Flying, Driving or Taking the Train to Your Cruise? Which Is Best?

Getting to your cruise ship can cost more money, time, and stress than you expect. Where you meet the ship changes the whole trip. We've sailed from Baltimore, New York, Cape Liberty, Miami, Galveston, Vancouver, and Whittier. We were supposed to depart from Seward until our Alaska cruise port changed halfway through our land tour. From taking Amtrak to New York and driving to nearby ports to flying into Miami and Houston, we've learned that getting to the ship can make or break the start of your vacation. In this episode of Past The Gangway, Anthony and Katie share what worked, what went sideways, and what we'd do differently. We compare driving, flying, and taking the train; arriving the night before versus the same day; New York's three cruise terminals; Alaska's one-way cruises; Philadelphia's return; and the real costs before you ever step onboard. Because the cheapest way to get to your cruise isn't always the best value. Count the trip before you count the cruise. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:28 Close to home: Baltimore 3:56 New York by train 8:31 Cape Liberty vs Manhattan 11:39 Flying to the ship: Miami's grumpy day 18:42 Galveston 22:03 Drive or fly? Night before or same day? 25:05 Alaska: Seward to Whittier 28:46 Roundtrip vs one-way 32:26 Vancouver 35:22 Whittier vs Seward 39:33 Philadelphia: the wildcard 42:46 Fort Lauderdale: the real cost 47:26 Port Picks rapid fire 50:30 Story Time: Galveston & Harmony 58:11 What we learned 61:31 Your turn + next episode 📌 PHILADELPHIA UPDATE On camera, we mention a 5-day Bermuda sailing. Norwegian Jewel sails 7–9 nights from Philadelphia in 2026, Norwegian Pearl takes over with 5–7-night Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries in November 2026, and Norwegian Gem arrives in 2028. 🧭 Planning a cruise? We're travel advisors with Keystone Travel Group —   / keystonetravelgroup   🔔 Subscribe & pull up a chair. 💬 What's your favorite cruise port, and do you prefer driving, flying, or taking the train? #CruiseTips #CruisePlanning #CruisePorts #PastTheGangway #CruiseTravel