• Introduction
• Cruising from the Northeast
• Cruising from the Southeast with Florida
• Cruising from the Gulf Coast
• Cruising from California
• Cruising from the Pacific Northwest with Alaska
• Cruising from Hawaii
• Our Favorite Homeport Cruises
• Tips for Booking Homeport Cruises

Cruising from the Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast region of the southern U.S. is heralded for its warm year-round temps and subtropical Gulf of Mexico waters – a winning combination that’s made cruising extremely popular here. However, cruising from this area of the country does comes with a few conditions: For starters, its isolated Gulf location lends itself to itineraries that tend to lack much diversity, while more seriously, hurricane season has been known to cause major problems for these port cities – and for your cruising plans.

What homeports can I sail from?

* Galveston
* Mobile
* New Orleans
* Tampa

What cruise destinations can I sail to?

* Bahamas (from Galveston) 
* Caribbean (from Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa) 
* Mexico & Central America (from Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa) 
* Transatlantic & Europe (from Galveston) 

Our favorite itineraries:

* Norwegian’s 12-night repositioning cruise from New Orleans
Ports of call: New Orleans, LA; Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; Curacao; Bermuda; Boston, MA

* Holland America’s 7-night Latin America cruises from Tampa
Ports of call: Tampa, FL; Key West, FL; Belize City, Belize; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Costa Maya, Mexico

PORT OVERVIEW: GALVESTON
Its tagline might be “where the Texas coast begins,” but Galveston is much more than that. This small island of just 96 square miles is popular for its 32 miles of beaches, historic downtown, art galleries, and status as a premier international cruise port (which is back on track following the wrath of 2008's Hurricane Ike).

Cruise Terminal: Port of Galveston

Find cruise deals from Galveston on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: MOBILE
A melting pot for a diverse mix of cultures, from French to Spanish and African to Creole, this Gulf Coast city is the third most populous in Alabama, and the setting for some energized festivals (like Mardi Gras), as well as an up-and-coming cruise port.

Cruise Terminal: Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal

Find cruise deals from Mobile on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: NEW ORLEANS
The Big Easy is a delectable gumbo of red-hot jazz, historic streetcars, lacy French-colonial balconies, powdery beignets, and zesty Cajun cuisine. Its unique blend of Southern hospitality, eccentric tradition, and unabashed debauchery give it a distinct character unlike anywhere else in the United States. Despite reports that roughly 60 percent of the residents who fled in the wake of Hurricane Katrina never returned, the city’s tourism infrastructure – especially in the relatively unscathed French Quarter – has largely recovered.

Cruise Terminal: Port of New Orleans

Find cruise deals from New Orleans on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com.

PORT OVERVIEW: TAMPA
The Tampa Bay area delivers a triple-threat of tropical charm: St. Petersburg and Clearwater win over guests with 35 miles of powder-white beaches, unspoiled barrier islands, and a vibrant arts scene, while convention-minded bayside neighbor Tampa adds urban moxie and theme-park thrills.

Cruise Terminal: Port of Tampa

Find cruise deals from Tampa on ShermansTravel.com or Orbitz.com. 

See Bermuda Travel Guide | See Bahamas Travel Guide | See Canada Travel Guide | See Mexico Travel Guide | See United States Travel Guide | See Hawaii Travel Guide | See Alaska Travel Guide | See Asia Travel Guide | See Turkey Travel Guide | See Europe Travel Guide | See Caribbean Travel Guide | See Tahiti Travel GuideSee Pacific Northwest Travel Guide