Is it safe to fly the same day as cruise departure?

It's Risky. The most obvious reason to not fly in on the same day as your cruise departing is simply that it's risky. If you have any sort of travel delay or cancellation, you will risk missing your cruise entirely. Of course, this is a costly mistake since you've already paid for your cruise in full at this point.



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Many Cruise Critic members say they fly in the morning of departure with no problems, but admit they have friends who have had issues. Just because someone has never faced a flight cancellation or travel hiccup while getting to the ship on time, doesn't mean it's not a possibility -- even a likely one.

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Guests who miss their cruise due to travel delays can contact the Emergency Travel Team (ETT) to discuss their options going forward. In specific situations, when the guest has the proper documentation, it is possible to join the cruise at the next port of call, but all options must be discussed with ETT.

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Basically, everyone will be screened at the security checkpoints. You are encouraged to remove all items from your clothing. Unless you a child or over 75, you will need to remove your shoes that will then be screened along with any carry-on items. Review the TSA website videos ahead of time so you know what to expect.

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On voyage-conclusion days, also called turnaround days, passengers are usually asked to vacate their cabins between 8 and 8:30 a.m. so stewards can begin cleaning them for the next round of cruisers. Everyone from the cruise that's ending must be off the ship between 9 and 10 a.m. in most cases.

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Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.

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How far in advance should you book flights? Passengers pay the lowest price, around 6% below the average fare, if they buy their tickets six weeks before their flight. That's the golden rule thousands of travel blogs and articles swear by.

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For most people, the best piece of advice is to put your phone on airplane mode before your ship sets sail out of port. This prevents your cell from trying to stay connected, thereby eliminating roaming charges. Of course, this also stops you from making and receiving calls and text messages.

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What's the ideal cruise length for a first-timer? A week or so is the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers, which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won't allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can't decompress as thoroughly, either.

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Go to breakfast Room service may or may not be available on disembarkation day. Head to the buffet or main dining room to enjoy a leisurely breakfast — unless you are in a rush to get to your flight.

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Screening for a cruise is relatively straightforward. An attendant will check your boarding pass, and then you'll have your bags x-rayed while you walk through a metal detector. All of your carry-on luggage will go through the x-ray machine, which looks just like what you'd encounter at the airport.

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice). You'll also need a passport for a cruise that begins and ends in different U.S. ports.

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Generally, cruise lines recommend you bring two pieces of luggage per person at a maximum weight of 50 pounds as well as a small carry-on bag, with dimensions not exceeding 22 x 14 x 9.

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If you're planning to go on a cruise, you might be wondering whether cruise lines check your luggage. The answer is yes, they do.

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Luggage screening is a thorough process that involves scanning all checked bags using X-ray machines and metal detectors. During the screening, cruise line staff looks for any prohibited items, such as weapons, drugs, and alcohol, that exceed the permissible limit.

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Even if you are arriving on a flight booked through the cruise line, the ship still will sail without you if that flight is delayed and you are not at the pier on time. What cruise lines will do if you miss a cruise departure due to a delay on a cruise line-booked flight is help you get to the ship at another port.

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