There are some fundamental requirements for a cruise destination to be successful: relationships fostered within the cruise industry; the infrastructure at the port; and a selection of excursions once guests are onshore.
Cruise lines look for safe and well-equipped ports that offer efficient services, professional staff who can assist their guests and easy access to key tourist attractions in the nearby towns and cities their ships are visiting. They will also aim to curate a programme of activities catering to their passenger demographics, whether that’s family-friendly activities for multigenerational holidaymakers, cultural tours providing discerning cruise guests with an authentic experience, or outdoor adventures for thrill-seekers whatever the season.
The most successful cruise destinations not only meet these fundamentals, but also have something special, which makes their port call last for a long time in guests’ memories while capturing their imaginations and thirst for travel. We spoke with ports from various regions around the world to find out how they are working to differentiate their destination in numerous ways, from promoting natural wonders to making major new investments in their facilities.
Foyle Port, island of Ireland
Foyle Port, in Ireland’s north west, is making a mark with cruise guests thanks to an array of exhilarating outdoor activities. It is also a compelling destination for excursions focused on sustainability – preserving the region’s natural beauty and cultural integrity.
Located along the Wild Atlantic Way, the port provides direct access to Donegal, known for its picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage and welcoming locals. Guests can immerse themselves in nature with bike tours through Glenveagh National Park, hikes along the cliffs at Malin Head, or by exploring the ancient fort at An Grianán of Aileach (pictured).
Port of Dover, England
The port has two dedicated cruise terminals, which accommodate both turnaround and transit calls. Staff greet guests as they arrive, taking their luggage and guiding them through the security process, delivering a professional service that consistently exceeds expectations. The cruise terminals are located close to attractions such as the picturesque Marina Curve, where guests can immerse themselves in local culture. There is also a shuttle service to Dover Priory station, making it easy for cruise guests to take the high-speed rail link to Central London or to other parts of Kent, which is known as the Garden of England.
Portsmouth International Port, England
As Portsmouth International Port is a municipal facility owned by the people of Portsmouth, the experience it delivers reflects the city as a whole. Consequently, it is vital for the port to provide a positive passenger experience and work closely with partners to ensure staff deliver services in a professional and courteous manner.
All facilities, including the new terminal extension, are designed to deliver a relaxed ambience and facilitate efficient services for car parking, baggage handling and check-in, providing a smooth arrival experience. Meanwhile, the shuttle service offers transport to both the cruise ships and city excursions. These services, combined with the friendly staff, ensure every passenger’s holiday begins at the port.
Le Havre, France
The passenger experience is Le Havre Croisière’s top priority, so its teams give cruise passengers a warm welcome when they disembark. As each call is unique, the organisation keeps in touch with shipping agents to provide the ship with up-to-the-minute information on the destination. Customers can easily find tourist information and a souvenir shop in the cruise terminals. Passenger access to the city centre is facilitated by a dedicated, secure pathway for pedestrians and bicycles, as well as a shuttle service that is gradually integrating natural gas vehicles into its fleet. To enhance the customer experience, a large-scale development project has been launched and will be completed by 2026. A number of services such as bicycle rental and covered parking will be integrated into this development.
Port of A Coruña, Spain
The Port of A Coruña has renovated its facilities to improve the destination experience. One highlight of the project was the pedestrianisation of the entire area connecting the passenger terminal with the city centre. Now, cruise passengers can step off the ship and walk the flat route directly to the historic tourist area within five minutes; it’s a great attraction that sets A Coruña apart from other ports. Another notable update is a new terminal with a duty-free shop, a tourist information desk and facilities that enable travellers to transit the port efficiently. Following the renovation, more than 80 per cent of passengers say they are satisfied with the service they receive.
Valletta Cruise Port, Malta
When cruise ships visit Valletta, they sail into a historic natural port that has previously hosted famous explorers and traders, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and the British. Over the centuries, numerous renowned authors and explorers have celebrated the port as the maritime greeting ground for Valletta, now a designated Unesco World Heritage City. The port facilities include the historic Magazino Hall, which is now used for check-in processes, and are designed to enable staff to deliver seamless and flexible services. Cruise guests also step straight off the ship onto Valletta Waterfront, an award-winning landmark commissioned by the Knights of Malta and built during the late Baroque period.
Port of Los Angeles, USA
The LA Waterfront, which lies 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles on a 400-acre site in the harbour communities of San Pedro and Wilmington, is undergoing a series of redevelopment projects that are bringing dramatic change to the area, part of the busiest container port in the western hemisphere, the Port of Los Angeles. Several waterside projects are already complete and West Harbor, a mile-long premiere waterfront dining, retail, recreation and entertainment development, is set to open in the coming year. The LA Waterfront is an emerging global tourism destination with an eclectic cultural ambiance, well-known landmarks, historic museums, beaches and promenades, and a wide selection of shops and dining options.
Port of San Diego, USA
Cruise lines are familiar with San Diego as the Port of Land and See with experiences available as close as the eye can see. Guests can enjoy local favourites such as Seaport Village for boutique shopping, Crack Taco Shop for classic fish tacos, Malibu Farm for upscale, farm-to-table dining, or Petco Park for America’s Best Baseball Stadium – all less than ten minutes from the terminal. For those who want to head further into San Diego, guests can also discover world-famous attractions such as the San Diego Zoo or Balboa Park.
Port of Jacksonville, USA
The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) in Florida offers convenient cruise access for passengers throughout the USA and beyond. In fact, more than half of travellers surveyed cited easy access to the port as the primary reason for choosing Jacksonville for their cruise vacation. The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal offers services to The Bahamas from Carnival Cruise Line onboard the 2,190-passenger Carnival Elation. Beginning in November 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line will offer seasonal cruises to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean onboard the 2,394-guest capacity Norwegian Gem. The ship will homeport in Jacksonville from November to April annually until 2028.
Port Milwaukee, USA
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Port Milwaukee offers cruise visitors a blend of natural beauty, vibrant city life and Midwestern charm. The port’s downtown cruise dock provides easy access to award-winning restaurants, unique architecture and cultural attractions. A second dedicated cruise dock, located minutes from downtown, is designed for deeper-draft vessels. Both cruise docks offer facilities for direct coach-to-vessel transfers, with local tourism experts welcoming each guest.
Port Milwaukee founded the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, a local group comprising hospitality and travel partners, to promote the city as a cruise destination and ensure it remains a top destination for global travellers.
Port of New Orleans, USA
Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is the sixth-largest cruise port in the USA and is projected for strong growth. The cruise terminals are located in the heart of the city, just steps away from the historic French Quarter, world-renowned restaurants and cultural attractions. Uniquely, passengers can embark on oceangoing or river cruises from Port NOLA, making it a vital economic engine for the local and state economy. At Port NOLA, 90 per cent of cruise guests travel from out of state and 73 per cent spend one or two days in New Orleans either before or after their cruise, generating more than 300,000 hotel room nights and over $125 million in local spending each year.
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, is known as ‘Canada’s Food Island’, making it a popular port of call on any Canada and New England cruise itinerary. Tourism Prince Edward Island believes food and storytelling are powerful ways to bridge cultures and is promoting authentic experiences for guests to engage with the island’s rich farming and aquaculture traditions. For example, by integrating local food into the welcome programme, Prince Edward Island not only gives guests a taste of its world-famous oysters and fresh lobster rolls, but also connects them to the community.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Global Ports Holdings (GPH) will spend $425 million on San Juan Cruise Port as part of its public-private partnership agreement with Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The investment will cover the repair, rebuild and upgrade of port infrastructure, while also creating significant opportunities for local businesses to thrive amid the anticipated increase in cruise passenger traffic.
British Virgin Islands
The BVI Ports Authority is dedicated to creating a welcoming experience at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. As soon as passengers disembark, friendly information officers greet them at the tourism office, ready to help them plan their day. A helpful guest service team is stationed at the cruise pier to guide visitors around the park, where they can enjoy entertainment and local culture. To ensure everyone feels welcome, all hospitality workers – including taxi drivers and shopkeepers – receive customer service training. Meanwhile, clear signage throughout the port makes it easy and stress-free for guests to explore the area.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia Cruise Port has made ambitious plans to modernise its facilities as part of a ‘transformative’ 30-year concession agreement. The port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holdings (GPH), plans to expand the existing berth at Point Seraphine to enable it to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the industry. The retail experience at the port will also be revitalised, with GPH planning to upgrade the Vendor’s Arcade and create a new Fishermen’s Village at Bananes Bay. Additionally, significant investments will be made in upland development at Soufriere Bay, including the construction of a new amphitheatre and a food and beverage area.
Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore
By the end of 2024, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will have introduced automated border clearance processes for all foreign travellers and contactless clearance (no passports required) for all Singapore residents at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Changi Airport and Seletar Airport. ICA will also facilitate contactless clearance for all departing travellers by the end of the year. To do this, it will use data, biometric technology and automated border control system gates at the cruise terminal and airports. This is expected to reduce immigration clearance time at the passenger halls by up to 40 per cent, which will significantly improve the destination experience for cruise guests embarking or disembarking in Singapore.
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