Sleep ashore the night before, then walk onto the boat

A flight on boarding day carries a risk that a hotel removes. If the plane is late, you lose the first stop and the evening at Kalong. If you land the day before, the delay costs you a dinner. For a party of three generations, the second case is the only one worth planning for.

The night ashore also does small jobs. Pharmacies in Labuan Bajo have a limited choice and the islands have none, so buy sun cream and remedies in town. ATMs stand along Jl. Soekarno-Hatta near the harbour and at the airport, and none exists on the islands, so take rupiah cash before boarding. Charge every phone and power bank, because power cuts are brief but more common than in Bali.

A grandparent arriving from a long flight gets a night of ordinary sleep before a boat sleep. That alone is worth the room.

Day 1, morning, hotel lobby: the driver has your name, the passports are in the daypack, and breakfast is finished. The pickup time was confirmed in writing when you booked, and the driver's contact reached you on WhatsApp before sailing.

The ride to the harbour is short. At the pier the harbour's e-boarding pass checks each passenger by name, and a name that differs from the passport causes a delay. Send full names as in the passports when you book, children included. Have the passport or ID in hand, with shoes that grip, a hat and water for the first hill walk at Kelor.

Boarding is at Labuan Bajo harbour, and the pier is confirmed with your booking. The open trip starts with a welcome drink. After that the boat leaves the quay, and the trip starts to run on its own rhythm.

A second night ashore is the kindest gift for the oldest guest. Land two days before sailing if the journey includes a long-haul flight, a change of time zone and a connection through Bali or Jakarta. The flight from Bali takes about 1 h 10 to 1 h 20, and Jakarta about 2 h 30 to 3 h; check the airline for days and times.

Ask the hotel for a room that avoids stairs, and we pass the request to them in writing. Tell us about medication and mobility so that the pickup and the cabin plan fit. The Master Ocean is the only cabin on the main deck; step-free access is not claimed.

The same logic runs the other way. The last day ends in Labuan Bajo after the morning snorkel and lunch, and the return time is confirmed in writing before you book a flight home. Book an afternoon or evening flight, or keep the same hotel for one more night.