Don’t Let These Logistical Hiccups Ruin Your Cruise Vacation

Don’t Let These Logistical Hiccups Ruin Your Cruise Vacation

Going on a cruise for the first time is extremely exciting. It is an adventure that you will remember and cherish for many years to come. However, you do have to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch so that you can enjoy it to the fullest. For many cruisers, this means planning out everything before you board the plane heading to the cruise port. A few simple hiccups can ruin even the most fantastic cruise vacation. To help you avoid them, we have put together a step-by-step guide to help you over the bumps.

Step One: Plan to Arrive Early!

It is recommended that you arrive at the airport early. At least two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours if you are flying in from an international location to meet your cruise ship. This enables you to have plenty of time to get checked in, make it through the security checks, and get to the gate without feeling rushed. As a typical rule, you can board your plane 45 minutes in advance of takeoff. You will not be allowed entry if you wait until the gate closes, about 15 minutes before takeoff.

When booking your flight, you need to be aware that you need to get to the cruise port ahead of time. If you are late, you may not be allowed to board the ship. According to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, you must check-in three days prior. This enables the cruise ship to know that you are going to make the trip. Arrival at the port must occur at least 90 minutes prior to the ship’s departure. Otherwise, you will not be permitted to sail. Your flight plans have to allow enough time for you to reach your departure destination and get to the ship port. In some cases, you may be better off to arrive from the airport a day early to make sure you are at the port on time.

Step Two: Decide How to Get Where You Want to Be

This may seem straightforward, but you also have to figure out how to get from point A to point B when you land in Texas. If arriving in Texas via a cruise ship, like Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will arrive in Galveston. There are things to see in Galveston (especially Pleasure Pier), but many people decide to make the 55-minute ride to Houston. Do you have a ride that you can depend on to get you there?

You have several options. You can:

• Call a Taxi
• Hire a Ride Share
• Rent a Vehicle
• Use a Shuttle
• or Private Car

Each travel option has pros and cons, for a variety of different price points. One of the biggest is the convenience of them. Taxis you have to wait for, same with ride-shares. Shuttles are often crowded, and renting a vehicle can be a hassle.

A private car rental is a car that is there waiting on you when you pull into port and your personal chauffeur will take you anywhere you want to go. It is also one of the most affordable options, whether you are traveling to the airport for a flight home or spending a little time in Houston seeing all that there is to see.

Your private car will be ready when you are, where you are. Your private chauffeur will always have room in the vehicle for your trip souvenirs, luggage, and anything else you have to bring along.  As a further bonus, they can provide you with

• Airport Pick-Ups
• Airport Drop-Offs
• Point to Point
• Hourly

You can reserve your car well in advance of your arrival whether you are flying in or out of Houston, sailing into Galveston, or exploring all that Houston has to offer.

Step Three: Explore the Best of Houston!

In Houston, there are thousands of experiences to have. The hardest part for most who visit by plane or ship is to figure out what they want to explore the most. To help you make the most of your time while here, we have a few suggestions for things you may want to explore while here. It does depend on what you are in the mood for, though.

For a Relaxing Evening

• Alley Theatre
• The Music Box
• Miller Outdoor Theatre
• Houston Symphony

Fine Dining and Romance

• Sambuca Restaurant
• Rainbow Lodge
• La Griglia
• Sorrento Ristorante Italiano

If it is fun you want to have, there are numerous places you can go for it in Houston, Texas. The A.D. Players at the George Theatre is where people go for a lot of laughs. Their comedy shows are very popular with locals and tourists. The Houston Zoo is a great place to go if you are traveling with family. Kids love it, but it is also perfect for adults. Reflection Pond is well worth enjoying.  The options are endless and often people have the biggest problems figuring out where to start once they arrive.

Your Chariot Awaits

When in Houston, there are so many things to see and do. It is one of the main reasons that so many choose to stay awhile. You will enjoy your time here, that is our promise to you and all who are traveling with you. If you need help planning your Houston adventure, we can help you plan your adventures. We will enable you to skip the “searching for directions” and ensure that you arrive at all your destinations safely. No wait, no issues, no added expense for using multiple modes of transportation. What more could you hope for as a way to start or wrap up your cruise vacation of a lifetime?

You can contact us at Chariot XXI to schedule your reservations and skip all potential hiccups. Simply pick your travel dates, your number of passengers, and where you want to go. We will help you sort out the rest. Our drivers know their way around town and our vehicles will allow you to ride in comfort and style. You never have to worry about a thing when you are riding with us.