Any suggestions for a similar Go Port system near the San Francisco, CA port? We live an hour away in the Monterey area so we will be driving. But I'm still considering getting a hotel the night before. Also wondering where to park the car for the 10 days during our Ruby Princess cruise in Nov.
Hallo Madam! My name is Anggi Nugroho, from Indonesia. For the past 6 years, I have been teaching English for Hospitality in the Crystal Hospitality and Cruise Line Training School. I would like to thank you for the video. I have been using this video to teach English and help my students to prepare for their first embarkation. Regards! Anggi Nugroho Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Another suggestion for flights: book the first flight of the day. While it feels painful at 4 am getting to the airport, your chances that the flight will be canceled are lower, not non-existent, but lower.
Plus, if you are on a Toronto-Vancouver run, especially by Air Canada, chances are there are a number of other backup flights you can get on if your earlier flight is cancelled or delayed somehow.
Absolutely!! I always try to get the first flight out normally. I just want to get past society and the drama. Plus I rather spend most part of the day around the destination. They can hold my bags and I can go exploring. I have called hotels and requested early check in if possible. Depending on the time of year (and how nice you are) some hotels wi accommodate if they have availability. It's not a guarantee but it never hurts to ask. At the least, they can hold my luggage and then call me when my room type is ready. But if you get into a room early, don't forget to tip them too.
Retired road warrior here--150,000 miles per year for 30 years. Always Always Always book the first flight of the day, coming and going. Our flight for our upcoming cruise leaves at 5am (ugh), but I used my points to book the Airport Marriott, so we are 100 yards from security. We have a connection in Atlanta, so even if we somehow get delayed and miss it, we'll have all day to get rebooked.
I want to personally thank you for your very detailed videos. You have made sailing on any cruise with out hassle. I’m on my very first cruise on the Royal Caribbean today 7/22. You made it so much better to travel.
We do not drink alcohol but we will be wanting a fruity frozen mocktail once we board. I wish there was a list of bars that do offer non-alcoholic beverages so it does not turn into a wild goose chase. It would be nice if it were standard practice to offer both.
ILANAAAAAA!!!! It was so nice to meet you and your husband in my first cruise to Bermuda. I was the crazy lady yelling Ilana, and asking for a picture when I saw you!!! Thank you for all your videos they really helped me a lot. Again thank you and hopefully I will see you again in another cruise 🚢 She is the nicest person and she even gave me a hug!!! Thank you again!!!!
You’re so sweet Gisela! It was great meeting you too. I’m so glad the videos have been helpful and that you enjoyed your cruise so much (and still watching my videos 😂)
We always make sure that we have the kennel booked for our dog and cat well in advance of our departure date. (We usually book the kennel at the same time we book the cruise).
I booked a Fly, snoooze, Cruise package with Go Port. Our cruise was cancelled, due to the ship being damaged. Go Port was wonderful in delaying our booking until we could rebook a cruise out of Port Canaveral. I would highly recommentd Go Port to anyone that is hesitant!
That’s great to hear Judith! I recommend them (even outside of this video) because I’ve heard so many good stories like this. Hope you’ll get a chance to cruise soon :)
I agree with much of what you said. I just to call out some of the things I definitely agree with: 1) Absolutely everyone should fly in a day early. Most even semi-decent places offer a breakfast which is great for getting energy to start the day. 2) Screenshot and print everything. Give companions their own docs. That means give your kids copies of the things they need to show. 3) Upgrade before your cruise. Especially do this just before you fly out. A few days before my cruise, the prices fell dramatically. I called Princess and got 2 Balconies for the same price as my 2 obstructed Oceanview rooms. Other suggestions. 1) Skip the cruise shuttle service. Lyft and Uber are better choices, more reliable, allow you to schedule pickup, etc 2) Book all shore excursions early. Don’t wait. Schedule time out of your day; talk to your travel companions and just get them booked early. You can always change your mind later.
For my cruise, I booked everything through my NCL Rep. I mean I was going to do it anyway and she saved me the legwork of doing it myself. I am planning on flying a day early and stay at hotel near the port and I have included my transfers. I'm also staying at the hotel at the end so I can get my land legs under me again and I can make my way home the following day. Disembarkment looks like it's going to be a major hassle. I don't want to rush my way back to the airport after trying to get off the boat. Personally I want to stay and relax. Get a good night sleep and head back fresh the next day. Thank you for sharing your tips and advice. I'm so glad to hear that there arw some people out there who travel like I do.
@@LifeWellCruised Thank you. I will be doing my first cruise in March and I was so nervous yet excited. Watching you and others are making me feel more confident of my trip. I will be utilizing some of your tips and have already started to get some things early just so that I'm not rushing to get them. Can I make a request? Since you've said you've flown to a cruise, could you make an episode about luggage? I would like to upgrade mine and I feel in love with the one with spinner wheels and I think it would be great not to drag one of my old ones that doesn't stand up well. I'm confused about the size of a checked luggage and what size should be. I've seen some that 24 in, 28 in, and 30 in. Is there a standard size that we can use so we won't be charged an extra fee?? I know ow the max weight is 50 pounds and could pay extra for the weight. But does height affect too? Thanks for all you do and the great content you provide. It is such a great help for us first time cruisers.
Another great video - appears that your videos have been significantly enhanced since you embarked on your "new" venture. Congratulations! Just one video idea: given multiple videos you've produced on trying to "reduce embarkation stress", you might consider producing one or more videos on the top 3-5 cruise ports in the US - our own cruising experience is that it would be useful to know port layouts before arriving for embarkation. We've cruised multiple times out of Cape Liberty, Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston (near our home in Houston). We're accustomed to the process through those ports (as well as the disembarkation process). However, the first time arrival at those same terminals was a bit stressful. Just an idea...looking forward to our first post-Covid cruise in four months. We'll be cruising out of Galveston to ease our way back to cruising. However, Royal Caribbean has built a brand new terminal and though there are some videos on RUclips showing the construction, we would love to be able to "see" it in advance when it actually opens in November.
Seriously thinking about air tags . Chaos last week trying to find my suitcase in the terminal. Never would have believed so many others would have a bright yellow suitcase !
My wife and I are headed out in 17 days for our first cruise together and my first cruise in 32 yrs ! Your tips will sure come in handy before and after we get onboard.
I have listened to all your videos many times. I think I’m prepare. This is the first time my husband and I are cruising alone and not with a group. Thank you for all your information.
My first cruise was on CarnivalMagic 7/6. Your video made my cruise stress free. Thank you so much. The items I bought from your suggestions were awesome. The large magnets I Used to hang hats, lanyards, pajamas, purses, you name it. My cabin was organized. The document organizer, made embarkation a breeze. Thanks again. Keep them coming.
RCCL The Key is great. Before we reached diamond status, we found it very useful. The lunch in Chops Grill on embarkation day and the private breakfast on debarkation days is a great way to avoid the crowded buffet. But I would only recommend The Key if you were planning on purchasing anyway. Otherwise, it is too expensive.
Thanks for the great information. Your videos are so helpful to try to reduce stress. We always fly the day before, but I think it is sad that now we probably need to fly two days before because you cannot depend on the airlines to get you where they said they would when you booked the flight. It is getting old. I can imagine that Go Port will someday be available at all large ports. It is a service that would make cruising so much easier.
Thanks for that amazing transport tip. Dec 23 will be my first time leaving from Port Canaveral. NCL Escape to Cozumel, Grand Caymen, Ocho Rios, and GSC
Thank you so much for the info on goport. We are cruising on Mardi Gras June 10, 2023 for my daughters college graduation and my niece's high school graduation cruise & flying in on the 9th from Chattanooga TN & I was feeling a little stressed about transportation & stay. You gave me the solution. I just booked our hotel & transportation through goport for only $212.86. Soooo excited for the savings. Thank you so much. FYI I put your RUclips channel as how I found out about goport. I really really hope that means you get something from that because you're a life saver. Thanks again for the tip!!!!
Really good checklist. As a solo cruiser, I don't have anyone to help me remember so I find my stress level goes way down if I have all my ducks in a row.
excellent! we are going on our first cruise with our kids, and i was worried about how to get to the port with them all, GoPort was exactly what I needed!
We found booking two different airlines for flying in a day before is cheaper than pricing out a two day stay prior to cruise. With refundable fares it was a better option for us. Even if it is fare credit, due to knowing we are flying again within a year prior to expiring.
Getting excited about our upcoming Alaska cruise on Princess ! Thought we knew everything about embarkation day ( 25+ cruises ) , but your video taught us a lot of new stuff, thanks for the informative content.
One thing that I do is take an 8X10 piece of paper and put my name, address, phone number & email address on it and lay it on top of everything in my suitcase. In the event that luggage tag is missing, there is identification inside. Additionally, with a camera or a phone, take a pic of that identification paper. That will make it easier if you lose your phone or camera, that info is on the phone/camera and will make it easy for the finder to get back to you.
I used Go Port for my birthday cruise in February of this year. I plan the trip for 14 of my family and friends. We all used Go Port. It was a wonderful experience. I did the fly, snooze, and cruise. The only problem with that is I am a person who likes to fly in one day early, which wasn’t a problem. I also like to leave the next day, not on my disembarkation day. The drawback is because they take you from the port to the airport. I had to get a Uber to the hotel I was staying. they don’t offer the option to go to a hotel versus the airport..
For the electronic travel documents, I keep screenshots and scans of all travel documents (including passports, e-tickets, vaccine info, boarding passes, rental car licence plate) in a shared folder (shared with my wife). Also, open the folder when you have internet and flip through all of the pictures to be sure they are stored on-device.
We stayed at the DoubleTree inn one time before our cruise San Pedro California/Long Beach harbor. And the parking was free if you stayed at the DoubleTree inn. Now they're charging $15 a day for parking for a 7-Day Cruise. But they do provide a shuttle from the hotel to the port and back
Arriving two days before your cruise must significantly add to the cost of your trip. The brochure price bears no relationship to your actual total cost.
We're using Go Port in February for our NCL cruise out of Port Canaveral. Very important imformation for our February 11th cruise. Our cruise is sailing the day before Super Bowl (typically a week earlier in Feb), plus just a few days before Valentines Day (Of Course). Therefore the hotels are booking up really early! HEADS UP :).
Had an email yesterday to say home testing only for my Queen Victoria cruise next month . Much less stressful. Just have to tick health declaration I have done it and it was negative. So much easier.
Very helpful reminders. Never cruised out of Port Canaveral but I love the GoPort options. Agree wholeheartedly regarding upgrading packages prior to sailing as your Sea Pass will already be coded with the proper information and will save the hassle of going to Guest Services or the Internet Cafe. Also take a printed copy of your receipts showing you indeed purchased the upgrades.
Lucky for me I live 30 mins from Port Canaveral. Now flying to Seattle for an Alaskan cruise different story. I booked the first flight out the day before my cruise and doing nonstop. Hopefully, my luggage will not get lost
I tried Carnival's faster to the fun for a 7 day eastern caribbean cruise starting in Puerto Rico. Amazing and we flew through boarding. The BEST benefit, separate service desk on board and no long lines. Tried again for the Panorama to Mexico cruise, waited too long and it was sold out. Tried again for my Alaska cruise out of San Francisco, not offered at that port. Bummer. Will never delay again.
I’m actually using Go Port for my cruise to the Bahamas in just three weeks. It’s cheaper than renting a car and very convenient. It will be my first time also where did you get that grey and white striped dress I really like it. Amazon maybe? This will be my second cruise ever ❤️❤️ your videos are so awesome and helpful thank you so much 😊
Do you recommend using Uber from a hotel nearby the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale? Thank you for you wonderful videos. It's been 8 years since we've cruised & find your videos so helpful.
That’s awesome! I didn’t think the waterpark was necessary, although it’s a cool park. The Oasis Lagoon was super nice and “free”. There was a really pretty beach right behind it however I can’t recall the name
Thanks so much for your cruising tips videos. As a group of four we will find a lot of useful info for us in your videos. One question we do have. We will need a shuttle from Miami to Port Everglades. Any recommendations? Thanks again!
We've sailed for a few years now and thought we knew a lot about it. That's until we started to watch you on a regular basis. Your tips and insights on some of the ways to pack luggage, the bathroom stuff, how to store stuff when in stateroom. It's all great info. We're going to use some of them when we go on our 2 week Alaska cruise this August. Thanks.
Eat a breakfast & take some snacks, in case your wait for embarkation is long. We have Tracfones that have Adroid 10 on them. Unfortunately, the SmartTags we got are for Adroid 23 or better. So, we'll have to contact our daughter to find out where our luggage is.
Hi! I’m cruising with Royal carribean and I wanted to know if I’m able to print out my vacination card and my birth certificate? I thought they only accepted originals.
With the way the airlines are going we fly out of Orlando (my moms) to Nashville to get to Miami! lol So we are flying in 2 days in advance do to the changing of planes etc.
Hi Illana. Love your channel. I have a question regarding carrying on your own luggage. I plan on having a large suitcase, 1 carryon, and a backpack. Is it possible to carry on the large suitcase, or do I have to leave that with the porters? Upcoming RC cruise in April 2024 out of Port Canaveral. Thank you!!
Great video! What is the best and fastest way to get to the airport after the cruise? I’m cruising from the port of Miami and have an early flight. Do I book a transfer with NCL or do an Uber? Suggestions?
I live in the United Kingdom (TUI) We always fly with the cruise company we are going with. but me and my parents always book a hotel within the uk airport grounds we are flying from and stopped overnight, as the weather in the winter is a problem during the winter for us., We do have carry on bag, change of clothes (we do this for non cruises as well) so we don't have to unpack straight away.
@@LifeWellCruised If it snows where we live, it is pretty much impossible to get off the road safety in a car (we use taxi) okay we spend around 100 pounds, for a room which takes three people, plus a drink and meal in the hotel . but it better then losing a holiday.
I was hoping to book an early check- in, the same time as our friends, but it looks as if Holland America assigns you a time. Do you know if there is a way to request a time?
Hello I am a first time cruiser and will be taking a cruise and land tour to Alaska in August. Can you walk me through how embarkation day works once you are at the pier? Is the process similar to an airport?
Parking question: 1st time ever cruise - going on RC out of Port Canaveral. Parking @ (I think) Term 1 - May 2024 trip- Allure of the Seas. What time is the earliest I can arrive to park at Terminal 1? Should I consider "Park Port Canaveral" as an alternate? Not worried about the cost - just want easiest.
I learned to make xerox copies of the front and back of all of the cards in my wallet, and pictures of them on my phone. In case of lost or stolen bags this is a lifesaver. Keep the copies either in your carryon or your main luggage. Hopefully you will not have to use it but if you do you can quickly have the numbers to cancel you cards.
Just found you and subscribed…can you focus on some tips and tricks for specifically cruising by areas. We are in California flying to Athens to board and cruise Eastern Mediterranean….. I’m overwhelmed and am trying to find any videos to help with flying and boarding in another country….and what excursions are worth it and what ones to save and just go it alone? We choose celebrity cruise line
embarktation day on our very first ever cruise we had been on in may stressed us when the cruise line misplaced our luggage, was charging us for drinks all day when they should have been included on our drink package and the cruise line somehow deleted over $600 of our OBC that id been putting onto our account for the couple months beforehand and said we had $0 onboard credit. not what we expected to happen the first day of our first cruise hehe very very stressful but thankfully by day 2 all sorted :)
Oh no! That would definitely be stressful! I’d definitely print out (for future) booking confirmations showing packages and OBCs, mostly because I have heard from several people over the years of this happening. It’s just easier to sort out when you can show proof right away
We are leaving out of Boston for our cruise, I booked the best western which is 20 min from the cruise port but I need shuttle service ideas from the airport to hotel and hotel to cruise port if anyone has ideas.
One money saver tip for those who drive to the port: Book a hotel an hour or so away from the cruise port. Why? You will save $50.00 or more on the hotel and you can reserve an offsite parking service near the terminal in advance. Most offer a free shuttle from the lot to the terminal. An hour leisurely drive to the port early in the day will be stress-free. Overall cost will usually be much less.
Another great informative video, does go port service Fort Lauderdale area? We are going on our first ever cruise on Celebrity reflection in January, it leaves from that port, we booked the cruise but have not booked flights or hotel yet, we are planning on flying the day before we set sail.
Amazing first cruise! Unfortunately not at this time. An idea for Fort Lauderdale is to look into a hotel in the Dania area as some have shuttles and breakfast included. It’s not far from the port, but there isn’t much close by, so just good for sleep and basic stay. The intercoastal hotels, like Hilton Marina offer a great view and experience, but you’ll need to pay a small amount for a taxi to the port
Do you finish your check in after final payment? I did alot of our check in stuff when I booked the cruise but we don't cruise for another 7 months. I do want to make sure I get the easiest check in time and paid for club orange to help with that as well.
So glad you enjoyed the video. Links are in the description below the title. It’s not obvious I know. Tap “see more” or read more if you are watching on a computer or iPad. Tap the arrow down (that looks like an upside down v) on the right of the title if you are on mobile
CRUISING FROM PORT CANAVERAL? Visit Go Port for hotel stays, transfers & parking packages: www.goport.com/?
Any suggestions for a similar Go Port system near the San Francisco, CA port? We live an hour away in the Monterey area so we will be driving. But I'm still considering getting a hotel the night before. Also wondering where to park the car for the 10 days during our Ruby Princess cruise in Nov.
Agreed
Hallo Madam!
My name is Anggi Nugroho, from Indonesia. For the past 6 years, I have been teaching English for Hospitality in the Crystal Hospitality and Cruise Line Training School.
I would like to thank you for the video. I have been using this video to teach English and help my students to prepare for their first embarkation.
Regards!
Anggi Nugroho
Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Another suggestion for flights: book the first flight of the day. While it feels painful at 4 am getting to the airport, your chances that the flight will be canceled are lower, not non-existent, but lower.
You’re so right!!! Thanks for sharing 👏
Plus, if you are on a Toronto-Vancouver run, especially by Air Canada, chances are there are a number of other backup flights you can get on if your earlier flight is cancelled or delayed somehow.
Absolutely!! I always try to get the first flight out normally. I just want to get past society and the drama. Plus I rather spend most part of the day around the destination. They can hold my bags and I can go exploring.
I have called hotels and requested early check in if possible. Depending on the time of year (and how nice you are) some hotels wi accommodate if they have availability. It's not a guarantee but it never hurts to ask. At the least, they can hold my luggage and then call me when my room type is ready. But if you get into a room early, don't forget to tip them too.
Retired road warrior here--150,000 miles per year for 30 years. Always Always Always book the first flight of the day, coming and going. Our flight for our upcoming cruise leaves at 5am (ugh), but I used my points to book the Airport Marriott, so we are 100 yards from security. We have a connection in Atlanta, so even if we somehow get delayed and miss it, we'll have all day to get rebooked.
I want to personally thank you for your very detailed videos. You have made sailing on any cruise with out hassle. I’m on my very first cruise on the Royal Caribbean today 7/22. You made it so much better to travel.
So exciting!! Have an amazing cruise 🎉 & I’m so glad the videos have been helpful
We do not drink alcohol but we will be wanting a fruity frozen mocktail once we board. I wish there was a list of bars that do offer non-alcoholic beverages so it does not turn into a wild goose chase. It would be nice if it were standard practice to offer both.
Print out a second set of luggage tags. If the originals get damaged or ripped off you will have a backup copy.
ILANAAAAAA!!!!
It was so nice to meet you and your husband in my first cruise to Bermuda.
I was the crazy lady yelling Ilana, and asking for a picture when I saw you!!!
Thank you for all your videos they really helped me a lot.
Again thank you and hopefully I will see you again in another cruise 🚢
She is the nicest person and she even gave me a hug!!!
Thank you again!!!!
You’re so sweet Gisela! It was great meeting you too. I’m so glad the videos have been helpful and that you enjoyed your cruise so much (and still watching my videos 😂)
Our family will now do carryon only luggage for all trips, including cruises. So much easier to get off the plane and head right to transportation.
I can understand, especially with the luggage situation now
We always make sure that we have the kennel booked for our dog and cat well in advance of our departure date. (We usually book the kennel at the same time we book the cruise).
Excellent tips, Ilana! I can't believe your extraordinary videos are available to us for free! Thank you so much! 😃
I booked a Fly, snoooze, Cruise package with Go Port. Our cruise was cancelled, due to the ship being damaged. Go Port was wonderful in delaying our booking until we could rebook a cruise out of Port Canaveral. I would highly recommentd Go Port to anyone that is hesitant!
That’s great to hear Judith! I recommend them (even outside of this video) because I’ve heard so many good stories like this. Hope you’ll get a chance to cruise soon :)
I agree with much of what you said. I just to call out some of the things I definitely agree with:
1) Absolutely everyone should fly in a day early. Most even semi-decent places offer a breakfast which is great for getting energy to start the day.
2) Screenshot and print everything. Give companions their own docs. That means give your kids copies of the things they need to show.
3) Upgrade before your cruise. Especially do this just before you fly out. A few days before my cruise, the prices fell dramatically. I called Princess and got 2 Balconies for the same price as my 2 obstructed Oceanview rooms.
Other suggestions.
1) Skip the cruise shuttle service. Lyft and Uber are better choices, more reliable, allow you to schedule pickup, etc
2) Book all shore excursions early. Don’t wait. Schedule time out of your day; talk to your travel companions and just get them booked early. You can always change your mind later.
Thanks so much for sharing your tips & experiences! :)
Thanks so much for posting
I’d recommend some snacks in your bag if you are delayed during embarkation….power bars, jerky…just in case!!
Another great video…thank you!
You’re so right! This is a great tip!! 👏
For my cruise, I booked everything through my NCL Rep. I mean I was going to do it anyway and she saved me the legwork of doing it myself. I am planning on flying a day early and stay at hotel near the port and I have included my transfers. I'm also staying at the hotel at the end so I can get my land legs under me again and I can make my way home the following day. Disembarkment looks like it's going to be a major hassle. I don't want to rush my way back to the airport after trying to get off the boat. Personally I want to stay and relax. Get a good night sleep and head back fresh the next day.
Thank you for sharing your tips and advice. I'm so glad to hear that there arw some people out there who travel like I do.
Great idea! We’ve actually stayed a couple times one night after the cruise, and it’s really been nice and extended our vacation. Thanks for watching!
@@LifeWellCruised Thank you. I will be doing my first cruise in March and I was so nervous yet excited. Watching you and others are making me feel more confident of my trip. I will be utilizing some of your tips and have already started to get some things early just so that I'm not rushing to get them.
Can I make a request? Since you've said you've flown to a cruise, could you make an episode about luggage? I would like to upgrade mine and I feel in love with the one with spinner wheels and I think it would be great not to drag one of my old ones that doesn't stand up well. I'm confused about the size of a checked luggage and what size should be. I've seen some that 24 in, 28 in, and 30 in. Is there a standard size that we can use so we won't be charged an extra fee?? I know ow the max weight is 50 pounds and could pay extra for the weight. But does height affect too?
Thanks for all you do and the great content you provide. It is such a great help for us first time cruisers.
Another great video - appears that your videos have been significantly enhanced since you embarked on your "new" venture. Congratulations! Just one video idea: given multiple videos you've produced on trying to "reduce embarkation stress", you might consider producing one or more videos on the top 3-5 cruise ports in the US - our own cruising experience is that it would be useful to know port layouts before arriving for embarkation. We've cruised multiple times out of Cape Liberty, Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston (near our home in Houston). We're accustomed to the process through those ports (as well as the disembarkation process). However, the first time arrival at those same terminals was a bit stressful. Just an idea...looking forward to our first post-Covid cruise in four months. We'll be cruising out of Galveston to ease our way back to cruising. However, Royal Caribbean has built a brand new terminal and though there are some videos on RUclips showing the construction, we would love to be able to "see" it in advance when it actually opens in November.
Great ideas! Thank you for your comments & feedback. It’s true specific cruise port info can be super helpful
Seriously thinking about air tags . Chaos last week trying to find my suitcase in the terminal. Never would have believed so many others would have a bright yellow suitcase !
Wow!!! Yes I think now it’s a good idea
My wife and I are headed out in 17 days for our first cruise together and my first cruise in 32 yrs !
Your tips will sure come in handy before and after we get onboard.
That’s fantastic! Have an amazing cruise - hope you enjoy 🛳🥂
I have listened to all your videos many times. I think I’m prepare. This is the first time my husband and I are cruising alone and not with a group. Thank you for all your information.
My first cruise was on CarnivalMagic 7/6. Your video made my cruise stress free. Thank you so much. The items I bought from your suggestions were awesome. The large magnets
I Used to hang hats, lanyards, pajamas, purses, you name it. My cabin was organized. The document organizer, made embarkation a breeze. Thanks again. Keep them coming.
Fantastic to hear!! I’m so glad and appreciate you sharing
A suggestion for getting to the port location is to take the train if possible
RCCL The Key is great. Before we reached diamond status, we found it very useful. The lunch in Chops Grill on embarkation day and the private breakfast on debarkation days is a great way to avoid the crowded buffet. But I would only recommend The Key if you were planning on purchasing anyway. Otherwise, it is too expensive.
Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
Thanks for the great information. Your videos are so helpful to try to reduce stress. We always fly the day before, but I think it is sad that now we probably need to fly two days before because you cannot depend on the airlines to get you where they said they would when you booked the flight. It is getting old. I can imagine that Go Port will someday be available at all large ports. It is a service that would make cruising so much easier.
Thanks for that amazing transport tip. Dec 23 will be my first time leaving from Port Canaveral. NCL Escape to Cozumel, Grand Caymen, Ocho Rios, and GSC
So glad this was helpful! What an amazing cruise btw - I love holiday cruises 🚢🎄
Thank you so much for the info on goport. We are cruising on Mardi Gras June 10, 2023 for my daughters college graduation and my niece's high school graduation cruise & flying in on the 9th from Chattanooga TN & I was feeling a little stressed about transportation & stay. You gave me the solution. I just booked our hotel & transportation through goport for only $212.86. Soooo excited for the savings. Thank you so much. FYI I put your RUclips channel as how I found out about goport. I really really hope that means you get something from that because you're a life saver. Thanks again for the tip!!!!
Really good checklist. As a solo cruiser, I don't have anyone to help me remember so I find my stress level goes way down if I have all my ducks in a row.
Thanks so much for sharing. I can imagine that being organized and having things set up in advance ease a lot of stress!!
Because there was a channce of spring snow storms in Colorado ( snowiest months are March and April ), we flew to Miami 3 days before the cruise
Smart safe thinking
Great tips. Keep up the good work.
Air tags work with Apple Phone. Samsung has their own as well. Just Google. Also an Air Tag holders also hold your Princess Medallion.
That’s interesting. I’ve seen that too before about the medallion. I’ll have to give it a try - thanks for sharing
excellent! we are going on our first cruise with our kids, and i was worried about how to get to the port with them all, GoPort was exactly what I needed!
Hi, Ilana! These are SO HELPFUL! Thank you!!!
So glad this was helpful 😊
We found booking two different airlines for flying in a day before is cheaper than pricing out a two day stay prior to cruise. With refundable fares it was a better option for us. Even if it is fare credit, due to knowing we are flying again within a year prior to expiring.
That’s an interesting idea
Getting excited about our upcoming Alaska cruise on Princess ! Thought we knew everything about embarkation day ( 25+ cruises ) , but your video taught us a lot of new stuff, thanks for the informative content.
That’s an awesome cruise! Somehow it seems in these times there are more “new” tips than ever 😂
Thank you for these helpful tips.
So glad this was helpful! :)
excited that direct & non-stop Vancouver to Miami routes will be starting
Excellent!
Late to these videos but LOVE THEM!!!
Is that dress from Amazon? If so , please link if possible. You look so nice!
Thanks for the update .
Less then 48 hrs before we depart
Like always Ilana, very informative and helpful tips for a first time cruiser. Thanks 😊
That’s awesome! It’s hectic for us all to travel now, so I’m glad the video is helpful!
Happy that you have a great sponsor Congrats🎉
One thing that I do is take an 8X10 piece of paper and put my name, address, phone number & email address on it and lay it on top of everything in my suitcase. In the event that luggage tag is missing, there is identification inside. Additionally, with a camera or a phone, take a pic of that identification paper. That will make it easier if you lose your phone or camera, that info is on the phone/camera and will make it easy for the finder to get back to you.
Brilliant!! 👏👏
You are very detailed and provide useful information, soon you will be at 100K
Thanks James! I appreciate your kind comments - so glad you’re enjoying the videos :)
Thankyou for your advice on cruises. 💗
Thanks for watching:)
Love the AirTag suggestion! Will have to try that for sure
Haha me too! I’m getting one for my dog too 😂
Will be cruising out of Port Canaveral May 2024. Thanks for this information.❤
Really good Thank you 😊
So glad you enjoyed the video :)
I used Go Port for my birthday cruise in February of this year. I plan the trip for 14 of my family and friends. We all used Go Port. It was a wonderful experience. I did the fly, snooze, and cruise. The only problem with that is I am a person who likes to fly in one day early, which wasn’t a problem. I also like to leave the next day, not on my disembarkation day. The drawback is because they take you from the port to the airport. I had to get a Uber to the hotel I was staying. they don’t offer the option to go to a hotel versus the airport..
For the electronic travel documents, I keep screenshots and scans of all travel documents (including passports, e-tickets, vaccine info, boarding passes, rental car licence plate) in a shared folder (shared with my wife). Also, open the folder when you have internet and flip through all of the pictures to be sure they are stored on-device.
Great idea!
We stayed at the DoubleTree inn one time before our cruise San Pedro California/Long Beach harbor. And the parking was free if you stayed at the DoubleTree inn. Now they're charging $15 a day for parking for a 7-Day Cruise. But they do provide a shuttle from the hotel to the port and back
Sounds like a great option for San Pedro! Thanks for sharing
OMG once again your tips came at the right time! Thanks so much and keep up the good work. We will be cruising in 5 days on Carnival.
That’s awesome! Have an amazing cruise !! 🛳🎉
Love your videos as a first time cruiser this Sept. to Bermuda.
That’s awesome! I have a new Bermuda tips video coming soon going through some of the questions people had which might be helpful
Arriving two days before your cruise must significantly add to the cost of your trip. The brochure price bears no relationship to your actual total cost.
We're using Go Port in February for our NCL cruise out of Port Canaveral. Very important imformation for our February 11th cruise. Our cruise is sailing the day before Super Bowl (typically a week earlier in Feb), plus just a few days before Valentines Day (Of Course). Therefore the hotels are booking up really early! HEADS UP :).
Wow, something I wouldn’t have probably thought of! Thanks for mentioning. Great idea to have reserved Go Port early
Had an email yesterday to say home testing only for my Queen Victoria cruise next month . Much less stressful. Just have to tick health declaration I have done it and it was negative. So much easier.
Awesome 👏
Very helpful reminders. Never cruised out of Port Canaveral but I love the GoPort options. Agree wholeheartedly regarding upgrading packages prior to sailing as your Sea Pass will already be coded with the proper information and will save the hassle of going to Guest Services or the Internet Cafe. Also take a printed copy of your receipts showing you indeed purchased the upgrades.
I love them too! I wish these were available at other ports too - very convenient. Great idea to actually have the proof of anything on the booking
@@LifeWellCruised happened to me once and it took them a day and a half to contact the home office to get approval. They do not take your word for it.
Lucky for me I live 30 mins from Port Canaveral. Now flying to Seattle for an Alaskan cruise different story. I booked the first flight out the day before my cruise and doing nonstop. Hopefully, my luggage will not get lost
Lucky you!! Seems like you are doing the right thing for Seattle. A non stop flight should help
I tried Carnival's faster to the fun for a 7 day eastern caribbean cruise starting in Puerto Rico. Amazing and we flew through boarding. The BEST benefit, separate service desk on board and no long lines. Tried again for the Panorama to Mexico cruise, waited too long and it was sold out. Tried again for my Alaska cruise out of San Francisco, not offered at that port. Bummer. Will never delay again.
Wow I didn’t realize it sells out, at least on some cruises. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for these information
My pleasure! Thanks for watching 😊
I wish more ports had go port
Definitely a good service
Great info, thanks 😎
Go port is so easy!
I’m actually using Go Port for my cruise to the Bahamas in just three weeks. It’s cheaper than renting a car and very convenient. It will be my first time also where did you get that grey and white striped dress I really like it. Amazon maybe? This will be my second cruise ever ❤️❤️ your videos are so awesome and helpful thank you so much 😊
Using an airtag is a great idea! I never would have thought of that. Sadly, I didn’t buy any of them on Prime day.
Hopefully they’ll be on sale again soon :)
I always book earliest so can get thru security with little problems.
Great! Thanks for sharing 👏
Do you recommend using Uber from a hotel nearby the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale? Thank you for you wonderful videos. It's been 8 years since we've cruised & find your videos so helpful.
I probably would these days :)
❤ thank you, our 1st cruise takes place this Apr 29th! On carnival vista, any hints, thx!
Thanks for the videos. Going to Bahamas in August. Not doing thrill Waterpark at cococay, but what section of beach do u think is best on the island?
That’s awesome! I didn’t think the waterpark was necessary, although it’s a cool park. The Oasis Lagoon was super nice and “free”. There was a really pretty beach right behind it however I can’t recall the name
Thanks so much for your cruising tips videos. As a group of four we will find a lot of useful info for us in your videos.
One question we do have. We will need a shuttle from Miami to Port Everglades. Any recommendations?
Thanks again!
We've sailed for a few years now and thought we knew a lot about it. That's until we started to watch you on a regular basis. Your tips and insights on some of the ways to pack luggage, the bathroom stuff, how to store stuff when in stateroom. It's all great info. We're going to use some of them when we go on our 2 week Alaska cruise this August. Thanks.
Awe your comments mean a lot to me, especially as experienced cruisers! Exciting that your cruise is around the corner 👏
Eat a breakfast & take some snacks, in case your wait for embarkation is long. We have Tracfones that have Adroid 10 on them. Unfortunately, the SmartTags we got are for Adroid 23 or better. So, we'll have to contact our daughter to find out where our luggage is.
Hi! I’m cruising with Royal carribean and I wanted to know if I’m able to print out my vacination card and my birth certificate? I thought they only accepted originals.
So you have to check in at some station after you watch the safety video? i'm not sure I understand.
With the way the airlines are going we fly out of Orlando (my moms) to Nashville to get to Miami! lol So we are flying in 2 days in advance do to the changing of planes etc.
Omg crazy times 😂
Have someone at home check your incoming mail. 11:21
Happy Friday have a great weekend you deserve it xoxo 😚 💞✨💗💗✨✨💗💗✨✨✨💗✨✨✨💗💗✨✨💗💗✨💗
You too!!
@@LifeWellCruised 😀😀😀
Hi Illana. Love your channel. I have a question regarding carrying on your own luggage. I plan on having a large suitcase, 1 carryon, and a backpack. Is it possible to carry on the large suitcase, or do I have to leave that with the porters? Upcoming RC cruise in April 2024 out of Port Canaveral. Thank you!!
Not specifically related to this video but in 50 days we are cruising to Canada (St John,NB,Sydney, NS & Halifax). Any insight for port excursions?
Great question. I’m actually researching these ports now for an upcoming cruise. I’ll have to share in a future video maybe?
Great video! What is the best and fastest way to get to the airport after the cruise? I’m cruising from the port of Miami and have an early flight. Do I book a transfer with NCL or do an Uber? Suggestions?
Do you have any tips to help make this experience fun for little ones?
I live in the United Kingdom (TUI) We always fly with the cruise company we are going with. but me and my parents always book a hotel within the uk airport grounds we are flying from and stopped overnight, as the weather in the winter is a problem during the winter for us., We do have carry on bag, change of clothes (we do this for non cruises as well) so we don't have to unpack straight away.
That’s really smart! I’m not too far from my local airport, but this is a brilliant tip. Thanks for sharing
@@LifeWellCruised If it snows where we live, it is pretty much impossible to get off the road safety in a car (we use taxi) okay we spend around 100 pounds, for a room which takes three people, plus a drink and meal in the hotel . but it better then losing a holiday.
PUT MEDS IN CARRY ON
So true!! 👏
OMG! I get so stressed out to when I am delayed for a flight it it is the worsted too OMG 😳
Great tips. Do you have something like Go Port in Seattle or Vancouver. I am planning my family’s Alaska Cruise soon. Thanks
Great question! I haven’t heard of a specific company or service like this in those cities, however I’ll keep an eye out and share if I do
I was hoping to book an early check- in, the same time as our friends, but it looks as if Holland America assigns you a time. Do you know if there is a way to request a time?
Hello I am a first time cruiser and will be taking a cruise and land tour to Alaska in August. Can you walk me through how embarkation day works once you are at the pier? Is the process similar to an airport?
Parking question: 1st time ever cruise - going on RC out of Port Canaveral. Parking @ (I think) Term 1 - May 2024 trip- Allure of the Seas. What time is the earliest I can arrive to park at Terminal 1? Should I consider "Park Port Canaveral" as an alternate? Not worried about the cost - just want easiest.
How long is the safety video please? Been 3 years since our last cruise. 😅
YAY SO EXCITED!!! ✨💗✨✨💗✨✨✨💗✨✨✨💗✨✨💗✨✨💗✨
Thanks Lauren! When is your cruise? I’m excited for you too 🛳🎉
@@LifeWellCruised Your welcome 🤗
I learned to make xerox copies of the front and back of all of the cards in my wallet, and pictures of them on my phone. In case of lost or stolen bags this is a lifesaver. Keep the copies either in your carryon or your main luggage. Hopefully you will not have to use it but if you do you can quickly have the numbers to cancel you cards.
When and where do you get your sail card on embarkation day?
Just found you and subscribed…can you focus on some tips and tricks for specifically cruising by areas.
We are in California flying to Athens to board and cruise Eastern Mediterranean….. I’m overwhelmed and am trying to find any videos to help with flying and boarding in another country….and what excursions are worth it and what ones to save and just go it alone? We choose celebrity cruise line
Thanks for subscribing and great questions! I’ll share a med cruise tips video shortly that will address some of this
embarktation day on our very first ever cruise we had been on in may stressed us when the cruise line misplaced our luggage, was charging us for drinks all day when they should have been included on our drink package and the cruise line somehow deleted over $600 of our OBC that id been putting onto our account for the couple months beforehand and said we had $0 onboard credit. not what we expected to happen the first day of our first cruise hehe very very stressful but thankfully by day 2 all sorted :)
Oh no! That would definitely be stressful! I’d definitely print out (for future) booking confirmations showing packages and OBCs, mostly because I have heard from several people over the years of this happening. It’s just easier to sort out when you can show proof right away
Anyone used go port for parking? How often do they pick up & drop off please? Every 15 minutes?
Testing Covid required 3 days before cruise. problem getting that done.
Is there a company like Goport in Ft Lauderdale?
We are leaving out of Boston for our cruise, I booked the best western which is 20 min from the cruise port but I need shuttle service ideas from the airport to hotel and hotel to cruise port if anyone has ideas.
One money saver tip for those who drive to the port: Book a hotel an hour or so away from the cruise port. Why? You will save $50.00 or more on the hotel and you can reserve an offsite parking service near the terminal in advance. Most offer a free shuttle from the lot to the terminal. An hour leisurely drive to the port early in the day will be stress-free. Overall cost will usually be much less.
Great idea and smart tip! Go Port actually offers hotels “on the way”. Definitely a good idea to save money when driving
Im watching your videos religiously and my cruise is not till November
Another great informative video, does go port service Fort Lauderdale area? We are going on our first ever cruise on Celebrity reflection in January, it leaves from that port, we booked the cruise but have not booked flights or hotel yet, we are planning on flying the day before we set sail.
Amazing first cruise! Unfortunately not at this time. An idea for Fort Lauderdale is to look into a hotel in the Dania area as some have shuttles and breakfast included. It’s not far from the port, but there isn’t much close by, so just good for sleep and basic stay. The intercoastal hotels, like Hilton Marina offer a great view and experience, but you’ll need to pay a small amount for a taxi to the port
Do you have to have an IPhone to use the Apple air tags?
Do you finish your check in after final payment? I did alot of our check in stuff when I booked the cruise but we don't cruise for another 7 months. I do want to make sure I get the easiest check in time and paid for club orange to help with that as well.
Hi Ilana, enjoyed your video but could not fine that link to your apple air tags. Probably not looking in the right place.
So glad you enjoyed the video. Links are in the description below the title. It’s not obvious I know. Tap “see more” or read more if you are watching on a computer or iPad. Tap the arrow down (that looks like an upside down v) on the right of the title if you are on mobile