A Common Cruise Scheduling Mistake Could Ruin Your Entire Vacation

There are tons of hacks out there to help you maximize your vacation time and cut travel costs, from taking red-eye flights to adding personal vacation days onto paid holidays. However, if you are taking a cruise, think twice before just winging your travel itinerary to the cruise terminal, especially if you are thinking of flying in just before your cruise departs. If you have any problem — a flight delay, a flat tire on your way to the port, a lost bag, or you misjudged the distance from the airport to the cruise port — you might miss the boat and part of your vacation. Instead, get a hotel the night before near the cruise terminal, and start to unwind early. 

According to the Harvard Business Review, well-planned vacations can provide true benefits to your work and life. However, a stressful vacation will negate these benefits. Many things about taking a cruise, from the amount of traffic on the roads to the port to what to expect when boarding a cruise, can be stressful, especially since you don't have much control over them. Planning out your transportation to the port in advance and arriving in the area a day early can make a big difference in how you feel as you book other parts of your vacation.

One more important thing to note is that many major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney, have an online check-in procedure that must be completed the day before physical check-in at the cruise terminal. As you check-in online, be sure to note your stateroom's specific embarkation time and the ship's departure time. Many cruisers prefer to arrive at the cruise terminal closer to departure as the lines may be shorter. However, if you arrive too late, you will not be allowed to board your ship.

The first day of a cruise is one of the most stressful of your vacation, but it makes that Mai Tai and sunset so much better! When preparing for your first day, having a few things handy will make packing for your cruise easier and less stressful. Pack a small carry-on bag with all of your travel essentials, including your important documents (passports, credit cards, luggage tags, and boarding passes), a power bank, as well as a change of clothes for the boat. Jeans or hoodies with pockets can help you stay organized during check-in, but you'll likely be ready for vacation mode and the pool as soon as you step aboard. Keep a pair of flip-flops handy! 

Checking in for a cruise is similar to checking in for a flight, and you'll likely wait in line as you collect your keycard from a check-in desk, pass through security, and board the vessel. Checking in luggage, however, is a bit different. In front of the cruise terminal, porters will collect your luggage for delivery to your stateroom later that evening. Prior to handing over your bags, be sure to double-check that you have all of your important documents with you, as you will need them at the cruise terminal. Not doing so will significantly delay your boarding and may cause you to miss your cruise.

One more mistake that could cost you thousands is in your front pocket. At the port of departure, don't forget to switch your phone to airplane mode before you depart, and turn off any auto updates so you don't use your entire cruise Wi-Fi package data allowance in a matter of minutes.

Sadly, all vacations must come to an end. Don't let the inevitable ruin your last day of good vibes. Take a few minutes on your last evening on board to plan out debarking. The disembarkation process can be logistically complex and is a bit different from boarding, as you'll likely have to start getting ready to disembark before the ship arrives at your destination port. Most major cruise lines normally require all bills to be settled and checked luggage to be ready the night before. Guests must be off the boat by late morning. After waking up, you can get breakfast or coffee, and it's highly recommended to eat before getting off the ship.

When preparing the night before, set aside some clothing for the next day and double-check that you have your passport, room key, medicine, and important documents in your carry-on or personal bag. You will normally be given a disembarkation time to exit the ship on your last morning, but if you have hand-carry luggage, you can opt for an earlier debarkation time off the boat. Don't forget to collect your duty-free purchases either!

As for your flight home, you may be tempted to book a flight in the morning soon after your ship arrives at port. However, even if you are on a closed-loop cruise where you don't need a passport, disembarkation can take time, as all arrivals (people and luggage) must clear customs upon arrival into the United States. Even if you've made it through, make sure to have a ride reserved from the cruise terminal to the airport so you aren't stuck waiting. Per a travel agent and expert, give yourself the morning to get through the rigamarole and schedule your flight out after 1 p.m.