Fort Canaveral, Florida, USA
Fort Canaveral is a gateway to Florida cruises, hosting nearly five million cruises each year at its well-equipped terminals. Cruise guests enjoy convenient access, ample parking facilities, and efficient arrivals and departures.
Five global cruise companies choose Port Canaveral for the home port of some of their largest and most popular ships, sailing three-, four- and seven-night routes from the port. In addition, many ships stop for one day to allow guests to explore one of Orlando’s famous theme parks, visit the nearby NASA Canadian Space Center, or relax on the unspoiled and unspoilt Jetty Park Beach. For ships in North America, cruise partners can ensure that they minimize their environmental impact when they call.
Cagliari, Italy
A coastline adorned with ancient granites, fragrant gum and golden things surrounds Sardinia, the oldest island in the Mediterranean. Cagliari’s cruise port is the gateway to its wild south. Its location in the center of the western Mediterranean is ideal for route planners, as are its large wharves capable of safely accommodating the newest large ships. The modern transport network allows visitors to access a wide range of local activities that offer both relaxation and thrills. Passengers can leave the ship and take a walk in the heart of the city to discover its ancient streets and panoramic terraces, as well as the largest urban beach in Europe, the Poito.
Zadar, Croatia
Located in the center of the Croatian Adriatic coast, Zadar is a vibrant historic town with Roman ruins and medieval churches and fortifications, all intertwined with a variety of cafes, wine bars and restaurants offering Mediterranean gastronomic experiences. The surrounding Dalmatia region, meanwhile, offers a variety of both relaxing and exciting activities.
Zadar’s new cruise port terminal opened in April 2019 and is an ideal Adriatic port for cruise operations in transit and turnaround for ships of all sizes. The first Croatian port to win the Port of the Year award, it has a two-story terminal building, offering various services to visitors, passengers and staff.
Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna offers many attractions for cruise guests, including a total of eight monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The port is surrounded by swampy areas on the Romanian Riviera and offers the famous cuisine of the Emilia Romagna region. As well as the city of Venice, which is its alternative port, the variety of trips makes what is known as the City of Mosaics attractive to both travelers and tour planners, who can easily include it on their itineraries to the Upper Adriatic alongside cruises to Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.
Trento, Italy
A city of ancient Spartan origin, Trento boasts a thousand-year-old port that was only recently opened to the public. Now, visitors can sail to Trento to discover its Greek roots, admire the mermaids sitting on its rocks, the beaches of Salento, the white trolley of Alberobello and the stones of Matera. Trento is currently at the center of many growth projects, which also include the port and the local area dedicated to boating tourism. Trento’s docks can safely accommodate the largest ships in the industry, and work for Palanto’s new cruise terminal, a futuristic structure created to support intense and turning traffic, is almost complete.
Istanbul, Turkey
Ready to welcome guests in 2021, Glatport Istanbul is a $ 1.7 billion project that will revive and redefine Istanbul’s historic port as a destination for an exciting lifestyle stretching about a mile of coastline right next to the Bosphorus Strait. Glattport Istanbul is home to modern sailing facilities, including the world’s first underground sailing terminal with a special opening system. This created a temporary customs zone that turns Istanbul’s historic port into a unique promenade, giving access to an area that has been closed to the public for almost 200 years.
Glatport Istanbul founder Erkunt Öner will truly be missed as a leader and innovator in the cruise industry after his recent death. He tirelessly promoted sailing in the home port of Istanbul and was not only a visionary in the sailing industry but also a key figure in promoting sailing for the Turkish people.
Catania, Sicily
The fresh scent of citrus fruits, the pleasant weather of southern Italy, markets full of people – all this and more can be found in Catania on the southeast coast of Sicily. When arriving on a cruise ship, passengers can admire Catania’s large cruise port on the city’s waterline, which is framed by the impressive figure of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Eurasia. On its slopes, guests can experience a variety of hikes, from extreme hikes to dining and wine or skiing.
Catania, which is capable of accommodating both transit operations and turnaround, boasts an important tourist port, making it particularly suitable for pre- and post-cruise packages. Moreover, its location is very close to Valletta, Malta, making it suitable to be included in the eastern and western hiking routes of the Mediterranean.
San Diego, California, USA
The Port of San Diego is a destination where cruise guests can relax in a relaxed atmosphere and experience the friendliness of its residents and the hospitality of its businesses. A variety of dining and shopping options are offered. Visitors can watch the sunset as they enjoy a San Diego Symphony at the new Rady Shell in Jacobs Park, or choose from four different restaurants on the Portside Pier. Meanwhile, The Seaport Village offers visitors a classic craft beer or cocktails and everything from freshly caught seafood to burgers, along with live music.
Antigua and Barbuda
Home to 365 beaches and delightful experiences for those visiting its beaches, Antigua and Barbuda is a popular favorite with cruise guests.
Antigua Cruise Port offers cruise partners port management services that include docking, delivery, logistics, maintenance support and more in one of the most coveted locations in the world. Its breeding facility is carefully maintained, ensuring passengers an unforgettable and unique experience.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a world-class cruise destination that offers international connectivity, first-class facilities, impeccable hospitality, unique experiences and much more. The port is constantly developing innovative excursion ideas that cover a diverse selection of places where travelers can discover and rediscover different aspects of the city once the border reopens. While ensuring a fun experience for cruise passengers, the port also invests on all fronts to support its trading partners in the development of the cruise industry in the area.
Harwitz, UK
Harwitz, a historic seaport, has many associations with famous figures. These include English Navy and Diary Director Samuel Papis and Christopher Jones, the Mayflower artist, who sailed for America in 1620 with some of the first pilgrims.
The port is an easy and convenient gateway to the south east of England, and to the many visitor destinations offered. Located nearby, London and Cambridge provide a variety of attractions including theaters, shopping and river walks, while the eastern coastal counties of Suffolk and Norfolk offer picturesque countryside views.
This article was first published in the Fall / Winter 2021 issue of Cruise and ferry review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may have changed since then.
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