Sadly, we had an email from a good friend who was going across the Atlantic on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 this week. Sadly, because he "was" going.
Our friend had a flight into New York on Friday morning. Because of weather and heavy traffic in the New York area, his flight was cancelled. No problem. There was another flight that would get him there in time…just in time, but in time nonetheless.
Fifteen minutes before the flight left, another announcement. Another delay. This one was two hours. End of travel day, end of cruise.
The ship left at 5 p.m., without him on board.
"I checked later and found out that flight got to New York at 7:45," he wrote. "By then the Queen Mary 2 was well on its way past the Statue of Liberty and heading out to the 
Atlantic. I know these things happen but it's always to the other guy, not me. Very disappointing and still can't believe it. I have had nothing but good luck and good times on the 10 cruises I have taken in the past six years…until now."
Ouch.
As we lamented his misfortune this weekend, we reminded ourselves to make sure — especially on long but also on short flights — to make sure we arrive in the city of departure the day before our cruise.
Today at Phil Reimer's portsandbows.com: Negotiating the "Middle" Rhine River
Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas
10 nights
August 18, 2014
Fort Lauderdale (return): Charleston, King’s Wharf, Nassau, Coco Cay
Inside: $819
Cost per day: $81
www.royalcaribbean.com