- Most major cruise lines have operations in Ft. Lauderdale.cruise ship image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Fort Lauderdale's location along Florida's "Gold Coast," along with its well-developed port facilities and popularity as a vacation stop make it a central hub from which to travel to other regions by ship. While the majority of cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale are for destinations in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Central America, there are several with port of calls in North Europe and the Mediterranean. - Holland America started as a Dutch company in 1873, focusing on transatlantic passenger routes. Today it is one of the largest cruise lines in the world, with a wide range of transatlantic itineraries for travelers. Holland America offers 12 different cruises from Ft. Lauderdale ranging from a 15-day cruise to Portugal and Spain to a 45-day cruise with stops in Portugal, France, the Low Countries, Scotland, Sweden and Russia. Holland America's transatlantic cruises are aboard its mid-sized ships that emphasis a more personalized experience. At each port, Holland American offers passengers a variety of shore excursions, such as the "Whale and Dolphin " excursion in Portugal.
Holland America Line
300 Elliot Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
800 426-0327
hollandamerica.com - Celebrity X Cruise Lines offers three transatlantic cruise itineraries that include stops in Italy, Spain, France, Holland and England. The 13-day cruise to Italy and Spain is aboard Celebrity's award-winning Equinox ship. CruiseCritic chose the Equinox in 2009 as the "best new ship" of the year. Several features set the Equinox apart, such as the real lawn on its highest deck and an authentic wine cellar that includes a range of wines from around the world. Celebrity has an extensive of offering shore and land excursions at the various ports of call. You can arrange for an excursion prior to departing Fort Lauderdale or on board the ship.
Celebrity Cruises
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
800-437-3111
celebritycruises.com - Royal Caribbean started the "mega-ship" standard of cruise vacations when it introduced the 70000-ton Sovereign of the Seas ship in 1988. Today, Royal Caribbean keeps to its tradition of combining large ships with top-end accommodations. The Royal Caribbean transatlantic cruises from Fort Lauderdale are aboard two of its biggest ships: the Navigator of the Sea, with a capacity for 3,100 passengers, and the newer Jewel of the Sea, with a capacity of 2,500 passengers. Cruise itineraries include stops in the Azores, the Canary Islands, Spain, Italy, France and England. Royal Caribbean offers a range of shore and land excursions based on themes such as "adventure tours," "flightseeing" and golf.
Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
305-539-6000
royalcaribbean.com
Holland America Cruises
Celebrity X Cruises
Royal Caribbean International Cruises
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