Several criteria can be used to characterize cruise ports and the role they play in their regional markets, with some of them focusing on the tourism element associated with the port:
- Market region. Cruise ports are part of a region with a specific appeal and commonly the destination (itinerary). The region relates to specific demand patterns (e.g. level, growth, seasonality). The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are basic cruise regions but can be subdivided into subregions usually covered by standard 7-day itineraries (e.g. Eastern Caribbean or Eastern Mediterranean).
- Ownership and operations (governance). The stakes involved in the ownership and operation of the cruise terminal. Some cruise ports are privately owned, while others are publicly owned, mostly through port authorities. Cruise terminals can also be concessioned.
- Cruise terminal. The type of facility available to accommodate cruise ships. This ranges from dedicated terminals built solely to service cruise ships to simple tendering, where passengers embark and disembark using tender boats. Tendering is used when there are no facilities available to dock cruise ships, when a cruise ship is too large to use existing facilities, or when a pier is not available.
- Size. A fundamental attribute since it indicates the level of activity and the importance of a cruise port in the cruise industry. The number of major cruise ports with annual traffic exceeding 1 million visits (i.e., the number of de-embarkations) is limited. Size is linked with the number of cruise ship calls, the facilities required to accommodate them, and the impacts of cruises on the local economy. Nassau in the Bahamas is the world’s most-visited cruise port, while Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (near Rome) are the most visited in Europe.
- Seasonality. A key differentiating factor is that many cruise ports are only active during a specific period of the year, whereas others are perennial cruise ports. High seasonality implies that all cruise visits occur within a few months. For instance, Alaskan, Baltic, and Norwegian cruise ports are only visited from May to September.
- Function in the itinerary. Implies if a cruise port is a homeport (turn) port or a call port. A homeport is where a cruise itinerary begins (and ends) and where passengers can embark on a cruise ship for the first time. A call port is where passengers can temporarily disembark for a shore excursion or other tourist activities. A homeport requires much more supporting infrastructure and services than a call port. For instance, an important airport is fundamental (usually within 45 minutes of the port), as well as an extensive accommodation structure (hotels, restaurants, malls, convention centers, parking areas). Additionally, cruise ships require supplies of food, fuel, and stores, an activity that typically only occurs at a turn port. However, fueling is more flexible, and cruise lines will opt for refueling where they can obtain lower prices and greater convenience.
- Accessibility. Relates to how the customer base of a turn port is reached. Air hub ports are linked with major international airport facilities offering connections to a wide array of markets. For instance, Miami / Fort Lauderdale is connected to a large number of North and Latin American airports, while it is easy to reach Rome or Barcelona from many European cities. Alternatively, there is drive/train to cruise ports accessible within a 2 to 4 hours drive. Ports like Southampton, Galveston, New Orleans, Baltimore, Genoa, and Marseille are notable drive/train to ports.
- Attractiveness. Since cruises are touristic operations, the attractiveness of a destination plays an important role. A marquee port is a “must-see” venue that plays a key role in attracting customers for a cruise. The venue is often the primary reason a cruise is selected. A “discovery port” is a location that is less renowned but offers amenities that will be of appeal to cruisers.
- Local and regional integration. There are three ways in which a cruise port has a level of integration with its locality and region. For a destination cruise port, the cruise port area is the sole destination. In the case of cities such as Venice and Barcelona, the cultural amenities on offer are world-class, to the point that tourists may have little incentive to explore anything else in the vicinity. Alternatively, in some cases, safety and security issues may arise outside the port area, which is particularly common in developing countries. A gateway cruise port serves as a technical stop, offering no significant cultural or physical amenities, but it grants access to a major tourist destination. For instance, the port of Civitavecchia is the gateway to Rome, one of the most visited cities in the world. A balanced cruise port represents an array of cruise ports where the port can be a destination, but excursions are also available. The balance between the gateway and destination functions varies according to what each port and its region has to offer.