A is for Airport or drive to the port

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open 
ocean. 

A is for Airport or drive to the port.
Today is the letter A and our title for the day is "Airport or drive to the port" where we discuss the ways to get to the port and which option is best for you.

Once you book your cabin, one of the first to figure out is how you are getting to the ship. Unless you are lucky enough to live within walking distance of the port you will either fly to the city the port is located or drive to the port. Each has its pros and cons.

If you live a long distance away flying may be your best option as you can cover a lot of distance in a short time. Keep in mind though the ship will not wait so include extra time for flight delays. You can always fly in a day or two early and explore the city if you want, however the hotel industry knows when the cruise ships are coming and often raise their rates the night before and the day of arrival. A cheaper option for hotels maybe a hotel near the airport. This is not a bad option if there is a good public transportation system into the city. If you can fly non stop early in the morning of the day the ship leaves that could be an option as well. We have done that for each of our cruises.

If you choose to fly you will then need to find a way to the port. The ports are close to the airports in some cities however in others it is quite some distance. For example Orlando airport is a 45 drive from Port Canaveral where the cruise ships dock. The cruise lines offer transportation from the airport to the ship and costs about $25-40 per person. For 1-2 people it is about the same as a cab ride but for larger parties it will be cheaper to book your own transportation to the port. Uber and Lyft may be an economical choice as well.


If you live fairly close to the port there is the option to drive. Most ports have large parking lots or garages for passengers to leave their cars. Rates vary per port but expect to pay between $15-30 per day. Some hotels will provide free parking for the duration of the cruise if you stay the night before. If you live within driving distance the parking rates may be cheaper than airline tickets plus you won't have to worry about how much duty free booze you can bring home.

Which option is best really depends on your situation. Weigh up your options and see which option is best for you. If you have cruised before did you drive or fly to the port?