Cruise Passengers Be Cautious

By Don Nadeau, on October 29, 2008, in Airfares

You’d think that with all the news of airport delays, canceled flights, and winter "storms of the century" that travelers would be more cautious when they make airline connections to cruises, but sadly that is often not the case. You still find passengers missing their cruise departures because their flights are delayed or canceled. This creates two very significant problems. First, there is the matter of the last-minute airfare to reach the ship’s first port of call. That will be high. Second, when is that first port of call? Often it’s on the third day because cruise ships tend to have a full day at sea on the second day. That means a delayed passenger will miss one evening and then one full day and another evening of her or his cruise. Especially for winter travel and even more so if you depart from or connect through a city that has a harsh winter climate, spend a night in a hotel at your departure port prior to your cruise. Think of this extra expense as an insurance policy, as you enjoy the sun by the hotel’s pool. I urge the hotel overnight even for summer travel, but if that is not possible, then at least allow lots of extra time to reach your ship from the airport. Do not assume that you will arrive during the minimum connecting times suggested by cruise lines. Cruise companies may delay a departure for a large group they’ve booked from a major airport, but they are far less likely to delay a departure for just a few people. Or, for a departure that you've booked yourself.