USA Cruises

The USA has dozens of cruise ports. The busiest embarkation ports are Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral in Florida for Caribbean cruises. Seattle and San Francisco serve Alaska itineraries. New York offers transatlantic, New England and Caribbean departures. Galveston and New Orleans serve the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Honolulu is the main port for Hawaiian inter-island cruises. Boston, Baltimore and Charleston also handle cruise departures.

It depends on the destination. Alaska: May to September. New England fall foliage: September to October. Hawaii: year-round, driest April to October. Caribbean from Florida: year-round, peak November to April. Each region has its own optimal season, and the USA’s size and climatic diversity mean there is always a great cruise available somewhere in the country.

The Alaska cruise season runs from May to September, with the busiest period from June to August. May and September offer lower prices and fewer crowds but cooler temperatures. June to August provides the warmest weather, longest daylight hours and the best conditions for wildlife viewing and glacier excursions. Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle or Vancouver (Canada) and follow the Inside Passage route through southeastern Alaska.

The US dollar (USD) is the official currency. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, and contactless payment is increasingly common. ATMs are widely available at all cruise ports and throughout the country. The USA is one of the most straightforward destinations for financial transactions, though tipping culture means carrying small bills for service staff is advisable.

UK passport holders need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to enter the USA, which must be applied for online before departure. EU and other Visa Waiver Program passport holders also need an ESTA. The ESTA is valid for two years and covers multiple entries. Some nationalities require a full US visa. Your cruise line will advise on specific requirements, and it is essential to arrange your ESTA well in advance of your cruise.

Alaska cruise highlights include watching glaciers calve at Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, whale watching for humpbacks and orcas, visiting the state capital Juneau, riding the White Pass Railway in Skagway, exploring the totem poles and rainforest of Ketchikan, helicopter flights over glaciers, bear watching, salmon fishing, dog sledding and kayaking through pristine fjords. Alaska offers some of the most memorable and unique shore excursions of any cruise destination in the world.

Yes, inter-island Hawaii cruises operate year-round, with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America being the most well-known option, offering seven-night voyages that call at four Hawaiian islands. Other cruise lines include Hawaii as part of longer Pacific or repositioning itineraries. Inter-island cruising is an excellent way to experience multiple Hawaiian islands without the need to fly between them, and overnight stays at some ports allow passengers to enjoy evening activities ashore.

Popular New England cruise ports include Boston (historic Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall), Bar Harbor in Maine (Acadia National Park, lobster shacks), Portland (foodie culture, lighthouse tours), Newport in Rhode Island (Gilded Age mansions), Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket (charming island communities). New England cruises typically depart from New York or Boston and combine US and Canadian ports, with autumn foliage cruises being the most sought-after itinerary.

American cuisine varies enormously by region. Alaska offers fresh salmon, king crab and halibut. New England is famous for lobster rolls, clam chowder and blueberry pie. The Gulf Coast serves Cajun and Creole cuisine in New Orleans. Florida offers Key lime pie and fresh seafood. Hawaii features poke, plate lunches and shave ice. The diversity of American food culture means each cruise port offers its own distinctive culinary experience, from sophisticated city dining to casual waterfront seafood shacks.

Every major cruise line operates from US ports. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC, Holland America, Princess, Disney, Viking and many luxury lines all offer US-based itineraries. Alaska cruises are dominated by Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian. Hawaiian cruises are primarily served by Norwegian. Caribbean departures from Florida are offered by virtually every line. The USA is the largest cruise market in the world, with unmatched choice and variety.