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Cruises

Most Common U.S. Cruise Destinations From the Caribbean to Canada

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    In lieu of the environmental impact, the cruise industry brings huge economic benefits to destinations with a port highlighting its importance to regions like the Caribbean with few other active and profitable industries.

    The Western Caribbean, defined as ports west of Haiti and in Mexico, Central America and Columbia, is the most popular destination for North American cruises.

    More than a quarter, 27.1 percent, of all cruise ships departing from North American posts arrived in that region in 2011, according to Passenger Travel Facts and Figures, a report outlining personal travel trends released by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics on Friday.

    The Bahamas was the second most visited cruise ship destination in 2011, accounting for 20.8 percent of cruise ship traffic.

    Although accounting for considerably fewer cruise ship visits, traditionally cold-weather destinations including Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Coast also attract North American cruise ship visits.

    The number of Norther American cruise stops by destination, between 2008 and 2008, is outlined below:

    Destination 2008 2009 2010
    Total 4,228 4,119 4,208
    Western Caribbean 1,096 1,075 1,156
    Bahamas 600 710 791
    Southern Caribbean 404 379 388
    Alaska 513 512 443
    Eastern Caribbean 502 442 525
    Mexico (Pacific) 540 418 326
    Bermuda 102 109 115
    Canada/New England 112 102 113
    Hawaii 122 90 87
    Transatlantic 96 89 87
    Tran-Panama Canal 78 99 111
    Pacific Coast 31 33 22
    South Pacific/Far East 20 23 21
    South America 12 28 23

    Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, North American Cruise Statistical Snapshot 2011.

    Photo Credit: A shot from an unidentified cruise ship headed into a Caribbean port. George Goldie / Flickr
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