I Broke the Cardinal Sin of Cruising—Here’s What Happened

I Broke a Cardinal Sin of Cruising: Flying in the Day of My Cruise

And yet… I did exactly that.

I had a direct morning flight to New York, a private transfer lined up to the port, and just enough confidence (or maybe stubbornness) to roll the dice. My logic was simple: a direct flight reduces the risk of delays, I wasn’t checking luggage, and the port was relatively close to the airport.

Did I make it in time?

Racing the clock

Yes. In fact, I stepped off the plane, met my driver, and was at the cruise terminal in less than an hour. Check-in was surprisingly quick, and before I knew it, I was walking up the gangway with a sigh of relief. From landing to being on the ship, the whole process took just a little over an hour.

But let me be clear—this was not a move I’d recommend for everyone. A lot could have gone wrong: a delayed or canceled flight, traffic snarls, even something as simple as a lost suitcase. Any one of those hiccups could have meant waving goodbye to the ship from the pier instead of the balcony.

I went into it knowing and accepting the risk, but I fully understand why experienced cruisers preach against it. Peace of mind is worth something, and flying in the day before lets you start your vacation without a knot in your stomach.

This time, I gambled and won. Next time? I’ll probably play it safe.

Tips If You Still Want to Fly the Day Of

If you’re going to bend the rule like I did, here are a few ways to stack the odds in your favor:

1. Book the earliest flight of the day. Morning flights are less likely to be delayed, giving you more wiggle room.

2. Go nonstop. Every connection you add is another chance for things to go wrong.

3. Carry on only. Lost luggage can sink your vacation before it even starts.

4. Arrange private transport. Skip waiting on shuttles or rideshares. Having a driver ready saves time and stress.

5. Know the port’s cut-off time. Some lines close boarding earlier than you’d think—don’t assume you can stroll in right before sail away.

6. Have a backup plan. Know your airline’s rebooking options and your cruise line’s policy on joining the ship at the next port (just in case).

   
   

Breaking the “cardinal sin” worked for me this time—but cruising is supposed to be relaxing. And nothing kills that vibe faster than sprinting through an airport hoping you make it.