Popular Ports in the USA

Having a good port city can help set the tone of your entire cruise. While some are easily accessible and full of amenities, others may excel at smooth departures and fewer delays. Lucky for you, there are plenty of great port cities around the United States to choose from.

Whether you are setting sail down into the Caribbean, around New England and Canada, or up into Alaska on the west coast, the United States has dozens of impressive port cities to begin your journey. Here are eight port cities in the United States that are the most popular amongst cruisers; Bon Voyage!

For cruisers heading on a journey to the Caribbean, Port Miami in Miami, Florida, is one of the best options and is one of the most popular port cities in the United States. The choice of cruise options that depart from Miami is far from lacking, and it’s also the only port in the United States offering cruises to Cuba. The port is surrounded by shops and restaurants, sits right beside the bustling city, and is just a quick car ride across the bridge to exotic and exciting South Beach.

Before even setting sail, cruisers departing from Miami will feel the Latin influence and get a quick glimpse of Cuban and Caribbean culture.

If you are looking for a port surrounded by attractions and trendy neighborhoods, look no further than San Francisco, California. Located on the Embarcadero, the port sits right along the waterfront in the heart of the city, convenient for any and all your needs before and after your journey. Whether you are heading up or down the coast, as you debark from the port, you will leave with a jaw-dropping view of the city and pass underneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

An all-around excellent port city and one of the most popular in the United States is Seattle, Washington. Seattle is the most attractive cruise port for cruisers debarking on journeys to Alaska. While there are various port cities within Alaska, they are more expensive to get to. Seattle is much more affordable and has seven different cruise lines operating cruises from its port every year. Seattle offers many things to see and do before or after your cruise, so be sure to save a few days for this city alone.

New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most popular ports in the United States for both river and ocean cruises. Whether you are looking to go up the famous Mississippi River and take a river cruise within the states or head south into the Gulf of Mexico and onto the Caribbean, the options are endless from the port of New Orleans. The Big Easy is also an exciting and cultural city, a perfect place for sightseeing a few days before or after your cruise. New Orleans also plans to begin cruising to Cuba soon, becoming only the second port out of the States to offer this service.

If you are cruising with your entire crew, Port Canaveral, Florida, is one of the best options for families and one of the most popular port cities in the United States. There are loads of things to see and do around the port and plenty of ways to keep kids entertained and occupied while getting ready for your big adventure, such as shops, cafes, beaches, and an Exploration Tower full of attractions. If you are, by chance, setting sail on a Disney cruise, Walt Disney World is only an hour away from the cruise terminal, making it easy to enjoy both destinations on your trip.

If you are heading on a cruise around New England or up into Eastern Canada, Bayonne, New Jersey, is one of the best options and one of the most popular cruise ports in the United States. It’s a little less busy than Manhattan, the port itself is rather small and out of the way from the city, but still provides convenient access to the city by train or taxi and provides a great view of the NYC skyline. Visitors are also nearby Ellis Island, Lady Liberty, perfect ideas for a day trip from the cruise ports.

Despite having a lack of public transportation, Galveston, Texas, is one of the most popular cruise ports in the country, serving the entire southern continental United States. It serves more than six lines that sail each year annually to destinations in Mexico and on into the Caribbean. Besides beautiful beaches, Galveston has a lot to see and do around the port, such as shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions, most within walking distance of the immediate cruise port entrance.

The United States has so many incredible cruise ports, no matter the destination you are heading to. We hope this guide to the eight most popular cruise ports in the United States has been helpful and that it will guide you to the best port option that is right for you!