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 .
If you need to fly or drive many hours to your departure port, youre 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. Theyre 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.
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The drawbacks are the lack of choice in destination and cruise line. You wont be able to try every restaurant or attraction on board your cruise ship because you simply wont 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.
Perfect Day At Cococay
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbeans private destination in the Bahamas and is a favorite port among cruise fans. The island offers something for everyone, whether youre looking to spend the day relaxing at Chill Beach, join the party at the swim-up bar, reserve a private, floating cabana, or slide down the tallest waterslide in North America.
While its not necessary to have a plan for your day at CocoCay, its a good idea to be familiar with what is offered on the island to ensure you can book any excursions or addons in advance.
A Quick & Easy Escape
The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is the only 3-day and 2-night cruise sailing from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. On this floating island vacation, you can relax, unwind, enjoy the endless opportunities of entertainment, soak up the sun and cruise in casual-luxe comfort.
CRUISE & STAY ALL-INCLUSIVE VACATIONS
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Is There A Shuttle From Miami Airport To Cruise Port
Yes! With Miami airport only being a short 10-15 minute drive away from the cruise port, youll find that there will almost always be a shuttle service available. Cruise lines such as Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean have a shuttle service from the airport directly to the cruise port. Alternatively, you could also seek out and find an independent shuttle which will typically come at a lower price. If youre unable to find a shuttle, there will always be the option of taking a taxi or using a rideshare app to bring you to the cruise port, however, this is generally considered to be the most expensive choice.
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Weekend Cruise Departure Ports

Most of Royal Caribbeans regularly scheduled weekend cruises leave from the ports of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Los Angeles.
Due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act , all foreign-flagged ships departing from the United States must include an itinerary stop in a country other than the United States.
This severely limits options for weekend cruises, as any US port offering 2 and 3-night cruises must be able to travel to and from a secondary country in a short amount of time. Cruises departing from New York , for example, often visit northeast Canada, but this tends to require a 4-night minimum travel time round-trip.
Therefore, you will see weekend cruises leaving from ports closest to other countries. In Royal Caribbeans case, Florida ports have quick access to the Bahamas whereas Los Angeles is just a short distance from Mexico.
On some occasions you may find weekend cruises leaving from other ports around the world, such as Southampton, England and Haifa, Israel, although these tend to be more of a one-time cruise than a weekly itinerary choice.
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Where Do Cruise Ships Leave From In Miami
Large cruise ships will almost always be departing from the Miami Cruise Terminal. The address of the Port of Miami is 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL 33132. This port is considered one of the largest in the world boasting an impressive eight terminals capable of housing large cruise ships from any popular cruise line.
How Long Are Weekend Cruises
Most weekend cruises tend to be 3-nights, leaving port on Friday afternoon and returning early Monday morning. A 3-night cruise gives the perfect length for a true weekend getaway, allowing you to forget all the stress brought on by work or school and truly escape.
Occasionally you may find 2-night cruises over the weekend, which leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday morning, although these are much less common.
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Night Cruise From Palm Beach
Come on and enjoy a 2 night cruise to the tropical Island of Freeport Bahamas for as low as $129. Call an angent today, . Royal treatment awaits you aboard Regal Bahama Cruises. All aboard! Regal Bahama Cruises sets sail for Freeport Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas from Port of Palm Beach Florida. Bahamas Cruise is an affordable cruise for the entire family. You and your family will enjoying fine dining, entertainment, Las Vegas style casino, pool, staterooms, children’s programs, Captains reception and a full service Spa! Don’t forget about our longer 3, 4 and 7 day cruise to the Bahamas. Including Disney Cruise Line, now sailing from Miami offering 3 and 4 night cruises. We also book Hotel stays, of any length, anywhere in the World
Regal Bahama Cruise, 2 night Caribbean cruises, are a great mini getaway. It is all of the fun of a longer cruise and island visit without a big expense or time commitment. We have several levels of cabins that are easy for you to choose from. Tight budget, no worries mate we have prices to match that budget
Do you have a big family, we have the beds. If you are trying to make a big impression, ask about our luxurious suites. With her sleek bowed hull, tiered aft decks and traditional charm, the Regal Bahama Cruise has been updated with all of the modern services and amenities
Or More Night Cruise And Stay
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, is Oceanfront and is All Inclusive. This property is a good choice for water sports tennis and other active stuff. The property itself is just OK by me. It is hard to beat a good old fashioned All Inclusive place and this is it. Yes, there are other hotels on the Island, but for me, they are just not close enough to all the fun that is the area of Lucaya. A tropical island near Florida’s south coast, called Grand Bahama Island, that has this all inclusive property includes meals, alcoholic, soft drinks and loads of water sport fun! called Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach and includes:
- Water activities including snorkeling and windsurfing.
- The Beach Bar offers cocktails to guests by the outdoor pool or on the beach.
- Food at 3 restaurants
- Oceanfront swimming Pool
At one end of the Our Lucaya property is a small shack that serves up freshly caught sea food and old fashioned hamburgers and hotdogs called, Billy Joe’s On the Beach. The owner at Billy Joe’s On the Beach, used to walk around barefoot, I never asked why he started to put his sandals on. From time to time, they will have a live band, right there oceanfront and center. So, enjoy your super fresh conch salad, sip that icy tropical drink, listen to that island music and never want to go home.
No one can leave the island without taking a dolphin on a swim date. Swim with the dolphins is one of the most popular things to do on the Island.
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Will There Be A Sea Day
The majority of weekend cruises departing from Florida do not have a sea day, although you may occasionally run into an itinerary with one day at sea. Weekend cruises tend to be port-intensive, meaning they stop in a new port each day.
The exception is with cruises departing from the Port of Los Angeles on Navigator of the Seas. Weekend cruises on Navigator of the Seas have a full day at sea prior to a port day in Ensenada, Mexico. A sea day is perfect for trying the newly amplified ships upgraded features, including the longest waterslide at sea and The Lime & Coconut Bar.
If your weekend cruise itinerary does not include a sea day, that does not mean you have to disembark the ship in each port you visit. Many passengers opt to spend one of the port days onboard instead of in port so they can make the most of the cruise ships activities, dining, and amenities.
Celebration Cruise Line Bahamas Cruise
Our Special Ship
Celebrations MS Bahamas Celebration is a beautiful and intimate ship offering two night cruises from Palm Beach to Freeport, Bahamas. Your cruise includes delicious dining options, upscale casino, 630-seat nightclub, full spa, age appropriate kids clubs, adult pool, spray park with180-foot slide and fun Bahamas excursions. Book your Two-Night Bahamas Cruise today for the best vacation value anywhere!
Whatever your needs, we have several levels of cabins and well find one that is perfect for you. Tight budget, no worries mate. Big family, we have the beds. Trying to make a big impression, ask about our luxurious suites.
The Bahamas Celebration offers travelers the perfect two-night cruise from Palm Beach to Grand Bahamas every other day year round. We look forward to serving you!
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Do You Need A Passport To Take A Ferry To The Bahamas
Do you need a passport to take a ferry to the Bahamas?
Yes. If you want to travel to the Bahamas from the United States, you need to present a valid passport.
VISA documentation and information: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
As of April 23, 2018 and based on Customs and Border Protection regulations, all U.S. citizens, both adults and minors, must present an international valid passport or valid passport card .
* Not accepted: Birth certificates, photo identification and naturalization documents .
* for international travel ONLY PASSPORTS are accepted. This applies to all travel packages , both day and night.
FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS: Valid US passport or valid US passport card. Valid Enhanced US Driver’s License . Not accepted: Euro Border, Sentinel, Nexus or Global Entry cards.
RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES : if you are US resident you must travel with a valid ARC and your valid international passport. Remenber that at the time of check in, it is mandatory to present your valid passport of the country of citizenship. If the validity date of your passport has expired, you have to present, mandatoryly, an original extension document of the passport validity along with the expired documentation.
You can find all up-to-date information on international travel regulations at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html in the travel section of the border protection home page.
Two Night Cruise Ship Areas

1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
Two Night Cruise Ship Dining Areas Read more »
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
Mon to Fri 8 AM to 10 PM
Two Night Cruise Ship Theater Shows Legends Grand Theater Our Legends Grand Theater features two live shows daily. We know youll enjoy these spectacular shows with well-choreographed dance routines, acrobats, magicians and comedians in our 800-seat performance center. Celebration Nights Show A theatrical global journey filled with glitz, glamour and variety Great America Variety Read more »
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, United States
Mon to Fri 8 AM to 10 PM
Two Night Cruise to Freeport Bahamas Read more »
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
Two Night Cruise Ship Nightclubs Read more »
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
Two Night Cruise Piano Bar Lounge Read more »
954-969-0069
7 Jolly Roger Drive, Freeport, Bahamas
Freeport Grand Bahama Island Bahamas From newlyweds to families, sport enthusiasts to nature lovers, theres something for everyone on Grand Bahama Island. Families can go for swimming with dolphins, couples can treat themselves to a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean, and friends can try their luck at the casino during aRead more
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
Freeport Port Lucaya Marketplace Shopping
1 E 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL, United States
8 AM to 10 PM Monday to Friday
Freeport Bahamas Beaches
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This Cruise From Miami Lasts 274 Nights Visits 65 Countries
David Selig, Digital Executive Producer
MIAMI Looking to make a triumphant return to the world of cruising after being landlocked during the pandemic? How about a cruise that lasts nine months and visits 150 destinations across all seven continents?
Thats the ambitious itinerary for what Royal Caribbean is calling the Ultimate World Cruise.
Bookings opened this week, and dont worry, you have plenty of time to pack .
The voyage leaves from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023 and gets back on Sept. 10, 2024.
Pricing starts at $60,999 per person for an interior stateroom. Suites will run you at least six figures per guest.
This is the world cruise of world cruises, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in a statement. Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.
The cruise, which will be aboard the Serenade of the Seas, is also separated into four sections, so you can be part of it without committing 274 nights of your life.
For more information, .
Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com All rights reserved.
Pro: Less Vacation Time Needed
A great benefit of a weekend cruise is that far less vacation time is needed compared to a 7-night cruise, especially if you live close to the departure port. By departing on Friday afternoon and returning Monday morning, its possible to take just one or two days off of work.
If you have few vacation hours or youre saving them for a longer trip, a 3-night cruise offers the chance to have a mini-vacation without sacrificing your precious PTO time.
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Should I Pick Allure Of The Seas
Allure of the Seas stands apart from the other cruise ships offering weekend sailings in that she is an Oasis Class ship. The Oasis Class ships are the largest in Royal Caribbeans fleet and are famous for their Central Park neighborhood, open-air Boardwalk, countless dining venues, and unique onboard activities and entertainment.
A 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas will almost certainly be the type of sailing where the ship is considered the destination. Whether dining outdoors in Central Park, watching impressive acrobatics and diving in the AquaTheater, or zip lining over the Boardwalk, its unlikely a weekend will be enough time to explore the entire ship!
One important distinction to note before booking a weekend cruise on Allure of the Seas is that she has a few differences compared to other Oasis Class cruise ships. While she was scheduled to be amplified in 2020, her amplification has been postponed. Therefore she does not have many features you will find on other ships offering weekend cruises, including water slides, an upgraded pool deck, and new restaurants and bars.
The Catch: Taxes And Fees
While the cruise prices are cheap, there is a catch when you get to the final price.
When you price out the cruise, you may find yourself paying more in taxes and fees than the cruise fare itself. These are fees charged by local governments for each passenger.
These come in the form of government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies, as well as third party fees and charges arising from a vessels presence in a harbor or port.
If you care to break it down, cruise taxes essentially cover these services and charges:
- Air, hotel, or VAT taxes incurred as part of a land excursion
- Immigration and naturalization costs
- Baggage handling at embarkation and disembarkation ports
- Security services
In case you were thinking about it, theres no way to avoid paying government taxes and port charges.
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Day Cruise To Stay In Grand Bahama Island Bahamas
Hello, I’m Jay Taylor and these are hotels I enjoy when I go to Freeport Grand Bahama Island.
Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina share the Property with Taino Beach Resort, combined this is one of my Favorite places to stay and play. Taino Beach has a nice quaint restaurant that has seating on the Ocean and the scenery seems surreal.
The pool at Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina is super large, shapeless and has a cove – cave bar inside it. The cave, swim up bar is a great way to get out from under the sun and enjoy a cool tropical drink.
Another great spot for me is, Our Lucaya Oceanfront Resort and Casino. This resort has great pools and one even has a swim up bar, .
For the romantic lover out there we have Pelican Bay Resort. Love the style of the rooms. Besides being warm and romantic, these rooms are what I would build for myself at home. It’s not oceanfront, but it is on the bay and just across the street from the ocean.
More info on the Hotels, Resorts and activities: