| Cruise ports of call from close to home are what | | | | the beautiful streets and estates like Boone Hall or |
| cruise passengers are choosing on a more | | | | Magnolia plantation. If you have time go out to |
| frequent basis. It has been a steadily increasing | | | | Fort Sumter National Monument for an interesting |
| trend according to CLIA, the cruise lines official | | | | tour of a Civil War memorial. |
| organization. Cruise ports of call close to home | | | | In the fall of 2006 the port in Norfolk, Virginia will |
| gives the cruise passenger many more choices | | | | offer several cruise lines for the cruise traveler to |
| and eliminates the hassle of heightened airport | | | | choose from. Norfolk is loaded with all things to do |
| security. | | | | with the Navy. If you take a stroll down |
| Cruise lines have caught on to this trend of cruise | | | | Cannonball Trail, you willview in depth the history |
| passengers using cruise ports of call close to | | | | of Norfolk's history. The cruise lines offer the |
| home and are positioning their ships up and down | | | | cruise passenger itineraries to Bermuda, the |
| the East Coast, the West Coast and the Gulf of | | | | Bahamas and the Caribbean. |
| Mexico. This allows cruise passengers the option | | | | Now, further north to Baltimore, Maryland's Inner |
| of traveling to their cruise port of call by car, train | | | | Harbor. They have a dedicated cruise terminal for |
| or bus. It will also save you some money since | | | | any cruise passenger that lives around this area. |
| you will not be buying expensive airline tickets. | | | | The beauty of the Chesapeake Bay is renowned, |
| With the money saved on airline tickets it allows | | | | and some of the most delicious seafood can be |
| the cruise traveler the choice of picking a pricier | | | | found in this port. Don't miss the aquarium with |
| cabin, a more luxurious cruise line, or more cash | | | | over 10,000 sharks, stingrays, dolphins and tropical |
| to spend at their destinations. | | | | fish. |
| Following are description of the various cruise | | | | Just up the road is the Philadelphia Port for cruise |
| ports of call that are now offered to the cruise | | | | travelers. Currently there are two cruise lines |
| passenger on the East Coast. We will start in | | | | offering cruise passengers trips to Bermuda. |
| Florida since that is by far the most popular port | | | | Philadelphia is where the Constitution was signed |
| of embarkation for the cruise traveler. | | | | so don't miss Independence Hall and, of course, |
| Miami is the busiest of all ports on the Eastern | | | | the Liberty Bell. South Street has lots of funky |
| Seaboard. Miami is a world class attraction offering | | | | shops and cafes. There is the 9th street market |
| incredible beaches, the Art Deco section of Miami | | | | which is always very colorful. And don't leave on |
| Beach, a widely diverse culture and marvelous | | | | your cruise until you have had a cheese steak |
| food. Having left this port on numerous occasions, | | | | and an Italian hoagie. |
| it is one of the most efficiently run ports. | | | | We are still going north, this time to Bayonne, |
| Next is Fort Lauderdale which many cruise | | | | New Jersey to Bayonne Cape Liberty Cruise Port. |
| travelers choose as a departure port. It has miles | | | | This is the newest cruise terminal and is good |
| of beautiful beaches, the trendy Los Olas district, | | | | choice if you do not want the hassle of New |
| and many chic restaurants. On Saturdays and | | | | York. Bayonne used to be the home of oil |
| Sundays there can be more that eight cruise | | | | refineries but now it is the place for Port of |
| ships departing Port Everglades. If you have time | | | | Bayonne cruises. There is only one cruise line |
| before your cruise adventure, go out to the | | | | departing from this port but in a way that is a |
| Everglades and take an airboat tour over this | | | | good thing, since there will be less congestion. And |
| spectacular nature preserve. | | | | it is only 7 miles from New York and three miles |
| Up the coast is Port Canaveral. It is called the | | | | from Newark. You will see stunning views of Lady |
| Space Coast and has many attractions including all | | | | Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. |
| of Orlando's theme parks. If you can, visit the | | | | Cross the George Washington Bridge and you are |
| fascinating Space center along with the Astronaut | | | | in lower Manhattan. There are a couple of cruise |
| Hall of Fame. This port does not have as many | | | | lines offering cruises from this port including the |
| cruise lines as the previous ports but it is a viable | | | | Queen Mary II. You can do a Broadway show, |
| option for people all over Florida and adjacent | | | | visit some of the excellent museums or visit the |
| states who wish to take a Port of Canaveral | | | | Empire State Building. Nothing is as dazzling as |
| cruise. | | | | sailing our out of this port past Lady Liberty. |
| Further north is the Port of Jacksonville. They only | | | | Our last stop is Boston, Massachusett's Black |
| offer one cruise ship but is very convenient for | | | | Fountain Cruise Terminal located in the industrial |
| anyone living in that area. They have a very mild | | | | center. Cruise travelers are offered cruises to |
| climate so all sports are available. There is also | | | | New England and Canada. Luckily downtown |
| Gardens and the Crummer Museum. | | | | Boston is only a few miles away. This city is so |
| Across the state of Florida is the Port of Tampa. | | | | rich in history. Take a tour on the Freedom Trail |
| There are many attractions here, too, including | | | | to see many of the important historical sites. |
| Ybor City, the cigar capital of the world, Busch | | | | Don't miss Faneuil Hall Marketplace and do a little |
| Gardens and towards the center of the state | | | | pub hopping, Bostonians favorite pastime. |
| Cypress Gardens. Having revamped its terminal to | | | | Well, now you can choose your cruise from a |
| the tune of $6.5 million dollars it has more than | | | | close to home port, and this is only the East |
| doubled its size. The Port of Tampa cruises are | | | | Coast. Next we'll explore the Gulf of Mexico. |
| centrally located on the West coast of Florida | | | | Happy Cruising! |
| Let's keep going up the East Coast to Charleston, | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights |
| South Carolina. There are two cruise lines in the | | | | Reserved. |
| Port of Charleston that take cruise passengers to | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your |
| Bermuda or the Caribbean. Nothing can beat the | | | | website and in your ezines, as long as this entire |
| Southern charm and flavor of the city of | | | | article, copyright notice, links and the resource |
| Charleston located conveniently close to tour for | | | | box are unchanged. |
| you, prior to your Port of Charleston cruise. Tour | | | | |