pbmsmile Posted November 8, 2011 Author #51 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I would have to say Miami, I'm just 30 minutes from the port. You are lucky to be so close to sooo many different cruises.. I would ALWAYS be on a last minute cruise :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeofthedogs Posted November 8, 2011 #52 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Miami, both arriving and departing, with four or five other ships in a sail away that looks like a cruise ship parade. Caught this image off of the Crystal Symphony bridge cam as she was heading towards her dock after a quick spin in the turning basin. WOW, what a beautiful picture! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeofthedogs Posted November 8, 2011 #53 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I really don't have a favorite, but Jacksonville was the easiest. Port Canaveral and Miami had several other ships in port so was neat seeing them. Tampa was nice to see the aquarium from the ship. Charleston was the worst, only because it seemed very dissorganized and took forever to get onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bram59 Posted November 8, 2011 #54 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Barring the convenience of leaving from home port or economics. The first half and hour of the cruise, parading by the side of the statue of Liberty, under historic bridges and the skycrappers in New York, so far..........is the best. It is an added bonus to your vacation. Give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will773 Posted November 8, 2011 #55 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I've found Fort Lauderdale to be extremely easy and passenger friendly. Easy to get to, easy to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinpsychRN Posted November 8, 2011 #56 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I get so lost going to Port Canaveral. I miss the turn and end up in BFE. I like Tampa's port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamirpr Posted November 8, 2011 #57 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I like Port Canaveral. Gone out from there twice. Oddly, the TSA folks always seemed super grumpy but once you got in the main check-in area all those senior citizens that work there showing you which line to go to were some of the happiest cheeriest folks I ever seen. Ain't that the truth? Those people are so wonderful and cheerful and happy. Last weekend there was an older lady at the top of the escalator with a pom pom hollering, "You're going on a cruise! Woo hoo! This way for fun!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samzgirl84 Posted November 8, 2011 #58 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I have 2 favorite ports! My daughter and s-i-l live on Long Island so if we sail out of NY harbor, we get to see them and have a visit pre-cruise and post-cruise. I love sailing past Lady Liberty and Ellis Island and all the skyscrapers. So much to see! My other favorite is Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. We always stay at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites where we get a King suite room for all of us. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a kitchen and a living room in between. There are lot of stores within walking distance and the hotel has a complimentary shuttle that picks you up from the airport and takes you to the cruise port and will drive you to the mall or restaurants at no charge! They have a great full breakfast in the mornings, too! It is a great place to start and end your vacation! We'll be in Fort Lauderdale getting ready to go on our 5th cruise in 23 days!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve819 Posted November 8, 2011 #59 Share Posted November 8, 2011 In order of preference: 1. New Orleans - Awsome trip down the Mississippi river, and hey it is historic New Orleans. 2. Tampa - Again, a pretty trip out to sea with the Skyway bridge, great pre-cruise hotels Channelside area and Ybor City, lots to do. 3. NYC - Who can beat going down the Hudson river past Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Close to home, a 3 hour train ride to the port for us. 4. Miami - Great pre-cruise places to stay and party. Well organized passenger handling. Fun sailing down the channel blowing the ships whistle (horn). 5. Ft Lauderdale - Best range of hotels, airport 5 minutes away, converted industrial port seems disorganized at times. Next up - Galveston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfish Posted November 8, 2011 #60 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Boston simply because it close. Agree. kind of nice to wake up in the morning and know that within a few hours we will be on board the ship. That being said it would be nice to live near a Florida port and have such a variety of ships and itineries available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdstrom Posted November 8, 2011 #61 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Fort Lauderdale. Nothing beats having airport within a walking distance. I know we can't walk, but hey, it's that close! But the port area definitely needs improvement (less industrial and more cruisy touristy look like Tampa). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzinlisa Posted November 8, 2011 #62 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I have only been out of Miami so by default it wins. I like that there are so many cruise choices out of Miami that it can't be beat. And honestly from the Midwest it seems that airfare to Miami is as cheap or cheaper than anywhere else (including Fort Lauderdale which is usually only a $10-20 pp difference if that). This cruise we are going out of NOLA and we are driving. So that might become my favorite. I was excited to see the Conquest go (back) to NOLA, because I don't want to do that long of a drive for any less than a 7 day trip and I like the newer(ish) ships so it was the perfect chance to try to road trip it to port. I love a good road trip and driving along the mississippi (well kind of) sounds like an easy drive. I have been as far as Mississippi and thats an easy drive so how bad can it be right. However, we will have our dd who will be 15 months so I may come back with no hair, but we will see.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbmsmile Posted March 16, 2014 Author #63 Share Posted March 16, 2014 My last few cruises have been out of Miami..which I don't mind except for the crazy cost to fly in!! I have tried flying into Orlando and driving but that just adds 4 hrs each way. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocs1985 Posted March 16, 2014 #64 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Jacksonville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammiebolling Posted March 16, 2014 #65 Share Posted March 16, 2014 New Orleans Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwestgal Posted March 16, 2014 #66 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Fort Lauerdale is my favorite...everything is so close together and cheaper hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandjj Posted March 16, 2014 #67 Share Posted March 16, 2014 I have only been out of Miami so by default it wins. I like that there are so many cruise choices out of Miami that it can't be beat. And honestly from the Midwest it seems that airfare to Miami is as cheap or cheaper than anywhere else (including Fort Lauderdale which is usually only a $10-20 pp difference if that). This cruise we are going out of NOLA and we are driving. So that might become my favorite. I was excited to see the Conquest go (back) to NOLA, because I don't want to do that long of a drive for any less than a 7 day trip and I like the newer(ish) ships so it was the perfect chance to try to road trip it to port. I love a good road trip and driving along the mississippi (well kind of) sounds like an easy drive. I have been as far as Mississippi and thats an easy drive so how bad can it be right. However, we will have our dd who will be 15 months so I may come back with no hair, but we will see.:eek: We drove to NOLA to go on the Conquest in 2005. I can't remember how long it took us to get there but it would have been cheaper to fly. The roads are so bouncy up and down it cause a brake line in our van to snap. At least we were on the way home. We are cruising on Glory next month. I do like both Miami and Ft Lauderdale. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2C Posted March 16, 2014 #68 Share Posted March 16, 2014 We love Ft. Lauderdale. Doesn't matter what hotel but last time we stayed at the Marriott Spring Hill Suites which was fantastic. Close to everything and big rooms with free continental breakfast. We fly down and rent a car. The Car rental facility is great and fast. There is a lot to do in Ft. Lauderdale including spending an entire day at Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall. That place is HUGE! Then the next day when its time to cruise we drop the car off at the rental facility and they have a free shuttle to the port. Its great! Baltimore because we live in Maryland. Favorite ever for fun, actually in the terminal while waiting to board, was Galveston, Texas, they were great with songs and games. Favorite ever for ease was Tampa, twice, they are really smooth there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerin Posted March 16, 2014 #69 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Barbados and Venice, though neither of those were on a Carnival ship. We've only cruised Carnival out of Long Beach...which is...fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
going2cruz Posted March 16, 2014 #70 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hands down TAMPA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmowan8485 Posted March 16, 2014 #71 Share Posted March 16, 2014 New York City... Living 25 minutes from a port is great without the extra hassle of flying and the extra expense of hotels....... Have sailed out of Miami & Boston also... :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YB Nrml Posted March 16, 2014 #72 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Which ever port my next cruise is leaving from is my favorite. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyPC Posted March 16, 2014 #73 Share Posted March 16, 2014 We enjoy leaving from Puerto Rico - love to do Food Tours there w/Flavors of San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aplmac Posted March 16, 2014 #74 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Bridgetown, Barbados * because the ship just 10 mins. across the town from my house * because no more than about 40 cabins board each Wednesday * because my cabin is always ready as soon as I get on board ship around 11:30 * because there's No Flying/No Airports involved! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
092306 Posted March 16, 2014 #75 Share Posted March 16, 2014 For convenience we love sailing out of NYC, but Miami sail aways are our favorite. Great weather (usually), scenery and vibe. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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