ssmcginnis

Since 2005 I have been completely unable to fly. I mean I can't even go to airports to pickup or drop someone off. My husband and I want to go on a vacation to the Caribbean or other tropical type place. I know cruises are an option but I feel there must be a ferry or boat that takes people to the islands from Florida. Does anyone know of a ferry or ship that takes people from the US to the Caribbean?

MmePerdu

An interesting question. I, too, like to travel by surface transport whenever possible although I do fly when it's the only convenient option.

I found this website and it appears that the Bahamas may be the only possibility without flying first: http://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Caribbean_ferries/

RoamsAround

Other than the typical Caribbean cruises that leave from US mainland ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc. the only islands you can reach by "ferry" are a couple of the nearby Bahamas islands. EVERYTHING else in the Caribbean is much to far for travel by ferry.

The distances are such that it take days or even weeks to get to the Caribbean. Typically a ferry travels at around 10 to 12 miles per hour - so for instance - the distance between Miami and St. Thomas (one of the more northern islands in the Caribbean is about 1100 mile meaning a ferry would take about 100 hours to make the one-way trip. Also, ferries are relatively small and you'd be crossing lots of open water making the trip quite"wavy".

As I said, YOUR ONLY option is the Bahamas. There are a couple of companies that run ferry service between Miami and/or Fort Lauderdale and a couple of the nearby Bahamas islands - do a google search for "Ferry to Bahamas" and you'll find several link) . Keep in mind that the trip take around 3 hours each way.

blamona

Just take a cruise

Or have you considered having a doctor give you a Valium? I'm not big on meds, but do know what fear of flying is. (I would spend 3 days in the bathroom before flying, but still did it because I wanted to be there so badly)


Truly, take a cruise. They leave from many East Coast places, and Texas, and California, so you can train/drive, etc. The cruises go to many different ports.

suze

You can get to the Caribbean coastline of Mexico by car.

dontcallmecass

Cruise...or medication. My mom has terrible flight anxiety so the doctor gives her some xanax.

suze

I'm all for using a prescription if you need one, but if the anxiety is so bad you can't even go near an airport I don't think Valium/Xanax is going to be enough to make a difference.

doug_stallings

There are no ferries from Miami to the Caribbean. None. It's way too far ... think a thousand miles.

However, there ferries to the Bahamas from Miami (Bimini) and Fort Lauderdale (Grand Bahama). The trip is a few hours to Grand Bahama or Bimini. These are the only options I'm aware of. There used to be an overnight ferry to Nassau, but I think it's no longer operating.

A cruise is a much better option, however.