Why not take a few days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city or both by adding a pre- and post-cruise extension? Even if you can tag on only a day or two, at least it will give you time to get a taste of what these exciting places have to offer.
There are many benefits in doing so, but the main benefit of extending your cruise is to maximize the value of your flight. You have to get there anyway and whether you arrive a few days before, the overall cost of the flight will likely be similar. It might even be cheaper.
Benefits of a pre-cruise extension
Adding a pre-cruise vacation stay sure beats having to rush from the airport after an overnight flight and being all groggy and grumpy for boarding the ship. Also, you will feel more relaxed on embarkation day, I’m sure! We have experienced both scenarios and let me tell you that even adding one day before the cruise has always been worthwhile.
Furthermore, when connecting to a cruise ship, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day before the cruise departure port. You never know, there could be a flight delay or worse, a cancellation, and missing the cruise embarkation causes lots of problems. Having to scramble to find a way to make it to the next port of call before the ship sails away is not fun and very stressful. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened to us, but we came close:
I remember when my husband and I had to run between terminals at Los Angeles Airport to catch our flight to Tahiti to board our South Pacific cruise. Our connecting flight was delayed because of freezing rain and as a result we only had 20 minutes to make our connection. We really had to be on that flight since the next one was only 2 days later. Thankfully, we made it on time to board our cruise ship, but our luggage didn’t. Had we planned to arrive a few days before, our bags would have arrived before the ship’s departure. At least we had taken the insurance and our suitcases were brought to us at the next port.
Benefits of a post-cruise extension
Having the luxury of taking your time to enjoy one last breakfast on the ship, instead of having to hustle and disembark and head to the airport for your flight home is by far much more pleasant. Why ruin a relaxing vacation with the madness of disembarkation day? Wouldn’t exploring the disembarkation port at your leisure be more fun? We think so.
Good to know
If organizing your own excursion seems too complicated, cruise lines will be happy to sell you one last shore excursion. Similarly, river cruise operators offer optional excursions to enhance your stay. Additionally, the hotel concierge can help you make the most of your visit.
Most cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise hotel packages including airport and ship transfers. Many ship excursions on the last day can drop you at the airport for late flights or in the hotel area so you don’t have to worry about luggage (it stays on the cruise ship tour bus until you finish the tour).