cruises you can buy, both because you're not on board all that long, and because cruise lines often put older ships without the latest wow-factor attractions on these routes.

I'm currently seeing three-night Bahamas cruises from $129 per person, based on two people sharing an inside (windowless) cabin . That breaks down to $43/night for transportation, food, accommodations and entertainment for one person ($86/night for a couple). You'll have a hard time finding a hotel for that price, let alone lodging plus multiple meals.

The cheapest balcony cabin I found was just shy of $200 total for one person (under $65 per night), though fares in the $200s and $300s were more common.

Prices will vary depending on the cruise line, ship, sail date and how far in advance you're booking. If you're flexible on timing, look for the best weekend cruise deals and plan your getaway for those dates.

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Three-night Mexico cruises at press time are starting at $149 per person ($50 per night), with balconies from $237 ($79 per night).

Note that Disney cruises to the Bahamas or Mexico are priced much higher than other cruise lines. Pricing for a three-night Disney Mexico cruise starts just shy of $1,000 per person for an inside cabin and a three-night Bahamas cruise from $625 per person. Still, it's cheaper than a weeklong Disney cruise.

Pros and cons of weekend cruises

Weekend cruises only work if you live within easy driving distance of a departure port. That way, you can still work half a day on Friday and simply arrive back to work a little late on Monday (assuming you're a 9-to-5-er).

If you need to fly or drive many hours to your departure port, you're looking at more of a long weekend with a day or two of time off from work required. However, if you have a flexible schedule or work off hours, a weekend cruise is definitely doable.

Weekend cruises have many benefits, the obvious one being they do not require missing much school or work. They're more affordable than a longer cruise, so they can be great for folks on a budget. You can tack them onto a longer vacation in Florida or California to combine two trips into one.

These short trips are also a great way to rack up points toward elite status on your favorite cruise line, especially if you book a suite that earns you extra points.

Related: Short cruises are cheaper, but are they right for you?

The drawbacks are the lack of choice in destination and cruise line. You won't be able to try every restaurant or attraction on board your cruise ship because you simply won't have enough time.

If you party hard, get sunburned or wear yourself out with lots of active shore excursions, you might come home exhausted instead of well rested and not ready to return to the office on Monday.

Weekend cruises also have a reputation for being party cruises. The last time I sailed on a three-night cruise, I met lots of ladies on bachelorette party getaways, and the nightclub, bars and karaoke were hopping each evening — more so than on longer cruises. If you're looking for a more sedate atmosphere, a longer cruise might be more your speed.

Bottom line

Weekend cruises are a fun way to get your ship fix without taking a full vacation or breaking the bank. They make more sense if you live within an hour or two of your cruise ship's departure port, but it can still be worth taking a long weekend for a three-day cruise even if you have to build in some travel time.

However, if you love cruising so much that you might have a hard time leaving a ship after just a few nights, you might want to skip the weekend sailing and save up for a weeklong cruise instead.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Cruises from Miami

Cruise from miami, florida.

Cruises from Miami, Florida are abundant and are a great option to get away on a cruise vacation. Cruises from Miami range from 2 to 141 days and sail to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and numerous other destinations worldwide.

Guests flying into Miami to take a cruise might enjoy a one or two night pre-cruise packages and take advantage of the beaches, restaurants and exciting nightlife that the city is so well known for. Those lucky enough to live within driving distance can also get some great last minute cruise deals when they cruise from Miami.

Featured Cruises from Miami

Carnival Magic

MSC Magnifica

Allure of the Seas

Norwegian Joy

Celebrity Beyond

Miami Highlights

South Beach South Beach is not to be missed when you cruise from Miami. This well known trendy locale offers incredible shopping, great restaurants, and great nightlife.

Miami Seaquarium On a cruise from Miami a visit to the Miami Seaquarium is a must see. The Miami Seaquarium is a world-class marine life entertainment park with eight different marine shows. You can even swim with the dolphins!

Vizcaya Estate No visit to Miami is complete without a stop at the historical 50-acre Vizcaya estate. This European-style mansion offers a glimpse at life in turn-of-the-century South Florida.

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Norwegian Cruises Up to 5 FREE Offers + Up to $1,700 Cash Back

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Celebrity Cruises 3 FREE Amenities + Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

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3 - Day The Bahamas from Miami, FL

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Miami

Day 2: Fun Day at Sea

Day 3: nassau, day 4: miami.

Get to Know Carnival Conquest

Cruising aboard Carnival Conquest elevates fun at sea to an art form — the ship demonstrates a true mastery of the craft with an onboard collage of fun spots for you to enjoy, like Guy's Burger Joint ™ , RedFrog Rum Bar ® and SkyBox ™ Sports Bar. There's fun everywhere you look, from the dance club (great for people-watching) to the show lounges (great for show-watching). Alchemy Bar ® serves up not only one-of-a-kind drinks, but a complete experience for your senses. There's even The Punchliner Comedy Club ™ , which gives stand-up comedians a microphone and a place to share their craft for your enjoyment. And let's not forget Seuss at Sea ™ , which turns classic Dr. Seuss stories and characters into big fun for all. You don't need to be able to tell a Monet from a Renoir to dine in our two artful dining rooms, you just need to be hungry. You don't even need to be a critic to enjoy Dive-In Movies, where cinematic favorites are up on the big screen, poolside. With delicious food, bars and entertainment, Carnival Conquest features a scene for everybody.

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Last-Minute Cruises from Miami

Spontaneity rewarded with serious savings

Got a winter weekend to spare, or a school holiday that you don’t know what to do with? You don’t have to plan for months before you sail on a cruise vacation. These last-minute cruise offers from Miami will find you in the sun and sand in no time flat. Sometimes, a spontaneous getaway is exactly what you need, particularly when that means you can jaunt to Mexico or the Bahamas for a couple of days.

Maximize your relaxation in port with a leisurely bike ride through Key West or a beach day in Nassau. In Cozumel, tour a Mayan cacao factory or explore Mayan ruins where you’ll uncover thousands of years of history in just one day.

Itineraries

View all last minute cruises from miami, departure port, miami, florida.

You could spend your entire vacation in Miami and still not see all its incredible sights. Grab a cortadito and a guava pastry and park yourself on Miami Beach for a day of sun and relaxation. Go on a walking tour of Wynwood’s artsy murals before grabbing lunch in a trendy eatery. If you have spare time before or after your last-minute cruise from Miami, an airboat tour of the Everglades or a day trip to Bill Baggs Cape State Park on Key Biscayne are must-do activities. 

Key West, Florida

After departing from the energetic, sleepless city of Miami, ease into vacation mode in Key West. It feels like the New Orleans of Florida, complete with museums dedicated to eccentric authors, historic sights beloved by locals, and Duval Street, Key West’s version of Bourbon Street. A warm Atlantic ocean swim or kayak adventure followed by a slice of key lime pie is a peak Key West experience.

Nassau, Bahamas

Enjoy a taste of the Bahamas in Nassau, where the laid-back energy feels contagious. Go shopping for handmade goods in the Nassau Straw Market. Fresh seafood, like snapper and grouper fried, blackened, or soaked in butter, are almost always on the menu. Book a shore excursion to interact with dolphins or go on a beach break to Blue Lagoon, especially if you crave warm, clear waters, white-sand beaches, and a hammock to lie in.

Cozumel, Mexico

Some last-minute cruises from Miami include itineraries that stop in Cozumel, which is a naturally beautiful island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea. Swim and snorkel at Playa El Cielo, with sky blue waters that live up to its name. Head to Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park to view wildlife and see endangered species up close. At San Miguel, the colorful downtown, go for the duty-free shopping or sip at a local tequila tasting.

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The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

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Naked cruise to sail from Miami in 2025

MIAMI (Gray News) - A nudist adventure awaits with the Big Nude Boat cruise scheduled to sail from Florida next year.

Bare Necessities Tour and Travel announced its newest nude cruise will be the Norwegian Sky cruise ship out of Miami.

The Big Nude Boat 2025 cruise will be a 10-day trip taking travelers to the Caribbean with scheduled stops that include the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.

Bare Necessities said it will be taking over the Norwegian Pearl from Feb. 3 to Feb. 14, 2025.

According to the cruise itinerary , clothes-free experiences will be planned throughout the trip including nude beach days on private islands and nude days at sea.

But there will also be proper nudist etiquette and other rules for guests on board that include no photo zones around the pool area and dance venues, according to the cruise’s policies .

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The Big Nude Boat 2025 cruise tickets are currently on sale with prices starting at $2,000 for double occupancy.

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Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Tips for an Unforgettable Girls or Guys Weekend.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on April 21, 2024

Those closest to me know that I love to plan vacations — not just for myself but for others, too. My friends and family joke that I should have been a travel agent because I'm always looking for girls and guys weekend trip ideas to share with them and add to my ever-growing travel wishlist. Over the years, I've scoured hundreds of travel blogs, magazines and trip-planning resources. I usually focus on girls and guys weekend trip ideas that pack plenty of fun into a short period of time because I know firsthand how difficult it can be for my friends to juggle time off with a busy work schedule.

Chief among my list of vacation hacks? Booking a cruise is sure to minimize stress, simplify planning and keep your costs down. Whether I'm figuring out a girls weekend getaway for me and my besties, looking for guys trip ideas for my husband or brother, or trying to put together a coed escape for a group of friends or couples, cruises are usually my first choice. And I always start with the three Cs — convenience, cost and comfort. Read on for more tips and advice.

Prioritize Convenience

T he biggest cruise lines have departure ports in most major coastal cities across the U.S., from Boston and New York to Miami , Galveston, Seattle and Los Angeles. That means their ships are easy to get to from pretty much anywhere in the country via plane or car. Many of my friends live in Florida, home to at least five different cruise ports, so planning getaways together from the Sunshine State is a breeze no matter what time of year we choose to get together. Additionally, I can usually find plenty of nonstop flights to just about any major port across the country from my hometown of Chicago.

Another great thing about cruises is that all of the major cruise lines offer plenty of short three- and four-night itineraries. This comes in handy if you or anyone in your group can only spare a few days for a getaway.

Before you start planning anything, figure out what "convenience" means to you and your friends — is it an awesome deal, a nearby departure port, an itinerary that doesn't involve too many days off or all three elements combined? Once you've established that, you can narrow down sailings based on that criteria.

Keep Costs Down

Because my friends all have different budgets, finding a vacation everyone can afford is one of my top priorities when looking for guys or girls trip ideas. Having planned many group vacations over the years, I've learned that the value in cruising is hard to beat. Very few other travel options include all of your dining, most onboard activities and plenty of nightly entertainment in the cost of your room.

Even if my friends and I decide to go a bit further afield to catch a ship — say Vancouver or even Barcelona — it's easier to find ways to save on airfare when we choose to cruise because some cruise lines offer programs that bundle flights with your fare. Some will even guarantee the lowest price on your choice of airline, or they'll give you the difference as an onboard credit. Major cruise lines and luxury brands also tend to have specialists available 24/7 to help if you experience unexpected flight delays or cancellations. As a frequent traveler, I've had to deal with my fair share of trip interruptions, so having a dedicated team to handle hiccups and ensure I make it onto my cruise ship is a huge stress reliever.

Choose The Right Ship

The biggest cruise lines in the world boast expansive fleets with many different ships to choose from. You'll likely find smaller and mid-sized ships that cater more to adults, as well as large ships that are loaded with attractions for all ages. These ships usually cover a wide range of price points, too. For example, sailings on older ships typically cost less than on the newest ships in the fleet.

Deciding which ship you and your crew will be most comfortable on depends on a variety of factors, including how many people you're traveling with, how many connecting rooms you'll need, whether this is an adults-only getaway and how much time you plan to spend on the ship versus on land. For example, if you're eyeing itineraries with lots of sea days, you'll want to consider a ship that offers plenty to do onboard. If you and your friends are foodies, research the dining scenes on different ships beforehand to see which ones appeal most to you. Looking to spend the least amount of money? Look into older ships: Many of them sail to the same popular destinations as their larger, more expensive sisters. Personally, I prefer the more intimate vibe of a smaller ship when I'm traveling with a group of girlfriends and the energy of a bigger ship when there are kids in tow.

Consider Everyone's Preferences

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all vacation — and my friends and family all have wildly different ideas of what the perfect getaway entails. The one love we all have in common is spending time together. So when I'm brainstorming girls or guys trip ideas, I try to look for itineraries that offer a wide variety of activities, experiences, entertainment and dining options. I've found that weekend cruises to the Caribbean  or the resort towns along the West Coast  and Mexico are options that cater to a diverse array of personalities. Each offers plenty of sun and opportunities to relax beachside or chase thrills inland.

On the other hand, if everyone in your group enjoys more rugged outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking, consider a cruise to Alaska . Granted, these itineraries are usually around a week long, but if your party can swing the additional days off, you'll be in for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind adventure. If fall foliage and charming seaside towns are more your speed, consider a sailing along the northeast coast. These beautiful cruises tend to be a bit shorter in length and often depart from easy-to-access cities like Boston. The options are endless — and most offer a good mix of experiences to choose from.

You should always talk to the people in your group about how much time everyone can spare before you start looking for sailings. This is crucial when planning girls or guys weekend cruises as coordinating time off can be a difficult, time-consuming process. Understanding how much time everyone can dedicate to a vacation before starting the planning process can prevent a lot of stress and potential disappointment.

Knowing what time constraints you're working with across your group can also help you narrow your options. Most major cruise lines offer filters on their booking sites that let you browse sailings based on duration, ship, departure port or destination, so you don't have to spend hours scrolling through itineraries. If you're booking your getaway with a travel agent or the cruise line's reservations hotline, you'll get better options faster if you're able to provide specific criteria, including your preferred length of sailing or departure port. It's also worth keeping in mind that shorter cruises have fewer ports of call, so selecting a cruise ship with lots of activities onboard can help you squeeze more fun into your getaway.

You'll also want to consider the time of year that you and your friends can travel, as this can also impact your choice of itinerary. Some people have more leeway to travel during certain times of the year (especially if they're trying to work around their kids' school schedules). Also, some popular vacation destinations deliver vastly different price points and experiences depending on when you go.

I always try to time my getaways during a destination's shoulder season to take advantage of better deals and fewer tourists. All it takes is a little bit of research into your destination or region of choice. Though you might have fewer dates or ships to choose from, being flexible can result in huge cost savings and a better overall experience during your vacation.

Book Extras In Advance

Working together as a group to decide on how you're traveling together can help make the trip smooth once you arrive.

For example, when I'm traveling with a group of adults, I always purchase a beverage package because it helps to save money and simplify the planning process. Royal Caribbean's® deluxe beverage package , for example, covers unlimited alcoholic beverages during your entire sailing for one flat price. And if you're traveling with foodies, consider buying a specialty dining package — either for three nights or every night of a longer sailing. These value-boosting bundles allow you and your friends to taste your way across the ship's specialty restaurants at a deep discount. You can dine at, say, a Tuscan spot one night, sushi the next night and then a steakhouse on the following night ... and you can make your dinner reservations before you even board the ship in the cruise line's app . Another activity to book in advance: Tickets to evening performances, such as Broadway at Sea℠, comedy shows and aerial acrobatics performances in the AquaTheater are available 30 days in advance in the app.

On girls weekend getaways with my besties, I also like to plan in advance for a spa day onboard whatever cruise ship we're sailing. I highly suggest booking spa treatments before sailing via the cruise line's app or website, as it's usually cheaper than purchasing them onboard the ship. The most popular times are sea days, and you'll need to plan ahead to get those appointments — even spa day passes (which provide access to the steam rooms and saunas as well as other treats like heated, tiled lounge chairs) can sell out in advance. Consider also booking manicures and pedicures for your group for the first day, and blowouts in the salon for formal night. Another nice girls or guys weekend trip ideas: working out together. Onboard, you'll find group fitness classes, such as yoga and pilates, and you can also book a group session with a trainer.

If our sailing involves stops at destinations we've never visited before, my friends and I also purchase shore excursions in advance so that we can get to know each port with an expert guide, and factor in the expense to our planning. Every destination usually includes a wide range of excursions to choose from at different activity levels and price points, from cooking classes to catamaran sailings to zip line adventures and city tours. Your group can work together to figure out which options are best for the whole gang, and book them before they sell out.

Written By AMANDA MESA

Amanda has written for Royal Caribbean since 2017. She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow. She's traveled extensively around the world, enjoys building unforgettable itineraries and loves introducing readers to lesser-known destinations.

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