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Today it is among the top five busiest cruise ports in the country, welcoming 1,537,695 cruise guests to Bayonne Harbor. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is known for its stunning natural attractions. The city’s cruise port is located near the downtown area, providing easy access to local restaurants, shops, and historical sites.
Cruise Port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska
When you are visiting Ketchikan, make sure to try some of the best salmon in the world. There are plenty of street vendors located downtown offering free samples. Overall, Ketchikan is truly one of the most remarkable ports in the United States, perfect for any cruising adventure. The cruise port in San Juan is one of the most popular destinations for Caribbean cruise itineraries receiving around 500 ships and approximately 2 million cruise passengers every year. Key West cruise port has been active since 1969, and today over five hundred cruise ships dock here every year.
How Much Time Do I Need to Explore a Cruise Port?
When you’re exploring the various United States cruise ports, it’s essential to have a game plan to make the most out of your visit. Whether you’re a food lover, a history buff, or a sightseeing enthusiast, there’s plenty to do and see. This section provides some tips on dining options, local attractions, and transportation options at the cruise ports. The West Coast of the United States is home to several popular cruise ports with a wealth of attractions for vacationers.
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Parking at Brooklyn Cruise Port may seem challenging, but a constant flow of arrivals and departures keeps things moving. While the $45 daily fee offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, other convenient options are available, such as private taxis, Uber, shuttles, or the subway. For a unique experience, consider taking the train from Penn Station or Grand Central Station. The city of Tampa provides easy access to downtown attractions and the Orlando area’s many shore excursion choices. Ships from Tampa typically cruise the Western and Eastern Caribbean, and the Bahamas. It also is one of the country’s busiest container ports, and is a major petroleum storage and distribution hub.
Orlando (Port Canaveral)
Further north, take in the wild beauty of the landscapes around Astoria, Oregon, and discover the coffee culture and fresh Pacific Northwestern cuisine of Seattle, Washington. We rounded up the best homeports from across North America so you can plan your next cruise knowing you've picked the perfect jumping-off point. Avoid the high cost of taxis and enjoy a ride from LAX for just $40 with a rideshare service. From John Wayne Airport, expect to pay around $60, though nearly $100 for a taxi. Embark on your dream cruise effortlessly and at a great price from the World Cruise Center.
Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal (Alabama)
On a cruise, you’ll be able to appreciate this wild beauty from both a land and sea perspective. You’ll see glaciers, rocky shorelines, historic gold rush towns, and flower-strewn mountain meadows. Along the way, you can hike, kayak, spot bears, go whale-watching, and feast on fresh salmon. While cruises have already resumed from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Galveston, other U.S. homeports are eagerly awaiting their turn to welcome embarking passengers back. I personally loved taking advantage of this option before setting sail from the Port of San Diego. Book your cruise now and let the cruise line shuttle take care of the rest.
In some ports, the town center might be a short walk away, while in others, you might need a short taxi ride or shuttle bus to get to the main areas. 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. It’s easy to get around this part of town and everything is close by, from unique museums, funky architecture, and historical sites like the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.
You can take it away for a picnic to South Pointe Park, where cruise ships and other boats go in and out of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The best view at Port Canaveral is no longer from the top of a cruise ship but from the top of the Exploration Tower. This seven-story structure makes the cruise ships look not so massive after all. Baltimore has been a major port city since the 1700s, making it one of the US oldest port cities. Over the years, it has blossomed into a major Maryland tourist destination.
Los Angeles (Long Beach)
The Port of Palm Beach is the exclusive home port of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, with year-round cruises aboard Grand Celebration and Grand Classica to Grand Bahama Island. The cruise lines departing from here are Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and Disney. And the best part is it’s only about half an hour from the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile offers many tourist activities to keep you entertained on your visit. One of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge is from a boat on one of the bay cruises, especially the ones that take you right under the bridge. A 45-minute narrated Ice Cream Cruise on the Seattle mini ferry is a family favorite on Sundays.
Cruise Hive Awards: Port Canaveral Voted Best U.S. Cruise Homeport, Set to Host 7.3 Million Passengers in 2024 - SpaceCoastDaily.com
Cruise Hive Awards: Port Canaveral Voted Best U.S. Cruise Homeport, Set to Host 7.3 Million Passengers in 2024.
Posted: Sun, 07 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. For a comprehensive list of the time needed at various ports, visit our major cruise ports page. New Orleans is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, distinctive music, and exceptional cuisine. The city’s cruise port is closely located to the legendary French Quarter, allowing cruisers to experience the lively atmosphere and iconic jazz music before setting sail.
Virgin Voyages does as well, and recently opened their brand new dedicated terminal there. If you’re sailing from Fort Lauderdale and book a few extra nights in town, you will have plenty of options for entertainment. Without traffic from the west side, central or south Manhattan, it could be a 35-minute drive to the port. Cruise ships dock in one of the main piers – Pan American Pier and Pier 4, right at the bottom of the historical city of Old San Juan. The Bayside Marketplace near the Port of Miami is a waterfront complex of entertainment, dining, souvenir shops, and retail stores geared toward cruise ship passengers.
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. Alternatively, you can fly to a major airport, like Orlando International Airport (MCO) and take a shuttle over to Port Canaveral.
Its strategic location also makes it a convenient departure point for cruises to the Western Caribbean. Embarking on a cruise journey is an exciting experience that often begins at a cruise port. The United States boasts a plethora of cruise ports, each with its unique charm and offerings. This section serves as an introduction to United States cruise ports, providing insights into what to expect at a cruise port and the importance of planning ahead. Royal Caribbean and other cruises depart from the Pan American Pier, about a 10-minute car ride from Old San Juan.
The three piers next to Old San Juan are mostly used as port stops (as opposed to departure/arrival ports). The only exception is Carnival Cruise Line which departs and arrives in Old San Juan. Mobile's US cruise terminal was built in 2001, and hosts the Carnival Cruise line ships. Mobile has hosted several Carnival ships but was quiet from 2011 to 2016 until a new contract was signed and Carnival returned. Carnival's Fantasy has made its home in Mobile, before it was replaced by Carnival Fascination in 2022. But no matter the cruise ships currently in residence, cruises from Mobile are very affordable.
Icy Strait Point is Alaska’s only privately owned cruise ship destination. All organized activities are tailored to fit the cruise ship schedule, so book well in advance. Every year between May and September, Ketchikan receives around one million cruise ship passengers, and for a good reason. To get a great overview of the city from the water, you can choose from multiple tour companies offering a range of harbor cruises.
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