Early Debarkation Question-HELP!!

[levi760]

Well I found an amazing Round trip flight price(San Digo to Fort Lauderdale). The ship arrives at 7:00am back in Port @ Fort Lauderdale, but the return flight to San Deigo leaves at 10:30am...anyone have experience with Early Debarkation with Holland? Also considering Check-in at the airport, Do you think I would have time to disembark and make a 10:30am flight? From what I've read, the airport is only 5 minutes away from port.

I think I have to jump on this price soon. Any advise would help.:D

[E-500]

Cutting it real close, but doable if everything clicks on schedule. Can you do self-disembarkment and carry everything off with you? This will give you a little more flexability.

[alpal1993]

The air port is very close to the port less then 10 minutes.I would hire a ride and tell them to be there early

[levi760]

Yes, self-disembarkment/Early-Disembarkment. My wife and I can physically carry our own luggage no problem...our concern is just getting off the boat in time. I just don't know how Holland handles those that wish to get off early due to flights. It is our first time with Holland and first time through Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port.

[Fblack]

I took a similar flight two years ago. We were off the ship and on our way to the airport by 8:00AM. We just took a taxi to the airport. We were at the gate by 9:30AM.

[E-500]

Yes, self-disembarkment/Early-Disembarkment. My wife and I can physically carry our own luggage no problem...our concern is just getting off the boat in time. I just don't know how Holland handles those that wish to get off early due to flights. It is our first time with Holland and first time through Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port.

Communicate with the pursers office at least the day before arrival, once the ship is cleared, you will be the first off. After you clear customs there should be cabs at the curb. If you arrange a car service as suggested by an earlier poster they may save you a few minutes at a cost. Port and FLL are almost within sight lines of each other but the road system makes it a 10+ minute ride.

[sail7seas]

As long as you are of the disposition that can take the stress at the end of your vacation. It isn't impossible to make that flight but everything will have to go right for you. There is a risk but only you know if you are willing to take that chance.

[mrsltg]

As long as everything goes according to schedule you'll be fine. I had a 10:55am out of FLL after a Spring Break cruise - I was at the gate by 8:30ish.... Definitely self-disembark.

[RAYJO]

Have done it before. But, very stressful.. Everything has to be .....

[Krazy Kruizers]

You will get a form the first full day of the cruise where you indicate that you want to do self-disembarkation.

Now for San Diego -- we have been there a couple of times when the ships got in late -- due to fog. One time the Ryndam didn't get in until after 10 -- many people missed their flights.

Then last spring on the Westerdam -- even though we arrived on time -- the ship did not clear until 10:35 -- one couple held up everything. Again many people missed their flights.

I would not book a flights until after NOON.

[Hope to Cruise]

Then last spring on the Westerdam -- even though we arrived on time -- the ship did not clear until 10:35 -- one couple held up everything. Again many people missed their flights.

I would not book a flights until after NOON.

That is the unpredictable thing, clearing of the foreign nationals by customs. Our recent San Diego self disembarkation did not begin until 9:10 waiting for this clearance. Just made it to our 9:30 train. But there would be a later train. Missing a flight would be much for distressing.

[NMLady]

Well I found an amazing Round trip flight price(San Digo to Fort Lauderdale). The ship arrives at 7:00am back in Port @ Fort Lauderdale, but the return flight to San Deigo leaves at 10:30am...anyone have experience with Early Debarkation with Holland? Also considering Check-in at the airport, Do you think I would have time to disembark and make a 10:30am flight? From what I've read, the airport is only 5 minutes away from port.

I think I have to jump on this price soon. Any advise would help.:D

Even though it is possible, I personally wouldn't do it in this age of airlines charging $100+ change fees on top of fare change if you miss the flight.
There is too much that can go wrong. I've been on ships where we were delayed from disembarking.
Twice it was for passengers who weren't cleared for some reason, once we were delayed by more than an hour because immigration officials hadn't yet shown up.
If you have nerves of steel, you could try for it, but I wouldn't advise it.

[Typhoon1]

We use self disembarkation annually and are normally at the airport around 8AM or sooner.

[azcaptainbob]

Recently we missed our flight after self disembarking late. However, Southwest put us on a flight 50 minutes later...no additional cost. If you do use self disembarking find out where you will disembark early on that final day because you will find lots of people have the same idea...that is usually why everyone is packed like sardines in the halls and waiting area.

[CuriousJ]

Assuming the ship is back in port on time, you shouldn't have any problem. We did early disembarkation on Eurodam and were off the ship by 7:59 a.m. In San Diego the airport is very close to the cruise terminal so you should not have a problem. Enjoy your trip - you'll love the Oosterdam!

[Aunty Pat]

To help you decide:
1. Check The Ft Lauderdale port website for the schedule to see what other ships are in port when you arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. If the 6,000 people are coming off the Oasis of the Seas there will be a lot of competition for the taxis and at the airport.
2. Check with your airline to see what time you need to check in. This can vary by airlines. Some can require up to an hour before flight time and then they start giving away your seats.


Aunty Pat


Barefoot Windjammer - Phantom ‘81
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