Cruising for Canadians often means having to get on an airplane. There are a few ports on the East Coast that are only a day’s drive away but many of us may have to drive a day just to find an affordable flight. I’ve put together a few tips here to help make the task of flying to your next cruise a little easier and less stressful.
Fly the Day BEFORE Your Cruise
I have flown into my cruise the same day but it is VERY stressful. Any flight delay or missed connection can easily result in missing your cruise. They won’t hold the ship for you, even if you booked a flight through the cruise line. Arriving the day before does mean you will have to pay for a night in a hotel but the benefits are worth it. You have some buffer time in case of delays, you have time to decompress from flying and you can wake up in vacation mode and arrive early at the ship to start the fun.
Have Your Documents and Know the Rules
Don’t rely on just your phone. Travel may take you to airports without free wifi, you could be in a different country with no coverage and your battery could die. Have paper documents with your confirmation information and even a paper boarding pass as a backup. Gone are the days were luggage as free. Be sure to know the charges you will have for luggage and be prepared to be creative with a mix of carry-on and checked bags. You will save yourself a lot of hassle if you look online as to what you can an can’t bring on the plane with you and the weight limitations. Know these before you are on the floor of the airport trying to repack luggage in front of a line full of people (trust me, I’ve been there.)
Arrive Early
I have sat in airports and watched families be refused boarding to an aircraft because they were only five minutes late. You spent a lot of money and invested a lot of hope in a great vacation to have it ruined by not planning to arrive early. How early is early? I usually plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours before my flight. If I run into traffic going to the airport, have a flat and have to call a cab or get lost on the way and I still have time to spare. Sometimes I’m way too early with this approach but I’d rather be eating airport food at the gate than running through an airport and miss my plane to paradise.
Use a Travel Agent
Airlines pay little to no commission to travel agents that book flights. Despite this, I’m positive that your travel agent will be more than happy to help you with booking and planning. Most travel agents like myself have personal experience in many, many airports and can provide valuable advice on realistic connection times, airports to avoid and ways to find cheaper flights. When you have decided on your next cruise then be sure to ask your travel agent about booking a flight – they may surprise you and already have looked into your options!
I have travelled and booked dozens of cruises in the last 15 years. I have been to more than 30 different ports along the North American coast and throughout the Caribbean and I am certified with most of the major cruise lines.
Whether you are setting sail on your first cruise or you are an avid cruiser looking for a unique and distinct experience, I am the best travel agent for you. Contact me today, and we’ll start planning your next voyage.
