Going on a cruise is a different kind of vacation than we’re used to — but we love it!

Whether you’re cruising with Disney Cruise Line or with another company, a cruise gives you a chance to unwind, explore some great dining, take part in unique activities, and see some great entertainment. But WHEN you take your cruise might matter, especially if you’re cruising on two upcoming December days.

If you have a cruise booked departing on December 17th and December 22nd departing from Miami, you need to pack your patience in your suitcase because you’re going to need it. That’s because the port at Miami is going to be at full capacity on those two dates. This means that nine ships will be in the port at any given time, meaning the port’s terminal is going to be much busier than usual.

On December 17th, the cruise ships that will be in the port include Oasis of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Scarlet Lady, MSC Divina, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Celebration, Norwegian Encore and Insignia. WOW. On December 22nd, the cruise ships that will be parked there will be Oasis of the Seas, Scarlet Lady, Explora I, MSC Magnifica, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Magic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl and Sirena.

So, what does that mean for you if you’re booked on any of those cruises? Well, the port will be more busy than usual, so you’ll need to do things a little differently than you might when it’s not so busy. First, you’ll need to plan for delays because they’re more possible when you’ve got so many ships in one port. The port will be more crowded than usual, meaning a lot more people are being processed through it at any given time.

You’ll also want to be sure that you have your luggage tagged properly so that it goes to the right ship. We’d say check and then double-check that you’ve done this. We also recommend making sure you know EXACTLY which terminal your ship is sailing from so you know where to go when you arrive at the port. Things will be a little chaotic, so knowing where to go and what to do will have you sailing (pun intended) through the port more smoothly.

We just wanted to give you a heads up, just in case, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for more news, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

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Will you be taking a cruise on these two days? How are you preparing? Let us know in the comments!

The post A WARNING if You’re Cruising on These December Dates first appeared on the disney food blog.