ReadyKilowatt

Greetings Earthlings!

My wife loves to see the large container/barge/etc ships in action, up close, in port, being off-loaded or whatever.

Any suggestions on cities where we could get close-up for a good view? Or perhaps a tour of a working waterfront? Looking for New England (anytime) or Florida (mid April)

Thanks!
RK

benj

Too bad you can't fit in New Orleans. Our port is the hub of shipping in the US. Here is a site with info & also a webcam. There are some events going on in May but you could email & ask about tours if New Orleans is a possibility.
www.portno.com/

Where are you planning to be in Fl? Jacksonville is a major spot too. You could take a side trip to St Augustine to see other interesting sites.

Gardyloo

Aside from harbour tours (plentiful) that go past the working docks, you might want to call Massport or one of the Fla. ports nearby and ask about tours of the port facilities. Most ports don't allow general sightseeing as it disrupts the cargohandling business, some of them are duty-free zones hence need controlled entry, plus their insurance carriers (which, as a group, now run the world - if you haven't noticed) would probably have a conniption. I've been on a couple of group or "VIP" (very insignificant people) tours; you might ask if there are any scheduled to which you could tag along.

Better, if you're interested, is a cruise on a passenger-carrying freighter. We did one across the Pacific a few years ago and learned more about cargohandling, port politics, and the maritime trade biz than we would have thought possible. Inexpensive (per day), fascinating, interesting people and places, and boy do you see the business side of ports and trade. Look at www.freighterworld.com for listings and more info.

LilyLace

The Port of Baltimore hosts an open house every year. I think Port Elizabeth does sometimes too. try calling a couple forwarding companies for info.

ReadyKilowatt

Thanks folks.

>Message: Too bad you can't fit in
>New Orleans. Our port is the hub
>of shipping in the US.

We hope to get to San Antonio in October or April of next year. Maybe we'll swing thattaway too.

>Where are you planning to be in Fl?
>Jacksonville is a major spot too.
>You could take a side trip
>to StAugustine

We stay 1 night in Jacksonville on our way down to Miami Beach for 1 night, then down to Florida City for 2 nights. We drive up and down the East Coast twice a year and like the heck out of central and southern FLA, esp the atlantic side. We went to StAug a few years back and loved it. Have been to the Keys twice, Ft Myers, Clearwater, Tampa, Panama City, Org Beach, AL... etc.

>Author: Gardyloo
>docks, you might want to call >Massport

Hmm, yes indeed.

>Most ports don't allow general >sightseeing as it disrupts the >cargohandling business, some of them

Exactly so...

Thanks again all.

RK

GoTravel

We wanted to drive through and check out the ports in both Ft. Lauderdale and Canaveral but since September 11th, access is restricted.