In short
Miami is the easier trip: a direct flight from Amsterdam all year, 15–20 minutes from the airport to the ship, and in winter the most sailings and long routes to the southern islands. Port Canaveral, near Orlando, has more short Bahamas cruises, much the same choice all year and the Space Center nearby. Both need an ESTA.
Sailings by month
- Busiest months
- Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec
- Where ships go
- Caribbean and Bahamas
- Usual length
- 2–5 / 6–9 nights
- Round trips
- almost all
Which port suits you
You want an easy journey and long winter routes
A direct flight of about 10 hours from Amsterdam all year, and 15–20 minutes from the airport to the terminal. From November to April Miami has the most sailings, including 10- to 14-night voyages to Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados, and in spring crossings to Europe.
Miami port guide →You want a short cruise with Florida around it
More than half the sailings are 3 to 5 nights, mostly to the Bahamas, and the choice is much the same every month. The Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach and Orlando's parks are close by. Allow 45–60 minutes from Orlando airport, and note that direct flights from Amsterdam to Orlando only run in winter.
Port Canaveral port guide →Point by point
| What we compare | Miami | Port Canaveral (Orlando) |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there from the Netherlands and Belgium | A direct flight from Amsterdam all year, about 10 hours. From Belgium, usually with a change in Europe or in the US. | In winter there are sometimes direct flights from Amsterdam to Orlando, about 10 hours; otherwise you change planes. Or fly direct to Miami and drive about 3.5 hours. |
| Airport and transfer | Miami airport (MIA) is about 13 km away: 15–20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app. From Fort Lauderdale (FLL), 45–60 minutes. | Orlando airport (MCO) is about 70 km away: 45–60 minutes on a toll road. There is practically no public transport, so take a transfer, shuttle or taxi. Closer is the small Melbourne airport (MLB), about 40 minutes. |
| Terminals | PortMiami on Dodge Island, right opposite downtown. The big cruise lines have their own terminals, each with a letter. | Terminals CT1–CT10 on both sides of the harbour, reached by different exits — give your driver the number from your boarding documents. |
| City and surroundings | Miami is just across the bridge: Bayside, South Beach, Little Havana, Wynwood. | No big city next door: Cocoa Beach and Jetty Park, the Kennedy Space Center half an hour away, Orlando's parks about an hour. |
| Season | All year, with the most sailings from November to April, especially in December and March; noticeably fewer from June to October. | Much the same all year, with no peak or dip. From June to October there are no fewer sailings than from Miami. |
| Typical itineraries | The Bahamas in 3–5 nights, a week in the Caribbean; from November to April 10–14 nights to the southern islands, and crossings to Europe in spring. | More than half are 3- to 5-night Bahamas cruises; the rest are mostly a week in the Eastern or Western Caribbean. Long routes are rare. |
| Where to stay | Downtown and Bayside (5–10 minutes to the port), Brickell, South Beach or near the airport. | Cape Canaveral (5–10 minutes, many hotels with a shuttle), Cocoa Beach, near Orlando airport or by the parks. |
| Disembarkation day | Off the ship by about 9–10 am; do not book a flight before noon. Direct flights to Europe usually leave in the evening. | Off the ship by about 9–10 am, then about an hour to the airport: do not book a flight before 1 or 2 pm. |
Itineraries: what they share and how they differ
Ships from both ports head for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and almost all sailings are round trips: you leave the ship where you joined it. So unlike in the Mediterranean, you usually cannot choose which port to board the same ship in — choosing the port means choosing the cruise. The destinations are similar: Nassau and the cruise lines' private islands, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico. The difference lies in the length of the cruises and the season.
- Short cruises: Port Canaveral. More than half the sailings there are 3 to 5 nights, mostly to the Bahamas and often with a day at sea — a good first short cruise. Miami has plenty of short cruises too, but there week-long and longer voyages together make up the majority.
- Winter and the far islands: Miami. From November to April Miami has its busiest months, including 10- to 14-night voyages to Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados in the Caribbean. In spring, mostly in April, Atlantic crossings leave for Europe: one way, so you can sail home. From Port Canaveral, long voyages are rare. More in our guide to winter cruises.
- Summer and early autumn: close to even. From June to October noticeably fewer ships leave Miami than in winter, while Port Canaveral keeps the same choice as in the rest of the year — so at this time it holds its own against Miami. June to November is hurricane season at both ports: routes can change, so take out good travel insurance.
If you want both
Fly to Miami, spend a couple of days in the city and drive about three and a half hours to Port Canaveral. After the cruise, visit the Space Center or the parks and fly home from Orlando (sometimes direct to Amsterdam in winter) or drive back to Miami. A round trip brings you back to the same port, so if you plan to return a hire car somewhere else, check the terms before you book.
Common questions
Which port is better for a first Caribbean cruise?
If you are flying from the Netherlands, usually Miami: a direct flight all year and 15–20 minutes from the airport to the ship. Port Canaveral suits you if you want a short 3- to 5-night cruise and are combining it with a Florida holiday, such as Orlando's parks or the Space Center.
Can I board in Miami and leave the ship in Port Canaveral?
Usually not: almost all sailings from both ports are round trips, and you come back to where you started. If you want to see both places, combine the cruise with a drive through Florida — the ports are about three and a half hours apart.
Which port is better for a winter cruise or a longer voyage?
Usually Miami: from November to April it has the most sailings, including 10- to 14-night voyages to the southern Caribbean islands, and in spring crossings to Europe. Port Canaveral also has plenty of sailings in winter, but mostly short and week-long cruises.
Do I need an ESTA for a cruise from Miami or Port Canaveral?
Yes, the rules are the same for both ports: Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need a visa, but they do need an ESTA travel authorisation — one for everyone, children included, at least 72 hours before you fly. If you hold another passport, check the entry rules for your passport.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Miami and Port Canaveral dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.