Fly Day of Cruise or before?

Here's a twist. Our next scheduled cruise (unless I book another) is next Feb. on the CCL Spirit out of Mobile, AL. Although we normally fly in the day before, at this time were planning to drive, and we're planning to leave a week before sailing. We're going to spend a few days exploring Mobile and some FL panhandle retirement communities before the cruise, then do the same in TN on the way home (WI).

My spreadsheet shows this will be more cost effective than flying down for the cruise, then plan a separate trip to recon retirement sites.

A lot of things come into play when making this decision, including:

a.) the port city: do you live near it or further away? For example, when we cruise from Boston, we go in the day of since we're less than an hour outside of Boston. We also cruise out of NJ, NYC, and Baltimore, but we usually drive since those ports are only a few hours away. We drive in the day before in that case.

b.) how you plan to get there: flying or driving? Driving will save you money on airplane tickets, but flying will save you gas money.

c.) timing: if you fly, what times do the airlines have available? What would you do if there was a delay? If you drive, what time would you need to leave by?

d.) pricepoint: can you afford a hotel or an AirBnB? What's their availability? Do they offer cruise packages?

e.) parking: is there some available at the port and what's the cost? Would it make more sense to stay in the hotel and use their shuttle? How about booking an Uber or Lyft?

"Getting older isn't for sissies" is a phrase that has come true for us and apparently for you too, GOL155.

I only slept in my car overnight when in the Navy so others might think I had a 'special' encounter. Glad you can still do this today, not having to worry about what your fellow sailors might think. Kudos to you on your creativity.

Myself, today, I prefer the Embassy Suites evening drinks, comfy bed and morning breakfast extravaganza, compared to my car with a stiff back, and searching for a bathroom in the morning. I know, TMI !!! (lol)

Cruised out of Miami from NY flew in the day before on a late flight rented an SUV did some sightseeing slept in the car checked for the cruise at 11am. Hotels rate were ridiculously. Oh yeah I was a solo cruiser had a great time...

Ah yes, a fellow WNYer who understands our 9 months of winter, and 3months of bad sledding...

I 100% agree, and now with what seems to be Post-pandemic uncertainty pertaining to air travel (::Cough:: Southwest ::Cough::) I may start coming to town 2 days prior...

I am a day before person. IMO - the big factor is where you live. I mostly cruise in the Winter months to escape the cold Western New York weather. When booking 3-6 months in advance, I never know what the weather is going to be. The extra hotel cost is cheap insurance for missing a cruise. I learned long time ago, planes do not wait for me, I have to believe cruise ships are the same (lol). Safe travels everyone.

Tight budget was completely blown by airline flight change which resulted in us getting a hotel and rent car the day before an Alaskan cruise leaving out of Vancouver BC - added over $1,000 to the cruise which came straight out of excursion budget. Ugh!

Depending on port, we fly in very early AM and get on ship in one of first groups.

I am fortunate enough that I can work semi-remotely, so I usually "work" right up until 2pm, and then turn my phone off until 0600 on Disembarkation day.

well i am still working and i just take enough time off to leave early for the cruise and make it part of the trip. not worth the stress