OK. I've read several forums/boards and it seems a unanimous vote to fly in a day early prior to a cruise.

What would you all do IF the cost of flying in one day early added about 400 to 450 bucks to the trip (for airfare and hotel) due to schedules and such? That's the case with us.

We're planning a flight from Phx to Barcelona with 2 (maybe 3?) connections.

Flying in the "day of", the flight would arrive in BCN at 10:40 a.m. and our ship sails at 6:00 p.m. - meaning we have just under 6 hours to get through customs and get to the port 90 mins. prior to sailing.

Meanwhile, while I'm deliberating, I'm also checking airfare every day and it's starting to go up!! HELP!

Fly in at least one day before, six hours is not a long time if the plane is delayed at all. Plus with two connections, that's two places your luggage could go missing. At least if you are there the day before you have a chance of getting any lost luggage before boarding the ship. You absolutely MUST go the day before, even better two days before.

I agree, ALWAYS fly in at least one day before.
Planes can be delayed, or your luggage might not make it.

You should definitely fly in at LEAST the day before.

Try alternate airports as well, maybe Madrid (MAD) or malaga (AGP- Delta has a non-stop from JFK) arrivals can get you a better fare? Perhaps fly in 2 days early, so you know you will get there, and then take a cheap internal flight to Barcelona (BCN). They can be as cheap as $50 each with tax. Or you can take a train for a more scenic trip.

What airport in the US are you traveling from? And when are you traveling?

You are probably paying a lot for your cruise so why not just accept the fact that the trip costs that much more and enjoy your day in Barcelona. There is nothing worse than the anxiety that you may not make the ship on time so your peace of mind and getting over jet lag is worth it. We quite often go two days or more ahead as part of the vacation and we are relaxed and ready to enjoy the ship when we board instead of being exhausted. It really is worth it.

My husband and I took a cruise from Barcelona to Galveston last December. We flew from Houston to Frankfort to Barcelona. Booked flight thru B-T Store online for $335 pp. Flew Luthansa all the way. We did go in 5 days early so that we could see Bcn. Stayed at Hotel Pulitzer off the Plaza Catalunya at the start of Las Ramblas. Very nice hotel, great staff and great location. For international always go in at least a day early. We have gone the day of in the US but only when we had a direct flight. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone.

Fosterag, thanks for the recommendation of the B-T Store. That opened up some options.

IN 2005 stayed two nights in Barcelona..last December we flew in he day of the cruise..NEVER AGAIN..IT was much to stressful.. This year we will spend two nights again..Next year we are flying into Rome (we h ave the hotel, but not the airfare yet) a day earlier because the guide wasn available the day before the cruie leaves. We usually have one stop inbetween... Where ae you flying from?

Agree with everyone else--at least fly in the day before. These days too much can go wrong with air travel, especially international. Also, you're crossing at least 8 time zones--earlier arrival gives you a little more time to recover from jet lag.

What everyone else said.... You'll have a day to relax and prepare for the cruise - and not be stressed out trying to get from one thing to another......

It is pretty simple imawanderlust;

Just calculate how much you will spend in transportation going back to the airport, airfare to the next port the Cruise will stop, transportation to the pier and all the aggravation of doing all of the above. If spending extra $400.00 or $450.00 will save you all the stress, I will do it right away.

imawanderlust

Usually the cruises I take are from cities I've never been to before. So for me it's like 2 vacations in one. I always go in at least 2 days before so that way I get a mini vacation before sailing.

Also, the thought of arriving the same day the ship sails would be too nerve wracking(sp) and stressful for me. I'm one of those people who arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hrs (domestic) and 3.5 (intl) just to be safe.

Also, the extra $$$ spent is not worth the headaches if something goes wrong.

Thanks to all who responded. I went ahead and booked our flights a day in advance. We'll be arriving 24 hours prior to embarkation. It was $500 or so more, but as you've all pointed out, what price tag can you put on peace of mind?

I'm pleased you did that and you will certainly appreciate having time to get over the jet lag. When you board ship you will be raring to go!! Enjoy you cruise.