I have found that leaving a day before my cruise makes Embarkation Day so much easyer. After getting up early to make my flight, all the waiting in lines at the Air Port and at the Termanal in port just wares me out. I would be so tired that my first day would be in my cabin resting.
I now go the day before so I can be rested for Embarkation and I can enjoy the Sail Away Party and fun day at sea. I have also found that Packing as lite as possible is a great way to avoid coming back with extra luggage. I always end up buying clothes in port and aboard ship and never wearing the clothes I bring. I now cruise stress free and ready for all the action on the ship on the first day.
For your first day just bring a backpace with just things that you will need for your first day aboard so you won't be bogged down. You will also be hands free.
If you are going on the Splendor or the Paridise out of Long Beach Ca, I recommend staying on the Queen Mary Hotel. It's wonderful and you also get EZ Boarding which is great. No standing in long lines to board.
We would not dare flying in the same day as we sail... Due to the many delays in Europe (traffic jam in the air) or the long overseas flight that would cost us a lot of stress we can do without.
Actually, what we do is arriving a FEW DAYS before sailing, to have a chance to explore Rome, south Florida and Southhampton and surroundings (in our case). Makes 2 vacations in one! And with the low hotel prices you can find these days...
That is exactly what we did and it took all of the stress out of Embarkment day. We stayed in Ft Lauderdale just across from the pier. Much nicer than rushing down and to the ship the same day.
It sure is better. After getting up early to go to the airport and standing in lines and all the stress there, I think it is so much better as you are rested up for the sail away party and a restful first day at sea. I learned that after my first cruise and who can resist staying on the Queen Mary .
That is exactly what we did and it took all of the stress out of Embarkment day. We stayed in Ft Lauderdale just across from the pier. Much nicer than rushing down and to the ship the same day.
It's a good idea and I would probably do the same if I had to fly to a cruise port. It will also give you more time in case of delayed or missed flights.
Favorites
Digg
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Furl
Magnolia
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo MyWeb
