More Home Ports, More Cruise Opportunities
Cruise lines are responding to travelers’ interest in affordable vacations by introducing more home port cruises. Home port cruises are shorter cruises that depart from ports within driving distance for travelers who live within a few hours of the East, West or Gulf Coast. More than 20 cruise ship ports are dotted along the U.S. coastline. Miami and Los Angeles are long-time cruise ports, but cruise ships also depart from cities like Baltimore, Charleston, Norfolk, Mobile, Galveston, San Diego and Seattle. Some home ports operate seasonally, but many are open year-round. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of Baltimore recently launched the city’s first year-round cruise schedule. The Carnival Pride sails to the eastern Caribbean roundtrip from Baltimore. The number of cruises and ships available out of home ports continues to grow. Celebrity Cruises recently announced plans to sail seven-night voyages from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), N.J., starting in 2010.
Many home port cruises are of shorter duration – a week or less – which suits the budgets of more travelers. In addition, cruise passengers who can drive to their port of embarkation save on air travel and hotel costs. That leaves more of the vacation budget to enjoy spa services on the ship, take shore excursions and shop for souvenirs.
Home port cruises have traditionally been sailed by older ships that offer a great cruise experience, but may not have all the features and amenities of the newest ships. That is changing, as cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are positioning some of their newer, larger ships for home port cruises. Royal Caribbean is now offering a series of four- and five-night Mexican Riviera cruises on the Radiance of the Seas, which usually sails cruises of seven nights or longer.
For the latest information on cruises scheduled to depart from the home port nearest you, talk with your personal cruise expert at Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo.
Carrie Finley-Bajak | CruiseBuzz
President, Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo
Accredited Cruise Counselor
phone 949-215-6700 or 888-203-3012| fax 949-215-6398| www.cruisebuzz.net
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