Airport transportation to and from cruise ports

Helpful tips for airport rides to your cruise ship
If you are looking to get away from it all but the thought of planning activities and tracking down which restaurants to go to in order to keep everyone in your group happy doesn’t sound very relaxing to you, a cruise is just what the doctor ordered. Each day travelers from around the world are discovering many exciting new places by taking cruise vacations and the best part is with a multitude of dining options, endless activities, and all of your stops already planned out for you complete with a list of shore excursions for you to book, you won’t have to lift a finger. There is a cruise for everyone, from honeymooners seeking cruises with a romantic setting to Disney-themed cruise vacations for families. So what can you do to find the best cruise vacation and how you can get the most out of your cruise trip around the world? There are a few things to consider when planning to take a cruise such as the different activities the cruise line provides for adults or children, a variety of restaurants and what type of shows and other entertainment are being performed during your vacation. Don’t worry, though it may sound daunting most cruise lines will be happy to walk you through it to make sure you wind up taking a trip that is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.

Things you should know for your cruise vacation For your cruise to go smoothly, there are many things you need to do to prepare before you board the ship. Before your adventure begins you will want to gather the items you will need and figure out which items you can either take smaller quantities of or just leave at home so you are not dragging a bunch of bulky luggage to your cabin. Here are a few guidelines and travel tips that can help you prepare for a stress-free cruise vacation.   When you arrive onboard the cruise ship → Sometimes it can take the cruise line a while to get your baggage to your room so don’t worry if it isn’t there when you first board the ship and arrive at your cabin.   → It is never a good idea to have expensive or valuable items left out in the open in your cabin. Keep them enclosed and hidden when you are not in your room.   → Check to see if the cruise ship you are on automatically includes a gratuity on your tabs for things that are additional a-la-carte items such as some of the dining options, alcoholic drinks or other deck services. It’s also helpful to find out what will be an extra cost ahead of time.   → There are a lot of cruise lines that provide babysitting service in your cabin. If you find yourself in a situation where you think you may need this service it can make your life easier to look into it and find out cost and scheduling procedures before you leave.   Onshore tips and ideas → For a majority of cruise lines, The cost of your cruise does not typically include any shore excursions you may want to take when the ship is docked. It’s better to not assume, make sure to verify what kind of excursions you want to take and the cost involved before you leave.   → If you have purchased travel insurance from the cruise line you should check to make sure that you are covered if you plan on taking shore excursions or exploring new areas off the ship on your own.   → When you head out from the ship it’s a good idea to make sure that you bring along your identification or any other relevant documents, such as your passport or vouchers for your shore excursions, that you may need while ashore. Also, it’s not a good idea to carry an excessive amount of cash, expensive items, or credit or check cards with you off the ship unless you absolutely need to.   → When thinking about shore excursions it’s also important to note that you do have the option to book yours either through the cruise line or through the providers directly so make sure to look into both options to see what works best for you.   How to pack your cruise → There are some factors you may not think of when packing for your cruise, especially if this will be your first cruise, that you’ll want to take into consideration. For instance, many of the dining rooms aboard a cruise ship do not permit casual dress such as t-shirts, any type of jeans or bathing suits or shorts. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing for your trip if you are planning on dining formally or have dinner with the captain.   → As a precaution, you should put your contact information not only on the outside of your luggage but on the inside as well so that it can be easily identified in the unlikely event it is misplaced.   → It’s a good idea to bring more than one bathing suit so you can allow drying time and you are not having to put the wet ones back on each day.   → Another good thing to have with you are various different sizes of plastic sandwich bags to put wet things in or to put important items such as a wallet or passport in to keep them dry.       Read more about other cruise ports »

Celebrity Solstice Cruises Coral Princess Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line

Alaskan Cruises If you are thinking of taking an Alaskan cruise you won’t be disappointed by the breath-taking views that you simply can’t find anywhere else. As you make your way through the Inside Passage you’ll view some of the most amazing scenic views you will ever see as you pass Glacier Bay or the Icy Strait. There are some tips that you may want to keep in mind when taking an Alaskan cruise. Requesting a cabin on the starboard side of the ship may give you a better view of the majestic scenery on the Alaskan coastline. Keep in mind that if choose this option you could be missing out on some unforgettable views of nature on the ocean-facing side of the ship. For example, you may not want to miss out on experiencing the sea life such as the Beluga whales and Humpback whales. For the best experience, consider which you are more interested in viewing before you book your cruise.   When taking a cruise of Alaska some of the must-see sights to take in include the Arctic tundra and, if you’re lucky, one of nature’s most amazing shows, the northern lights. Sights like these as well as Denali National Park and the glacial rivers of Talkeetna can sometimes be more easily spotted with a cruise, which are offered by several cruise providers such as Royal Celebrity Tours, Princess Cruise and Holland America Cruise. Be sure to look into this option so that you can make sure to maximize your experience as much as possible.   Flying into nearby Alaskan Airports One of the most popular airports where you’ll most likely find flights into in Alaska for cruises is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which has convenient shuttle rides to and from local cruise ports available. Another airport close to Alaskan cruise ports you can book your flight in and out of is Ketchikan International Airport. Another tourist favorite located on Baranof Island is the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport. Some of the most scenic routes through the Inside Passage lead straight toward Skagway Airport or you may be able to visit the Glacier Bay National Park, home of Hubbard Glacier, as you head to another favorite, Juneau International Airport.   Finding Alaskan Airport Transportation Finding transportation from Port of Sitka to downtown Sitka is usually relatively simple. The port is only a few blocks away from the downtown area so finding reasonable rates for taxicab or a shuttle van ride is easy. The Port of Skagwayis located near historic Klondike Gold Rush and runs along some of the most scenic mountain terrain you can experience. Anchorage is nestled near the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains and is only a few short miles to Port of Anchorage so passengers can get to local shops and tours quickly. Juneau, Alaska’s capital which runs along side of the Gastineau Channel, has almost a million travelers visit the city from cruise ships that dock at Port of Juneau. With amazing sights like Deer Mountain, the city of Ketchikan is the picture of the scenic frontier of Alaska so a stop at the Port of Ketchikan is worth the time.

Royal Caribbean Carnival Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises

South Florida Cruises South Florida’s tropical setting is often one of the first things to come to mind as a starting point when you first think of taking a cruise. When you arrive at any of the cruise ports on the southeast coastline of Florida you will find yourself in a city filled with beaches and an active nightlife. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West all have some of the best luxury hotels and resorts you can find anywhere. This makes them great places to board your cruise ship and start your cruise adventure. What’s good about cruise excursions in these cities is that the weather is warmer than some other cruise ports across the United States so they truly set the scene to begin your tropical adventure. There are a variety of cruise ships that have ports of call in the area, such as the Majesty of the Seas which sets sail in Miami and heads out towards CocoCay and then eventually to Nassau, or the Disney Wonder which is a family favorite and embarks from Miami and visits nearby destinations such as Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.   Flying into South Florida Airports Travelers flying into any of the South Florida airports will probably land at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is located right outside of Port Everglades, making the ride to your cruise port quick and easy. A little further south you can land at Miami International Airport, which is, near the Port of Miami, also known as the “Cruise Capital of the World”, and has among the best terminals worldwide for arriving passengers. If you head even farther south you can arrive at Key West International Airport, which is a travelers paradise for tropical vacations and cruises.   Finding South Florida Airport Transportation If you are heading toward the Caribbean islands, setting sail from Port Everglades is ideal. Port Everglades is a seaport located in Fort Lauderdale and it brings in almost four million visitors each year. Other nearby alternatives included the Port of Miami, which serves as one of the main cruising gateways to the Caribbean and Mexico. Port of Key West may not be as big the other South Florida cruise ports, but it is probably one of the best ways to start your trip if you are looking for a tropical setting and want to get away from the city. Two good options for discount rides in shared ride vans can be best from GO Airport Shuttle & Executive Car Service as well as Zumu service provided by AirportShuttles.com. Business class service such as SUVs and executive sedans can be booked with Blacklane who offers reasonable rates with chauffeured drivers.

Disney Caribbean Cruises Serenade of the Seas Windstar Cruises

Caribbean Cruises Traveling throughout the Caribbean by cruise has long been one of the most popular and easiest ways to take a tropical vacation. There are over 5,000 islands across the Caribbean area which are destinations for some best cruise lines in the world such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Equinox Cruises and Serenade of the Seas Cruises. Along with many other excellent cruise lines, they can take you to the top vacation spots in the tropics with some of the most popular cruise destinations, which include Croix, Curacao and Bermuda.   While you are visiting the various cities around the Caribbean Islands you can find a wide assortment of things you can do with family and friends such as local shopping, beaches and various water sports and activities. Some islands that provide visitors a variety of fun include Stingray City in Grand Cayman and Grand Turk, which features the Gibbs Cay Stingray and Snorkel Adventure. If you are headed toward Bávaro in Punta Cana you will discover it has a variety of beach resorts, which are located near a local shopping for tourists at Palma Real Shopping Village as well as Plaza Bávaro.   Popular hotels throughout the Caribbean Some of the best hotels in the Caribbean can be found on various islands throughout the region such as the Tranquility Bay Antigua which is located in Saint Mary in Antigua & Barbuda which has easy access to the nearby beaches. If you are in Montego Bay then you can check out the all-inclusive Oceanside resort at Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, which features a dive equipment center and scuba gear. Another favorite is the Nassau Junkanoo Beach Resort, which is conveniently located near the beaches and the docks of the cruise ships.   Flying into nearby Caribbean Airports There many islands for travelers to visit and explore while in the Caribbean such as Georgetown in the Cayman Islands, Bridgetown in Barbados, and Nassau in the Bahamas but picking the right one for you all comes down to your preference and which island’s your cruise ship docks at. There are occasions where you can start your cruise from some of the Caribbean islands if you fly into the city but this is something you will have to confirm with the cruise line prior to booking your trip.   Finding Caribbean Airport Transportation You can find a large variety of shuttle providers throughout the Caribbean islands ranging from limos to taxicab services to shuttle buses. You can book local rides from A2B Transfers who provides transfers for Grand Bahama International Airport. If you are want an all-inclusive sedan going to the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados then Ciboney Caribbean may be a great option for your group. TropicLink can provide shared ride service to local area resorts at Barbados Beach Club All Inclusive Resort in Christ Church.

First time on a cruise vacation?
There are many things a first time passenger on a cruise may not be prepared for. One of the most useful things to know is the name for the right and left sides of the ship. The Starboard is the right side of the cruise ship, which is normally where you’ll find the odd numbered cabins. If you are on the left side of the cruise ship then you are on the Port side. On this side of the ship the cabin numbers will normally be even. Occasionally the side the ship docks on can be either port or starboard due to the ship having to tie up on the other side, which depends on the port you are arriving at.

Travelers who are going to be taking a cruise for the first time may want to choose a cruise that is going to a popular destination that isn’t too far off the beaten path while you get your sea-legs, whereas more seasoned cruisers who take cruises often may want to discover new places when they travel so you’ll want to look for cruises that visit exotic places that you can cross off of your bucket list. Once you choose where you want to go you’ll want to spend some time checking out the different options for shore-excursions you can take and decide whether you want to arrange them before you leave so that you won’t have to think about it once you are on the ship or wait until you are on the ship to weigh out your options before you decide.

If there is an activity you have your heart set on you may want to book in advance but if your are more flexible you might want to wait so that you can see what the weather will be like before you choose. Once you decide on the type of cruise you want to take and the destinations you’d like to explore you should decide whether you want it to be a vacation where you spend a lot of time in the sun and water or a trip focused on lots of dining and tours of scenic destinations so that you can plan accordingly. After that, all there is for you to do is sit back, relax, and have fun and enjoy yourself.

	Lifeboats on a cruise ship On a rare occasion an emergency may happen on a ship. In this case there are inflatable lifeboats available for passengers to escape on if need be. It is a good idea to make sure that you know the location of these lifeboats once you board the ship. Each lifeboat can accommodate about 370 passengers. Though these boats are rarely used the ship accounts for every person on board so there is no need to ever be concerned that there will not be enough room on board should an actual emergency ever arise.
	Top deck and sundecks on a cruise ship One of the best features of a cruise ship is the sundeck or top deck. You can relax in a rented cabana by the swimming pools (which can be salt water pools or ones for small children), amazing waterslides and a poolside bar where you can get food and drinks. It is not uncommon to find a variety of games you can play such as shuffleboard, table tennis and popular board games like chess and backgammon.
	Cruise ship cabin rooms Your cabin on a ship is often also referred to as the stateroom. If you choose an inside room you should expect a smaller room that has no viewing window. An outside room is very similar to the inside room except it is slightly larger with a round window for you to view the ocean. If you decide on a balcony room it will usually have a veranda, which allows you go outside your room but is not connected to any decks that are available to the public. Then finally there is the suite. This room is much larger than the rest with a lot more amenities and usually has the bedroom and living room separate.
	Starboard and port side of a cruise ship The port side of a cruise ship will be sometimes be facing the actual port but this can vary depending on the port you arrive at and can change between cruises. The bow is the term used for the front of the ship, the back is referred to as the stern, the left side of the ship is called the port and the right side is called the starboard.

Types of cruises to travel on
Before you get ready to leave for your cruise getaway there are some things to consider, especially if this is your first cruise. There are many types of cruises such as all-inclusive cruises, island-hopping cruises, or last minute cruises, singles cruises, and of course a favorite for vacationers from all walks of life, themed cruises. While different options can vary quite a bit in both style and cost, the easiest way to decide is to start with thinking about whom you are traveling with. For instance, you’ll choose a different type of cruise for corporate retreats than you would for one you are taking alone or a honeymoon cruise or one you would take with your family and children so make sure that are mindful of your group’s needs so that you can choose a cruise that is appropriate for you that will maximize the fun factor for everyone involved.

Need reviews of a cruise ship? You can find helpful reviews from helpful passengers such as yourself who are getting ready to book and board a cruise ship either for the first time or by experienced travelers.

Need assistance for your cruise? The Federal Maritime Commission offers an informational website that can help travelers with answers regarding their passports, Visas and even vacation brochure before you board a cruise ship.