Pleasure or a pain? Cruise ports vary

WHICH ports treat cruise passengers best? For one opinion, turn to the “Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006,” which this year rates homeland ports.

In North America, Vancouver, Canada, scored highest, Miami lowest. The ratings are based on user friendliness and luggage handling. The ports were inspected from January 2003 to July 2005 by author Douglas Ward and his staff. In an interview, Ward praised Vancouver for its hospitable attitude and dinged Miami for “hostility by security people” and tip-seeking bag handlers.

Customer service is a priority, responded Andria C. Muniz, a spokeswoman for the Port of Miami. “The port focuses on excellent performance and accountability.”

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*--* Vancouver, Canada 27 Houston 24 Seattle 23 Charleston, S.C. 22 San Diego 22 Baltimore 20 Montreal 20 Tampa, Fla. 20 Philadelphia 19 Port Canaveral, Fla. 19 Galveston, Texas 18 Long Beach 18 San Francisco 18 Jacksonville, Fla. 17 Norfolk, Va. 17 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 15 Honolulu 15 New York 10 Miami 9

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Note: 40 is the highest possible score.

Source: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006