One of the recommendations I make most often is to arrive a day, or even two, before your cruise or tour begins. Over the years, I've learned that those extra days often become part of the vacation itself.
A few years ago, some longtime travelers of mine arrived in Europe two days before boarding a Rhine River cruise. They had settled into a lovely dinner when I called to interrupt their meal. Their cruise had just been canceled because of unexpectedly low water levels.
Because they had already arrived, I was able to reach them immediately, talk through their options, and begin working with the cruise line while everything was still unfolding. They are wonderful people who have traveled with me for years, so I was especially determined to find a solution. It took a little creativity and some quick logistics to get them from one European city to another, but instead of missing their vacation, they ended up sailing the Rhône River. They're wine lovers; to this day, they still tell me what a terrific trip it turned out to be.
That experience reinforced my recommendation to arrive early, but there's another reason I love those extra days.
A few years ago, Rich and I arrived in Amsterdam a couple of nights before boarding a cruise to Norway. It happened to be Father's Day, and because we had arrived a couple of days early, I was able to surprise him with a private canal cruise and brunch aboard a small boat. Our captain shared fascinating stories about Amsterdam as we quietly cruised through the city's canals. It wasn't part of our trip plans at all. It simply became one of those unexpected experiences that made the journey even more memorable.
That's why I continue to recommend arriving a day or two early whenever possible. It provides a little extra flexibility if travel plans change unexpectedly, but just as importantly, it gives you time to settle in, explore at your own pace, and let your vacation begin before the itinerary officially does.
I've found that some of the best travel memories begin before the itinerary does.
Warmly,
Lisa
