The Best Cruise Ship Ports For US Citizens

The options popular with cruise tourists

This industry came into existence in the last century and a half and is popular with people of different interests, particularly families planning holidays together and with elderly couples who will have someone to assist when they need them. Millions of Americans go on a cruise every year and if you want to be one of them, here we suggest some cruise ports from where you can catch your cruise ship. You will need to get to these once you have booked your cruise holidays.

Miami, Florida

Miami is one of the most popular beach resorts for summer holidays across the USA. Historically it has even been a major seaport and now there are terminals from which you can board your cruise ships. There are numerous terminals and you will need to get to the right one to catch the right ship. No matter how you drive up till here, you will find plenty of parking spaces. If you are being dropped off by public transport, you will be dropped right in front of your chosen terminal. It is recommended that you reach the port 2 hours before the cruise departure time as your documents will need to be verified. Americans and Canadians do not require visas for most of the countries these cruise ships go to, so you will not be spending much time at the immigration counter.

Galveston, Texas

This port in the Gulf of Mexico is served by a number of cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Disney Cruise Line. As most people book cruises for a week or less, you will have parking spaces here to leave your vehicle till you return. There is even help at hand to assist you with your baggage. There are shuttle services to take you from the parking area to your terminal to board your cruise ship. If you are returning with alcohol and cigarettes, you will be expected to pay taxes for bringing them into Texas. If you arrive a few days before your cruise dates, there is good accommodation in form of numerous hotels in the city and there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

New York City, New York

The seaport in this city has 3 terminals for the cruise ships. One is in Brooklyn, one in Cape Liberty and the other is in Manhattan. The seaports you will choose for your trips will mostly depend on the state you live in the USA and the closest port, unless you are not able to find an itinerary that suits your interests. So, those living in and around New York State will find these ports more than useful for their trips over the seas. The Manhattan port terminal is the oldest one and served as a general passenger port too, before the need for the new terminals came up.

Baltimore, Maryland

The seaport in Baltimore has one dedicated terminal for the cruise ships. This city is close to the capital of the country, Washington, and has an international airport to welcome passengers. If you have chosen to board your cruise ship from this port, you will find that the airport is quite close to this terminal. Though you must book your flights early to make sure that you are able to find them, so you don’t miss your cruise. If you are using a private vehicle there are parking spaces for you or the taxis can drop you close to the terminal. If you have been on the larger ships and want to try the smaller ones with unusual stops, you can book your cruise with the American Cruise Line, which boards passengers from this port.

Los Angeles, California

While cruise ships from the East Coast will be taking you to the Caribbean in the south or Greenland in the north, if you catch a cruise ship from Los Angeles, you can expect to explore large parts of Mexico on the Pacific Coast and even cross the Panama Canal to reach the east Coast. This port is within driving distance from the Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you are planning a short holiday or a long trip covering large parts of the globe like Europe, you will be able to find a Cruise line ready to make your plans come true.

Seattle, Washington

This port has 2 terminals for the cruise ships. One is the Bell Street Cruise Terminal and the other is the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. These terminals are dedicated to serving particular cruise lines, so you will be going to one according to the cruise line you have booked your holidays with. A large number of tourists interested in exploring parts of Alaska will be able to find suitable cruises from here. To get to the terminals, there are airport shuttles and you will be able to find options for sharing rides too. There are even storage spaces to store your luggage for as long as you may want to.

Conclusion

Most Americans go on their annual holidays, and some of them will be interested in cruises onboard Cruise ships. Here we have listed some of the major seaports that have terminals for these ships that make every effort to make your holiday as smooth as possible.