Why go to Mobile?
Dauphin Street is often compared with Bourbon Street, but more calm and family friendly
Some might not realize that Mobile gets more rain than Seattle with 5 feet per year
The birthplace of Mardi Gras might surprise with plenty of spirit and a penchant for partying
Mobile Cruise Port Facilities?
Mobile's downtown and riverfront has evolved into a full-fledged tourist destination, with an eclectic array of shops, restaurants and museums within a five- to 10-minute walk of the cruise terminal. Both Fort Conde Museum and Welcome Center and the Cooper Riverside Park are less than a quarter mile from the port, as is the 90,000-square-foot GulfQuest maritime museum, which boasts a gift shop modeled after a sunken Spanish galleon and interactive exhibits showcasing marine archeology, Gulf marine life and shipbuilding. GulfQuest boasts the only restaurant immediately overlooking the Mobile River; called The Galley, it serves local specialties such as shrimp and grits, and mahi-mahi prepared a variety of ways.
Good to Know?
Name pronunciation: Just as New Orleans natives scoff when out-of-towners say "New OrLEENs," Mobilians prefer you pronounce their city's name properly: "MOH-beel," rather than "moh-BILE."
Getting Around?
On Foot: Attractions such as GulfQuest, the Exploreum, Fort Conde and downtown are within walking distance of the Mobile cruise terminal.
By Taxi: Should one want to venture further afield, there are a variety of options. Cab companies include Yellow Cab of Mobile (251-545-3265), for which the one-way fare between the airport and cruise terminal is approximately $40, and recent arrival Uber, which has become a popular option among downtown revelers as a way to get around.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The United States dollar is the only currency accepted in Mobile. You'll need to find a nearby ATM if you need to withdraw cash.
Where You're Docked?
The Mobile Cruise Terminal is a two-story, 66,000 square-foot facility with an attached 500-space parking garage. The garage has six covered pick-up/drop-off lanes and is accessible via four elevators, an escalator and stairs. The terminal is within minutes of numerous banks and ATMS, hotels, restaurants and other attractions. It is a half-mile from Interstate 10, and six miles from the junction of I-65 and I-10. To herald the return of Carnival, the terminal is working with the city's architectural department to unveil a new look featuring artwork and a new color scheme. Wi-Fi is available.
