Nothing beats the experience of going on a cruise—the excitement of going from port to port, taking in the sights, and grabbing souvenir trinkets along the way. That said, many ports are ridiculously overcrowded, particularly in peak season. Some travelers may opt to go during off-peak times. However, these ports are so cool that people guarantee that even with the crowds, you’ll have a blast. Have you been?
1. Port of Helsinki
Helsinki is a bustling port that attracts many cruise ship passengers. In fact, it welcomed over eight million passengers in 2022. It’s not just a hub for passengers, though, as hundreds of cargoes are also processed here. Being a major player in the world of cruise ports, this place will likely see even more increase in passenger numbers, so better plan and research ahead of time in case you’re passing by.
2. Port Canaveral
Boasting over four million passengers in 2022, Port Canaveral is the busiest cruise port in the world. If you want to embark on an open-seas adventure as an American, you will most likely embark from Florida. All of the big players in the cruise world are involved in Port Canaveral, including Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Norweigan.
3. Port of Miami
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Miami’s reputation as the party capital of the United States catapults them to second place on this list, thanks to over four million passengers traveling through their port in 2022. I can’t think of a better way to kickstart an unforgettable vacation than living it up in South Beach for a few nights and then boarding a gigantic cruise ship for the rest of the week. Can you?
4. Port Everglades
By now, you’ve undoubtedly realized that Florida is countless cruise companies’ de facto home base! In 2022, 55 cruise ships called Florida home due to the state’s proximity to vacation destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Europe. Port Everglades boasted over 3.8 million passengers in 2022. Think about it: between the ports of Canaveral, Miami, and Everglades, nearly 12 million people embark on cruises yearly.
5. Port of Cozumel
If you’ve ever visited Mexico’s Riviera Maya, chances are you’ve arrived and departed from the Port of Cozumel. The port is Mexico’s busiest by a large margin, greeting over 3.6 million guests annually. Located on the Mexican Gulf Coast, traveling to the Port of Cozumel means one thing for countless cruisegoers: plenty of tequila drinking is about to transpire.
6. Port of Nassau
The Bahamas is one of Earth’s most naturally beautiful places and one of the most popular cruise destinations. Boasting over 3.5 million passengers annually, the Port of Nassau is the gateway to the Bahamas. Whether visiting the legendary Atlantis resort or just stopping by for a few hours to get some much-needed time off your cruise ship, odds are your gorgeous surroundings will blow you away.
7. Port of Shanghai
As the most populous nation in the world, it isn’t surprising that China is home to one of the busiest cruise ports. The Port of Shanghai welcomes a little less than three million passengers annually, but it also boasts another recognition: it is one of the busiest cargo ports. Between vacationers and cargo, visitors to this port are routinely blown away by the larger-than-life sizes of the ships docked there.
8. Port of Barcelona
Serving over 2.7 million passengers annually, the Port of Barcelona is Spain’s tourism crown jewel. Forget about the massive cruise ships frequently coming and going; there is so much more to the Port of Barcelona than just cruising. The port is an entertainment hub for most of Spain; from its IMAX movie theaters, malls, and Europe’s largest aquarium, embarking on a cruise from Barcelona is an adventure. It’s why most people embark out of Barcelona when exploring the Mediterranean; I don’t blame them!
9. Ports of Out Islands
When a country enjoys as much tourism as the Bahamas, common sense says you need more than one port to accommodate that many passengers. While the Ports of Out Islands don’t welcome as many people as Nassau, the raw numbers are nevertheless impressive. In 2022, over 2.5 million passengers arrived in the Bahamas via the Out Islands. While most of the islands are uninhabited, Nassau is a quick ferry, boat, or plane ride away.
10. Port of Galveston
Florida isn’t the only American state that has a bustling cruise port: Port of Galveston, in Texas, welcomes over 2.2 million passengers per year. While most cruises are relatively short affairs that link Texas to the Riviera Maya (and disembark at the Port of Cozumel), that doesn’t mean the cruises are any less exciting. For countless Texans, any trip to Mexico means unforgettable memories are about to be made.
11. Port of Civitavecchia
Located in Rome, Italy, the Port of Civitavecchia sees over 2.2 million passengers annually. The port is incredibly popular with European cruise lovers due to its proximity to places like Spain and France. If you want to experience the best European cruises, you’ll most likely be leaving from the Port of Civitavecchia. Trust me: There’s nothing like experiencing Europe via a luxurious cruise ship!
Cascading Paradise: 10 Magical Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In
Summer is that time of year when many outdoor enthusiasts travel outdoors to find a refreshing place to take a dip after a long hike. Yes, you could jump into a chlorinated pool; however, there’s nothing like jumping into a swimming hall surrounding an abundance of natural beauty. Read below as we discover 10 magical waterfalls you can actually swim in.
Cascading Paradise: 10 Magical Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In
Boomers Living The Dream: Visit These 11 Must-See Destinations Retirees Can’t Get Enough Of
Carving out a comfortable retirement can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort for those who want to make the most of their golden years. The freedom of being able to hop on a plane or take a road trip whenever and wherever you please is an enticing prospect for retirees to look forward to, even if it means having to save up for a while. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach getaway, an active outdoor adventure in the mountains, or a bustling city to explore, these 11 must-see destinations will make your retirement dreams come true.
Boomers Living The Dream: Visit These 11 Must-See Destinations Retirees Can’t Get Enough Of
All Aboard: 10 of the Most Beautiful Train Stations Around the World
Whether modern or contemporary, the architecture of some train stations in the world simply can’t be matched. From their dome-like structures to stained glass windows, the most gorgeous train stations were designed to make a lasting impression amongst visitors. Join us as we discover 10 of the most beautiful train stations around the world.
All Aboard: 10 of the Most Beautiful Train Stations Around the World
Tech Troubles: 8 Challenges Boomers Face in Adapting to Modern Gadgets
For most of us, technology is just part of life and although we’re constantly using new things, learning how to use them isn’t a foreign concept to us. Even things that are brand new or haven’t always been around – we know that they can help us and make our lives easier so we’re at least willing to try them out! Well, it’s a common trend for baby boomers to do the exact opposite. Many people don’t like technology – they find it scary – so they don’t make an effort to try new things. And they don’t even know about what they’re missing out on! We think that there are loads of pieces of technology, some everyday things too, that boomers could use that would make their lives a whole lot easier.
Tech Troubles: 8 Challenges Boomers Face in Adapting to Modern Gadgets
11 Cool Things A Traveler Can Do When Visiting A New Destination
Whenever I visit a new country, I somewhat see it as a fresh painting, alive with vibrant colors, textures, and narratives yet to be discovered. Each nation has a unique set of activities to do and things to buy and believe me, there’s nothing quite like these rituals travelers in an online forum recommended for each new country you visit.
11 Cool Things A Traveler Can Do When Visiting A New Destination