Universal and Cruise combination?

[CJC]

We are flying to Heathrow to Miami in Oct19, staying 2 nights in Fort Lauderdale before cruising around caribbean for 8 nights on celebrity equinox.
Cruised before in europe but never in caribbean so any advice welcome.

Now considering extending the holiday and spending 4/5 days at royal pacific resort at universal studios (our favourite hotel)
Welcome thoughts on visiting universal before cruise or after, and should we rejig fort lauderdale nights?
How far is miami to universal orlando?
Thanks in advance

[stecee]

A lot of people say to go on the cruise after your time at the parks. The cruise will allow you to relax after the hectic park days.
If you are only planning to be in Orlando for a few days, then I don’t think it will make much difference if the cruise is first or second.
We go on our first Caribbean cruise next year and are cruising first, then having a few days at Disney after.
Miami to Orlando is about a 4 hour drive, dependant on traffic and weather conditions.

[Ciano]

We are going to Orlando first 17 sleeps aghhh! The 7 nights RC caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale. I read FL is 2.5 hrs from Orlando. Must look again but its not as far as Miami. Anyhow whatever it is we have hired a car so will be driving but you can pay for a transfer too if you didnt want to drive. Would be great to include Universal in your holiday if you could.

[LRMD]

We did this in January, one week at Universal Cabana Bay and then one week cruise from Port Canaveral with Royal Caribbean. Obviously Miami is further away than Port Canaveral but I'm sure you could sort transfers. We found it better to cruise the second week as we were on the go all the time the first week. It's amazing how tiring a cruise can be though! I'd recommend doing some excursions on the islands you visit to see them properly, or use taxied to take you around. Be prepared for the heat in the Caribbean, I know Florida is hot but it always feels hotter on the islands. Just try to see all the shows on the ship as they're usually really good, take part in the quizzes and competitions, chill with a good book, eat lots, enjoy the sunsets, and just people watch, I love it!