8 Cruise Ports You Can Easily Drive to for Your Cruise

Royal Caribbean has a wonderful new cruise facility in Galveston, Texas.

Airline travel can be expensive and frustrating. But there are a number of great alternatives for people who want to enjoy a cruise but absolutely dread the hassle and cost of getting to the cruise ship by plane.

If you live close enough to easily drive to your cruise port, you can save a bundle on airfare and hotels. These normally can take a big bite out of a travel budget.

Envision yourself easing into a cruise vacation without having to endure the airports crowds and possible delays when flying to your embarkation city. When you drive to your cruise port you won’t have to worry about getting to and from the airport, parking, early arrival, TSA screening lines, flight delays (or cancellations) and pricey hotel stays.

When you drive to a port for your cruise, you can simply hop into your own vehicle and be aboard your ship within a few hours. No airport security, no waiting for your luggage (or lost items) or hefty costs of flying.

You realize that the less you spend to get to your ship, the more you'll have in your pocket to fully enjoy your cruise. Plus, you can probably afford to take more cruises, more often when you live close to these ports. Here are our eight best U.S. cruise ports that you can drive to for your cruise.

1. Baltimore

Baltimore Cruise Terminal is designed for the “drive-to” cruiser. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offer itineraries out of Baltimore Cruise Port, a facility that features a vast amount of parking and is located within an hour of Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

The voyages sail out of the city to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada/New England. It's a gorgeous sail away as your ship makes its way along the Chesapeake Bay and past lighthouses, forts and beautiful bridges.

2. Boston

Out-of-towners would be well served to spend an extra day or two before or after their cruise. Boston is a spectacular city filled with great history, culture, food, sports and museums that you won't want to miss.

Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal (also known as CruisePort) serves more than 500,000 passengers a year and offers cruise itineraries from April to November, with roundtrips to Bermuda and leaf-peeping cruises to Canada/New England, as well as long voyages to the Caribbean and Europe. Ships from Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean and Seabourn call Boston's CruisePort home.

3. Charleston, South Carolina

The city is less than a five-hour drive from Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida. Charleston owns a rich history, and South Carolina’s largest city if full of charms. Visitors delight in indulging in Southern Low-Country cooking and exploring the cobblestone streets to explore the pastel-colored pre-Civil War homes. Try a horse-carriage ride for a special romantic outing. This city offers a range of historic sites (Fort Sumter), plantations, parks and museums.

Carnival Cruise Line places ships in Charleston (Carnival Sunshine as of 2023) that sail itineraries in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda.

4. Galveston, Texas

Just an hour from Houston and less than four hours from San Antonio, voyages from Port of Galveston take you through the Gulf of Mexico and southward to the Caribbean. Expect your ship to filled with plenty of cruisers from the Lone Star state, as well as neighboring states Louisiana and Arkansas.

Galveston is a fun island city with much to enjoy. Check out the Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park, which is filled with restaurants, shops, rides and other entertainment and amusement.

Port of Galveston is the homeport for ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line. You can find cruise itineraries all year long to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

5. Mobile, Alabama

Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal is situated in the heart of downtown on scenic Mobile Bay, so you’re close to eateries and attractions such as the Battleship Alabama, History Museum of Mobile and bustling Dauphin Street. The facility features a convenient 500-space attached parking structure.

Mobile is the home port to Carnival Spirit, which offers mostly four- to six-day cruises to Mexico and the Western Caribbean, visiting destinations like Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras), Progreso and Cozumel.

6. New Orleans

The Big Easy offers a great gateway to fun, via the vibrant French Quarter and its jazz music, dancing, food and festivals, as well as through its cruise port.

The Port of New Orleans is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to the French Quarter, downtown and popular museums and gardens. The port has parking facilities at each of the terminals, with the cost to park just over $20 a day.

Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line offer ocean cruises from New Orleans to the Bahamas and Caribbean. This is also an embarkation point for Mississippi River cruises with American Queen Steamboat Company, Viking and American Cruise Line.

This can be your view when you sail past the Statue of Liberty on a cruise from New York City.

7. New York City/New Jersey

Cruisers have three options for sailing out of the Big Apple and along the scenic Hudson River past a majestic skyline that is filled with bridges, skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.

New York is home to millions of people — with millions more in the immediate region within an easy drive. Visitors enjoy limitless choices of sightseeing, dining and entertainment. Plan to stay a few extra days to explore the city properly.

Visit Central Park, catch a Broadway show, check out the Museum of Modern Art and take a boat ride out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Manhattan Cruise Terminal at Pier 88 and Pier 90 on the Hudson River welcomes ships year-round from Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and others. Sailings go all over the world, with transatlantic crossing to Europe, voyages to Canada/New England, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, in Red Hook close to Governor's Island, is home to Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Princess ships. And Cape Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, N.J., is at the footsteps of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. You can sail on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises' ships. New York City is a special destination that owns a special aura and energy, and the best part of sailing from these cruise ports are evening departures that take you up the river and past the shimmering Lady Liberty and the iconic city skyline.

8. Tampa, Florida

Port Tampa Bay offers a nice small-town feel. It’s easy to get around, with hotels and restaurants conveniently located close to your ship. You’ll drive to the city to join your cruise, and you'll likely want to stay an extra day to enjoy the activities and attractions. Perhaps you'll want to explore Busch Gardens or grab a meal in the historic quarter of Ybor City.

Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line offer cruises from Tampa to itineraries all over the Caribbean. There is plenty of affordable parking at surface lots and in garages close to the port.

Thanks for reading,
JR