Explore The Best Cruise Ports In The U.S. – Part 1
This feature was so big we had to split it into two parts! Explore Part 1 now.
Courtesy of Royal Caribbean
Miami, Florida
PortMiami is known as the “Cruise Capital of the World.” Its high-tech terminals are home to the world’s most innovative vessels and accommodate larger-class ships. Leaving from PortMiami is a breeze thanks to Mobile Passport Control, through which you can clear customs with a scan of the eyes, and efficient luggage control. Downtown Miami and the Brickell neighborhood are close to the port and are full of gleaming skyscrapers, hotels (many of which offer shuttle service to the port) and restaurants.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 7 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: The Caribbean, Key West, Mexico, South America | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages have their own terminals here | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Use Metrorail’s Orange Line from Miami International Airport, the Green Line from the south side of Miami-Dade County or the Metromover. The City of Miami Coral Way Trolley takes you across the PortMiami Bridge. Brightline runs Station to Vacation service for cruise passengers.
For more information, visit miamidade.gov/portmiami/cruise.asp
Disney Cruise Line Terminal Interior. Courtesy Disney Cruise Line.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Port Everglades makes cruising convenient—it’s the only seaport in the United States adjacent to an international airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and is accessible for vehicular traffic from I-595, I-95, I-75 US 1 and the Florida Turnpike. Public art abounds in the port’s terminals, including the Disney Cruise Line’s new 104,000 square-foot cruise terminal, designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The Las Olas Boulevard area, which fittingly means “The Wave,” is close to the port and a great locale for those looking to explore Fort Lauderdale’s sunny shopping and dining options.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 3 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Belize, The Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Key West, Mexico, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, Spain | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Azamara, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Viking | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: TriRail offers a complimentary service to FFL. Broward County Transit has a bus that stops just outside the Northport section of Port Everglades. Amtrak has two stations located near the port.
For more information, visit porteverglades.net/cruise
Courtesy Disney Cruise Lines.
Orlando, Florida
Port Canaveral is ranked as the world’s busiest cruise port in multi-day embarkations and is located 45 miles east of Orlando. It is home to Wonder of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, and 20 additional homeported ships. The port reaches more than 50 destinations and more than 100 ports of call in this predominately family-oriented market. In 2023, Port Canaveral set a record, with 6.8 million travelers making their way through the port. The Cove entertainment and dining district is closest to the terminals; Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center are a few miles away.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 6.8 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Belize, Bermuda, The Caribbean, England, Mexico, Spain | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Disney, MSC Cruises, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Shuttles depart to and from the Orlando International Airport on a regular basis. Some hotels also offer shuttle service to Port Canaveral. There’s also a beach shuttle that runs from Cocoa Beach.
For more information, visit portcanaveral.com/cruise
Courtesy Disney Cruise Lines.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Port NOLA is the nation’s six-busiest cruise embarkation point. Carnival homeports two year-round vessels here and is celebrating 30 years in New Orleans this year. In October, Norwegian Cruise Line will debut a new ship, Norwegian Gateway, in NOLA, and Royal Caribbean’s new Brilliance of the Seas docks here beginning in November. Port NOLA is directly adjacent to the popular French Quarter and Warehouse District with iconic destinations just steps from the terminals. The port also sees strong demand for river cruises—America’s first Viking river cruise began sailing from New Orleans in 2022; the vessel was built in Louisiana.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 1.2 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Belize, The Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Key West, Mexico, Panama Canal. Mississippi River cruises go to Memphis, St. Paul, Minnesota and Vicksburg, Mississippi | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Viking | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Cruise line shuttles take passengers from the airport to the cruise port. Independent and hotel shuttles are also available.
For more information, visit portnola.com/cruise
Courtesy Port of Los Angeles.
San Pedro, California
The Port of Los Angeles is the largest cruise port on the West Coast. It is in San Pedro Bay, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 17 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Although Long Beach Airport is only 9.2 miles away, it may be more cost-effective to fly into LAX. The port is an official department of the City of Los Angeles and contains three historic communities: San Pedro, Wilmington and Terminal Island; the former two are full of restaurants and bars. The LA Waterfront is also nearby, with museums, galleries, historical landmarks, beaches and other open spaces.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 1 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Alaska, Baja California, Hawaii, The Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, Pacific Coast | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Celebrity, Crystal, Oceania, Royal Caribbean, Seaborn, Silversea, Viking | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Public transportation, involves a shuttle, Metro rail and an express bus. Try a shuttle from the airport or your hotel (if offered).
For more information, visit portoflosangeles.org; additional transportation information can be found at visitsanpedro.org/getting-here-getting-around
Noshing Near the Nation’s Largest Cruise Port
Courtesy of Kuba Cabana
Being harried is one of the last things you want to be while on vacation, particularly on a cruise vacation, so we found it’s best to take a day or two on either side of your cruise to explore your port city. Ours was Miami. Whether you want high-energy, a relaxed patio or something in-between, you’ll find that quintessential Miami vibe at all three of these restaurants.
Kuba Cabana
Known for its cabaret and salsa events, Kuba Cabana is lively in more ways than one. The expertly crafted menu is full of zest, from the Kubiche, its award-winning ceviche garnished with red onion and cilantro, to the Guava Pollo Barbacoa with spiced guava juice. Pair it with a side of Caramelized Sweet Plantains before you hit the dance floor and work off your meal. kubamiami.com
Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita
Find a little bit of paradise on the rooftop patio of this Brickell mainstay that was once Miami’s Fire Station No. 4. You’ll feel you’re hidden away, but bustling Miami Avenue is but a few stories below. This gem boasts one of the city’s best lunch specials—get a free order of gazpacho (our favorite), Serrano ham croquettes or Caesar salad with any entrée. After whiling the afternoon away here, you may never want to leave. doloreslolita.com
Balan’s
This delightful space, tucked into the middle of Mary Brickell Village, serves up modern European cuisine and some of the best cocktails we’ve ever had. If we were relegated to drinking only the Key Lime Lover for the rest of our lives, so be it. The interior is beautiful, with colorful florals and clean lines, but you’ll want to sit on the patio to enjoy the gentle breezes and watch people streaming by. Balan’s serves up a mean brunch, but dinner is our favorite: try the Branzino or the Crab Pasta. balansbrickell.com
