8 top east coast ports of call in the USA & what to do there

A United States cruise can include everything from vibrant metropolises and southern food hotspots to private islands and wildlife-filled wetlands.

Of course one of the huge perks of cruising is that you never need to stick to just one destination.

Want to explore exciting city culture and then unwind on the beach? No problem. With itineraries departing regularly from both coasts, there are plenty of ways to cruise the USA in comfort and style.

This is everything you need to know about some of the best USA cruise ports on the east coast.

– READ MORE: Top 3 ways to cruise in the USA –

Charleston

Charleston, in South Carolina, can feel like a trip back in time thanks to its historic centre, which dates to 1670. The architecture here is both diverse and impressive – think Art Deco cinemas, Renaissance-style houses and Gothic churches.

You can’t miss the amazing culinary scene in Charleston – the city is home to southern comfort diners serving up local favourites such as sausage gravy and biscuits, chicken and dumplings or meatloaf. Alternatively, why not visit a Michelin-starred steakhouse if you fancy more upmarket fare?

This destination is the right place to delve into the history of the American Civil War, which started in 1861; tourists can visit 19th-century cotton plantations such as Boone Hall Plantation (which now grows tasty fruit), erstwhile slave-trading markets and the 200-year-old island stronghold of Fort Sumter.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale in Florida, just north of Miami, is dubbed “the Venice of America” thanks to its myriad canals and lagoons. This spot is ideal for admiring the incredible properties of the ultra-wealthy who live here, as well as indulging in retail therapy at the numerous fashionable shops.

Don’t miss an excursion to the nearby Everglades for a real flora and fauna paradise – it’s the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild.

– READ MORE: What to expect on MSC’s new America-based mega ship –

Key West

Key West, also in Florida, gives visitors on USA cruises a taste of the neighbouring Caribbean thanks to its colourful houses, top-notch snorkelling, rum cocktails and excellent fishing.

Visit famous author Ernest Hemingway’s home [below], check out the bars, restaurants and street performers at vibey Mallory Square and jump on a traditional trolley bus to explore the old town.

Kayaking around the mangroves is a great way to explore Key West’s natural side — and you might spot dolphins, turtles and rays along the way.

Miami

Miami has long been a major cruise port and gateway to the Caribbean. The Floridian city is home to the famous South Beach (check out the signature Art Deco architecture and palm-lined boardwalk) where, fun fact, the 2017 film remake of Baywatch was filmed.

A walking tour of the area is a great way to discover celebrity chef restaurants, vibrant nightlife and buzzy beach clubs. Meanwhile, over in Little Havana, you can learn about Miami’s Cuban heritage and sample a Cuba Libre cocktail. Be sure to also join a boat trip across Biscayne Bay to ogle the multi-million-dollar homes of well-known celebrities and watch the skyline change.

– READ MORE: Miami cruise port guide – what to see, do & eat –

New Orleans

This Louisiana city is famous for Creole cuisine, jazz music, world-renowned cocktails and oodles more. Don’t leave without seeing Bourbon Street (a neon-lit street pulsing with music and whisky), St Louis Cemetery No.1 (which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year) and the National World War II Museum on Magazine Street.

The Sazerac Museum is dedicated to the USA’s original cocktail. The original Creole neighbourhood, Faubourg Marigny, is a paradise for live music, and signature New Orleans eats such as gumbo, jambalaya, po’boy sandwiches, boiled crawfish and charbroiled oysters can be found throughout the city.

New York City

It’s hard to pack into a few sentences how much New York has to offer – the city is bursting with iconic sights, from Grand Central Terminal and Central Park to Times Square and the Empire State Building.

Cruise shore excursions can take you to the Lincoln Center, Harlem, the Met, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s, SoHo, Greenwich Village and the 9/11 Memorial. For something extra special, opt for a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or explore hidden neighbourhood gems like Washington Square and Bleecker Street.

– READ MORE: NYC insider’s city guide for movie & TV lovers –

Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral in Florida is one of the biggest and busiest cruise harbours on the planet – perfect for ship buffs! Head to the beaches for golden sands plus surfing, sunbathing and fresh seafood.

Another must-see is the NASA Kennedy Space Center, where holidaymakers can tour the astronaut training facilities and rocket launch pad. For wildlife, hop on a two-hour boat tour around Merritt Island where manatees, alligators, turtles and bald eagles reside.

Tampa

Tampa is located on Florida’s west coast and offers plenty to see and do to keep the whole gang happy. There are glistening skyscrapers and fascinating art museums in the city, plus rollercoasters aplenty at Busch Gardens. If you’re after even more thrills, opt for an excursion to Walt Disney World Resort for all the adrenaline-fuelled rides you could ever crave.

For beaches, head to Clearwater, which boasts soft sands, a charming pier, street entertainers and souvenir shops. To see Tampa from above, see if you can get on a sunset helicopter tour: it flies over the city at sunset so you can soak up such highlights as Tampa’s sports arena (the Pete Times Forum), the Florida Aquarium, the University of Tampa and the Alafia River.

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