There are advantages to living near a cruise port. You don’t have the stress of pre-cruise airline connections, delays or cancellations. Without a long highway drive, there isn’t the chance of getting stuck in a traffic jam.
There are also distinct disadvantages. Being close to a cruise port puts you into a more casual frame of mind with regards to your cruise departure. Organizing, packing and heading to the port are more like afterthoughts than months-long preparation. This was my situation.
Living near the port, I found myself working right up until dinnertime of the night before my cruise. 9PM I started packing and by 3AM my clothes-packing was complete. A quick four-hour snooze and I was back at my computer, a steamy cup of coffee by my mouse and last minute email forwarding/away message setup was underway.
With a four o’clock deadline to be onboard the NCL Sun and with no Plan B option should I miss the ship, I started to frantically throw my remaining possessions into whatever Ziplock bag or small carry-along I could find.
2:38PM – Left my house
3:10PM – I’m in my stateroom
3:20PM – Enjoying a cold Chardonnay and a light lunch by the Lido pool.
Luckily for me, Port Canaveral is only a short distance from my front door. Spoiled? No. Complacent? Most definitely. Now I have a much better appreciation for how cruisers living in the South Florida area must feel; it’s so wonderfully convenient and uncomplicated living with a major cruise port nearly in your backyard.
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
Stephania Andrade says
Well then aren’t you lucky for living so darn close to the port! In less than an hour from leaving your home you were already sipping on a glass of Chardonnay on the cruise!