Introducing Tampa

The city of Tampa is located on the western coast of Florida, around 50 miles southwest of Orlando.

Tampa has its beginnings as the small outpost of Fort Brooke, established by the United States Army in 1824 on the coastline of Tampa bay to help protect the important harbor. Tampa remained a small and remote post until 1884 when the railroad businessman Henry B Plant determined to construct a railroad extension which ran through Tampa, ending at Port Tampa. After the railroad was finished, Plant set up a ferry ship service carrying passengers, mail and goods between Havana, Cuba and Port Tampa. Then Plant constructed a series of grand hotels in the area, including Port Tampa Inn and the St Elmo Inn in Port Tampa, and the Tampa Bay Hotel by Hillsbrough River in Tampa. The entrepreneur Don Martinez Ybor was next to have a large influence on the rise of Tampa, when in the 1880s he set up a huge cigar-making factory close to the center of the city. Ybor constructed many streets of character casitas to accommodate over 12000 tabaqueros (cigar makers).

Tampa benefited from a double dose of excellent commercial luck when mining explorations found easily accessible phosphate deposits in Bone Valley eastwards from the city.

By 1900 Tampa had increased in size from a tiny outpost to one of the largest cities in Florida.

Today Tampa has risen to become one of the main cities in Florida with an important commercial shipping harbor, and a prominent industrial zone.

Tampa’s ports have been very influential on the city’s economy right from the 19th century. Port Tampa was the city’s first port, but it was first joined by, then beaten into second place by, the Port of Tampa. Tampa was a thriving port for passengers in the late 19th century but passenger operations dwindled during the 1900s. Round trip cruises only began in the 1980s when Regency Cruises and Holland America started operating cruises from the Port of Tampa to the Caribbean. The cruise giant Carnival noted the demand for these cruises, and set up a cruise programme out of Tampa in 1994.

Touring Tampa

Florida Aquarium
The whole family will enjoy the large amount of sea creatures at the Florida Aquarium. Favorite exhibits include Aquariumania, No Bone Zone, Ocean Commotion, Coral Reefs and Dragons Down Under.  There are also special activities on offer such as Penguins - Backstage Pass and Wild Dophin Ecotour.  The Aquarium is positioned just beside cruise terminal 3.

Channelside Bay Plaza
The large Channelside development features lots of shops, entertainment venues, restaurants and bars, including an IMAX theater and a bowling alley.

Tampa’s Riverwalk
Enjoy the sights of the city and views across the Hillsborough river by hiking the newly opened Tampa Riverwalk.  As the walk contours the riverside it passes lots of attractions including The Florida Aquarium, Cruise Ship Terminal 2, Channelside Bay Plaza, Cotanchobee Park, Florida Museum Of Photographic Arts, Kiley Gardens and the Tampa Museum of Art.  The southern section runs all the way between the Florida Aquarium and the USF Park. At the moment it’s possible to continue on from USF park, but with some detours.

Henry B Plant Museum
The railroad entrepreneur Henry B Plant commissioned the fabulous Tampa Bay hotel as a destination resort for visitors to Tampa.  It’s sumptuously constructed to look like a Moorish palace, with extra flourishes of Victorian era architecture.  Today the hotel building is largely occupied by the University of Tampa, but it also houses the very educative Henry B Plant Museum, which chronicles the life of the celebrated magnate.

Ybor City State Museum
With its Cuban roots Ybor City is one of two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.  Ybor City’s narrow alleys, wrought-iron railings and brick buildings offer an insight into old-world history.  Visit a bar with dramatic flamenco dancers, or purchase a hand-made cigar at a shop. Take the original Teco Streetcar from Cumberland Avenue, York Street, or Port Authority stops to Ybor city.

Busch Gardens Theme Park
At Busch Gardens you can watch a stage show with live entertainment, take a memorable safari crossing the Serengeti plains, enjoy memorable meetings with amazing wildlife and frighten yourself on thrilling roller coasters. Busch Gardens is positioned 8 miles north of the cruise port.

Cruise Ideas

Cruise vacations from Tampa call at enjoyable ports of call in Grand Cayman, , Honduras and Jamaica. Pick from cruises of 4, 5 or 7 night\day lengths.

The variety of destinations are the ingredients for a memorable vacation You’ll be able to enjoy a whole range of excursions - in Cozumel join a shore excursion to the iconic Mayan ruins at Tulum, in Belize experience lazy Cave Tubing in the Sibun Caves, in Key West eat delicious Key Lime pie at the legendary Sloppy Joe’s and in Costa Maya get up close to the lush rain forest.

For a full calendar of cruises see cruises from Tampa.

Tampa Cruise Terminals

Cruise Terminal 2 

Tampa Port Authority’s Garrison Seaport Center scheme of the 1990s included the creation of Cruise Terminal 2. The terminal offers a large cruise passenger embarkation and disembarkation area, fast customs facilities and baggage operations. The terminal offers a single quay.  Cruise Terminal 2 is used by Carnival.  Car Parking is available straight across the street at the Channelside multi-storey car park. Valet services are available.

Cruise Terminal 3

Cruise Terminal 3 was finished in 2002 to meet the need of a growing demand for cruises from Tampa. Services include customs, restrooms, guest lounge, baggage trolleys and a snack shop. The terminal offers a single cruise ship berth.  Cruise Terminal 3 is home to Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line cruise ships. Parking is located straight across Channelside Drive at the Channelside multi-deck car park.

Cruise Terminal 6 

Cruise Terminal 6 is located on the west shore of Ybor channel.  Cruise Terminal 6 has been renovated for use by Holland America. The cruise terminal offers just one cruise ship quay.  Car Parking is located directly onsite.

For the port authority website see Tampa Port Authority.

Traveling to the Cruise Terminals

By Air

Tampa International Airport is located around nine miles from the cruise port. Catching a taxi is an easy to travel from airport to cruise port.

By Car

From Orlando

Take Interstate-4 westwards to exit 1, signed Ybor City. Head southwards on 21st Street then turn right on Adamo Drive, signed Cruise Terminals 2 Thru 6 Hwy 60 then turn left onto Channelside Drive. For cruise terminal 6 make a left onto McKay Street to access the open parking area directly at the terminal.  For cruise terminals 2 and 3 continue for about three-quarters of a mile south on Channelside Drive. The long term parking garage is on the right of the street just across from the Florida Aquarium. 

From St Petersburg 

Drive along I-275 eastwards. Merge with I-4. Follow Interstate-4 east to exit 1 , signed Port Of Tampa. Travel southwards on 21st Street and make a right on Adamo Drive, signed Cruise Terminals 2 Thru 6 Hwy 60 then turn left onto Channelside Drive. For cruise terminal 6 turn left onto McKay Street to get to the open parking area next to the terminal.  For cruise terminals 2 and 3 continue for about three-quarters of a mile south along Channelside Drive. The Channelside parking building is on the right of the street just opposite the Florida Aquarium. 

Introducing Seattle

Seattle is located on a narrow ribbon of land sandwiched between the fresh waters of Lake Washington and the salt waters of Puget Sound. To the far side of these waters lie two high mountain ranges, the Cascades to the east and the Olympics to the west .

The first township in the Seattle area, built in 1852, was called New York. The pioneers soon moved a short distance across Elliott Bay to the area now named Pioneer Square, which offered an easily accessible deep water natural harbor. This second township was called Seattle, honoring a Duwamish Indian chief who had helped the settlers cope with their myriad challenges.

The town grew rapidly, thanks to two main economic activities - timber processing and coal mining. A further boost to growth occured when Seattle was connected up with the Northern Pacific railroad.

But disaster struck, when on June 6, 1889, a devastating fire destroyed large parts of the city. The burnt-out buildings were rebuilt during a busy decade of reconstruction. The new layout included rebuilt wharves, proper sewers and wider streets.

The 1929 Great Depression hit the city hard, with economic activity grinding to a stop. World War II saw the beginnings of economic recovery as Boeing, a small airplane manufacturer, grew its workforce quickly.

Today Seattle is an international center for industry, commerce and communication, home to global enterprises like Amazon, Costco and Microsoft.

In 2000 Seattle became a major cruise ship departure port, when the Port of Seattle inaugurated the Bell Street Pier cruise port. In 2009 the Smith Cove port was built to add more cruise passenger capacity. In 2010 the Port of Seattle hosted 223 cruise ship visits and 930,000 passengers.

Touring Seattle

Space Needle
Seattle’s landmark Space Needle is 605 feet tall, and has an exciting viewing level just under the top of the building. You can see the surrounding islands, the sound, the far mountains and the downtown skyline. Stop at the souvenir shop for small model tower or, for food with a difference, eat at SkyCity, the tower’s rotating restaurant that turns once per hour.

Museum of Flight
The Seattle Museum of Flight houses over 85 airplanes representing the past and present  of flying. Find out about the progress of aviation from the Wright brothers’ planes, through WWI and WWII, through to current commercial and military planes.  Inspect the first jet Air Force One, an outstanding collection of WWII fighters, the faster than sound jet Concorde, a history of air hostess fashion and a full size replica of the International Space Station. Seattle Museum of Flight is located about 4 miles southwards from the city center.

Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is the position of Seattle’s first lumber mill, the commercial heart of the original pioneer settlement.  Seattle’s 1889 fire ruined the ramshackle structures constructed by the town’s founders. The district is now distinguished by 1890s Romanesque stone and brick buildings, and is packed with magnificent architecture, friendly cafes, bookstores and art galleries. Pioneer Square is about a mile southwards of Bell Street Pier.

Pike Place Market
In 1907 a City Councilman helped establish a farmers’ market, to cut out the big rake of greedy middlemen. The market has matured into a vast shoppers’ heaven laid out over 9 acres. Browse numerous food outlets like wine, dairy, berries, vegetables and bakery, and then to follow an even bigger number of non-food shops such as toys, kitchenware, candles, art and  goods. After browsing the busy stalls take a break and enjoy a coffee at the original Starbucks, located in the market. Pike Place market is positioned next to Bell Street Pier.

Cruise Ideas

Seattle acts as a cruise departure point just in summer, due to Alaska’s long and cold winter months.  A typical cruise itinerary is the 6 night return cruise stopping at Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The passenger will see characterful port-of-call towns, magnificent mountain scenery and mighty glaciers calving ice into the ocean. At the end of the season a range of interesting repositioning cruise vacations are available: to places like Hawaii, Florida and Asia. For a full calendar of departures see cruises from Seattle.

Seattle Cruise Terminals

Seattle has two cruise ship terminals, the more popular city center Bell Street Terminal, and the Smith Cove Pier which is 2 miles north of the city center. 

Bell Street Pier
The Bell Street Pier cruise port was inaugurated in 2000 as part of a 10-acre, city center, coastline, multi-purpose scheme. It is sited on Pier 66 which was originally constructed as far back as 1914.  The terminal is 2 floors high, with a modern bridge platform providing direct access to the ship from the upper story. Facilities at the terminal include check-in, rental car kiosk, snackbar, restaurant, customs, concierge service, luggage handling and retail kiosks. At the junction of Alaskan Way and Wall Street, across from the cruise port, there is a large parking garage.The cruise terminal offers just one cruise ship berth. The cruise terminal homeports Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises cruise ships.

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
The Smith Cove cruise port is sited 2 miles from the city center, on Pier 90 and Pier 91. The waterside property was purchased by Seattle Port in 1912 for use as a commercial port. Facilities include customs, concierge service, shops, baggage handling, check-in and car rental desk. A 1,000 space parking garage is located near by with a complimentary shuttle to the terminal. The cruise port has 2 cruise ship moorings at Pier 90 and Pier 91. Smith Cove hosts RCCL, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and HAL.

For the port authority website see Port Of Seattle.

Traveling To The Cruise Terminals

Bell St Pier

From the Airport
The journey time from Sea-Tac airport to Bell Street Pier by cab is around half-an-hour. As an alternative you can catch the Sea-Tac airport Central Link Light Rail, alighting at the terminus Westlake. Next catch a taxi or walk to Bell Street Pier, three-quarters of a mile distant.

By Car
From the North
From Interstate 5 leave at exit 167, signed Mercer Street/Seattle Center.  Head right onto Fairview Avenue.  Then the first left onto Valley Street. Carry along Valley St which becomes Broad Street. When you reach the waterfront turn left onto Alaskan Way.  Immediately before the cruise port building, turn left onto Wall Street for the entrance to Bell Street Pier parking.
From the South
Join Interstate 5. Take exit 164A signed Dearborn St/James St, Madison St.  Follow Madison St/Convention Center signs. Make a left onto Madison St. Stay on Madison Street until you reach the seafront. Turn right to join Alaskan Way. Carry on for a mile, until you pass the cruise terminal on the left hand side. Make a right onto Wall Street to access Bell Street Pier garage.

Smith Cove

From The Airport
It takes around three-quarter of an hour by car from Sea-Tac airport to the cruise port from Sea-Tac Airport.

By Car
From the North and South
Follow Interstate 5 to exit 167 signed Mercer Street. Take a right turn on to Fairview Av North. Turn left onto Valley Street. Valley Street merges with Broad Street. Past the Space needle make a right onto Denny Way. The road bends to the right onto Western Avenue. Western Av joins Elliott Av West. Follow signs for Magnolia Bridge.  Follow signage to Smith Cove Park and cruise terminal.

Introducing Vancouver

Vancouver is counted among the world’s most beautiful cities, circled by high mountains, vast forests, and pristine ocean beaches.

The city possesses a major commercial docks, which over the history of the city has acted as a driving force towards Vancouver’s growth and success.

In the early 20th century the port functioned as a base for small ships moving goods to settlements dotted northwards up the coast. The passengers on these boats brought back stories of stunning scenery. Shipping companies saw an opportunity  and the Union Steamship, Canadian Pacific Steamers and Canadian National Steamers all started selling 7 day summer cruises along the coastline to Alaska.

However only two vessels operating summer cruises to Alaska were left by the 1950s. 1957 heralded the founding of Alaska Cruise Lines, which ran Yukon Star and the Glacier Queen. The company was sold to Holland America in 1971. In 1975 Holland America based the new ship Prinsendam at Vancouver to capitalize on the growing market. Two Princess ships, Island Princess and Princess Italia, arrived to join ms Prinsendam, and these were soon followed by further ships from other cruise lines. The number of cruise passengers continued steady growth from 20,000 in 1970 to 1 million in 2000.

But the arrival of Seattle into the cruise market in 2000 halted Vancouver’s growth. By the year 2010 Vancouver cruise passenger numbers fell to about 600,000, as the upstart’s cruise traffic continued growing at Vancouver’s expense.

Touring Vancouver

Gastown
The picturesque buildings and cobblestone streets of Gastown are the heart of historic Vancouver. Though the first timber houses were entirely burnt to the ground in the great fire of 1886. See the edifice of ‘Gassy Jack’ in Maple Square and the quirky steam clock whistle then have a quiet stop at a welcoming coffee bar. 

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
In the heart of the city’s booming Chinatown, sits the gorgeous Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The Garden is based on the combining of the four main elements: water, plants, architecture and rock, resulting in perfect balance.

Stanley Park
The huge green space of Stanley Park sits on the end of the Burrard peninsula. It’s home to the Vancouver Aquarium and a wonderful assortment of Totem Poles. Enthusiastic hikers can contour the 6 mile seashore, along a path which offers magnificent views across the sea.

Vancouver Aquarium
Take a trip to Vancouver Aquarium to experience a range of ‘animal encounters’, with dolphins, sea turtles, sea otters and sea lions. Children will adore Clownfish Cove, with its sea urchins, clownfish, sea cucumbers and corn snakes.

Grouse Mountain
Vancouver’s famous winter ski hill is busy in summer as well. Summertime activities include lumberjack shows, ziplining, helicopter tours, paragliding, eco walk and falcon center. The Wildlife Refuge houses species like wolves and bears.

Cruise Ideas

Winters in Alaska are cold and long, so Vancouver’s cruising season is strictly summer only. Nearly all the cruises which leave from Vancouver to Alaska sail by way of the spectacular Inside Passage route, arriving at Queen Charlotte Sound by the notorious Seymore Narrows.  This famous sea passage was made safe by a project by military engineers to blast the top off an undersea mountain.

A very popular itinerary is the week long return trip with calls at Glacier Bay, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway and Ketchikan. You’ll see characterful port-of-call towns, spectacular coast and mountain panoramas and mighty glaciers calving into the ocean.

When the Vancouver cruise season finishes a variety of memorable grand voyage cruise itineraries are on offer, to destinations like Asia, Florida and Hawaii.

See cruises from Vancouver for a full calendar of cruises.

Vancouver Cruise Terminals

There are 2 cruise terminals in Vancouver. Canada Place, by the city center close to Waterfron rail station, and Ballantyne, a mile eastwards from the city center. Before boarding, all passengers are obliged to go through US customs, streamlining procedures at Alaskan ports.

Canada Place

Canada Place has developed from its beginnings as Canadian Pacific Railway pier B-C, which enabled rapid transit of corn from railway wagons to docked cargo ships. The cruise terminal is part of the former Canada Pavilion from Expo 86, with its a distinctive five sail outline, which represents the region’s long maritime tradition. Facilities available include security, baggage trolleys, restrooms, a snack shop and customs. The terminal has 3 cruise ship berths.

Ballantyne

Ballantyne terminal was expanded and renovated in 1995, and today provides efficient cruise ship embarking and disembarking. Facilities on offer include security, baggage trolleys, restrooms, taxi ranks, snack shops and customs. The cruise port has just one major berth.

See Port Metro Vancouver for the port website.

Traveling To The Cruise Terminals

By Car From the US

Canada Place

Drive across the Canadian Border via I-5. This turns into Rte 99. Continue northKeep on Route 99 crossing the Oak Street Bridge. Turn left on 70th Ave. Then make a right on Granville Street. Carry on northwards across Granville Street Bridge. Continue straight on by taking the Seymour St exit. Continue northwards along Seymour St until you reach West Cordova St. Turn left on West Cordova St. Next turn right on Howe Street, and after a block you’ll get to Canada Place. Parking are available at the Vinci car park.

Ballantyne

Head across the US/Canadian Border on I-5. I-5 turns into Rte 99. Leave at turnoff 36 and turn right onto Route 1. After two-thirds of a mile make a left onto Knight Street. Knight Street will become Clark Drive. Continue north on Clark to the foot of Clark and make a right onto Stewart St. Continue around half a mile to arrive at Ballantyne.

No parking facilites are available at the cruise terminal, but an option is cruisepark, positioned on the waterfront between Ballantyne and Canada Place.

By Air

From Vancouver International Airport

The modern Canada Line Skytrain gives a rapid connection from the airport to Waterfront station with a journey time of half-an-hour. Trains are every 8 minutes. Canada Place cruise terminal is a quick walk from Waterfront station. Ballantyne is a taxi ride away. 

Introducing Baltimore

Baltimore port has its origins in the early eighteenth century when a port was built on the coast of Chesapeake bay to export the crops of the many tobacco growing farms centered on the region. The port was a draw for merchants, and Baltimore came into life when a small town sprung up next to the quayside. As other products like rum from the Caribbean and corn from neighboring farms were exported by the docks, the town continued to expand.

Commerce through the docks expanded greatly in the 19th century, when the building of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad simplified the transport of corn to the city from the fertile mid-West. Disaster struck when in 1904 a great fire destroyed many buildings in the city center. A period of rebuilding began, this time employing fireproof bricks and paving.

In the late 20th century Baltimore again witnessed a period of energetic redevelopment as the run-down Inner Harbor shoreline received a complete renovation.

Today Inner Harbor is a big hit with tourists, and destinations include the National Aquarium, the American Visionary Art Museum, the Historic Ships Museum,  the Maryland Science Center, Harborplace shopping center and the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Baltimore has become the USA’s 8th biggest port, spreading over 22 miles of coastline. Aside from thriving trade operations, the port has a modern cruise terminal.  Cruise ships operate cruises to New England, Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Touring Baltimore

Baltimore has plenty of appeal for the tourist, with many enjoyable things to see and do. Visit the Inner Harbor Visitor Center to find information, maps and leaflets to aid the planning of your visit. 

Fort McHenry
A half mile westwards from the cruise port stands strategically sited Fort McHenry guarding the harbor. During the 1812 War, US soldiers stationed at Fort McHenry successfully defended the city from attack by the British in a furious fight. Francis Scott Key witnessed the Battle of Baltimore from a ship offshore, and he was moved into writing the words of the Star Spangled Banner.

Baltimore Museum of Industry
The museum showcases the history of commerce and industry in the Baltimore area from the early-19th century, with a set of items showing early era machinery.

Federal Hill
Federal Hill received its name after a night of rejoicing instigated by Maryland’s listing in the US constitution. Revelers launched a mockup sailing ship, named the ‘Federalist’ from atop the hill into the harbor. Today it’s a a small green area, with tended paths and tall trees, offering magnificent views over the city.

Maryland Science Center
Popular rooms at the Maryland Science Center showcase earth science, space, dinosaurs, the human body, Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab and the physics of Isaac Newton. An IMAX and planetarium are also on site.

Historic Ships in Baltimore Museum
At the Historic Ships Museum see the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse (the oldest screw pile lighthouse on the Chesapeake), the Lightship Chesapeake, the USS Torsk (a sub), the USS Constellation (tall mast clipper) and USCGC Taney (the last ship from pearl harbor).

Fell’s Point
The historic area of Fell’s Point is positioned about a mile eastwards of Inner Harbor. During the early 19th century United States ships were legally allowed to loot British vessels, and Fell’s Point was home to many yards constructing privateer vessels. The tall townhouses, cramped market places and cobblestone streets bring back those early years. Today the tourist will also discover several restaurants for a welcome stop from sightseeing.

Cruise Ideas

Popular all-year itineraries include the eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas. This far south you’ll get away from the cold Maryland winter, as you sail into warm weather. 

In summer, cruises to Bermuda typically stay 2 days, so you can enjoy the lively nightlife. Also on offer in summer are cruises along the eastern coastline of New England and Nova Scotia, stopping at charming and historic ports-of-call.

See cruises from Baltimore for a full calendar of cruises.

Baltimore Cruise Terminal

The Maryland Port Authority, in 2004, decided to move the Dundalk cruise ship port. A conveniently sited paper-shed on South Locust Point was redesigned, opening as the Maryland Cruise Terminal in 2006. The terminal building provides the basic facilities such as restrooms, pay phones, vending machines, check-in desks and an ATM. Beside the terminal building there’s a dedicated parking lot, with capacity of more than 1500 vehicles.  The port can only handle one cruise ship at any one time.

See Maryland Department of Transportation Port Administration for the port website.

Getting To The Cruise Terminal

From The Airport
BWI airport has frequent services from many cities around the US, as well as from abroad. Maryland cruise port is around 5 miles from BWI airport, ten minutes by the cruise shuttle express or taxi.

By Car
The cruise terminal is around an hour by car from both Washington and Annapolis.

Introducing Palma De Mallorca

In the Balearic Sea, 100 miles off the south east coast of Spain, lies the island of Mallorca. Palma is located in Palma Bay on the south western side of the island.

Romans were the first to exploit the potential of Mallorca as a trading center, and in 123BC set up two ports, once of which was Palmeria. Mallorca was captured by the Moors of North Africa in the middle ages, but little remains of this era, except the narrow maze-like arrangement of the streets of the old city reminiscent of a
Medina. 

The plundering of Catalan vessels by ships under the flag of the Moors provoked James I of Aragon to attack then conquer Palma in 1229. James I of Aragon annexed the city into the Kingdom of Aragon. The Golden Age of Mallorca began, which was characterized a blossoming of the island’s commerce, trade and agriculture. The massive Bellver Castle and magnificent le Seu cathedral were built, and the Almudaina was transformed into a fine Renaissance palace.

In 1516 the Kingdoms of Aragon and Castile were merged when Charles I, son of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile was crowned to become the first King of all Spain. From this point in time on the history of Mallorca is linked with the history of Spain.

For the next three hundred years Palma fell into a prolonged slump, caused by a mix of unremitting attacks by Barbary Corsairs, many plagues and political indifference. Finally the threat of the Berber Pirates was ended when the French occupied Algeria in the early 19th century.  Palma’s trade and business began to thrive again.

At the end of the 19th century, tourists began to discover the gorgeous shores and the balmy climate of Mallorca. World War II did not have any direct effect on Palma, but saw shortages and a halt to tourism. At the end of the war the tourist industry began to grow strongly once more, to soon become Mallorca’s main source of income.

Today Palma is a charming and vibrant city, combining the liveliness of a major center with the relaxed pace of a Balearic island port. It has enjoyable pavement cafes, striking architecture, friendly inhabitants and an array of cultural attractions.

Mallorca is located in the middle of the West Mediterranean making the island a favorite port-of-call for cruises. In recent years, mainly due to the well served close by Palma de Mallorca airport, it has also become a busy departure port for cruise ships.




Touring Palma

Almudaina Palace
The signature Moorish style of the Almudaina Palace echoes its origin as a Moorish castle.  After the conquest of Mallorca by the Catalan army in the 13th century the fort was converted into a palace for the Mallorcan monarchy. Today it is a museum containing artworks like an excellent selection of paintings, Flemish tapestries and middle eastern carpets.

La Seu
Palma’s spectacular cathedral la Seu is Palma’s number one attraction. Building started in the early years of the 13th century, and continued for over 300 years. A major renovation project was initiated in the the 20th century, with the renowned architect Gaudi designing several noteworthy additions. 

C’an Pere Antoni Beach
The coastline south of the city center has a thin ribbon of sand, which, if you walk for 5 minutes in an easterly direction, broadens into the expansive C’an Pere Antoni beach. The golden sands shelve gently into warm waters. A few palm trees behind the beach give a cooling shade, and nearby stalls offer beach items and refreshments.

Bellver Castle
The 600 year old Bellver Castle is home to the Despuig Classical Sculpture Museum and the Palma History Museum. There are magnificent views from the castle’s ramparts over the aquamarine Bay of Palma. Bellver Castle is a 10 minute walk up the hill from the Muelles de Poniente.

Palma To Soller Railway
This quaint electric train links Palma de Mallorca with the mountain township of Soller, a journey 27km long.  The railway crosses a wide stretch of countryside, then heads upwards through 13 tunnels to arrive at Soller.  The journey, which takes little more than an hour, is an excellent way of getting to know the undeveloped interior of Mallorca. The Palma terminus is sited in the city center, just next to the modern train station.

Cruise Ideas

Palma is an ideal port of embarkation for a week long cruise calling at ports in the Western Mediterranean.

Favorite shore trips on offer at ports-of-call would include the frightening Cappuchini Catacombs in Palermo, the towering Colosseum in Rome (from Civitavecchia), the atmospheric D’Alt Vila of Ibiza, the infamous Monte Carlo casino in Monaco and the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Towards the end of the year one-way cruises may be on offer to the Canaries and the Caribbean.

See cruises from Palma for a full calendar of cruises.

Palma Cruise Terminals



Estacion Maritima Cruise TerminalsEstacion Maritima 1,2,3,4 cruise terminals access ships docked at the Poniente piers..  The terminals are connected with a series of raised foot bridges. Facilities include health office, customs, waiting areas, office, post office, telephone kiosks and police station.   These cruise terminals are about a mile and a half southwest of Palma’s center.



Estacion Maritima No 5 Cruise TerminalSome ships moor inside the south western breakwater of the port, Dique Del Oeste. These piers are served by the Estacion Martima number 5 cruise terminal.

See Port Authority of the Balearic Islands for the port website.

Getting To The Cruise Terminals

From The AirportThe simplest way to travel between the airport and the cruise port is by taxi or shuttle coach.  An alternative is to catch the no 1 bus which travels from the airport through the city to the Estacion Maritima.  After alighting from the bus walk into the Estascion Number 2 terminal opposite then follow the signs to your required terminal.

Introducing San Diego

San Diego,  the Golden State’s oldest, second largest and southerm-most city is celebrated for its perfect weather, miles of beaches, and  location next to the Mexican border, opposite Tijuana.  Originally San Diego was a small Spanish settlement, in the early 19th century, and developed slowly, until the mid twentieth century, when the population boomed. San Diego bay is superb for boating, and the city boasts a long naval heritage. The city is the base for the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy.  Nowadays the city blends contemporary urban planning with historical Spanish neigborhoods, sparkling ocean scenes to the west side with dry, boulder-strewn hills to the eastside, and fine restaurants, positioned side by side with authentic tortillarias.

Touring San Diego

USS Midway Museum
It’s a 5 minute stroll on North Harbor Drive from the cruise port towards the big carrier ship, named the USS Midway, docked at Navy pier. Tour around the USS Midway Museum to find out about San Diego’s distinctive navy heritage.

Maritime Museum of San Diego
Tour the interesting Maritime Museum, a fine collection of historic ships, such as Pilot, Californian, Medea, the Berkeley and the Star India.

Coronado Beach
Catch a half hour ferry ride across to Coronado island. A  5 minute cab ride across the barrier island will get you to Coronado beach, a lovely sweep of sand on the ocean’s coastline. Drop in at famous Hotel del Coronado, one of the few surviving examples of the Victorian beach hotel.

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, is world-famous for its size and diverse collection of animals.  There are over eight hundred species, who live in an attracively built 100 acre space. Be sure to see the Penguins and Polar Bears.  Kids will love the infant animal kindergarten and petting zoo.

Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is probably the city’s most attractive section.  Development of the area started in 1867. Here you’ll find a concentration of boutique shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafes, jazz clubs and nightclubs offering a charming Victorian feeling mingled with a modern buzz. The quarter is also a center for big city parties, from music and food festivals to St Patricks Day.  

Spanish Missions
San Diego is home to twenty one spanish catholic missions, built more than two centuries ago. The major aim of the missions was to covert the American Indians to Catholicism. The first ever, known as the Mother of the Missions, is Mission San Diego de Alcala. This was founded in the eighteenth century by Blessed Junipero Serra. Only six years after construction finished Mission San Diego de Alcala was burnt down in a riot, but the building was speedily reconstructed.

Available Cruises

You can choose from a wide variety of cruises from San Diego port.  Possibilities are the Mexican Riviera, Baja California, the islands of Hawaii, or through the Panama canal journeys to Florida. For unusual cruises longer routes to South America or the South Pacific are on offer. See cruises from San Diego for a full calendar of cruises.


San Diego Cruise Terminals

The main San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is situated adjacent to North Harbor Drive on the B Street Pier, very close to downtown San Diego. The cruise terminal is a modern building with the usual variety of functions for passengers. The B Street Pier cruise terminal has now been joined by a second cruise terminal on the adjoining Broadway Pier. The cruise port is able to dock four cruise ships simultaneously.
For the port website see Port Of San Diego.

Getting To The Cruise Terminals

From the Airport
The terminal is a quick 10 minute taxi ride from San Diego International Airport. Taxi ranks are easy to find next to each of the three airport terminals.
By Train
Amtrak’s major San Diego station, the Santa Fe Depot, is just a fifth of a mile from the cruise terminal, so you can walk or take a taxi. Directions for walking are, head west on Broadway in the direction of the bay.  On reaching the bay, the cruise port is easy to spot.
By Car
If driving south on I-5, follow the road into downtown San Diego. Exit at Sassafras, marked with a sign to the airport. Proceed along Kettner for 3/4 mile, until Laurel. Make a right onto Laurel and carry on  until you reach Harbor Drive. Make a left to join Harbor Drive. The cruise ship port is one-half mile on the righthand side.If driving northwards on Interstate 5, continue on the road into the middle of San Diego. Turn off at Hawthorn, signed to the airport. Proceed along Hawthorn towards Harbor Drive.  Here, turn left. The cruise ship port is one-half mile on the righthand side. Numerous parking lots are available. It’s a good idea to arrange parking in advance.

Introduction

Barbados has a wealth of natural beauty, attractions, and seemingly never-ending stretches of white sand beaches, surelyamongst the best in the Caribbean Sea.  The island’s countryside changes from the rolling hills and big waves on the Atlantic east coast, to the flatlands and gorgeous tropical beaches on the Caribbean west coast.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the island was operated as a large sugar farm under British rule, and you can still see a few original plantations reborn as museums detailing the daily lives of the slaves working there.

Nowadays the people of Barbados are called Bajans, and the ancestors of the original plantation system live in general harmony with a representative government.

Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean and is often spared the terrible effects of the area’s tropical storms because the island is located past the principal hurricane zone. On average a hurricane only hits the island about once every 25 years.

These advantages make the island a favorite cruise ship port-of-call, and in recent years, partly thanks to the well used close by international airport, it has also become a busy starting port for cruises.

Take A Tour Around Barbados

Broad Street
The main street of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. It consists mainly of tax free shops, banking offices, large chain stores, and bars. Also worth a visit is Swan Street which has many cheap clothing stores

Harrison’s Cave    
Barbabos’s number one tourist attraction.  Get on an electric train and voyage through a fascinating subterranean world.

Sunbury Plantation House 
A Plantation Great House whose rooms are all available for tours.  The 300 year house is steeped in history, with old prints, fascinating handwritten accounts, characterful funiture and a small museum of of horse carriages.

Welchman Hall Gully
The lush tropical gardens are filled with tropical specimens — here before the British arrived in 1627 — set amid natural caves. 

Beaches
The island’s beaches are open to the public. Just a mile from the cruise terminal are the beaches of the Gold Coast.  Payne’s bay is good for swimming.  Next to Paynes bay is Fresh Water Bay, with a beautiful threesome of beaches, Brandon’s Beach, Paradise Beach and Brighton Beach . 

Mount Gay Rum Distillery and Banks Beer Tour
Get in the Spirit with a tour and sampling at Barbados’s top distillery, then travel to the Banks Brewery to enjoy the local beer.

Available Cruises

Due to its ideal position at the middle of the Southern Caribbean, Barbados makes an excellent choice as a departure port.Cruises available include the Greater Antilles (Jamaica), the Windward Isles (Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent), the Leeward Isles(St Barts, St Martin, St Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Tobago), the Netherland Antilles off the north coast of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire) or even the Brazilian Amazon.

See cruises from Barbados for detailed cruise departure information.

Cruise Ship Terminal

The Port of Bridgetown (also called the Deep Water Harbor) is positioned in Carlisle Bay on the Western coast of Barbados. Bridgetown port handles all of the country’s cargo ships, and many cruise ships.  Built in 1961, the Deep Water Harbour was created by a manmade breakwater. In 2002 the main approach channel and the  inner docks were dredged to enable bigger cruiseships to call. Since the dredging project the port has experienced a large amount of growth in goods and cruise ship traffic.

The official port website is Barbados Port Inc.

Between the quays and the port entrance sits the new cruise terminal, officially opened in 1994.  It acts as the centre for services  for cruise passengers and crew arriving at Barbados.  The cruise terminal houses the normal departments to handle cruise passengers, including Immigration, Customs, Health Center, Animal Quarantine, Post Office and the Barbados Tourism Office. Also you’ll find cafes and bars, a business center, and an net cafe. The cruise terminal has a large amount of space filled by shops, with more than twenty duty free outlets with  lovely jewelry, attractive china, electronic goods, and Bajan craft outlets.
Cab services and car rentals failities lie just outside the cruise terminal main entrance.  

Getting To The Port From The Airport

Grantley Adams is 21 kilometres from the Port of Bridgetown. The airport is flown to by planes from North America, Europe and elsewhere in the Caribbean. The journey from airport to the cruise terminal is usually by taxi, and takes around half-an-hour.  The cost is around fifty Barbadian dollars.

Introduction

Cape Canaveral is positioned on the Atlantic coastline of Florida, roughly halfway between Miami and Jacksonville, approximately forty-five miles to the east of Orlando. Bounding the city to the east is the Banana River, to the west is the Atlantic Ocean, on the south side is Cocoa Beach and to the north is Port Canaveral.

From early days this treacherous section of the shoreline was well-known to sailors, who called the peninsula Cape Canaveral. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse was constructed in 1843 to make the coast safer for shipping.

The little fishing and farming settlement of Artesia grew up to the south of the Cape in the early years of the twentieth century.

To the south of Artesia the little township of Avon-by-the-Sea, with streets named after a series of famous presidents, was established by a group of speculators.

In WWII two naval air bases were constructed on Florida’s barrier islands, one was positioned at the Cape. In the late years of the 1940s the USAF chose the Cape as a space base, as rockets could be launched over the Atlantic ocean without danger.

Avon-by-the-Sea and Artesia were swamped by facilities constructed for the workforce of the space center, and the city of Cape Canaveral came into being.

The Cape Canaveral base needed a way of retrieving first stage rocket motors from the ocean, and Port Canaveral was constructed and officially named in 1953.

In the 1970s Port Canaveral was a well-situated port-of-call for cruise ships whose passengers were enthusiastic to visit the wild rides at the theme parks of central Florida.

Premier Cruises and Carnival Cruises based ships at Port Canaveral, running trips to Nassau from newly opened cruise facilities.

The 1990s were a period of fast growth for the cruise port, with the building of cruise terminals 5, 8, and 10.  Disney cruises commenced operations from the port.

Today over a million people leave on their cruise trip from Port Canaveral every year. Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have been added to the list of cruise companies running cruises from the port.

Take A Tour Around Port Canaveral

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The Kennedy Space Center is the heart of NASA’s activities and served as the launch site for those famous landing on the moon missions.  Though today it’s future may be in doubt as the shuttle program closes. At the Center you can undergo the Shuttle Launch Experience, discover all about the future of space exploration at the Exploration Space show, see a space movie at the IMAX center and go to the LC39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.  The Space Center is about 10 miles north from Port Canaveral.

Astronaut Hall of Fame
The US Astronaut Hall of Fame spotlights US astronauts. View intriguing collection including the Science On A Sphere exhibition, the Sigma 7 Mercury rocket, an astronaut training simulator and space suits.  The Hall of Fame is around 4 miles west of the Space Center.

Cocoa Beach Pier
Constructed in 1962 Cocoa Beach Pier is amongst the best-known landmarks on Florida’s Space coast. The pier boasts souvenir shops, 5 restaurants, frequent live musical entertainment and 4 bars.  The beach by the pier offers showers, restrooms, all year lifeguards and beach-hire concessions. Cocoa Beach is sited around 3 miles southwards from Port Canaveral.

Available Cruises

Sample itinerarys comprise the Eastern Caribbean (St Maarten, San Juan and St Thomas), the Western Caribbean (Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman and Cozumel), or the Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport). More extensive cruises are also on offer, examples would be transatlantic cruises to Europe.

See cruises from Port Canaveral for detailed cruise departure information.

Cruise Ship Terminals

Port Canaveral has six cruise terminals, but only 3 are regularly used for multi-day cruise ships.  They are terminals 5, 8 and 10 which are sited on the north west shore of the port.  Terminal 2 hosts a casino cruise ship. Terminals 3 and 4 are not utilized often.  

A Side (North) Terminals 5, 8 and 10

Cruise terminal buildings 5, 8 and 10 are situated on the A or north east side, by Charles M Rowland Drive. These modern terminals possess larger docks able to berth the biggest cruise ships, and all 3 can cope with more than 3000 cruises.

Cruise Terminal 5 is an attractive triangular shaped  complex, with a thirty foot high glass reception area resplendent with tropical plants and cascading waterfalls.  Embarking cruisers are handled on the top floor, debarking cruisers on the bottom.

Cruise Terminal 8 was constructed for Disney Cruise Line, and is an eye-catching art-nouveau style building with an impressive 80 foot high glass foyer. 

Cruise Terminal 10 features a fast passenger loading/unloading arrangement, with completely automated baggage processing.

Each terminal building has the necessary services such as pay phones, restrooms, cab rank, vending machines, check-in desks and ATMs. Beside each terminal there’s a parking lot

Getting To The Port From The Airport

Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport, located in the south eastern outskirts of Orlando, is around 45 minutes drive west of Port Canaveral.  Travel from the airport is possible by shuttle bus or cab.

Melbourne International Airport
Melbourne International Airport is about 40 minutes drive south of Port Canaveral. Travel from the airport is possible by taxicab or shuttle.

Introduction

Piraeus has been the port of Athens since the Golden Age. The port at Piraeus was conceived at the beginning of the fifth century BC by Themistocles, who foresaw the potential of its three natural bays. The early fortifications were consolidated by Pericles with the building of ‘the Long Walls’ to fortify the route to Athens. Nowadays Piraeus can be considered a substantial metropolis by itself, as the home of much of Greater Athens’ industry. For the majority of tourists, however, it is Piraeus’s inter-island ferries that provide the reason for coming.  The port sees the departure of up to 60 passenger ships every day.

Athens is only seven miles from Piraeus, and the majority of travellers will spend the visit in Athens.  Athens is a hot, big, crowded and busy city packed with traffic and people.  But at the city’s center lies the impressive Acropolis, a magnetic attraction for tourists from all around the world.  Just North of the Acropolis lies the welcoming friendly area of Plaka, a place full of historic interest, and these two are the staple of  tourists.



Take A Tour Of Athens 

The Acropolis
The major sight in Athens is the Acropolis, a 150 m (512 ft) rock in the center of the city topped with a number of temples erected in around 400BC. The archeological importance of these ancient monuments makes the Acropolis known all over the world.  At the top of the Acropolis stands the beautiful Parthenon, a superb classical Greek temple, a magestic sight from  everywhere in Athens. Another iconic building is the Erechtheion. The six ladies that act as pillars are reproductions, you can see 5 originals in the Acropolis museum. The final lady is in the British Museum in London, together with substantial parts of the Parthenon frieze.

Syntagma Square
See the guards wearing their unique skirt with white tights and odd shoes. Don’t miss is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Plaka
Near the Acropolis lies Plaka. This area is made up of pedestrian meandering streets.

Roman Forum
The Roman Forum can be found at the west side of Plaka. Here you’ll find the interesting Horologion of Andronikos, an eight faced tower with a different wind deity on each side. Shared ticket with Acropolis.

The Shops in Plaka
There are many local products worth purchasing. olive oil, small carpets, and leather shoes are all manufactured/grown nearby and give great value for money. The local antiques market is bustling and fascinating.

Dining in Plaka
Relaxing in one of the pavement restaurants savouring a dish of good food with some ouzo is a very enjoyable way to pass the lunch hour.

Available Cruises

The cruise ship routes from Piraeus visit destinations in the Greek Islands, Turkey, the Black Sea, Israel and Egypt. 

See cruises from Athens for detailed cruise departure information.

Cruise Ship Terminals

Your cruise ship will dock at the Piraeus Port situated on the southern side of the city.  The port lies in the Saronic Gulf, in the Aegean Sea. The port is first and foremost a ferry port, serving the numerous Greek Islands. Greece is composed of many islands, thus ferry traffic is essential and ferries sail in and out of Piraeus round the clock. The cruise terminals are positioned on the southern side of the harbor.

Cruise ships berth at either Cruise Terminal A or Cruise Terminal B.  For a plan of Piraeus port click here.

Getting to the Port from the Airport

Metro Rail
Line 3 joins Athens airport to Monastiraki station where you change to green Line 1, taking you to Piraeus. The journey time between the airport and Piraeus is approximately 75 minutes. 

Taxi
There’s an additional charge for trips to/from the airport, baggage costs more per item the ride takes at least one hour so the taxi price adds up to €50 or more.

Introduction

Sydney, which has a population of over four million, is the largest urban district in the country of Australia. The city is sited on the eastern coast of Australia. The Blue Mountains are located to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

The town was started in 1788 when a fleet of prisoners from England arrived at Sydney Cove. The new settlement was named after Lord Sydney, the British Secretary of State, who suggested the creation of a penal colony in Australia. Just 5 years later, in 1793, the first boat of free settlers came, drawn by the mild climate and cheaply obtainable land.

Unconstrained by bureaucracy, the town developed quickly through the next hundred years, as the inhabitants established lots of farms, mines, businesses, shops and factories. The grown continued through the twentieth century, growth carried on as migrants arrived from both Asia and Europe.

Today Sydney is a multicultural, modern and large city, with inhabitants originating from all over the world. The city is a favorite destination for tourists. Celebrated sights include Bondi Beach, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge and The Rocks. The city’s many attractions and coastal location have made it a top cruise ship port, both for cruise ship departures and visits. Over one hundred and fifty cruise ships make use of Sydney port annually.

Take A Tour Of Sydney

Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House, sited on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point, is considered by many to be an architectural marvel. Designed by Jorn Utzon and constructed with much controversy, it was inaugurated in 1973.  Try to go to an opera, a concert or a ballet, if your vacation timetable enables you to. The Opera house is a short walk up the coastline from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

The Rocks
The first colonists landed at The Rocks, and many of the structures here are near original, like Cadman’s Cottage, Campbells Storehouse, the Merchants House and Susannah Place.  Within this historical district, the visitor will see bars, galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants. The Rocks area is next to Circular Quay.

Royal Botanic Gardens
The beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens is an oasis of greenery positioned between the waterfront and the busy city center. A trail leads around the sea front, giving great vistas across Sydney Harbour and Farm Cove.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
A pedestrians-only pavement runs across the Sydney Harbour Bridge alongside the roadway.  Call at the Pylon Lookout on the southern end of the bridge to see an absorbing  display on how the bridge was made.  If heights don’t scare you book the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, a three and a half hour expedition to the summit of the bridge.  The climb takes you up catwalks, ladders and girders during day or night.  

Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is famous across the world as a home of surfing. In the summer months Bondi beach is a centre for sun, fun and surf. The white sandy beach looks out on a large crescent shaped bay of deep blue water. Bus 380 from Circular Quay takes forty-five minutes to Bondi.

Available Cruises

Sydney is the departure port for a great range of cruise vacations. First time cruisers may like the short cruises to nowhere, a great introduction to cruising. 7 day routes would include sunny tropical Queensland, or rainforest-covered Tasmania. Slightly longer 9 or 10 night cruises visit the beautiful beaches of the Pacific islands Vanuatu and New Caledonia. 14 day itineraries would be a voyage around New Zealand, or a sailing to the stunning Pacific atolls of Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Longer cruises include voyages to the oriental wonders of Japan and China, or the fabled circumnavigation of Australia.

See cruises from Sydney for detailed cruise departure information.

Cruise Ship Terminals

Sydney’s cruise services are split between 2 places, Wharf 5 and the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Overseas Passenger Terminal

The OPT has access to a 800ft quay, able to handle one large vessel. The terminal is a contemporary building with the usual variety of facilities for passengers.  It further has an hotel, restaurants and outside dining areas. The terminal is situated at Circular Quay, opposite the Opera House within short walking distance from Sydney’s attractions.

Darling Harbour Wharf  5

Wharf 5 at Darling Harbour is a short-term terminal in use during the building of a new terminal at White Bay. Wharf 5 offers an immigration area, customs  control, a departure area and an arrivals area. The terminal is within easy walking distance of the Circular Quay area. The new cruise terminal at White Bay is only suitable for cruises originating from the city, as its location is inconvenient for the city center.  Additionally the terminal will be inaccessible to several cruise ships due to size restrictions at Sydney Harbour bridge.   With this in mind further plans for a further terminal at Garden Island, a mile east of Circular Quay, are under consideration.

Getting to the Port from the Airport

OPT - Pick up the train from either the Sydney Airport Domestic station or International Train Station to Circular Quay (green line).  The Overseas Passenger Terminal is a short walk from the station at Circular Quay.

Wharf 5 - Pick up a train from either the International Train Station or the Sydney Airport Domestic station to Wynyard station (Airport and East Hills line).  It is a 10 minutes walk from Wynyard station to Wharf 5.  Another option is a taxi.

Resources

Sydney Port Website