More about Nashville
Why Cruise to Nashville?
Fun for foodies and music fans
Broadway Avenue can be crowded and a little raucous at night
With lots to see and do, Nashville deserves a few extra nights
Nashville Cruise Port Facilities?
You'll be docked in downtown Nashville's Riverfront Park at the foot of Broadway Avenue While there's no port facility at Riverfront Park, you are across the street from one of Nashville's main drags and all the amenities it brings. In this area there are plenty of restaurants and bars and a few cafes, where you can get a bite, soak up some free Wi-Fi and shop in local boutiques and specialty stores. There are bus stops nearby (Music City Star Riverfront Station) if you want to hop on the free Music City Circuit, and taxis frequent the area.
Good to Know?
You won't pay a cover to get into one of the honky-tonks or bars in Nashville, but that doesn't mean shows are free. Instead of charging at the door, bands pass the hat -- usually a bucket, not much money fits in a hat -- a time or two during the show.
Be ready to make friends when you're out and about as the city's one of the friendliest around. Don't be surprised if strangers join in a conversation while you're at the bar or a concert, and don't be surprised if when you leave your friends with your bartender, server and the people sitting at stools and tables around you.
One last thing. Don't be offended if people call you "ma'am" or "sir," regardless of your age. Folks around here are taught to say "yes ma'am" and "no sir" and please and thank you, so please do the same; thank you.
Getting Around?
On Foot: Many of Nashville's tourist attractions are found within a 20-minute walk of the riverboat dock, and the city's gentle grade and gridded layout makes navigation easy. From Riverfront Park, where the riverboats dock, walk up Broadway Avenue and you'll find restaurants, bars, honkytonks, boot shops, souvenir stores and some of the best people-watching in the South.
By Bus: The Music City Circuit runs two free buses that travel between the Riverfront and Tennessee State University and The Gulch and Bicentennial Mall, which means they cover just about every block of the city's key tourist areas with regularity and ease. Between the two routes there are more than 75 stops across the city, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and bars and restaurants along Broadway and in The Gulch.
Bus service to and from Nashville International Airport is available for around $2; simply take Route 18 Airport/Downtown. Know that most cruise lines offer a shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal for a nominal fee.
If you'll be in town for a while, one-day and seven-day passes are available (prices range from less than $4 to less than $20).
By Taxi: Taxis are plentiful, as are rideshare options like Uber.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
Nashville uses the U.S. dollar as the only accepted paper currency, though most businesses and taxis will accept credit or debit cards. ATMs are plentiful downtown, the nearest to the riverboat dock is at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Second Avenue South. The ATMs will be the easiest place to acquire U.S. dollars, though some larger bank branches may be able to exchange limited amounts of currency, if that's your only option.
Language?
English, with a mix of country twang and Southern drawl, is what you'll hear in Nashville.