Pre-Cruise Flight Options
For cruisers who fly to their cruise’s departure port city, there are a few decisions to make. First is when to arrive, with many cruisers preferring not to risk a potential flight disruption resulting in a missed cruise (check out my blog post on that topic). Another choice is to when to book the return flight home.
As noted in the aforementioned post, I aim to book return flights that depart around noon, but this isn’t always possible. I’ve occasionally been stuck with a late return flight — sometimes not departing until 9 or 10 pm. Some airports will not allow travelers to check in for their flight any sooner than 2-3 hours before their flight, so hanging out at the airport isn’t always an option. That brings rise to the question – what do I do in my port city to kill time when I have a late flight home? Here are my recommendations:
Stow Your Luggage and Kill Time
In situations where I only have a few hours to kill, I’ll find a place to stow my luggage, such as Radical Storage, and look for a storage location near a destination with something to do that is accessible on foot. Ideal spots are malls and movie theatres, as spending a few hours there is often easy. I then take an Uber from the port to the storage location, stow my luggage, and then engage in some time killing. Assuming you don’t waste money at the mall, this option is affordable, as Radical Storage runs just about $6 per bag to stow.
Book an Excursion
Yes, you can go on an excursion or do an activity after your cruise. Some include transportation to and from the activity, with the ability to store your luggage securely in a bus or van. Personally, I don’t care much for this option, as I’m generally pretty worn out after a cruise, but it’s a great way to maximize your activity on your vacation. If you go this route, Viator is my go-to for affordable activities and excursions, and the ability to read user reviews before booking.
Rent a Car
Renting a car is another great option, and some rental car agencies provide free shuttle service from the cruise port to their facility, or an Uber is always an option. With a rental car, you can keep your luggage securely stowed in the trunk and have complete freedom and flexibility to fill your day exploring and trying new experiences. Although it may be more expensive than returning to the pickup location (assuming you picked it up at a location other than the airport from which you’re flying home), you might be able to return the vehicle to your departure airport.
Book a Day Pass or Day Room
When I have more than about six hours to kill, I book a day pass or day room through a site such Resort for a Day. A day pass allows you to enjoy a hotel’s guest amenities, such as the pool facilities or beachfront access, for the day and sometimes for a shockingly low price ($15-20). The hotel will store your luggage for you.
A day room is more expensive than a day pass, but gives travelers access to a hotel room for the day, generally with check out at 4 pm. I love this option because it provides me with a place to securely keep my luggage so I can get out and explore, and I also have a nice spot to chill, take a nap, or even enjoy a shower. If the hotel has other amenities, such as a pool, guests can typically use those as well.
