Celebrity Apex currently offers 7-night Port Canaveral sailings with a Key West call, followed by Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
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For cruises from Port Canaveral to Key West, the current choice is narrower than the search phrase suggests: Celebrity Apex is the main scheduled round-trip option, and Key West is a port call rather than the end of the trip. The usual pattern is seven nights from Port Canaveral, Key West on day two, then Caribbean stops before returning to the same Florida port.
That setup suits travelers who want one day in Key West without driving the Overseas Highway or arranging a separate hotel stay there. It is less suitable for anyone whose main aim is several nights in the Florida Keys, since the ship normally gives guests only part of one day ashore.
Which Cruise Line Sails This Route?
Celebrity Cruises currently operates the clearest recurring Port Canaveral itinerary that calls at Key West. Celebrity Apex carries the seven-night round trip, with later stops commonly listed as George Town in Grand Cayman and Cozumel in Mexico.
These sailings are not one-way transportation to Key West. Passengers embark and disembark at Port Canaveral, so anyone planning to remain in Key West needs a land-based trip instead.
- Ship: Celebrity Apex
- Length: Seven nights
- Key West timing: Usually day two
- Other common calls: George Town and Cozumel
- Return port: Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral To Key West Sailings: What You Get
The current route combines a Florida Keys port day with two western Caribbean calls and three sea days. That balance gives more ship time than a short Bahamas cruise, while still keeping Key West early in the schedule.
Upcoming published departures include the dates below. Cruise lines can revise port order, call times, or even the port list, so confirm the live itinerary before paying a nonrefundable fare.
| Departure Date | Published Port Pattern | Trip Length |
|---|---|---|
| October 31, 2026 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| November 28, 2026 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| December 12, 2026 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| December 26, 2026 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| January 9, 2027 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| January 23, 2027 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| February 6, 2027 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
| March 6, 2027 | Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel | 7 nights |
Celebrity’s official Key West, Mexico and Cayman itinerary lists Port Canaveral, Key West, George Town and Cozumel in that order.
How The Key West Port Day Works
The Key West call is long enough for Old Town, one major museum, lunch and a waterfront walk, but not for a rushed drive deep into the Lower Keys. Celebrity’s December 26, 2026 sailing lists a 10:30 a.m. arrival and a 5 p.m. departure, with exact times subject to change.
Most central sights are close enough to combine on foot. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Truman Little White House, Duval Street and Mallory Square fit more naturally than a distant beach transfer plus several indoor attractions.
Port-day rule: Work backward from the ship’s all-aboard time, not the printed departure time. Leave a generous return buffer because the ship does not wait for independent sightseeing delays.
Fare Details That Change The Real Cost
The displayed cabin fare is only the starting figure for comparing these sailings. Celebrity’s current listing states that taxes and fees are included in the shown total, while several onboard choices and shore plans remain separate expenses.
- Compare the final cabin total for the same occupancy, not an eye-catching per-person figure.
- Check whether drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities are bundled or charged apart.
- Add transportation between Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral.
- Allow for a pre-cruise hotel, meals ashore and any Key West admission charges.
- Read the cancellation terms before choosing a restricted fare.
A lower cabin category can cost more overall after packages and transfers are added. Compare the full trip total across identical dates and cabin conditions.
Getting To Port Canaveral Without A Same-Day Scramble
Port Canaveral sits about 45 minutes east of Orlando International Airport in normal traffic, according to the Canaveral Port Authority’s driving directions. State Road 528 is the direct toll-road approach from the airport.
Flying in the day before departure gives breathing room for weather, missed connections and baggage delays. Travelers arriving by air can compare current Orlando fares here:
On embarkation day, follow the terminal and arrival window assigned by the cruise line. Port Canaveral states that terminal parking areas do not open for embarking passengers before 10 a.m., so arriving far ahead of the assigned slot may only create a wait.
Where To Stay Before The Cruise
Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach are the practical pre-cruise bases because both keep the terminal close and remove the need for an early drive from Orlando. An airport-area hotel makes more sense only for a late flight followed by a planned morning transfer.
Use the map below to compare stays near the port and the Cocoa Beach corridor:
Is The Key West Stop Long Enough?
One Key West port day is enough for the historic center and a focused shortlist, but it is not enough for a full Florida Keys vacation. Travelers who care most about reef trips, Dry Tortugas National Park or unhurried evenings on the island will get more from a separate stay.
The schedule below uses the published 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. call as a planning model. Replace every time with the final schedule shown in the cruise app.
| Time Block | Practical Plan | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30–11 a.m. | Disembark and walk toward Old Town | Keeps the opening simple |
| 11 a.m.–noon | Choose Hemingway Home or Truman Little White House | One main indoor stop |
| Noon–1 p.m. | Lunch near Duval Street | Limits transfer time |
| 1–2 p.m. | Walk Duval Street and nearby lanes | Flexible and easy to shorten |
| 2–3 p.m. | Visit Mallory Square and the waterfront | Close to the central port area |
| 3–3:45 p.m. | Return toward the ship | Protects the boarding buffer |
| 3:45–4 p.m. | Clear security and reboard | Avoids a last-minute dash |
The Right Pick For Different Travelers
The Celebrity Apex route is the right fit for travelers who want a weeklong ship vacation with a convenient taste of Key West. The route is a weaker fit for travelers seeking a cheap weekend cruise, a family ship built around large water attractions, or more than one day in the Keys.
- Pick this sailing for: a seven-night round trip, an early Key West call and a mix of port days and sea days.
- Compare another Florida port for: shorter Key West itineraries or more date choices.
- Choose a land stay for: Dry Tortugas, sunset time ashore, multiple reef outings or a road trip through the Keys.
The deciding point is simple: choose the cruise for the ship plus three distinct ports, not for Key West alone. A traveler satisfied with six or seven hours in Old Town can make the stop count; a traveler building the whole vacation around Key West should stay on the island instead.
References & Sources
- Celebrity Cruises.“Key West, Mexico & Cayman.”Lists the seven-night Celebrity Apex route from Port Canaveral through Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.