Any cruise that requires you to fly in (or heck, even drive several hours) to your home port warrants an overnight stay. Trust me on this one: Flight delays and other unexpected hiccups—especially when traveling with kids—happen no matter how Type A you are of a planner. Besides, when you cruise from Florida, do you really need an excuse to extend your time in the sunshine?
Port Miami and Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) are two of the world’s biggest cruise ports, and they happen to be neighbors. The cities are connected by a high-speed rail system known as Brightline, which also links up with other South Florida hot spots: Aventura, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. The ease of getting to and from each city means more options for your family, when it comes to planning the perfect pre-cruise stay.
As a mom who’s lived in every South Florida county and cruised countless times from the region’s two major ports, I am confident these five hotels within Brightline’s network will kick off your cruise vacation with peace of mind and easily accessible fun.
(Note: I’ve intentionally left out mention of the Port of Palm Beach, due to the fact that it offers only one cruise from Florida, and it is not the most family-friendly option.)
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1. Miami
Hotel: Gale Miami Hotel and Residences
Sweeping views of your cruise ship docked in Miami’s Biscayne Bay? Vacation mode: unlocked. Instagram-worthiness aside, what I love most about this new hotel is how effortless it makes getting a taste of family activities in Miami. In addition to being next to the cruise port, Gale Miami Hotel and Residences is only a 15-minute walk to the Phillip Patricia Frost Museum of Science, downtown Miami, and the Brightline train station.
Spacious accommodations—some with more than one room and homey amenities like kitchens and laundry facilities—make sure families of any size are comfortable. Other standout features include on-site restaurants oozing with culture, a resort-style pool (perched on the ninth floor to make sure you never miss a view), and a kids’ playroom. Keep an eye out for special pre-cruise offers to save.
2. Aventura
Hotel: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
Lather up with sun screen before you head to JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, because you’ll want to spend all day at Tidal Cove. The hotel’s water park is loaded with fun features and rides, including a dreamy lazy river, multiple pools, waterslides, a surf simulator, and dedicated pool and play area for babies and toddlers. In my experience, it’s worth the splurge to go with a cabana. Service is fast and efficient—a priceless convenience when you’ve got hangry kiddos—and the inclusions such as a stocked mini-fridge, safe, and flat-screen TV also come in handy if you plan to spend a whole day there.
With an outdoor attraction this elaborate, you can only imagine how family-friendly the hotel is inside. Roomy one- and two-bedroom accommodations, a youth club, and multiple restaurants—including one with a “kids eat free” menu for ages 3 and under—round out the highlights.
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3. Fort Lauderdale
Hotel: Riverside Hotel
For those who crave Old Florida charm, the Riverside Hotel offers the perfect family retreat in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s bustling Las Olas Boulevard district. The circa-1936 property has a long track record of treating guests like family. Along with intimate service, families can enjoy spacious rooms and several restaurants, all at an affordable price point, compared to other area hotels.
One of the biggest selling points is Riverside Hotel’s location. Not only is it steps from all the restaurants, shops, and entertainment of Las Olas Boulevard, but it’s also merely a mile away from the Museum of Discovery and Science—one of the most fun family activities in Fort Lauderdale—as well as the Brightline train station. Port Everglades is a short drive away.
Psst: The Riverside Hotel is in the midst of a massive makeover that will revitalize its interiors (think new flooring, furniture, etc.) while preserving the property’s storied past. It’s slated to be complete in winter 2024.
4. Boca Raton
Hotel: The Boca Raton
One night is not enough time to experience all the family fun The Boca Raton has to offer. The seriously splurge-worthy, palatial-like property makes sure kids feel just as pampered as their parents or caretakers. An interactive splash zone, whimsical kiddie cabanas, separate clubs for youngsters and teens, a 450-foot lazy river, surf simulator, and private beach only scratch the surface of what awaits.
Need to decompress from a long day of travel? Don’t feel guilty about utilizing the hotel’s childcare services, so you can indulge at the award-winning Spa Palmera, inspired by Spain’s Alhambra Palace. Robust offerings of restaurants and accommodations are the cherry on top. I wouldn’t recommend walking from Boca Raton’s Brightline station to the hotel—it’s a tad too far, especially with kids in tow—but rest assured it’s less than a 10-minute drive away.
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5. West Palm Beach
Hotel: Hilton West Palm Beach
Seldom do I come across a big name-brand hotel with as much personality as the Hilton West Palm Beach. The outdoor pool can either make you feel like you’re at a lavish resort, in one of its private cabanas—or at a backyard soiree, with a green space dedicated to family lawn games. Standard rooms have a maximum capacity of five, but some do connect if more space is needed.
Directly outside the hotel, families can take advantage of all the dining, entertainment, and activities geared toward children. The kid-friendly, downtown hot spots of CityPlace and Clematis Street are both within walking distance of the Hilton West Palm Beach. Other area highlights include the Palm Beach Zoo, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, and Palm Beach island. The Brightline station is also an easy walk to Hilton West Palm Beach.
Having taken the Brightline train from West Palm Beach to Miami for a past cruise, I can assure you it’s a smooth and quick ride—getting you there in a little more than one hour. Still, it is the northernmost stop in South Florida, so I’d reserve this option for those who’ve “been there, done that” in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or who simply want to escape the bustle of the bigger cities.
