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Norfolk Cruise Port Guide: Everything You Need Before You Sail departure ports Sep 13, 2025

While most US cruisers embark upon their cruises from large homeports like Port Canaveral, Port Miami, and Port Everglades, there are many small and quite charming homeport spots, and the Norfolk cruise port is one of them.

Norfolk, Virginia, is one of the East Coast’s most notable cruise ports, serving as a homeport for cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Eastern Caribbean.

Since 2002, Carnival has been the only company to homeport ships here. Carnival's Carnival Suns

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Bermuda Cruise Port Guide: Ferries, Top Sites, and Best Beaches bermuda Sep 11, 2025

Overview of Bermuda Cruise Port

The Bermuda cruise port is a destination that gives Caribbean vibes, but it is not in the Caribbean, and it offers a totally unique experience. When calling here, it can feel a bit like you're out in the middle of the ocean, far removed from everything else because.... well, you sort of are.

Not only is the location something that makes the Bermuda cruise port unique, but so is the fact that many calls here are rare overnight calls, and some crui

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Seattle Cruise Port Guide: Parking, Piers & Best Hotels for Cruisers departure ports Sep 10, 2025

The Seattle cruise port, officially the Port of Seattle, is known most as the launching pad for popular Alaskan cruises, although it sometimes also serves as homeport to more exotic itineraries, like Transpacific sailings to Japan and Hawaiian sailings.

Regardless of your itinerary or destination, though, consider yourself lucky if you're taking a cruise from Seattle, because this port has a lot to offer.

Situated off the northwest coast of Washington State along the edge of

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St. John’s, Antigua Cruise Port: Best Beaches & Things to Do caribbean Aug 23, 2025

About the St. John’s, Antigua Cruise Port

The St. John’s, Antigua cruise port is a small Caribbean port with a lot of local charm. This isn’t one of those huge, new, commercialized cruise ports, but rather a smaller one that is surrounded by local authenticity.

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth country comprised of several islands, the two biggest being Antigua and Barbuda. The port is located on the island of Antigua, and the official language is English, al

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Kralendijk, Bonaire Cruise Port Guide: Top Tips & Things to Do caribbean Aug 23, 2025

Overview of Bonaire Cruise Port

Tucked away in the southern Caribbean, the Bonaire cruise port is often overlooked on cruise itineraries, which can make it difficult for cruisers to complete the “ABC” islands cruise. Many routes include Aruba and Curaçao but skip over this quieter sister island, which is unfortunate since there's so much to do for cruisers in Bonaire.

The Bonaire cruise port is an absolute gem, offering some of the most amazing snorkeling I’ve ever experienced,

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Ft. Lauderdale Port Guide departure ports hotels united states Aug 06, 2025

What You Need to Know about Port Everglades

The cruise port in Fort Lauderdale is officially named “Port Everglades,” and it technically straddles not just Fort Lauderdale but also Hollywood and Dania Beach. It’s only about 29 miles from Port Miami, and while small comparatively, Port Everglades accommodates nearly 3 million cruise passengers annually.

There are eight terminals at Port Everglades, and they are numbered: Terminals 2, 4, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29. Cruisers can determine their d...

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How to Choose a Cruise Cabin: My Unexpected Balcony Fail advice Jul 26, 2025

When I booked my suite on Carnival Mardi Gras, I thought I'd hit the jackpot, especially since it was a free casino comp cruise. But let's just say this "upgrade" turned into a masterclass in what NOT to do when selecting a cruise cabin.

Instead of just venting about my experience (though trust me, there will be some of that), I'm turning this into your ultimate guide for choosing the perfect cruise stateroom. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser who's become accustomed to interio...

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Taormina, Sicily Cruise Port Guide europe Jul 21, 2025

Taormina: Top Attractions & Tips

On my Mediterranean cruise aboard Holland America Line’s MS Oosterdam, we visited many wonderful destinations, but Taormina stood out as one of the most beautiful. In fact, of the hundreds of cruise ports I’ve visited, Taormina is easily one of my top favorites.

While most cruise lines label this stop simply as “Sicily,” it’s worth knowing that multiple terminals serve this region, including Taormina, Messina, and others. Be sure to to check your specific itine...

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Valletta, Malta Cruise Port Guide europe Jul 21, 2025

Malta: A Mediterranean Masterpiece

Some ports leave you rushing back to the ship. Valletta is not one of them. On a recent Holland America Line voyage aboard Oosterdam, my itinerary included an overnight call here. That single scheduling choice transformed my experience.

While I obviously love cruising, I'm sometimes frustrated by the rush of trying to explore a new city within a limited call, so in this case, with nearly two full days in port, I could explore Malta’s capital without the usual...

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St. Thomas Cruise Guide: Beaches, Ports & Excursions caribbean united states Jul 16, 2025

St. Thomas Cruise Guide: Top Sights, Beaches, and Tips for Your Port Day

Taking a cruise to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands? Consider yourself lucky. Of all the ports I've visited (and there are many of them), this one is a fave.

St. Thomas is one of three islands, the others being St. Croix and St. John, that comprise this United States territory, and it’s a popular cruise destination serviced by most of the major cruise lines.

Charlotte Amalie cruise port has two docks, Havensight

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Honest Celebrity Cruises Review: Pros & Cons advice Jul 16, 2025

Honest Celebrity Cruises Review: Pros & Cons

Celebrity Cruises has built a reputation for modern ships, elevated dining, and a more refined onboard experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right cruise line for everyone. If you’re considering a Celebrity sailing, it’s important to weigh both the advantages and potential drawbacks.

After a years-long hiatus, I returned to Celebrity Cruises for a Bahamas sailing on Celebrity Silhouette with fresh eyes and a long list of comparisons from other ...

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Best Ways to Handle Luggage with Cruise Disembarkation advice Jul 15, 2025

Mastering Cruise Disembarkation – Tips for a Stress‑Free End to Your Journey

If you’re taking a cruise and you’re curious about the process of disembarkation, and how to get your luggage off the cruise ship, then you’re in the right place.

Unlike embarkation, which involves getting on the ship, disembarkation is the process of exiting the ship. And unlike disembarking the ship on port days, this is when you will exit it for good at the end of your cruise.

When you prepare to disembark a ship,...

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Costa Maya Cruise Port Guide: What to Do in Mahahual caribbean mexico Jun 29, 2025

Explore the Costa Maya Cruise Port: Top Things to Do in Mahahual

While Cozumel is the most well-known figure among Mexican cruise ports, Costa Maya is another gem.

Like Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico is situated on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and is a popular stop for many Western Caribbean cruises.

It services most of the major cruise lines and can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously.

The pier is long, but a shuttle is availab...

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Nassau Port Guide: Beaches, Taxis & Safety Tips bahamas caribbean Jun 29, 2025

A Complete Guide to Exploring the Nassau, Bahamas Cruise Port

Almost every seasoned cruiser has sailed at least once to Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas, as it’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, capable of accommodating up to seven ships at a time.

It's also one of those cruise ports that invites controversy.

Related: Download the Nassau Port Map

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