Cruise From Palm Beach
Short, easy getaways from the Port of Palm Beach to the Bahamas, Key West and beyond — a local guide.
Get a Free Palm Beach Cruise QuotePalm Beach’s Own Cruise Port
Most people think of Miami or Fort Lauderdale when they think of cruising from South Florida. Palm Beach County has its own, much smaller cruise port — the Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach — and for a short getaway it is one of the easiest places in Florida to board a ship.
There is one main cruise line here: Margaritaville at Sea, whose ship Paradise sails year-round on short trips to the Bahamas, Key West and beyond. Because it is a single-ship port, you will not be fighting through a terminal shared with several mega-ships. The port’s own executive director describes it as offering “minimal traffic, convenient parking, and fast embarkation” — and for anyone who lives between Boca Raton and the Treasure Coast, that is a big part of the appeal.
This site is a practical, local guide. We cover which cruises actually sail from Palm Beach, how the terminal works, where to park and how to get there by car, plane or train, what the Bahamas getaways are like, and what to do in the Palm Beaches before or after you sail. When you are ready to book, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price it for you and handle the details.
Cruises From Palm Beach
Who sails from the port, the ship, typical trip lengths and the 2027 itineraries to Nassau, Bimini, Freeport, Key West, Cozumel, Grand Turk and Puerto Plata.
Port of Palm Beach Guide
Terminal opening and cut-off times, what you can bring, check-in tips and how a small-port embarkation day really works.
Parking & Getting There
Port parking rules (card only, no prepaid), I-95 exits, Palm Beach International Airport and Brightline.
Bahamas Getaways
Grand Bahama, Nassau and Bimini on three- to five-night trips — who they suit and what to expect ashore.
Before You Sail
Beaches, a drive-through safari, the arts and dining in the Palm Beaches for the day before or after your cruise.
Cruise FAQ
Documents, arrival times, parking discounts and other questions Palm Beach cruisers ask most.
Why Sail From Palm Beach Instead of Miami or Port Everglades?
Palm Beach is not the right port for every cruise. If you want a week-long Caribbean voyage on a brand-new mega-ship, Miami and Port Everglades have far more choice. But Palm Beach has real advantages for the kind of trip it specializes in:
- Short sailings that fit a long weekend. Three-, four- and five-night trips mean you can cruise without using a full week of vacation.
- A small, single-ship terminal. One ship, one terminal and parking a short walk away.
- Close to home for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. No drive down I-95 into Broward or Miami-Dade traffic on embarkation morning.
- Easy for fly-in guests. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is a much smaller airport than Miami.
- A relaxed, casual ship. The Margaritaville brand is all about island music, beach-bar food and a laid-back atmosphere.
What a Palm Beach Cruise Is Like
Paradise is a mid-size, older ship — built in 1991 as Costa Classica and later sailed as Grand Classica before Margaritaville at Sea took it over. Do not expect water slides, go-kart tracks or a dozen specialty restaurants. Expect instead an easy-going, Jimmy Buffett-inspired ship with themed bars, pool-deck music, casino, live entertainment and a short hop to the islands. For many travelers that is exactly the point: you are on vacation within hours of leaving home.
Margaritaville at Sea has also built its calendar around events. In 2026 it ran themed sailings such as a Big Game getaway, St. Patrick’s Day in the Bahamas, Key West trips timed for Jimmy Buffett Day and Fantasy Fest, and a holiday cruise calling in Nassau during Junkanoo season. Themes and dates change every year, so ask us what is on the calendar when you plan.
Key West
Several Palm Beach sailings include Key West — sunset at Mallory Square, Duval Street and the Southernmost Point.
See itineraries →
Grand Turk
New for 2027: five-night trips adding Grand Turk’s clear water and beaches to a Bahamas stop.
2027 sailings →
Puerto Plata
Also new for 2027: a five-night Nassau and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, itinerary.
Read more →Who Palm Beach Cruises Suit Best
| Traveler | Why Palm Beach works | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| First-time cruisers | A short, inexpensive way to find out whether you like cruising. | An older ship; you will see more variety on newer ships from other ports. |
| Locals and the Treasure Coast | Drive to the port, park and be on a ship the same morning. | Book parking time realistically — you pay for arrival and departure days. |
| Friends and celebration groups | Birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette trips, reunions on a long weekend. | Themed sailings fill early; ask about group space well ahead. |
| Fly-in visitors | PBI is close to the port and easy to use. | Fly in the day before — terminal doors close at 3:00 p.m. |
A Local Guide From People Who Live Here
Cruise From Palm Beach is a local site: Mister Cruise is based right here in Palm Beach County, in Royal Palm Beach. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — and because we are local, we can tell you about the port, parking and the best place for a pre-cruise dinner, too. Meet Mister Cruise →
Plan Your Palm Beach Getaway
Tell us your dates and how many nights you want. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Palm Beach sailings — and nearby ports if they suit you better — and send free quotes.
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