Cruise port transfers: 55 ports

Embarkation day is a fixed deadline and disembarkation day is a crowd. Each port page explains the terminals, the drop-off and pickup rules, drive times to the airports and hotels, and when to book the car so it is waiting when the ship clears.

Planning embarkation day

Embarkation is the one trip in a holiday with a hard deadline: the ship sails whether or not you are on it. Most cruise lines open check-in several hours before departure and close it well before sailing, so the safest plan is a car that reaches the terminal early in the check-in window rather than at the end of it. If you are flying in on the day, leave a wide margin between landing and the check-in cut-off; many passengers fly in the day before and book a hotel-to-ship transfer instead. Give the ship name and sailing date when you book, so dispatch can match the pickup to the terminal the ship actually uses, because large ports such as PortMiami, Port Everglades and the Port of Barcelona have several terminals.

Disembarkation morning

Ships usually clear passengers in waves over several hours, and the exact time depends on customs and immigration clearance at that port. Book the pickup around the disembarkation window you are given on board, and allow for the queue at luggage collection. Standard pickups include 15 minutes of waiting; beyond that, waiting is charged in 15-minute blocks. Terminal parking, where a car has to use it, is charged at actual cost.

Choosing a vehicle for cruise luggage

Cruise passengers usually travel with more luggage than seats suggest. Two people with two large cases each fit a Standard Black SUV (6 passengers, 6 bags) far more comfortably than a sedan, and a family or group of friends should look at the Sprinter Van, which carries 12 passengers and 12 small bags. The Sprinter Luxury Jet Van takes carry-on only, so it is rarely right for a port. See the fleet for every class. If anyone in the party needs a child seat, ask for it when you book; seats are free on request in most cities.

Airport, hotel and port combined

The most common cruise bookings pair an airport with a port: Fort Lauderdale or Miami airport to the Florida ports, Rome Fiumicino to Civitavecchia, or Heathrow to Southampton. Industry guidance on cruising is published by CLIA. Groups and ship crews are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing; see cruise lines and ports.