Many values in arriving early to your cruise destination port. Can you predict ? Do you know the laws ? Do you have a passport ? And who’s traveling with you ?

Understandably, many folks can only take a week off, at a time, for vacation.  However, whether flying or driving, or who’s possibly traveling with you, there’s much value in arriving early to your cruise destination port.

The reason could be as simple as having plane issues or troubles with your vehicle, if driving.  Could be bad weather or plane technicalities.  Could be road construction you weren’t aware of, or detours, or possible accidents ahead.

If not leaving from a larger airport, the smaller airports, often don’t fly out, with increment weather.  Whether it’s fog or snow.  I live in a smaller city, Lynchburg.  Being in a valley, never know when fog could be an issue, on day of flight.  Our airport reminds me often, to tell my clients, leave a day early !

But even a larger city can provide just “delay issues”, without weather involved !  5 years back, a group of about 50 of us, were leaving for Hawaii, with a plane change in Charlotte.  It was back in the day when you still bought your airfare from the cruise line, and you didn’t think as much then, about going a day early.  And we had bought the package 18 months prior to that.  Well, on day our cruise was to begin, our flight from Charlotte was delayed leaving 2 or 3 hours.  Once finally leaving, I felt we had enough time (and we did make it), however, my group worried all the way.  Avoiding “personal stress” is the #1 reason to travel to your destination, at least a day early!

Had we not made it, there was the issue of “destination”.  You can NOT fly to your next destination (even if covered by insurance or you bought your airfare from a cruise line who will guarantee getting you to the next port).  We were cruising to Hawaii.  We could not fly to the next port.  If we did not arrive to San Diego on time, where we were to catch the ship, our vacation was over !  It’s the same for Alaska !  Or if your first port on your cruise is somewhere like Key West, or a port along the East Coast, such as Cape Canaveral & all others ! 

And even if you can fly to your next destination to meet the ship … Did you choose to get a passport, so you can fly into the port ?  It’s not the cruise lines responsibility to bring these topics up.  It’s yours !  You need to know the laws.

Driving to port of embarkation is something I seldom do.  However, I have a couple of times.  Years back, I hit a deer on the way. Fortunately, yes, we planned to go the day prior.  And still made it to the port by dark, the same day of leaving.  Another time, we were headed to the port of Norfolk on Rt 64.  The traffic was lined up for miles, and we definitely panicked, as we sat waiting for the traffic to move.

What about who you are traveling with ?  Kids ? Seniors ?  Folks with physical limitations or health issues ?  Not to mention the stress you will automatically be under, if you’re about to miss your ship … Think of the anxiety it will place on others traveling with you !  Kids will become tired.  Those with select health issues couple possibly use a day of rest, before trying to board the ship.

My mother fusses at me, every time we do a cruise, and I want us to arrive the say prior.  But after I’ve made her do so, she’s happy.  Why she can’t remember this, and gives me a hard time, I do not know.  Meaning, sometimes, we must make choose responsibly for others traveling with us !  She does NOT like getting up early!  So by going the day prior, she can sleep in, at the hotel, before we must head over to the ship.

I had a GF once, who had fibromyalgia.  After a day of travel, she needed a day or two of rest, or she would lose who first day or two of the cruise, staying in bed.  Again, if those traveling with you, can’t remember their own health situation, you will want to remember  yourself.  Their issues can become your added issues to !

 
Another great value in traveling to your embarkation port early, is if you have never been to this city.  Example, New Orleans.  This gives you a great opportunity, in choosing, to arrive a couple days early, so you can opt in seeing a few sights.  Another great place to fly in early to is Hawaii !  I encourage all my clients to do so … Gives you that chance in going to the Polynesian Cultural Center !  And I love to go to Seattle early, so I can visit Pikes Market downtown (even if I don’t stay downtown, there’s a reasonable tram/train ride from the airport).   And if I’m going to a foreign country, I definitely want to arrive early for sites !  Will you ever be there again ?

 

There’s a multiple reason to travel early !  Just like the value of Trip Cancellation Insurance, you can NOT predict the possible issues for your day of travel !  Don’t miss the boat !