This is the best time to fly before a cruise, travel experts reveal

Experienced cruisers likely know how to close deals, pack easily, and make the most of their time in ports of call.

If you’ve never booked a cruise vacation before, be aware that flying on the same day your cruise departs can be risky.

Here’s what travel experts have to say about when you should fly before a cruise and why.

Cancelled or delayed flights may cause you to miss a cruise departure

If you fly early to Miami in hopes of boarding a cruise that day, in many cases you’ll be fine, but be aware that things can go wrong without warning.

Weather conditions, computer problems, aircraft maintenance issues and even crew problems can all contribute to delayed or cancelled flights.

Experts say it’s best to fly at least the night before a cruise, but one to two days is ideal to avoid potential travel problems.

“We always, always recommend arriving at least a day early for a cruise — two, if you’re traveling internationally,” Chris Gray Faust, a spokesperson for Yardley, Pennsylvania-based Cruise Critic, told Fox News Digital.

“The most obvious reason to fly early is simply to avoid the risk of not making it to your ship on time, due to airline delays or cancellations, which happen all the time.”

Additionally, same-day flights can also lead to baggage issues.

If your luggage goes missing, you’ll be in trouble if your ship leaves in a few hours.

You’re in a holiday mood

For same-day travelers, worrying about delayed or canceled flights can put a damper on your vacation mood, Gray Faust said.

“In addition to protecting the logistics of your arrival at your cruise, arriving early gives you more peace of mind during your trip,” she added.

“Airline problems are never fun, but it all becomes more hectic when you have a ship to take off.”

You can explore the port city where your cruise embarks

Cruise travelers may decide not to explore the city where they board a ship.

This could create a missed opportunity.

“The benefit of arriving in a port city a day or two early is the opportunity to explore or get to know the port city better,” Kelly Connor, a travel advisor with AAA Club Alliance in Marlton, New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.

There are many domestic ports that definitely warrant at least two nights before a cruise, she said.

For example, New Orleans is a popular city to visit, and many cruise lines depart from this port city.

“The city has fabulous food, great beignets, great music and, of course, fabulous parties and people walking along Bourbon Street. It has a Southern flavor all its own,” Connor said.

There are also several interesting cruise ports on the West Coast of California that certainly offer great pre-cruise experiences, including San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

“Cruise lines departing from these ports include Holland America, Disney, Celebrity and Norwegian, among others,” Connor added.

“Los Angeles has Hollywood and Rodeo Drive, as well as great restaurants and the Walk of Fame – and let’s not forget all the celebrities who call Los Angeles home,” she said.

As for San Diego, the city offers art galleries, a world-renowned zoo, beaches and parks.

And San Francisco has Ghirardelli Square and the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as incredible restaurants.

Miami is also a vibrant city to spend time in before a cruise, offering South Beach, art deco hotels, a vibrant nightlife, and an eclectic food and music scene.

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is a good choice for a pre-cruise stay in Miami, as its South Beach location offers an on-site gourmet restaurant, a year-round kids’ club, direct beach access and a swimming pool.

And don’t miss the opportunity to spend time in New York if your ship departs from there.

The Big Apple is home to the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, the Cloisters, Central Park and Times Square, as well as plenty of restaurants to try throughout the city, Connor noted.

“Overall, I highly recommend staying overnight in departure port cities to give travelers the opportunity to start their vacation early by exploring, whether through day trips we can arrange or exploring on their own,” Connor added.

If you’re going on an international cruise, pre-cruise stays in cities like Barcelona, ​​Rome and London often offer great sightseeing opportunities as well.

Early travel can make it easier to board a ship

When you wake up on the morning of your cruise in your port city, you’re well rested and ready to enjoy your well-deserved vacation on the high seas.

“Rather than rushing through the airport, rushing to get transportation or rushing to the cruise port right off the plane, arriving early allows you to have a more relaxed experience so that embarkation day is more relaxed and enjoyable,” Gray Faust said.

You can avoid jet lag

If you’re traveling internationally, arriving at least a day or two before your cruise also helps combat jet lag, Connor said.

“Having a day or two off before you sail will give you a lot more time to get done on your cruise because your body will have a better chance of adjusting to the time difference,” she added.

On a recent cruise from Budapest, Hungary, Gray Faust arrived early and booked a day at a local thermal bath in the city, she said.

“Beyond being an incredible experience, it is also known to be a fantastic cure for jet lag,” she continued.

“It was the perfect adaptation before my sailing and allowed me to enjoy my first boat trip rather than yawning all the time.”