Cruises from Palm Beach

The Port of Palm Beach is a compact working harbor in Riviera Beach, just north of West Palm Beach, on the Lake Worth Lagoon a short sail from the Atlantic inlet. Cargo ships bound for the Caribbean share the docks with a single cruise ship: Margaritaville at Sea’s Paradise, a mid-size, older vessel themed around Jimmy Buffett’s easygoing island lifestyle, with frozen drinks, live music and a resort-style pool deck.

The two-night Grand Bahama run is the signature itinerary: depart in the late afternoon, spend a full day in Freeport and Lucaya, and be back in Palm Beach on the third morning. Three-night trips typically visit Nassau, four-night trips pair two Bahamas ports or add Key West, and the line has stretched into longer voyages for special dates and holidays, including themed party sailings.

This is a port for people who want a cruise that’s easy, affordable and short: first-timers testing their sea legs, groups celebrating a birthday, and South Florida locals who can drive in. If you want a big, new ship with water slides and Broadway shows, or a week in the Caribbean, sail from Fort Lauderdale or Miami instead, both within about an hour and a half.

There is one cruise terminal, a small building close to the port’s main gate in Riviera Beach. You’ll stop at a security checkpoint on the way in, where adults need photo ID, then drop luggage with porters before heading inside for security screening and check-in. With only one ship and far fewer passengers than the big ports, the whole process often takes 20 to 30 minutes. Arrive in your assigned boarding window, which usually falls in the early afternoon for a late-afternoon departure.

Singer Island, about 10 minutes from the port, has beachfront hotels and condos with direct ocean access. Downtown West Palm Beach, 15 minutes south, puts you near Clematis Street’s bars and the restaurants of Rosemary Square, plus the Brightline station. Palm Beach Gardens, to the north, has more chain hotels and shopping. For a splurge, the island of Palm Beach across the lagoon has historic luxury resorts on the ocean.

Margaritaville at Sea sails from Palm Beach year-round, with departures every few days. Winter and spring offer the most comfortable weather in Grand Bahama and Nassau, and the line schedules themed and holiday sailings around dates such as New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and Junkanoo at Christmas. Summer is hot and humid, with afternoon storms. Hurricane season from June through November can change ports or delay a return, as can occasional maintenance periods for the ship.