When you are cruising.........

JoeyandDavid · December 9, 2007

When you are going to go on a cruise and you are more than 500 miles from the embarkation Port.. do you normally book a Pre cruise Hotel or do you just travel to the pier on sailing day....

(i chose 500 miles because that would be a FULL day of Driving)

RNSANE · December 9, 2007

I usually arrive at any cruise destination a day before I cruise. Don't want to take any chance of missing it. If I have family or friends in the area, I will often stay with them, otherwise, I book my own hotel - I don't use the cruise line's unless it is in some remote place and I can't do better.

Carmen

terumim · December 9, 2007

a day or so ahead... if its a city i have never been too i like to take the time to see a little of the city....

Tonia

teacp · December 9, 2007

Definitely a day ahead for us

TheSkipper · December 9, 2007

That distance would mean Florida for us, so we would fly in the day before and book a hotel. Mainly because our airline of choice: Southwest (where I earn the most free tickets) does not get to

Florida in time for any cruise. Same is true for any East Coast departure.

For LA or SD we drive over the day of the cruise. Or, once in awhile we will fly, but still the same day as the cruise. :smile:

cruisetarp · December 9, 2007

500 miles from the port would definately call for an overnight stay before the cruise. We don't like that feeling of being rushed or on a schedule.

zebra · December 9, 2007

Most of the time we arrive the day before (at least) - if it's Europe or any other overseas port then we would make it at least 2 nights before, to be able to spend some time exploring that city. Of course, ideally we would like to cruise out of Tampa. Do you know we live in a cruise port and have only ever cruise ONCE out of here.... go figure. But that's about to change - I think our next cruise is going to be out of Tampa again.

RNSANE · December 9, 2007

I always meant to do the Legend when she was sailing out of Tampa - don't know if Royal Caribbean has a ship out of there now. How convenient, though. It was fun staying at the Marriott Harborside last visit....I actually flew in to Tampa, drove over to Sarasota to see friends, went on to Miami to do the Majesty and see my bar manager friend from India, drove back to Tampa and stayed two nights with my friend who works at Moffitt Cancer Hospital, then stayed four days at the Marriott Harborside before returning home. For old times sake, we had dinner one night at the Columbus....it isn't the same as it was 35 years ago - or it seemed more exciting back then...though my meal was certainly good. I thought the flamenco dancers were much better back then.

Gregswife · December 10, 2007

Always the day before. A few years ago, we were sailing from San Juan, and as I love Ft. Lauderdale, we decided to fly there the day before and rent a car to see the town. We were booked on an American Airlines flight to San Juan the next afternoon which was fine as the sailing was not until 10:00 p.m. but due to constant delays, we came within minutes of missing the ship, so I would never arrive at the port of embarkation on sailing day again. Will always give myself plenty of wiggle room......