Baltimore

Baltimore's cruise terminal at the South Locust Point Marine Terminal is a no-frills operation that works better than it has any right to. It's the only year-round cruise port in the mid-Atlantic, which gives it a monopoly on the "I don't want to fly to Florida" demographic.

The Inner Harbor is about 15 minutes away by car, and the port area itself is industrial — don't expect waterfront dining. But parking at $15/day is a steal, and BWI airport is close and cheap. For East Coast cruisers who want to avoid Florida entirely, Baltimore is the answer.

What nobody tells you: Baltimore's cruise itineraries (Bermuda, Bahamas, New England/Canada) are often priced lower than the same routes from New York, because Baltimore has to work harder to fill ships. That's your gain. The city itself has gotten a bad reputation, but the tourist areas around the Inner Harbor are genuinely great.