Cruise Departure Port - San Diego

Introducing San Diego

San Diego was named by Spanish expeditionaries, who sailed into the sheltered bay as far back as 1542. But it was nearly two hundred years before Spanish missionaries returned to establish a remote settlement.  Fast forward to today and San Diego is not just the oldest city in California, but also its 2nd largest. The city is a main navy center, an extensive commercial harbor, and the center of a prominent technology area.  San Diego's busy harbor and its proximity to the Mexican border give the city a bohemian vibe, and a redeveloped downtown and a long historical past adds to this energizing atmosphere. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the sunny climate attracts many new people and companies each year. So it's not surprising that many visitors come to discover this beautiful city.

You Choose The Cruise

There is a super range of cruise destinations from San Diego port. Options include the Mexican Riviera, Baja California, the Hawaiian islands, and routes to Florida via the (newly enlarged) Panama canal. Cruises from San Diego provides a comprehensive calendar of cruise ship sailings out of the city.

Cruise Terminals

The San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is positioned across from North Harbor Drive at the B Street Pier, so it's very near to central San Diego. The cruise terminal is modern with a complete range of facilities for passengers. In 2010 a new cruise terminal was constructed on the neighboring Broadway pier.

The port website can be found at Port of San Diego.

Sightseeing in San Diego

USS Midway Museum
It's a short stroll on North Harbor Drive from the cruise port towards the big aircraft carrier ship, named the USS Midway, berthed at the Navy pier. Tour around the USS Midway Museum to experience the navy heritage of San Diego.

Embarcadero Marina Park
By the cruise port you'll find Embarcadero Marina park. Walk along the coastline for sweeping vistas across San Diego bay.

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Take a tour of the fantastic Maritime Museum, an excellent collection of historic ships, such as Pilot, Californian, Medea, the Berkeley and the Star India.

Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is perhaps the city's most characterful neighborhood.  Development of the area started in 1867. The Quarter is home to a concentration of designer shops, galleries, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, bars, nightclubs and jazz clubs offering a charming Victorian ambience mixed with a modern party atmosphere. The quarter is also home to big city events, from food fairs and music festivals to St Patricks Day.

Coronado Beach
Take a half hour ferry to Coronado island. A quick cab trip across the barrier island will get you to Coronado beach, a lovely sweep of sand on the ocean's coastline. Drop in at famous Hotel del Coronado, one of the few surviving examples of the Victorian beach hotel.

Balboa Park
The growth of Balboa Park started in 1916, when an ambitious series of Spanish style buildings were designed and built for the Panama-California exhibition. Today the park has become the largest city cultural park in the US. 15 galleries and museums are situated in the 1200 acre area. The most well known is San Diego zoo, however further notable museums include the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art. The park also has wonderful grounds, especially the Inez Rose Parker Memorial Rose Garden and the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Spanish Missions
San Diego contains 21 catholic missions, established more than two centuries ago. The major task of the missions was converting the American Indians to Christianity. The first ever, named the Mother of the Missions, is named Mission San Diego de Alcala. This was founded in the eighteenth century by Blessed Junipero Serra. Only six years after completion Mission San Diego de Alcala was fired in a riot, but it was quickly reconstructed.

Traveling to San Diego Cruise Terminals

From the Airport
The terminal is a short10 minute drive from San Diego International Airport. Cab pick-up areas are situated on the forecourts of all three airport terminals.

By Train
Amtrak's main San Diego station, the Santa Fe Depot, is just a fifth of a mile away from the cruise terminal, so it's possible to go by foot or catch a taxi. If you are walking, travel west on Broadway street towards the bay.  On reaching the waterfront, the cruise port is easy to see.

By Car
If traveling southward on Interstate 5, follow the highway into the middle of San Diego. Exit at Sassafras, signed to the airport. Follow Kettner for 3/4 mile, until you reach Laurel. Make a right on Laurel and proceed west until you reach Harbor Drive. Turn left on Harbor Drive. The cruise port is one-half mile on your right.
If driving north on I-5, continue along the road into downtown San Diego. Turn off at Hawthorn, signed to the airport. Follow along Hawthorn until Harbor Drive.  At Harbor Drive, turn left. The cruise ship terminal is one-half mile on your righthand side.
Many parking lots cater for cruise passengers. Booking parking ahead is recommended.

Cruise Port - Los Angeles, California

Introduction

Los Angeles, also called LA, is the foremost city in the state of California, and the second most populated city in the whole of US. Sited on a broad flat area in South California, LA is surrounded by massive mountain peaks, parched plains, the Ocean and widespread forests.

Beginning as a insignificant settlement in the eighteenth century, LA began to grow when the railroad came, and enlargened rapidly until the present. These days the urban area has as its hub LA County, but extends into Ventura County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Orange County.

The city is home to eighteen million people who originate from all parts of the globe. LA has people of many backgrounds, including a big Hispanic population, a large Asian community, and big communities from other national backgrounds.

Los Angeles is an important center of global trade, business, retail and culture, but is most famous as the home of the world's movie industry. The glamour of Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and Bel Air has enhanced the city’s attraction as an accessible dream further pushing the area's massive enlargement.

The popularity of Los Angeles’s cruise ports has increased dramatically recently, and today nearly 300 cruises start from the port every year. Routes available include the Hawaiian islands and the Mexican Riviera. A cruise from Los Angeles makes an unforgettable vacation.

You Choose the Cruise

The best liked itinerary from LA cruise port is a trip down the western coastline of Mexico. Baja California cruises typically call at Ensenada and Catalina island. Mexican Riviera cruises stop at Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. Longer cruises available are roundtrips to the Hawaiian islands, and non-return trans Panama canal trips to the eastern US. In early summer there's also a variety of itineraries to Vancouver, as ships prepare for the Alaska cruising season. For a list of cruises from Los Angeles, see cruises from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Cruise Terminals

There are 2 cruise ports in San Pedro bay, the World Cruise Center in the Port of Los Angeles (often called simply San Pedro), and four miles to the east Long Beach Cruise Terminal adjacent to the Port of Long Beach. Cruise ships dock at the World Cruise Center, except most (but not all) Carnival-affiliated cruise ships which leave from Long Beach.

World Cruise Center Cruise Terminals

There are two cruise terminals at the World Cruise Center, Terminal 91-92 for access to berths 91-92 (total length of pier 1550') and Terminal 93 for boarding at berth 93 (span of dock 1200'). Capacity is two to three large ships.

Each terminal has the basic facilities, including shopping, cafes, cab ranks, check in, parking areas and bars. For the port website see Port of Los Angeles Website

Long Beach Cruise Terminal

In 2003 Carnival Cruiseline deserted San Pedro cruise port and commissioned the Long Beach Cruise Port five miles away.

The cruise terminal is situated inside the white dome that used to house Spruce Goose, today located in Evergreen Aviation museum, McMinnville Oregon.

Long Beach cruise center possesses a single 1110-foot sized berth able to accommodate one massive cruise liner.

The cruise terminal has all the basic services, like cab ranks, parking areas, check in, eateries, bars and shops.

Next to the terminal lies the Queen Mary ocean liner.

Sightseeing In San Pedro

Los Angeles Maritime Museum

Be introduced to the history of Los Angeles harbor at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, sited at the Municipal Ferry Terminal. Check out hundreds of displays such as models, old documents, machines and photographs from famous vessels and boats. Sited near Harbor and 6th around half mile southwards from the cruise terminal.

Ports O' Call

Designed like a New England coast town, Ports O' Call is a great place to visit. There's several shops, bars, galleries and restaurants, connected by charming cobblestone paths. There is a quayside for boat sailings around the bay, day trips to Catalina Island and whale watching cruises. Ports O’Call is around a mile southwards from the cruise terminal.

Red Car Trolley Ride

The Waterfront Red Car Line is a one and a half mile long vintage trolley service running between the World Cruise Center and the Marina. The car stops by Ports O' Call and the LA Maritime Museum. The Red Cars are entirely refurbished to their previous glory, with upholstered wooden seats, ornate polished fittings and hardwood paneling.

Abalone Cove

Abalone Cove is an attractive beach, with a gorgeous coastal setting, radiant sunsets and superb views over Catalina island. Nextdoor Sacred Cove gives excellent rock pooling. Four miles west from San Pedro port.

Sightseeing in Long Beach

Queen Mary

In 1936 Queen Mary was launched for the historic Cunard Cruise Line and the liner sailed the seas for over thirty years, with a time of military service during WWII. The ship crossed the Atlantic over a thousand times, and set speed records on several occasions. In the late 1960s Queen Mary came to Long Beach and became a notable resident.

Sited adjacent to the cruise port.

Shoreline Aquatic Park and Aquarium of The Pacific

Be introduced to the colorful reefs of the Tropics, the frigid environment of the Arctic and the sunny seas of Southern California at this brilliant aquarium. Observe the ocean’s fearsome predators in the big Shark Lagoon. Subsequent to your tour to the aquarium amble around neighboring Shoreline Aquatic Park, a large area of parkland overlooking the sea. Located just across from the cruise terminal, taking five minutes by cab.

See Naples’ canals from a Gondola

Naples island possesses nearly a mile of canals, consisting of the straight Naples Canal and the large Rivo Alto Canal. A singing gondolier dressed in stripes makes a wonderful guide.

Rental gondolas are on offer near to the Bayshore Aquatic Playground Park. Or you can rent a kayak at the park, for a much lower price. Located around 2 miles east of the Long Beach cruise terminal.

Rancho Los Cerritos Ranch

Built in the mid 1800s, the house and grounds of Rancho Los Cerrotos Ranch are rich with the history of a mix of Spanish, Mexican and American California beginnings. Furnishings in the exhibit rooms show the work and leisure of both the owners and the workers of old-style ranch. Located around 5 miles northwards of Long Beach cruise terminal.

Alternative Ideas

Other attractions include Getty Center, Disneyland, Hollywood Sign, Warner Bros Studios, Universal Studios, Walk Of Fame, Farmers' Markets, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Venice Beach.

Getting to the Cruise Ports

San Pedro

By Car

Join the Harbor freeway (I-110) in a southerly direction. Leave at CA47 and proceed through the Harbor Boulevard junction. Make a right to enter the World Cruise Center.

From the Airport

Join the supershuttle minibus to the Word Cruise Center cruise terminal. Around a 45 minute ride.

Long Beach

By Car

Join the Long Beach freeway (I710)southwards. Follow the signage leading to the Queen Mary. On arriving, watch for signs for the cruise terminal drop-off and passenger parking.

From the Airport

Board the supershuttle service to Long Beach cruise terminal. Allow for an hour’s ride.

By Train

The closest train station to the cruise terminals is in central LA, about twenty-five miles away. When you book your ticket, choose San Pedro-Catalina Terminal Bus Stop (SPD) or Long Beach Queen Mary (LBQ) as the termination. A thruway coach will transfer you onward from the train station to the arranged bus station. The bus stations are within a short walking distance of the cruise ports.

Blog mentioned at BlogCatalog.

Cruise Port - Fort Lauderdale

Introduction

Fort Lauderdale is located in the east-central part of Broward County, Florida, about 23 miles north of Miami, and 43 miles south of Palm Beach.

Fort Lauderdale is named after a Seminole War fort, built on the New River in 1838. The region was mostly farmland until the 1890s, when a road was made linking the area to Miami, a ferry service was established across the New River and the Florida East Coast Railway was extended further down the coast. The mild climate was attractive to new arrivals, and the settlement’s population increased dramatically in the early 20th century. But the two setbacks of a devastating hurricane in 1926 and the general depression of 1929 led to a complete reversal in the town’s fortunes. Like the vast majority of the US, Fort Lauderdale did not shake off the effects of the Great Depression until after World War II, at last returning to a period of strong growth.

Today more than 10 million tourists come to Fort Lauderdale every year to boat along its canal system, go to its large variety of family attractions and relax on its sparkling beaches.

Fort Lauderdale’s advancement owes a lot to its thriving port, Port Everglades. In 1928 a channel was cut from Lake Mabel to the Atlantic Ocean, creating the port. Having the deepest entrance channel of all port in Florida, the port was open to even the largest cargo ships, and trade through the port grew quickly. The first cruise ships arrived in the 1930s, with vessels from Chandris Line, Grace Line and Holland America Line calling at the port. Port Everglades has risen to be a major cruise hub, with ships from over 5 cruise lines homeporting from its modern cruise terminals.

You Choose The Cruise

Cruises available comprise the Eastern Caribbean (San Juan, St Maarten, Tortola and St Thomas), the Western Caribbean (Roatan, Belize, Cozumel and Grand Cayman), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (Bonaire, St Johns, Curacao and Aruba). Extended trips are also available, such as the Amazon, trans Panama canal to Florida and South America.

Cruises from Fort Lauderdale shows all the cruise departures from Port Everglades.

Cruise Terminals Map



Cruise Terminals

The northern end of Port Everglades is called Northport, and is the site of cruise terminals 2 and 4. The central part of Port Everglades is called Midport, and is home to cruise terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29.



Northport

The cruise terminals have the usual facilities such as full A/C, vending machines, seating areas, bathrooms, an automated passenger boarding bridge and check-in desks. In addition terminal 2 boasts faster embarkation/debarkation times by having an extra passenger boarding bridge. Terminal 2 and 4 share the car parking at the Northport garage. Terminal 2 is allocated to Princess Cruises, terminal 4 to MSC.



Midport

The terminals have the usual facilities like full A/C, check-in area, seating areas, luggage handling, vending machines and restrooms. In addition terminals 18 and 21 boast faster embarkation/debarkation times by having an extra passenger boarding bridge. Parking lot 18 provides parking for terminal 18, and the multi-deck Midport parking garage provides parking for terminals 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29. Terminal 18 is used by RCCI, 19 by Princess Cruises, 21 by Carnival Cruise Line, 25 by various cruise lines, 26 by Holland America Line, and 29 by several cruise lines.

For the port website see Port Everglades.



Sightseeing In Fort Lauderdale

Stranahan House
Stranahan House is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest house. It was built as a trading outpost for trade with the Seminole Indians, but also served as a school, post office and bank. The house can be found at 335 Southeast 6th Avenue, around 2 miles north west of the port.

Riverwalk
The Riverwalk offers a lovely one mile stroll in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District in downtown Fort Lauderdale by the banks of the historic New River. The route passes fashionable shops, friendly restaurants and lush landscaping and impressive cultural venues including the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Museum of Art, Stranahan House and Fort Lauderdale History center.

Museum Of Art Fort Lauderdale
Possibly the most memorable exhibit at the Museum of Art is the Indigo Room, a backlit installation by the Voodoo influenced artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. After taking in the art on show, be sure to browse the museum’s bookstore.

Fort Lauderdale History Center
The Fort Lauderdale History Center presents the story of the community's history from the pioneers of Fort Lauderdale to the citizens of today. Walk around the 1905 Acetylene building, a little shed which housed an acetylene gas generator, an 1899 replica school house, a rebuilding of Broward county’s first ever school, the 1905 New River Inn, the county’s oldest standing hotel and the 1907 King-Cromartie House, a private residence.

South Beach Park
At the southern end of Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful beaches sits South Park Beach, a popular stretch of white sand. There’s lots of things to do at South Beach including fishing, swimming, wind surfing, rollerblading, snorkeling and jet skiing. Many shops, restaurants and bars can be found on popular Las Olas Boulevard, which joins with Hwy 1A behind the beach.

Traveling To The Cruise Port

By Car

SE 24th street off US-1, the 17th street causeway entrance at Eisenhower Bvld and Eller Drive all have gates which access Port Everglades. It is mandatory to have valid identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, to be allowed into the port.

From I95
Follow exit 26 to I-595 East, signed Port Everglades. Keep going for a little more than a mile then take exit 12B. Keep going on Eller Drive to the I-595 East entrance to the port.

Traveling from West on I-75
Head off at exit #19 to I-595 East. Continue for 12 miles then take exit 12B for Port Everglades. Keep going on Eller Drive to the I-595 East port gate.

From The Airport

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport is sited little more than a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.