Plan Your Cruise
Flights, pre-cruise hotels, shore excursions, insurance and documents — port by port.
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The cruise is only part of the trip. Getting to the ship relaxed, on time and properly covered is what turns a good cruise into a great vacation. Here is how we suggest planning, with the network sites that help at each step.
1. Choose the cruise
Start with a destination and a style of cruise line, then ask specialists for quotes.
2. Protect the trip
Buy travel insurance when you pay your deposit. See Cruise and Travel Insurance.
3. Check documents
Passports, visas and ID rules depend on the itinerary. See Ask the Cruise Expert.
4. Fly in early
Book flights to arrive the day before you sail. Search on AirfaresForLess.com.
5. Book a port hotel
Stay near the terminal the night before. Port guides on RoomsCheap.com.
6. Plan your port days
Shore excursions and activities on ShoreActivities.com.
Pre-Cruise Hotels and Flights by Port
Missing the ship because of a delayed flight is the most avoidable cruise mistake there is. Fly in at least a day early (two for long-haul or winter trips), and stay close to the port. Each port below links to its hotel guide on RoomsCheap.com and to the matching airfare section on AirfaresForLess.com.
| Cruise port | Region | Hotels | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Port Canaveral (Orlando) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Tampa | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Jacksonville | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Galveston (Houston) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| New Orleans | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Bayonne (Cape Liberty) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Boston | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Baltimore | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Charleston | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Seattle | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Los Angeles (San Pedro, Long Beach) | US | Port hotels | Airfares |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | Caribbean | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Vancouver | Canada | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Barcelona | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Civitavecchia (Rome) | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Venice | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Piraeus (Athens) | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Lisbon | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Southampton | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Dover | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Copenhagen | Europe | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Dubai | Middle East | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Singapore | Asia | Port hotels | Airfares |
| Sydney | Australia | Port hotels | Airfares |
See all cruise-port hotel guides and airfare destinations.
Shore Excursions: Book With the Ship or on Your Own?
Ship-sponsored tours cost more but guarantee the ship will wait if the tour runs late. Independent tours can be cheaper and smaller, but you are responsible for getting back on time. For far-off sights (Rome from Civitavecchia, Bangkok from Laem Chabang) or tight port times, the ship’s tour is usually the safer choice.
Read the full comparison on ShoreActivities.com, or browse Caribbean, Alaska and Europe excursions.
Travel Insurance: Our Policy Since 2002
Smart Traveler has required travel insurance on every cruise it arranges since 2002, just after 9/11. It typically adds a few percent to the cost, depending on your age and the trip price, and protects your investment against cancellation, medical emergencies and supplier failure. Our rule of thumb: do not buy insurance only from the company providing your travel — if that supplier fails, the coverage fails with it. Quotes include coverage from highly rated third-party insurers. If you already hold an annual travel policy, tell your specialist.
Start With a Free Quote
Your specialist will help with flights, hotels, insurance and documents as well as the cruise itself.
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