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Unless you are lucky enough to live near your cruise port and can drive, traveling to your cruise may require you to fly to the port of embarkation.
This winter, travel delays seem all too common with horror stories of cancellations and delays being stuck in the airport for hours.
Much of this is due to the 2022 summer travel chaos and unprecedented travel demand, but such delays can occur at any time when flying.
Best practices
The best way to manage travel delays is to avoid them altogether by allowing yourself plenty of time to get to your cruise. It is good practice to fly into your cruise port at least one day before your cruise departs.
In fact, these days, you might want to consider flying a couple of days in advance. This gives you time to prepare for any delays or cancellations you might experience at the airport, especially if you’re flying long-haul or internationally to get to your cruise.
Additionally, we recommend taking direct flights whenever possible (even though they are more expensive) and choosing the first flight of the day to allow more time. The first flight of the day is less likely to be canceled or delayed, and direct flights eliminate the possibility of missing a connection.
It’s also a good idea to have travel insurance that covers travel delays or cancellations, which can cover unexpected travel expenses. We always recommend travel insurance, but with the chaos of travel this couldn’t be more true these days.
Also, since cruise lines keep ships on strict itineraries, you should know that there is no wiggle room when it comes to your cruise’s departure. With thousands of other passengers planning their vacations, even an hour’s delay can cause headaches for everyone on board.
It only takes one painful experience to lose your cruise to prevent the same mistake from happening again.
Still, you can do everything right when it comes to travel planning and still find yourself in the worst situation – missing your cruise.
Take immediate action
The minute you realize you can’t make your cruise, take action as soon as possible. Whenever you have more time on your side, you can make lemonade from lemons and save your vacation.
Your flight is now delayed and you can’t make it on time. If you can get on a different flight, consider flying to an alternate airport for your cruise.
Check alternative airlines that may have flights to the same destination. For example, Melbourne and Daytona Beach are close to Port Canaveral, while Fort Lauderdale is close to Miami. Other airports considered include Tampa and Jacksonville in Florida.
For time travel, consider renting a car and driving to a port or nearby airport. Be sure to exhaust every option you can think of.
Regardless, the more you take action, the more time you give yourself to figure something out. If weather is causing cancellations and delays, unfortunately you may not have many options.
When a flight is delayed or canceled, you’ll find long lines. Call or talk to your airline or travel agent while waiting in line to see what your options are.
Call the cruise line
When experiencing travel delays, be sure to call your cruise line to tell them about your situation. Even if you can’t move mountains, the cruise line has resources to help you figure out what to do next when you find yourself in a delayed travel situation.
For example, Royal Caribbean has an Emergency Travel Team (ETT) to discuss options in these worst travel situations. Passengers can call the emergency travel line when they experience unfortunate travel delays or cancellations. Norwegian Cruise Line has an emergency specialist team to help plan next steps in the event of a travel delay.
Those who book flights with the cruise line may have additional protections and benefits, especially in the event of carrier delays. When you book airfare through a cruise line, they often offer free protection because you’ve invested in your cruise purchase. Some cruise lines will guarantee that the cruise ship will take off, and if not, they will provide you with lodging and transportation to the ship’s location.
Booking through a cruise line may include benefits that reimburse expenses incurred by unexpected delays and “hold” accommodations. In this case, contacting the cruise line should be one of the first steps you take in the event of a travel delay.
Flight to the first port
Although not ideal, you may be able to fly to the cruise ship’s first port of call. In this case, you will miss the first or second day of the cruise, but it is better than missing your cruise vacation entirely.
With proper documentation, the cruise line allows guests to have the option of making the cruise’s first port of call. Be sure to save as many documents as possible. Due to US maritime laws regarding passenger transport and foreign port requirements, not everyone is allowed to board a cruise ship.
However, if you can find the cruise line and make sure you can fly to the original port, it may be worth it. Depending on the total cost of your cruise, the cost of connecting with the cruise ship may be greater than the cost of missing your cruise vacation entirely.
Insurance claims
So, you’ve exhausted all your options and can’t afford your cruise. We know how frustrating travel can be, so it’s okay to have a small Thanksgiving feast, especially when you’ve spent money on your vacation and it’s a flop.
If you have any type of travel insurance, start the claim process with the insurance company. While some policies are more limited than others, you should be able to get your money back for your cruise in the event of a travel delay or interruption.
Also, if you have a premium travel credit card (like Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum), you have built-in coverage if you purchase the flight using your premium credit card. This may provide some compensation for the loss of your trip due to flight delays or cancellations.
As we mentioned, travel insurance is always a good idea to protect your investment and provide some financial relief in the worst-case scenario.
Know your airline rights
If you find yourself stuck at the airport because the airlines delayed or canceled your flight, make sure you know what your rights are as an airline passenger.
According to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, passengers with canceled flights are entitled to a refund, regardless of whether the passenger took the flight or not. The airline will try to rebook you on the next flight or on another airline that suits their requirements.
Compensation is also required when a passenger is delayed from one flight to another.
If you want to stay in a hotel or rent a car, you can always ask the airline for additional compensation. Depending on the airline, most will reimburse you for the cost of a hotel stay or rental car if the delay is not weather-related.
Some offer discounts or loyalty miles to frustrated passengers for issues with the airline. 
Finally, airlines will always try to give you a flight voucher instead of a refund. If you are eligible for a full refund and that is what you prefer, be prepared to take a stand and request a refund from the airline in the original form of payment.
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