Thursday, April 18, 2024

What to Expect on a Cruise: Visiting Cruise Ports

cruise ship ports near me

As airlines and airports continue to struggle with staff shortages contributing to lost luggage, delays and cancellations, interest in cruises that are within driving distance has risen. From weekend getaways sailing from your backyard to weeklong cruises that take you to incredible bucket list destinations, we have endless options for every type of cruiser. If you’re looking for non-stop thrills or need some time to relax and chill, we have your perfect itinerary onboard the world’s boldest ships. When "the closest cruise port to me" is on the other side of the ocean, it also invites you to make more adventurous choices.

Cruise Port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska

This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation. Cruise ships in Oahu, Hawaii, dock close to the Aloha Tower Marketplace, which is conveniently located about a minute drive from Honolulu International Airport. It's very easy to book a tour from the Oahu, Hawai cruise port too. On a United States cruise ports map, it's on the east coast of central Florida, about an hour away from Orlando.

Best Cruises From Fort Lauderdale

The Port of San Diego gives travelers a good jumping-off point to take cruises near me and still enjoy what California has to offer. The area's main claim to fame is NASA's Kennedy Space Center (in fact, there's a popular rocket launch viewpoint near the port), while the port itself has parks and dining options. Just south of the port, Cocoa Beach is home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and the historic Cocoa Beach Pier for those looking for a little local culture. Jacksonville cruise port, officially named JAXPORT, sits a 25-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport, making it an easy choice for travelers who want to find an easy port near me with quick access. With more than 300 miles of Intracoastal Waterway and navigable inland canals, Fort Lauderdale has earned the nickname Venice of America. The city's Port Everglades puts attractions close at hand for those looking to do a little exploring before or after their cruise.

Best Cruises From Miami

As the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is one of the top cruise ports in the United States. While you can book a flight to Ketchikan through a 90-minute flight from Seattle, the easiest way to get to Ketchikan is through an ocean cruise from either Anchorage, Seattle, or Vancouver. From here, cruisers can explore the top attractions of San Diego on foot, including the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, the USS Midway and Maritime Museum, Balboa Park, and much more.

Planning a Memorable Dubai Vacation

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the two most popular cruise lines that leave from Baltimore. The downtown area near the port is fun to explore and features museums, beautiful older buildings, and delicious food. The USS Alabama Battleship from the 1940s, at Battleship Memorial Park, is also a great place to visit.

The cruise line will use the 161,000-square-foot terminal for the future home-porting of its Oasis-class, 5,500-guest Allure of the Seas, one of the biggest ships sailing. Cruise ships departing from Galveston primarily sail Western Caribbean itineraries, but some cruise lines offer Eastern Caribbean voyages as well. The port, which opened in 1928 under the name Bay Mable Harbor, is close to two major airports; it is three miles from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 25 miles from Miami International Airport. It also is one of the country’s busiest container ports, and is a major petroleum storage and distribution hub. Built in partnership with MSC Cruises, the new terminal will have capacity to handle an additional 36,000 passenger movements per day. When completed, it will be the largest passenger cruise terminal in North America.

Cruise port guides

These ports are just a quick — and often affordable — flight from the Midwestern United States. For travelers who are flying, the fact that both of Houston's airports are hubs means you'll have your pick of convenient flights from the Midwest. While the Houston area isn't exactly close to most of the Midwest, it's a relatively straight shot.

Cruise Port Guides By Region

Nearly 1K passengers stuck in Portland while cruise ships dock for safe harbor during Hurricane Lee - WMTW Portland

Nearly 1K passengers stuck in Portland while cruise ships dock for safe harbor during Hurricane Lee.

Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

While less glitzy than its counterparts in Manhattan, at Cape Liberty cruise port, you're still close enough to the Big Apple's main attractions, which are just a short drive or ferry ride away. What's better is that, with only a few exceptions, cruise home ports in North America tend to be located near the heart of the action in their respective cities. That gives you an additional incentive to enjoy some sightseeing on the way to your ship. You won't be able to leave the ship without your cruise card, nor will you be able to return to the ship without it, so keep it close to you at all times.

cruise ship ports near me

Before your ship leaves or after it returns to port, make the most of your travels by diving into the city where you'll embark on your journey. If you live in the Midwest United States and Google "cruise ports near me," you might initially feel shocked. As a born-and-bred Midwesterner, I know all too well what an ordeal getting to the coast can be! Whether you fly west to Los Angeles and Seattle, or southward to Houston, New Orleans or Miami, the idea of having to take a flight before you take your cruise can be daunting. The port’s three terminals support operations for the major cruise lines, which offer itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the Eastern Seaboard, plus seasonal cruises to Canada/New England. Here is Cruise Hive’s list of the top 10 busiest cruise homeports based on cruise guest traffic, including passengers on home-ported ships plus port call visitors.

Located in Terminal 3, the center is a hub for package and mail delivery, and other needed services. But PortMiami has lost its lead position to Port Canaveral, by roughly 50,000 cruise guests, annual passenger reports show. The Miami port, now the second-busiest port, could regain its top position after another large terminal debuts late in 2023. Most visitors opt to tour the Hilo area and highlights and maybe squeeze in some beach time to local beaches that are an easy cab ride or walk from the harbor area. One of the Easiest port cities to visit is Hilo, Hawaii located on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Norwegian’s Cruise Ship in Hawaii used to do 7-day sailings around the island but has now included French Polynesia in some of their itineraries. It is like getting two vacations in one, and you get to stay on the same boat. Parking decks are available near both the Pan American and Old San Juan piers.

Extend your time in Baltimore and explore this city rich with personality. One of the best things to do in Baltimore is explore the Inner Harbor. Another fantastic Ketchikan activity is seeking out the Ketchikan totem poles. This beautiful Alaskan cruise port is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world, each representing a unique story of the local native tribes. Parking is convenient but expensive in San Francisco so it’s best to take a rideshare, public transit or have someone drop you off at the terminal.

It could be argued that the Port of Galveston is the most historic cruise port operating in the US. It was established in 1825 by the Congress of Mexico, when Texas was still part of Mexico. There are some shuttle options, but the best way to reach the terminal from the airport is to take an Uber or taxi. The cost is around $10-15, and most of the shuttles are similar or more in price, but on a fixed schedule.

Additionally, there is a cell phone lot for anyone waiting to pick up passengers at the port. Things to do in Juneau include seeing Tracy Arm Fjord and Mendenhall Glacier, going white water rafting, whale watching, taking a seaplane ride, or even flying over glaciers. Walk along the beach with a local beer in hand or try a Crabby Bloody Mary in Hoonah. Get to know the native people, the Tlingit, through cultural performances and interactions. Interestingly enough, the port is actually owned by about 1,450 native Alaskans, many with ties to the Tlingit. There is so much to see and do just within the tiny Doty of San Francisco that you could spend the week.

Servicing the cruising industry that travels to all the islands, Hilo is one of the first stops on the circle island cruise before it goes around the island to the Kona side. There is plenty to do in the area, like visiting the famous Wynwood, Miami neighborhood, most famous for its mural walls. Or heading to South Beach to start your pre-cruise vacation in the sand.

Port Canaveral officials in April 2023 revealed they intend to construct a new cruise terminal, at a cost of around $175 million. The port has not yet revealed a project timeline, nor has a cruise line partnership been announced, but the port’s goal is to eventually have the capacity to accommodate up to 6.4 million cruise passengers per year. Florida’s Port Canaveral is the busiest cruise port in the country. Passenger traffic from 2022, revealed in February 2023, shows the northeast Florida port welcomed 4,072,396 cruise guests, overtaking PortMiami, which previously held the title.

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