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Cruise Ship Time v 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. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 8:00AM |
| Galveston | Central (UTC-6) Nov. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 9:00AM |
| Miami | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 8:00AM |
| New Orleans | Central (UTC-6) Nov. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 9:00AM |
| Port Canaveral | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 8:00AM |
| Tampa | Eastern (UTC-5) Nov. 5 , 2023 e.g.: 9:00AM | +1 on March 10, 2024 e.g.: 10:00AM | 8:00AM |
As of November 5, 2023, the US returns to the Fall Back or Winter Time. Thus, all Eastern Time Zone ports will be an hour ahead of Roatan’s Central Standard Time. The Central Time Zone ports will have the same time as Roatan! When the US once again observes Daylight Savings on March 10, 2024, the Eastern Time Zone ports will be two hours ahead of Roatan time and the Central Time Zone ports will be an hour ahead.
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 – Subtract one hour from your arrival time indicated on your cruise ship itinerary
- Eastern Standard Time Ports – Subtract two hours from your arrival time indicated on your cruise ship itinerary
- Central Standard Time Ports – Arrival time is the same as in Roatan and as indicated on your cruise ship itinerary
- Eastern Standard Time Ports – Subtract one hours from your arrival time indicated on your cruise ship itinerary
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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