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Cruise Ship Time vs Roatan Local Time
Cruise ship times and Roatan local time differences may vary. Lets explore the various port time zones around the year.
Cruise Ship Ports - Time Zones
As a Roatan tour operator, one of the most asked questions by island guests is, “Do we start our excursion based on cruise ship time or Roatan’s local time?” The answer is Roatan’s local time, which can have a time difference of one to two hours from the cruise ship’s port of origin and time zone.
Roatan Time:
Cruise ship times are determined by the port of origin or embarkation location for the various cruise lines. For example, the Port of Galveston is based on the Central Standard Time Zone, whereas the Port of Miami is based on the Eastern Standard Time Zone. Thus, the port of embarkation will determine the time difference between cruise ship time and Roatan local time.
We must also take into consideration the Daylight Savings Time in the US. The change in time, which takes place twice a year, will also determine the time difference between the port of origin and Roatan. The easy thing to remember about Roatan is that the country of Honduras doesn’t observe Daylight Savings. Meaning, we never change the clock in this part of the world!
Cruise Ship Ports & Time Zone Table
| Embarkation Port | Time Zone | Time Zone + Daylight Savings | Roatan Time (UTC/GMT-6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 10:00AM (+2 hrs) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 9:00AM (+1 hr) | 8:00AM |
| Galveston | Central (UTC-6) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 7:00AM (-1 hr) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 8:00AM | 8:00AM |
| Miami | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 10:00AM (+2 hrs) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 9:00AM (+1 hr) | 8:00AM |
| New Orleans | Central (UTC-6) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 7:00AM (-1 hr) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 8:00AM | 8:00AM |
| Port Canaveral | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 10:00AM (+2 hrs) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 9:00AM (+1 hr) | 8:00AM |
| Tampa | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 2, 2025 e.g.: 10:00AM (+2 hrs) | March 8, 2026 e.g.: 9:00AM | 8:00AM |
| Home Port(s) | Standard Time (11/2/25) | Daylight Savings (3/8/26) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, Alabama | +1 Hour | Same Time |
| Port of Galveston | +1 Hour | Same Time |
| Port of New Orleans | +1 Hour | Same Time |
| Port of Canaveral | +2 Hours | +1 Hour |
| Port of Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) | +2 Hours | +1 Hour |
| Port of Miami | +2 Hours | +1 Hour |
| Port Tampa Bay | +2 Hours | +1 Hour |
As of November 2, 2025, the US returns to the Fall Back or Standard Time. Thus, all Eastern Time Zone ports will be two hours ahead of Roatan’s Central Standard Time. The Central Time Zone ports will have a one hour difference to Roatan! When the US once again observes Daylight Savings on March 8, 2026, the Eastern Time Zone ports will be one hour ahead of Roatan time and the Central Time Zone ports will have the same time.
So, an easy way to remember the local time in Roatan upon your arrival is as follows:
If you are observing Daylight Savings:
- Central Standard Time Ports – Cruise Ship time schedule will be the same as Roatan time.
- Eastern Standard Time Ports – You observe a one hour difference to Roatan time.
- Central Standard Time Ports – You observe a 1 hour difference to Roatan time.
- Eastern Standard Time Ports – You observe a 2 hours difference to Roatan time.
We hope the above information is helpful when choosing your excursion pickup time. The pickup time you have chosen will also be displayed on the booking confirmation receipt and invoice.
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