Explore The Best Cruise Ports In The U.S. – Part 2
Don't miss Part 2 of our best cruise ports story.
Courtesy Rachael Jones Media/visitseattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle has been the natural gateway to Alaska for more than 100 years, so it’s no wonder that it’s the most popular tour option at Port of Seattle. But most of the big cruise lines sail from here, so warm-weather destinations are also an option. The Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal is located on Seattle’s Central Waterfront and within walking distance of the city’s most iconic destinations, such as Pike’s Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium. The Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is at the base of the Magnolia neighborhood and one of the only places in the world where ships can connect to the city’s power grid, reducing air emissions.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 1.8 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Alaska, the Far East, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, South Pacific | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Get from the airport to downtown via light rail and the Metro bus. Shuttle service is available from the airport to the port
For more information, visit portseattle.org/maritime/cruise
Courtesy Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
Alton, Illinois
Port of Alton is a busy regional port just 40 minutes north of St. Louis. It’s the origination point for visitors looking to cruise the mighty Mississippi River, and those who do so will be treated to magnificent views of the area’s bluffs and open blue waters. Both American Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises dock here, and shore excursions in the area include the Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and Confluence Tower, the National Great Rivers Museum and Melvin Price Lock and Dam, Historic Elsah and Principia College and the City of Grafton. The region is also home to the last 100 miles of Route 66 in Illinois.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: More than 4,300 | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: This regional port specializes in cruises along the Mississippi River. Hannibal, Missouri, Muscatine and Davenport, Iowa, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota are among the routes | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: American Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: American Cruise Lines offers bus transportation for some cruises to the Alton docks.
For more information, visit riversandroutes.com
Courtesy Kyle Klein
Boston, Massachusetts
Flynn Cruiseport Boston is in the Boston Harbor and is one of the chief ports on the Eastern Seaboard. It’s a convenient port for travelers in that it’s 10 minutes from both downtown Boston and Logan International Airport. The adjacent Seaport District is just a short walk from the port and brims with restaurants, hotels and entertainment options. Flynn Cruiseport operates for cruises from April to November, due to the harsh New England winters. The most popular time for cruising here is autumn, when fall foliage cruises abound.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 400,000 | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Bermuda, Canada,
The Caribbean, Europe, Iceland, Greenland, New England | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Viking and many smaller lines that make voyages closer to home | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS:Shuttle service, MBTA Silver Line rapid transit bus service.
For more information, visit massport.com/flynn-cruiseport
Courtesy Visit Galveston
Galveston, Texas
The Port of Galveston is the fourth-most popular cruise port in the U.S. and the only cruise port in Texas. Known for its commitment to sustainability, Galveston opened the world’s first LEED zero-energy facility in the world with Royal Caribbean’s new $125 million terminal. This means it generates 100% of the energy it needs through solar panels. The closest airport to the port is William P. Hobby Airport, 40 miles away. Galveston’s charming Strand District is closest to the port and is the city’s commercial district, full of shopping, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels. Get in the spirit of your upcoming journey with a visit to the Texas Seaport Museum.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 1 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Belize, The Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Many Galveston hotels offer free cruise parking and/or transportation to the terminal.
For more information, visit portofgalveston.com/9/cruise
Courtesy Travel Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska is an enclave of the United States, only connected by sea. Its capital, Juneau, is only accessible via air or water. This, and its proximity to the Northern Lights, make for one of the nation’s most beautiful cruise destinations. Approximately 60% of summer visitors arrive in Alaska via a cruise ship, when there are 18 hours of daylight. The Juneau Cruise Port sits alongside the downtown area, connected by a series of wide boardwalks. The main thoroughfare, Franklin Street, is full of shops, galleries and restaurants. Juneau averages 220 days of rain each year, so be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
ANNUAL PASSENGERS: 1.6 million | POPULAR DESTINATIONS: Most cruises are coming to Alaska, but you can board here to access other areas throughout the state | CRUISE LINES INCLUDE: CCunard, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean and some smaller lines | TRANSPORTATION TO THE TERMINALS: Bus service via Capital Transit (public transit) is available from the airport. Some hotels near the port provide free pick-up service at the airport. Shuttle service is also available.
For more information, visit traveljuneau.com/cruises
Sustainability and Cruising
The cruise industry’s goal is to make net-zero carbon cruising a reality by 2050. A 2022 study by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found that there will be 38 LNG-powered ships in service by 2028. This transitional fuel, liquefied natural gas, reduces greenhouse gases by 20%, promotes fuel efficiency and makes for a quieter and smoother ride.
In addition, CLIA found that 15% of ships will have battery storage and/or fuel cells for hybrid power generation.
Royal Caribbean has even greater goals: it hopes to debut a net-zero cruise ship by 2035. Icon of the Seas is the line’s first ship powered by LNG, and its dual-fuel engines work alongside an impressive array of energy efficiency initiatives such as the first waste-to-energy system at sea, an air lubrication system that reduces friction as the ship sails and a wastewater treatment system that treats every drop of water above regulatory standards.
Sustainable sourcing, water conservation and responsible tourism are also top of mind. Cruise lines are looking to organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council to source food responsibly, and ships can now produce 90% of their fresh water on board, thanks to high-tech systems. Shore excursions are getting away from coach tours and opting for walking, cycling, paddling or sailing experiences, helping to our reduce carbon footprint.
These are but a few of the initiatives in place today. There are also dedicated plans for ocean and marine life protection, such as coral reef restoration, the reduction of speed in sensitive areas, underwater noise and vibration reduction systems and partnerships with marine life protection organizations.
