Should I arrive the day before my cruise?

Yes, if you are flying. A delayed or canceled flight can mean missing the ship, and it will not wait. Arriving the day before and staying one night near the port is the safest plan.

How early should I get to the cruise port?

Arrive at the time your cruise line gives you for check-in, usually late morning or early afternoon. All passengers normally need to be on board well before the ship sails.

What happens if I miss my cruise ship?

The ship usually leaves without you. You may be able to join it at the next port, but travel there is normally at your own cost, so check your cruise line's policy and your travel insurance.

Do hotels near cruise ports have shuttles?

Many do, especially near Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston. Check with the hotel before booking, since shuttles can have set times or a fee.

Where to Stay the Night Before a Cruise: Port-by-Port Guide

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The ship leaves at a set time, and it does not wait for late passengers. That one fact is why experienced cruisers almost always fly in the day before and spend a night near the port. This guide covers why it matters, where to stay near the biggest cruise ports, and how to get from your hotel to the terminal without stress.

Why you should arrive the day before

Flying in on the morning of your cruise leaves no room for anything to go wrong. A delayed flight, a missed connection, a long line at baggage claim or heavy traffic can each cost you hours. If you miss the ship, you are usually responsible for catching up with it at the next port, at your own cost.

Arriving the day before gives you:

A buffer for delays. If your flight is late or canceled, you still have time to get there.
A calm sailing day. You wake up near the port, have breakfast and arrive at the terminal relaxed.
A bit of extra vacation. Most cruise ports are in cities worth an evening: Miami, Seattle, New Orleans, San Juan and Barcelona are all great for a night out.

Travel insurance can help with some missed-departure costs, but read what your policy covers before you rely on it.

Hotels near the big US cruise ports

Miami (PortMiami)

PortMiami sits on an island next to downtown, so downtown and Brickell hotels are a short ride away. Miami Beach is farther but popular if you want a beach evening first. Miami International Airport is about 8 miles from the port. See our Miami cruise port guide for hotels on a map, and our best time to visit Miami guide if you want to add a few days.

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

Port Everglades is one of the easiest ports to reach by plane: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport is only about 2 miles away. Many hotels between the airport and the beach run cruise shuttles. See the Fort Lauderdale cruise port guide.

Port Canaveral (near Orlando)

Port Canaveral is about 45 miles from Orlando International Airport, so you have two good options: stay in Orlando and add a theme park day, or stay in Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral right next to the port. See the Port Canaveral guide and our Orlando vacation on a budget tips.

Galveston

Galveston has no big airport, so most cruisers fly into Houston Hobby or Houston Bush and drive about an hour or more. Staying on Galveston Island the night before takes the pressure off sailing day. See the Galveston cruise port guide and hotels in Houston if you land late.

Seattle

Alaska cruises leave from two terminals: Pier 66 near downtown and Pier 91 a little north. A downtown hotel works for both, and light rail runs from the airport to downtown. See the Seattle cruise port guide.

Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach)

The Port of Los Angeles is in San Pedro, about 20 miles from LAX, and Long Beach has its own terminal nearby. LA traffic is the real risk here, so a hotel in San Pedro or Long Beach is much safer than one in Hollywood or Santa Monica. See the Los Angeles cruise port guide.

Tampa, New Orleans and San Juan

Tampa: the cruise terminals are next to downtown and the Channel District, about 15 minutes from the airport. See the Tampa cruise port guide.
New Orleans: the terminal is close to the French Quarter, which makes the night before part of the trip. See the New Orleans cruise port guide and our things to do in New Orleans.
San Juan: ships dock in Old San Juan, one of the prettiest port areas in the Caribbean. See the San Juan cruise port guide.

Barcelona

For Mediterranean cruises, Barcelona is one of the biggest departure ports in Europe, and the city deserves more than one night. Flying in two days early also protects you from transatlantic delays. See the Barcelona cruise port guide and our best time to visit Barcelona.

How to choose the hotel

Distance or shuttle. Close to the terminal, or with a cruise shuttle, beats a fancier hotel across town.
Free cancellation. If your flight changes, you want to be able to move the booking.
Breakfast and late checkout matter less than you think. Most ships let you board from late morning, and you can eat on board.
Parking packages. If you drive to the port, some hotels offer a night's stay with parking for the whole cruise. Compare that with the price of port parking.

Getting from the airport to the ship

On the day you arrive, a taxi, rideshare or a pre-booked transfer gets you to your hotel. On sailing day, many port hotels run shuttles, or you can take a short taxi ride. Pre-booking a transfer with Kiwitaxi means a driver waits for you, which helps if your flight lands late. Each cruise port guide on Gotoesy also lists airport transfer options.

A simple sailing-day timeline

Have breakfast and check out of the hotel.
Arrive at the terminal at the time your cruise line gives you, usually late morning or early afternoon.
Keep passports or IDs, medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on, since checked bags can take hours to reach your cabin.
Board, find lunch, and enjoy the first afternoon at sea.

Find your cruise and your hotel

Every Gotoesy cruise port page has hotels near the terminal with live prices, airport transfers, cheap flights to the port city, and a cruise search by destination and month. Search cruises from your port, then book the night before.

See all cruise ports

Frequently asked questions

Should I arrive the day before my cruise?: Yes, if you are flying. A delayed or canceled flight can mean missing the ship, and it will not wait. Arriving the day before and staying one night near the port is the safest plan.
How early should I get to the cruise port?: Arrive at the time your cruise line gives you for check-in, usually late morning or early afternoon. All passengers normally need to be on board well before the ship sails.
What happens if I miss my cruise ship?: The ship usually leaves without you. You may be able to join it at the next port, but travel there is normally at your own cost, so check your cruise line's policy and your travel insurance.
Do hotels near cruise ports have shuttles?: Many do, especially near Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston. Check with the hotel before booking, since shuttles can have set times or a fee.