As airline prices, delays and travel hassles increase, cruise lines are adding new home ports so passengers can drive to their voyage instead of flying.

This winter (2009-2010), ships will be operating regularly, snow storms and all, from New York and Baltimore, on Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines.

Even though this means the first winter day at sea usually is sweater weather — at best — the popularity of driving to the port, and letting the ship take you south, is rising swiftly.

Home ports for large cruise ships now dot the shores along the coasts of the United States, from Alaska to Massachusetts.

Depending on the season, you may cruise from Seward (Alaska), Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles/Long Beach and San Diego on the West Coast; from Galveston/Houston, New Orleans, Mobile (Ala.) and Tampa on the Gulf Coast; from Boston, New York/Bayonne (N.J.), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk (Va.), Charleston (S.C.), Jacksonville, Port Canaveral (Fla.), Ft. Lauderdale and Miami on the East Coast. 

CLICK for more on cruises from new home ports and what's available this winter, at TheTravelMavens.com

Planning a winter cruise from a northern port