As most mega cruise ships that homeport in Florida embark from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the Port of Palm Beach remains in the shadows of its fellow ports to the south. The Palm Beach area, however, is a dazzling destination in its own right, with plenty to do before boarding a cruise or upon your return.
The port's history dates to 1915, including a car ferry service to Havana, Cuba, after World War II. Although true-blue, multiday cruises with luxurious amenities sailed from Palm Beach to the Bahamas in the '70s and '80s, its passenger services have since dwindled to casino cruises and budget day trips. Multiday cruises returned to Palm Beach in 2009, when Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Celebration made it a homeport, and for several years it remained the sole option for cruising out of Palm Beach. In 2018, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line expanded its fleet to include Grand Classica, which now also homeports in Palm Beach. Both ships sail the same two-night Bahamas itinerary.
The second-largest county in Florida, Palm Beach consists of several notable cities including Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, Jupiter and West Palm Beach (the largest of the group). Known as a sophisticated playground for wealthy vacationers, Palm Beach has no shortage of lavish golf courses, high-end shopping areas and eclectic restaurants. The area contains 47 miles of Atlantic coastline, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway, which makes it ideal for sport fishing, scuba diving, parasailing and other water sports, as well as a number of family-friendly beaches.
No matter how long you're in town, exclusivity is part of Palm Beach's appeal. You'll be glad you aren't sharing the port with thousands of cruisers disembarking from other ships.