Too many ships in FLL, I am worried

[Fragile-Beauty]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking about booking Noordam November 3-13th. However, on the 13th there are 6 ships in Fort Lauderdale. Do you think it is even worth it. I am very concerned about finding a taxi and being able to go through airport security. I had wanted an 11:30 flight but if I do book the cruise I will book the 1:30 flight. ---that being said i am still worried about that number of people. One of the ships is the Oasis, which I understand holds several thousand passangers.

Any suggestions would be beneficial, as I will need to book ASAP if I am going on this trip.

Thank you

[jtl513]

Yes, the Oasis has three times as many passengers as the Noordam. If you book a 1:30 flight you're pretty safe, unless there's a big snafu getting the ship cleared.

[Fragile-Beauty]

thanks JT--- I agree with you. It is that snafu part that is worrying me.

[terigo]

Don't worry about it....
Each of their ships docks in their own area, the transportation is very experienced at knowing how many cabs, shuttles, etc, they need to have there, and if you are taking the 1:30 flight you should be fine... (the 11:30 would have been cutting things much too close)

Yes, things will be more crowded than usual, but having several megaships in port at the same time is old hat to FLL....

You would be surprised at how efficiently a jillion passengers can be handled...:)
enjoy your cruise!

[AlanAllyn]

I only see 5 ships listed, but 6-8 ships is very common at Port Everglades on winter weekends.

You can most likely make an 11:30 flight, but I agree that you should play it safe at 1:30. Why have to rush at the end of your week?

[sail7seas]

We've come into and out of Port Everglades with 8, 9 and more ships and though, of course, it is busy, we've managed fine. It is common for there to be six ships. That is not an unusual event and they can handle that number. Good idea to book the 1:30 flight and you should be fine.

[sonar703]

why not fly in the night before, and stay at a hotel that will shuttle you over to the port or take a taxi over in the morning, we live in Orlando and always drive down to Fort Lauderdale the day before and stay at any hotel that offers shuttles to the port.

[aliaschief]

We have disembarked in Port Everglades with a similiar amount of ships in port, including Oasis Of The Seas...As stated before, the ships are at different terminals. The city of Fort Lauderdale has a lot of taxis. Last December when we disembarked the MS Eurodam we walked down the ramp, picked up our luggage, cleared Customs and was at the airport forty minutes after starting the process.

The airport does get congested but we encountered no major problems. One tip. On a past November cruise (Noordam) we disembarked in Fort Lauderdale and it was unseasonably cool. We had packed jackets and after checking luggage we realized the airport was uncomfortably cold. Almost elected to buy a sweatshirt.

Have a great cruise.

[jtl513]

why not fly in the night before, ...The OP is concerned about departing, not arriving.

aliaschief: congrats on passing 3000 posts and becoming a "Blue Ribbon Cruiser"! :)

[Fragile-Beauty]

Thank you to all that replied. I feel better, I will not let that detour me from booking this cruise I really want to take. Most definetly I will book the 1:30pm flight as I do not want to be stressed out and rushing. It is not worth being worried the entire trip about making the flight. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the sweater idea for the airport, I will make sure we have one available.

Again many thanks

[aliaschief]

aliaschief: congrats on passing 3000 posts and becoming a "Blue Ribbon Cruiser"! :)[/quote]

Thanks, It supports my theory that I'm addicted to cruising and Cruise Critics.:D

[maxout]

why not fly in the night before, and stay at a hotel that will shuttle you over to the port or take a taxi over in the morning, we live in Orlando and always drive down to Fort Lauderdale the day before and stay at any hotel that offers shuttles to the port.

Because the OP is asking about the day they Disembark not at arrival.

jtl beat me again! :D

[Himself]

I would stay the night in Florida and fly back early the next day.

[luvs2travl]

I would stay the night in Florida and fly back early the next day.

Me, too. We do it on every cruise. We book the first flight out the following morning and have never felt stressed out, nor do we have to fight the "herd" at the airport.

I know some folks don't have the luxury of that extra day of vacation, but, boy - if you can do it, it sure is worth it, IMHO! :)

[drtee]

Book the 1:30 flight, then relax. And if you miss your flight, is that the worst thing that could happen? If so, you're a lucky person.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Don't worry about it!!

We have been there when there was 11 ships -- we were docked halfway down to Miami -- it was a freighter pier. No taxis since they were not allowed into that area. But HAL has buses to take people back to the parking garages. Buses to take us to a terminal where there were taxis to take the rest of us to hotels and the airport.

[navybankerteacher]

We're arriving at Fort Lauderdale on Noordam's trans-Atlantic on November 3 -- a very light day, but are spending the night in Fort Lauderdale - the early flight home on 11/4 is so much less expensive than an early afternoon one on 11/3, that it more than covers the cost of the motel. First time we've tried it, but probably will check the option on all future cruises - relaxing first day off the ship, plus an early arrival at home the following day.

[BearInStPete]

I look at it this way, let's say there were 8 Oasis class ships using the port on a given day, that's 80,000 PAX coming and going out of the port, and that is way conservative to actual volume, it is about equal to the crowds of an NFL football game, the port facilities are fine for that volume. With that being said you should always allow some contingency time for a late arrival or customs issues, I would not book a departing flight from FLL any earlier than noon.

The Port Everglades overcrowding scare has been far too common a thread on here and is just not true. But there will always be hiccups and exceptions which is normal in any travel mode.

Enjoy your cruise, FLL has almost ideal port and air facilities and should be a breeze.

[JJPacer]

Book your flight home well ahead of time to get the best prices and the flight you want. Once you have it booked, relax. All will go smoothly.

[maxout]

<SNIP>
Enjoy your cruise, FLL has almost ideal port and air facilities and should be a breeze.

This thread is 3 months old and if she did book she's home by now :rolleyes::D

[cruisun]

on January 23. It is a Sunday. Are there usually fewer ships in port on Sundays? My TA seemed to feel this was not a problem unless of course something unforseen brings the ship in late. I guess I will find out next month. Next time I think I will book the next later flight so there is no anxiety. Worst case scenario I get onto a later flight:rolleyes:

[Himself]

There used to be a song that went: "Don't Worry, be Happy!" So please go on your cruise and take the advice of the song. I do all the time.

[babygirl722]

Can anyone share the website where one can see which ships are in port atvany given time?

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[babygirl722]

on January 23. It is a Sunday. Are there usually fewer ships in port on Sundays? My TA seemed to feel this was not a problem unless of course something unforseen brings the ship in late. I guess I will find out next month. Next time I think I will book the next later flight so there is no anxiety. Worst case scenario I get onto a later flight:rolleyes:

From my experience, 11:30 is way too early. I wouldn't book anything earlier than 1pm.

[sail7seas]

Can anyone share the website where one can see which ships are in port atvany given time?

Thanks and Happy New Year!


www.cruisett.com (http://www.cruisett.com)
www.cruisetimetables.com (http://www.cruisetimetables.com)
www.cruiseReport.com/portsofCallList.aspx (http://www.cruiseReport.com/portsofCallList.aspx)

[FLACRUISER99]

www.cruisett.com (http://www.cruisett.com)
www.cruisetimetables.com (http://www.cruisetimetables.com)
www.cruiseReport.com/portsofCallList.aspx (http://www.cruiseReport.com/portsofCallList.aspx)However this one is the most accurate but it is a pay site www.cruisecal.com/portal/

[sail7seas]

However this one is the most accurate but it is a pay site www.cruisecal.com/portal/ (http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/)


I used cruisecal for years until they went to a pay site. They were not always accurate but probably as good as the others.

Do you pay an annual fee/monthly? Can you pay a 'one time charge' and use the site for one day or one session?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Of the 3 sites listed, I like cuisetimetables the best as you can click onto the various ports on your cruise once you have gotten started. You don;t have to start over each time.

[babygirl722]

Thanks everyone! It's amazing how much information one can gather from this incredible website.