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:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- 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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees