Should I fly in early for my cruise? The pros and cons of arriving ahead of time
Imagine it’s embarkation day for your long-awaited cruise vacation, but your same-day flight gets delayed. Your new arrival time means you might not get to your ship before check-in closes. Or, imagine you wake up to a snowstorm and unplowed streets, and you can't get to the airport. Or maybe your car breaks down on the way, and you miss your flight.
In all of these scenarios, you've left yourself mere hours to fly from your home city to your cruise port. An unexpected delay means your voyage hangs in the balance.
As experienced cruisers know, one of the best ways to avoid potential embarkation day travel headaches is to fly in at least a day before your ship's departure.
Flying in early is generally a smart idea, but consider these pros and cons before you decide when to arrive for your cruise if you’re traveling by plane.
Pros of flying in early for your cruise
You’ll have time to rebook if there are delays
You know how the stereotypical dad arrives at the airport five hours before any flight? Flying to your cruise departure city early is the same concept but on a larger scale.
If you plan to arrive the day before your cruise and your flight is delayed or canceled — or you run into another snag that prevents you from being on the plane as scheduled — you'll be able to make alternative travel plans and arrive in port before your ship sets sail. Knowing you have time to develop a Plan B will allow you to keep some travel stress at bay.
Related: What happens if you miss your cruise
You’ll have time to explore your port city
One of my least favorite things about cruising is the limited amount of time most ships provide in port. If you fly in a day early for your voyage, you’ll have a chance to explore your city of embarkation before your ship departs.
Plan to check out a local restaurant or two, visit a museum or take in the sights. One day is sufficient, but if you have the time, consider a two- or three-day pre-cruise stay to enhance your vacation and really explore the area.
You can rest and start adjusting to any time changes
If running around taking in the local attractions the day before your cruise sounds more exhausting than fun, you can also use the time to do the opposite: relax. Check into your hotel, have a leisurely meal and rest up before boarding the following day.
This is also a great way to jump-start your body’s adjustment to any time changes you might encounter if you’re flying farther afield to meet your ship.
Related: Should I buy my flights through my cruise line
Cons of flying in early for your cruise
You'll have more logistics to plan
If you’re flying in the day before you embark, you’ll need a place to stay. That means more vacation planning. Is it better to stay closer to the port or local attractions? Does the property you’ve chosen offer perks like free breakfast or Wi-Fi? What is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Which attractions are best to visit, and do you need a car to get to them?
You’ll also need to find your way to the port on the day your ship leaves. If your hotel doesn’t have a shuttle, you’ll need to research taxis, ride-hailing services or other public transportation options.
Related: Embarkation day do’s and don'ts
A longer trip will cost more
If you’re on a strict budget, the extra costs involved with a pre-cruise hotel stay might not be affordable or worth it. Are you giving up a shore excursion in a port of call in order to fund meals and accommodations prior to your sailing?
You'll want to research not only hotel prices but also costs for meals, sightseeing and transfers between the airport, hotel and cruise port. Then, you can decide whether you want to fly in a day early. Look to points and miles that might help you score a pre-cruise hotel room for free or at a discounted rate, or look to redeem award nights for your stay.
Bottom line
Arriving early for a cruise has its pros and cons. However, the reasons to arrive at least a day ahead of time far outweigh reasons not to — especially if a pre-cruise hotel stay is within your budget.
Making your way into town a day or more in advance will provide you with additional peace of mind, a chance to explore and an opportunity to rest up for embarkation day.
If you can't afford a pre-cruise stay or don't have time to fly in the day before you sail, I recommend booking the earliest flight possible on embarkation day. This way, you'll have time to hop on another one if your travel plans go awry.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.