Why You Should Arrive at Your Cruise Port a Day Early
By: Serena Leach
April 17, 2025
Embarking on a cruise is always exciting, but if there’s one tip I can’t stress enough, arrive at your departure port a day early. Getting there ahead of embarkation day can help you avoid last-minute stress, beat unexpected travel delays, and add an extra layer of fun to your trip.
For our family, surprises are everything! We love pulling off back-to-back surprises—a mini adventure followed by an epic vacation reveal—because it’s in those moments that core memories are made.
Surprise! Hooky Day!
On our recent adventure this month, we kicked off with an unforgettable surprise. 3 a.m., we woke the kids up on what they thought was a regular school day. Instead, we packed up the car and headed straight to the airport. Destination? Orlando!
Before boarding our cruise, we planned a surprise day at SeaWorld, and it did not disappoint. The kids had a blast seeing dolphins and manatees up close. We stayed right at the park at the Marriott, which was perfect—no extra Ubers needed! The hotel had a large pool, water slides, oversized chess, cornhole, and plenty of cozy lounge spots to unwind.
The surprises didn’t stop there. The next morning, we pulled up to the port and they saw Adventure of the Seas towering ahead of us. Their excitement was through the roof when they realized we were boarding a 7-day cruise!
5 Reasons to Arrive Early Before Your Cruise
1. Stress Less- Play More – No one wants to miss their cruise because of flight delays, traffic, or bad weather. Arriving early means you start your vacation stress-free.
2. Start Your Vacation Sooner – Why wait? Explore your departure city, enjoy local attractions, or unwind at your hotel before embarkation day.
3. Wake Up Refreshed – Stay overnight near the port, and skip the early-morning travel chaos. Wake up refreshed and ready for adventure.
4. Secure an Early Boarding Time – From past experience, we’ve learned that checking in early is the key to making the most of embarkation day. On previous cruises, we checked in later in the afternoon and felt like we lost half a day—and a meal! (Which is a big no for me! 😊)
5. More Time for Surprises – Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or traveling with kids, arriving early gives you time to plan magical surprises.
Final Thoughts
Arriving a day early isn’t just convenient—it’s a stress-free way to enhance your entire vacation. Start your next cruise adventure the right way and make the most of every moment!
Planning your next cruise? Let’s make sure every detail is taken care of! Contact me at serena@wishesfamilytravel.com, and let’s set sail!
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