Sometimes it's not enough to just look out at the blue ocean waves - you've got to get yourself out on them. Florida cruise ship ports are the busiest and most popular in the world. Whether you prefer Miami cruises or Tampa cruises or Disney cruises, it's best to avoid hurricane season, which peaks July through October. And unless you're a seasoned old salt, it never hurts to pack the motion-sickness remedies.

Cruises from Tampa

Tampa has begun extensive redevelopment of the seaport area east of downtown known as Channelside. The Garrison Seaport Center is a major homeport for cruise ships bound for Mexico and the Caribbean. Here are some major carriers and their routes out of Tampa.

Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas features a 4-night cruise to Cozumel, and a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise starting in Tampa with stops in Cozumel, and George Town. Their Legend of the Seas 7-night cruise adds Costa Maya and Belize City. Carnival Cruise Lines Inspiration features a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise starting in Tampa with stops in Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. Their Carnival Miracle 7-night cruise adds Costa Maya and Belize. Holland America Lines Veendam features a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise starting in Tampa with stops in Key West, Santo Tomas De, Belize City, and Costa Maya, and another 7-night itinerary with stops in George Town, Montego Bay, and Costa Maya.

Cruises from Disney

Disney World is Florida's number one tourist attraction, and that also goes for Disney Cruise Lines twin fleet of 12-deck cruise ships, the Art Nouveau-themed Disney Wonder and the Art Deco-themed Disney Magic. Families get their own separate activity areas and entertainment options for adults, teens, preadolescents, and small children.

Disney cruise options include a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise including Nassau and Disney's secluded private island retreat, Castaway Cay. Disney's 7-Night Land & Sea Vacation starts out at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, then provides transportation from Orlando to set sail on a Bahamian voyage to Nassau and Castaway Cay. Their 7-Night Caribbean Cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel includes two days at Castaway Cay. A 10-night Southern Caribbean Cruise includes St. Lucia, Barbados and Antigua. 11-day options add St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Barbados to the ports of call. Disney also offers a special 10-night Holiday Caribbean Cruise.

Cruises from Miami

The Port of Miami is the busiest Florida cruise ship port and is represented by every major cruise line. Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships" feature 3-day, 4-day and 6-day cruises to Key West and the Caribbean as well as 7-day and 9-day excursions that include stops in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Norwegian Cruise Line has four ships based in Miami during the winter months and usually one in the summer. Royal Caribbean International has about half a dozen ships departing Miami at any given time. The world's most luxurious cruise ships, the Cunard Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mary II are based nearby in Fort Lauderdale.