David KrisoSummer is in its final weeks. Yet, cruisers are still having the time of their lives sailing to ports-of-call such as Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Soon the winter season, the cruising industry’s busiest time, will begin. No matter where the ship sails, the good times keep on rolling. All cruises have a beginning and end. Before cruisers leave their home for the cruise terminal, there’s planning to be done. The preparation is considered to be the most disliked part of a cruise. All cruisers are in the same ‘boat’. Some haven’t cruised in a long while. Some cruise once or twice a year. Some cruise more often than that. Regardless of how often or how infrequent, all cruisers must have an idea of how they’re traveling to and from their port city. Further, it’s important to know what forms of surface transportation are cruise- friendly. The most cruise-friendly way to and from any port city is surface transportation. Why is this important? Cruisers are known to purchase duty-free items that warrant surface transportation. The airlines pose limits of all types on cruisers. Surface transportation makes a cruisers’ lives significantly easier. Once cruisers master it, getting to and from any port city should be ‘smooth sailing‘.
There are many port cities around the United States that are accessible via surface transportation. The majority of those port cities can be found on the east coast. The New York area (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Bayonne, NJ) are well-accessible and well-connected by train, subway, light rail, and ferry. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is accessible via train, subway, and ferry. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is also accessible via train, subway, and ferry. The Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal is accessible via light rail, with New Jersey Transit train connections at Hoboken Terminal. Boston’s South Station is ten minutes from the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. The Silver Line bus follows a loop route which passes directly by the cruise terminal. In Baltimore, passengers can get off the train at Penn Station and take an Uber or Lyft car to the cruise terminal. It’s that simple. Other port cities such as Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and New Orleans are accessible via Amtrak. An Uber or Lyft ride awaits at the station.
The east coast has cruise ports that are well-accessible via surface transportation. Surface transportation, particularly the train, is the golden ticket. As opposed to flying to port cities such as Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, and Tampa, taking the train makes life a whole lot easier. How so? There are two reasons why. The first reason is credited to Amtrak’s luggage policy. Amtrak’s luggage policy is far more lenient than the airlines. Airlines charge for every single piece of checked luggage. Amtrak allows up to four pieces of checked luggage. The first two checked pieces of baggage are free, with the additional two pieces at $20.00 each. Amtrak also allows up to two carry-on bags per person. The second reason focuses on duty-free shopping. In a previous article, it is said that cruisers have to adhere to the restrictions regarding duty-free alcohol. When cruise passengers purchase duty-free alcohol, particularly 151 proof rum, surface transportation is the safest and only way to transport it home. 151 proof rum is flammable and not allowed in the air. When traveling to and from a port city via Amtrak, there’s no imminent danger with 151 proof rum in tow.
Aside from duty-free alcohol, surface transportation allows cruisers to safely transport the most fragile of items. During any voyage, cruisers will purchase duty-free items that are the utmost enticing. Should the duty-free shops on board ship or at ports-of-call be offering a great deal on glassware, cruise passengers are sure to purchase it. Should cruise passengers stumble across a porcelain nativity set that’s calling their name, they’ll purchase it for sure. The best part is if they come across a good deal on a mahogany carving collection, they will definitely purchase it. If transported by plane, these items have a high potential of being damaged in transit. Airport ramp handlers are notorious for throwing bags. If packed securely and prepared properly with handles and heavy-duty twine, cruisers are in great shape when taking the train. Avoiding the airlines in the long run is a must.
As the summer winds down, the cruising season still rolls on. The Fall and Winter cruising seasons are soon to follow. No matter what the season, it pays to travel to and from port cities in the most sensible, feasible, and plausible way. Flying may be the only alternative for some. When looking the at the picture on a wide scope, it pays to use surface transportation. East coast port cities such as New York, Boston, Baltimore, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale are accessible via Amtrak. New Orleans is also accessible via Amtrak. When it comes to packing heavily, or when carrying 151 proof rum home, surface transportation is the safest way to go. Indeed, it is the right way to go. West coast cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles (San Pedro), and Seattle are Amtrak accessible, too. Whichever city that is train accessible, one can imagine how much easier it is to travel with delicate duty-free items. Should 151 proof rum be on cruisers’ wish lists, using surface transportation is the golden ticket. If cruisers are dreaming of a new ceramic serving platter set, they are sure to turn to Amtrak for the ride to and from home. No matter how delicate the luggage load, using surface transportation is the ‘x’ factor. Not only is surface transportation the ‘x’ factor, it is the deciding factor between good times had on board and extravagant cruise memories shattered.
