Earliest Flight from FLL After Zuiderdam 8/27

[DebK32]

Hi!
If we do the 8/20 to 8/27 sailing of the Zuiderdam, it says we come back into Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 AM. If we are in an "S" suite, can we be one of the first to get off in time to make an 11:30 AM flight out of FLL? Thanks!

[Chadzbrew]

No, it will take 2-3 hours before you will be able to depart. I wouldn't make a flight arrangement prior to 1pm, just to give you enough time to go through customs and security. Just to be on the safe side

[gizmo]

I have made this flight numerous times with no problems, but if anything goes wrong you must accept the fact you will miss it. The airline will hit you with an addional charge and no telling what time they could get you on a flight. You may not be able to get a flight until late that night or even the next day.

Things do happen. The ship could arrive late for a multitude of reasons and some people just refuse to show up for immigration which delays everyone.

S suite pax do get priority when leaving the ship and you can be in the first group to leave, but you cannot leave until immigration clears the ship.

[DebK32]

Thanks for the opinions! So is 1 PM the general consensus? What time do you HAVE to be off of the ship? Thanks!

[lee-gold]

Our flight is booked by HAL at 12.15 from FLL.
Might we possibly miss it? Surely HAL would allow us to
disembark early although we're not in an S Suite?

[spcl4cs_gal]

Usually everyone is off the ship by 10:30 and regarding the flight, I would definitely consider taking one no earlier than 1pm. Last August mine was at 1:30 and I almost missed it due to the line up for customs being stretched out through the lobby...and out the door...and down the sidewalk.

[cruisetmc]

In November I had an 11:15 flight. I was off the Caribbean Princess by 9:30. The problem at the airport was the security line. They finally walked out in the hallway and yelled for people with an 11:00 flight to go to another part of the security line. I got to the gate area around 11:00 and the flight was late boarding. This did make me nervous enough that next time I'm going to try a later flight. On Princess you got to the Pursors office to make sure you have an early debarkation time. I'm sure its similar on HAL

[KSCnCA]

We were on the Zui in Dec 2004 and got to the airport and were sitting in the waiting area at the gate for our flight at 9:50 am. (plus we spent a lot of time looking for our black luggage in the sea of black luggage!) My parents got off the ship ahead of us and were on HAL bus and didn't get there till 11:15 am. We were getting worried, but they made it. Our flight left at 12:40 pm. The problems were the HAL bus and longer lines at airport security the later you arrive. We took a taxi and it was cheaper and easier than the HAL transfer.

[lipoppop]

If you do opt for the early flight I suggest you do not leave your luggage outside your door the night before but keep it in your cabin. That way you will save time when you disembark. Of course you will have to handle the luggage yourself on the ship.

With an S suite you can get the earliest time especially if you speak to the concierge ion the Neptune loung. The only caveat is delay in arriving and US customs.

[grannynurse]

We just got off the zaandam and it was a nightmare to try to meet our 12:55 flight. Florida ports, especially with immigration are notoriously slow. We held # 1 for disembarkation and didn't get off until 10:15. The port luggage situation was pathetic and the shuttles waited to fill (took an hour). IMO I would never pick a flight earlier than 2 o'clock from any Florida port.
GN

[gizmo]

If you do opt for the early flight I suggest you do not leave your luggage outside your door the night before but keep it in your cabin. That way you will save time when you disembark. Of course you will have to handle the luggage yourself on the ship.

With an S suite you can get the earliest time especially if you speak to the concierge ion the Neptune loung. The only caveat is delay in arriving and US customs.

The S pax luggage is grouped together and much easier to find. You do not have to walk up and down the terminal looking for it.

[doone]

I have always taken a 12:30 pm flight out of Ft. Lauderdale and never had a problem. I booked, this year, an 11:30 a.m. flight. I am a bit nervous, but I am always at the airport and cleared security and eveything by 10 a.m., then its the darn waiting. Being an impatient person, I booked this earlier flight, hope I am not sorry. Just be aware of what you will encounter if you do miss it.

I think you will be fine. Just be sure HAL is aware of your earlier flight when you fill out your dismebarkation papers.

Wish us both luck.

[Searanger]

On the Zuiderdam this past August 28th...we were 48hrs late for our flight...lol....Seriously, as long as you get off the ship before 930am you can catch your flight out of FLL before 11am. However, arrival after 10am (with 6 ships in FLL and another 6 in MIA) don't go near the airport til after lunch. It becomes the ultimate in gridlock....plan on 1.5hrs just to get through security after 10am.

[MikeyB]

Hi
We are on the Zuiderdam in December.
I have the same concern about flight time.
American Air can get me on a flight at 11:45a.m.
Could anyone else give me their best opinion about getting home on time?
Thanks

[FCOWHER]

My wife and I are booked on the Zuiderdam in April please let us know if you made your 11:30 flight. We have an 11:30 flight also and I have to make that flight. Thanks, Joe V.Hi!
If we do the 8/20 to 8/27 sailing of the Zuiderdam, it says we come back into Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 AM. If we are in an "S" suite, can we be one of the first to get off in time to make an 11:30 AM flight out of FLL? Thanks!

[doone]

I have the 11:30 a.m. flight home from Ft. Lauderdale on March 30th, I'll let you know how I make out.

[BigDogMom]

Please do let us know. I have an 11:30 flight on April 17. After being caught in the Christmas mess with USAir and Philly airport, I'm a little nervous. We are using mileage tickets. We were on a later flight, but USAir discontinued some of the midday flights and put us on this flight. All the mileage seats for that day are taken so we're stuck. Our only other alternative is to buy a ticket.

[Himself]

I had an 11:30 Flight when I got off the Volendam in November. I was one of the last off the ship and got off at 9:50AM and I made the flight with 20 minutes to spare. I must tell you the airport is very close to the cruise ship terminal at Port Everglades.

Himself

[Pudgesmom]

Ditto the experience of Himself. We got off about 10:00, hopped a cab and had about an hour to wait at the gate for our flight just before noon.

Beth

[crayola]

We just left the Zuiderdam on 1/8/05 and had no problem catching our 11:10 am flight out of FLL. We made sure we departed the ship ASAP and took a cab to the airport instead of the HAL bus. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

[Cruising Jake]

Last January we were on the Oosterdam and had a 9:30 flight. We did not get off the ship until 8:45. We made it - but not before I almost bit off all my fingernails. We were actually at the door waiting for the ship to clear and were the first two people off the ship. I would NOT do that again. It was too risky.