US PORTS

Florida Cruise Injury Attorneys Tell You Where to Catch Your Ship


Today, the US is home to 20 ports of call where passengers can board cruise ships before embarking to destinations across the country. With ports on virtually every coastline of the US, cruise goers can choose to start their cruise adventure from a particular port for all kinds of reasons.

When deciding on what port to leave from, you may take into account factors such as proximity to your home and nearby sights of interest. It is equally important to know which cruise lines depart from which ports, and what destinations they go to. To determine which US port should be the starting point for your next cruise vacation, we have included a guide to the 20 US ports of call below.

BALTIMORE

An hour away from our nation’s capital, Baltimore is another great spot for history buffs. Baltimore is also where Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships set sail for the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, and Canada, as well as cities across New England.

BAYONNE

Bayonne’s proximity to New York makes it an ideal spot for those who want a chance to see Big Apple sights without breaking the bank on a costly New York hotel. Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity take off from Bayonne to destinations such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Barcelona.

BOSTON

The home of the Red Sox, top Universities, and deliciously fresh lobster is also the port of call for cruise lines like Norwegian, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Cruises travel to ports in Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, and beyond.

CHARLESTON

The historic town of Charleston is the port of call for Carnival on trips to the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. It is a fantastic town to explore before your cruise, with a rich history and noteworthy sights.

FORT LAUDERDALE

A bit more relaxed than Miami, Fort Lauderdale is an idyllic port for sailing with a variety of cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Silversea. Destinations include the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

GALVESTON

Few would name Galveston as an international tourist destination, but the port town has its fair share of family-friendly attractions and its own beach-town charm. If you are considering a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Carnival to the Caribbean or Bahamas, Galveston makes a pleasant starting point.

HONOLULU

There is a reason why Honolulu has remained a top tourist destination for generations. The city is a paradise, with spectacular beaches, beautiful weather, and breathtaking resorts. It is also a port of call for cruises from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, to destinations in Australia, Vancouver, and other islands.

JACKSONVILLE

Surrounded on three sides by ocean, Florida is unsurprisingly home to the most US ports of call. Jacksonville is one of the loveliest, with family-friendly attractions, hiking trails, and pristine beaches. However, only Carnival cruise ships headed to the Bahamas depart from Jacksonville.

LONG BEACH

Nestled between San Diego and Los Angeles, Long Beach offers convenient access to both top cities. The cheerful beach town is also the port of call for cruises from Carnival to the Mexican Riviera, Mexican Baja, and Hawaii.

LOS ANGELES

Millions of people visit LA each year, bent on spotting celebrities and seeing sights like the Hollywood sign. LA is also a major port of call, seeing off cruises from major lines like Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess Regent, and Cunard, to destinations like Mexico, Tahiti, and Hawaii.

MIAMI

A vibrant beachside city teeming with culture and energy, Miami is a destination on its own. A variety of cruise lines sail out of Miami, including Azamara, NCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Oceana, Costa, and Royal Caribbean. Cruises that depart from Miami head to destinations in South America, the Mediterranean, Europe, and beyond.

NEW ORLEANS

A top destination for carousers and music lovers, New Orleans hosts tourists from around the world. It is a wonderful port choice if you are interested in taking a cruise with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or NCL to a destination in the Caribbean or Mexico.

NEW YORK

On the other hand, if you do choose to spring for a New York hotel, it may be well worth it for a chance to see the city up close. After a few days of unparalleled theater, glamorous shopping, and unforgettable dining experiences, you can set sail on a variety of cruises—including NCL, Carnival, Disney, and Regent Seven Seas cruises—to destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, and England.

NORFOLK

Much like Charleston, Norfolk boasts a rich colonial history. It is also home to a thriving art scenes and more than 100 annual festivals. Carnival cruises embark from Norfolk to the Bahamas and Bermuda.

PORT CANAVERAL

Port Canaveral’s proximity to Disney World, Universal, and Sea World make it a popular port of call. Cruise lines departing from Port Canaveral include Carnival, Disney, Costa, Royal Caribbean, and NCL, heading to destinations such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

SAN DIEGO

Visit San Diego, and you will find both beautiful beaches and bustling city streets. Cruise lines leaving from this world-famous Southern California hub include Celebrity, Holland America, Disney, and Royal Caribbean. Ships travel around the world to destinations such as the Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Alaska.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is a city to fall in love with, charming visitors with beautiful locals, stunning vistas, and colorful culture. It also specializes in longer cruise trips spanning more than three weeks, from cruise lines such as Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, and Oceana. Destinations include Hawaii, Alaska, Panama, and South America.

SEATTLE

Seattle wows with its natural beauty and distinctive arts and music scene. It is also a major port for Alaska-bound ships from lines like NCL, Carnival, Princess, and Disney.

TAMPA

In addition to sunny beaches, Tampa is a port of departure for Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and NCL. Destinations include the Caribbean and Mexico.

VANCOUVER

Though part of Canada, Vancouver is still considered a US port. Visitors can chow down on grass-fed Alberta steak in an internationally renowned restaurant before seeing a concert or exploring Chinatown. During warmer months, cruises from Disney, Oceana, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, and Silverseas set sail to the Pacific Northwest, South Pacific, US Pacific Coast, Transcanal, Transpacific, and Transatlantic destinations.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU SET SAIL FROM, OUR FLORIDA CRUISE ACCIDENT LAWYERS WILL PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS

While considering ports, deciding on lines and destinations, and making arrangements for your cruise, it is also important to arm yourself with knowledge of the risks of injuries and accidents that can occur on cruises. By taking safety precautions before embarking on your adventure, you can ensure your cruise vacation is both enjoyable and free of mishaps. And if something does go wrong on your cruise vacation, get in touch with the seasoned cruise ship attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey: