My husband and I (late 20s) just finished our fifth Celebrity cruise and overall we had a lovely vacation.

Precruise: We flew in a day in advance on Porter Airlines and stayed at the Marriott SpringHill Suites in Newark. I can't say enough good things about Porter- I never flew in the good old days but this is what I imagine they would be like! They have an awesome lounge with complimentary snacks and beverages, wireless internet access as well as available desktops, and comfortable chairs. Bonus: you only have to arrive an hour before your (international!) flight since the airport at Billy Bishop is much smaller! They also serve complimentary soft drinks as well as alcohol onboard, and a yummy box lunch when you fly during a mealtime. I would absolutely fly with them again if the city I am going to is on their route.

Hotel: The SpringHill Suites was a nice choice for a precruise hotel as well. They include a complimentary light breakfast and pick up at the airport every 15 minutes 24/7. The rooms are spacious and include a fridge and microwave, and while are nothing fancy, are comfortable and utilitarian. They also offer a reasonable 7 day advance purchase rate. Read more