Flights and Transfers

Unless you are cruising from a UK port, your cruise will involve flights to and from the cruise region and transfers from the airport to your ship and back again. In some cases you will need transfers to your hotel and then a transfer to the ship on sailing day. A fly-cruise package provided by the cruise line will incorporate all these elements for you but they can also be arranged separately by your Travel Agent.

Our Cruise Details page shows the international airport that you will fly to before your cruise and the airport you will depart from on returning home. In some cases this is not the same city as your cruise embarkation point but passenger transfer arrangements are normally included in your cruise package. However, if you are making your own arrangements, check out how you will get to your cruise eg Ft Lauderdale is a $75 taxi ride from Miami International airport.

Outward Journey
On some lines in Europe and in the Caribbean, you just check in your luggage at the airport and it arrives in your cabin on the ship. All you have to do is board the bus and check in at the ship. Unfortunately, in most cases, you will have to collect your luggage at the end of your flight and clear customs before handing it over to the cruise line to take to the ship or hotel.

Flights are normally met by cruise line representatives and you will be guided to your transfer bus. If you are cruising from the USA, you will probably have a night in a hotel before boarding your cruise the next day. Transfers from the airport to hotel and hotel to ship will be included in a cruise line package and many lines will actually check you in on the cruise in the hotel foyer.

On Your Return
When you disembark the ship and pick up your luggage, cruise line representatives will guide you to your transfer bus. This will take you to the airport where you will check in your bags. Some lines have arrangements allowing you to check in for your flight on the quayside.

Be aware that some lines require you to disembark by 9 or 10am and transfer you to the airport immediately - if you have an afternoon or evening flight you could be in for a long wait. In the US many lines give you the use of a dayroom at an airport hotel, so you can relax by the pool until it is time to transfer to the airport. If you face a long wait at the airport, you could take one of the shore excursions offered by the cruise line - this will normally take you directly to the airport at the end of the excursion. Alternatively you could can make your own arrangements for the day.

Finally a few points for the airport. Some countries levy a departure tax on everyone leaving from the airport and these are payable in cash only and in local currency although many will accept US dollars. If you are leaving from the USA, allow plenty of time at the airport to clear security - the new arrangements are creating long queues. The airport authorities there do open luggage to check the contents and they will break locks in order to do so. If your checked bags are locked you will be asked to wait in the check-in area for them to be searched or scanned before you proceed with consequent delays. Travellers are often advised to leave their luggage unlocked on flights to or from the USA. Read our tip on Luggage.