Embark from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale?

[sametu]

We're trying to decide about a Panama Canal cruise from Miami vs. Ft. Lauderdale. Any opinions out there regarding one port vs. the other?

[Sue L]

I have taken cruises out of both ports and I don't think they are that different. We are going out of Miami on the Brilliance next year for our Panama cruise and we are flying into Fort Lauderdale though because it is a lot cheaper for us.

[wrp96]

Can't comment on sailing out of Port Everglades, but can tell you that the Brilliance Panama Canal sailings out of Miami are amazing, and embarkation and debarkation was a lot easier during the week than on the weekends.

[Cruise Lover Kathy]

We like cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale. We fly from Chicago into FLA and it is a short 15 minutes to the port. The cab situation at the airport and at the dock is efficient and not that expensive $20 w/tip for 2.

[born2cruize]

I like traveling down the causeway in Miami. Departures from Fort Lauderdale isn't anything special. However, you don't mention how you are getting to the port. I've found that some flights are cheaper into Fort Lauderdale's airport compared to Miami's. However, from our airport (Seattle) we can only fly direct to Miami (and cheaper).