help please!

[emiliesmom]

I am trying to book my flights for our cruise and the return flight I want leaves ft lauderdale at 11:50 am. We've never cruised before so I have no idea when the ship docks and how long it takes to get off it, not to mention how far the airport is from the cruise port. We have transfers from the ship to the airport arranged via Holland America; does that mean we have to wait for people before the shuttle would leave or will it be based on our departure time? Please help! Should I try and book a later flight?

[sail7seas]

Most people consider a 12 noon flight from FLL to be a safe one to book. I would book your 11:50 flight. It would be a very rare circumstance for you to not be at the airport in time.

Port Everglades (where the ship docks) is only 10 minutes from the airport.

You should be aware that they will wait to load the bus with pax and luggage but there are very many buses and HAL is very excellent at getting everyone onto the buses and moving.

There will be a bus going to Delta, to AA, Jet Blue etc at Fort Lauderdale Airport. Other buses will be going to Miami Airport.
The disembark number you are given is predicated upon your on-going travel plans. Those with the earliest flights get the lowest numbers. You should be fine.

[the2ofus]

You should be fine with the flight you have booked. Your disembarkation number will be coordinated with your flight time so you should have an early disembarkation number. The airport is very close to the cruise terminal so it won't take long, once you collect your baggage, until you are on the bus and off at the airport.

Relax and enjoy your cruise.

(And that's why I like Sail 7 Seas so well, we think alike. Only she says it so much better!!)

[lougee1043]

=emiliesmom]I am trying to book my flights for our cruise and the return flight I want leaves ft lauderdale at 11:50 am.

11:50 should work with no problems

We've never cruised before so I have no idea when the ship docks and how long it takes to get off it,

ship could actually dock around 6 or even earllier --then the ship has to clear customs and all pax have to settle their accounts

not to mention how far the airport is from the cruise port.

airport is close to the cruise dock about 15 min away by taxi

We have transfers from the ship to the airport arranged via Holland America; does that mean we have to wait for people before the shuttle would leave or will it be based on our departure time?

its a combination of both -- i personally would cancel the transfer if i could and take a cab -- go by bus you have to wait til everyone is on board-then the bus will stop at most terminals offloading pax and luggage------cab will be faster ---direct--non stop and cheaper then the ship transportation

[sail7seas]

Thanks, "2ofus'...... :) Maybe one of these days I'll actually learn to be brief. Why say something in 50 words if I can use 100. ;)

[emiliesmom]

OK, you guys are awesome, thanks for the info. I need you again though - Another question - what time do we have to be on board when on our day of departure? We're really struggling with whether to fly in the day before or fly in the day of.

[richwmn]

If you can fly in the day before you will be more relaxed for embarkation. It makes for a long day if you have to catch an early flight in order to arrive at FLL in time. You will also have time for the little problems that can occur, particularly if you don't allow time for them.

Rich

[Host Walt]

OK, you guys are awesome, thanks for the info. I need you again though - Another question - what time do we have to be on board when on our day of departure? We're really struggling with whether to fly in the day before or fly in the day of.I'm with Richwmn.

The night before makes the boarding day very easy and relaxed, like it's the first day of your vacation, which it is. If you have air problems or luggage problems with the airline, the extra time will pay off big time.

[bruce-r]

I'll also agree with lougee1043 about canceling the transfers and just going by taxi to/from the airport. It is cheaper and faster.

Defintely, if you can possibly manage it, fly in the day before.

[sail7seas]

Add my name to the list of those who always fly to embarkation port at least one day ahead of cruise day. Relieves soooo much stress. Who can count on airlines/airports these days? So many unexpected delays and cancellations etc

[bepsf]

The OP doesn't say what time of year she'll be cruising - but we've all heard of nasty weather delays which can make the difference between getting to the ship on time and missing the boat entirely. Spending an extra $150-$200 for an overnight in a hotel and a nice dinner out before the cruise is well worth it to avoid the winter's "Will we make it on time" angst.

I forget what HAL charges per person for transfers in Ft Laud, but a taxi is only $12-15 for as many folks (and their luggage) as you can fit in the car. Most of the time, transfers just aren't worth it IMO.

[CCCM]

Hi Emiliesmom,

Last year we had a 5:00 PM flight out of FLL, the airline we flew had one morning one around 11:00 AM also. We went out on standby and got home real early. Since we were tagged to be late, we were one of the last people to be called. Our number was called very early and it took us around 30 minutes to disembark and get to airport and check in on standby. :D For the fall we booked to leave at 11:40 flight. I feel confident as long as there are no major weather issues we will be fine.

Enjoy your cruise!

[michmike]

Could not agree more with those who suggest you fly in the day before. 3 cruises ago we were at the airport in Detroit, suffering a 5 hr delay. We were flying in the day before our cruise (sunday departure) so no big deal other than cooling our heels in the airport when we'd have preferred to be in the hotel pool, but folks who were leaving that saturday were frantic about getting there before the ship sailed. That's no way to start a vacation.

Also agree that you ought to cancel the bus transfers if you can. There is a constant line of taxis outside the terminal and you will get to the airport at least 20-30 min quicker, in my estimation, if you grab a cab instead. Will likely also cost you less.

You can actually board as late as 3:30 or 4:00, but by flying in the day before, you can get up the morning of departure, have a leisurely bfast and get to the ship by 11:30 or so. Then have a nice lunch in the lido and likely be in your cabin and unpacked by 2 - 2:30. You'll be rested and ready to enjoy your first day aboard, rather than frazzled from having been up at 5 am to get to the airport and then having to keep your fingers crossed the whole way that there are no unforeseen problems.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely agree - fly in the day before. That way you will be relaxed and ready to board the ship the next day for a wonderful cruise.

Also - cancel those transfers. HAL does make everyone wait until the bus is full before it leaves for the airport. There are tons of taxis right outside the terminal and the ride is much cheaper than what you will pay for HAL's transfers.

[gizmo]

My vote goes to flying the day before and also cancel the transfer.

[Randyk47]

Add my vote to the "go the day before" group. Only once did I not do that and came within 45 minutes of missing the ship because of weather and mechanical problems.....never again! In fact, in 2005 we cruised out of Galveston, Texas which is only a 4-5 hour drive from San Antonio.....we still went the day before! :D

[Tricia724]

Taxi fares have probably gone up because of gas prices and inflation, but the last time were in FL, our cab fare to the airport was $10 or $12....including tip....and we beat the cruiseline bus (and crowds) by a country mile....even though we had to wait a few minutes for the cab. The airport can be a zoo on cruise days. I think at that time that the transfers were $12-15 per person.

We also always go in a day early.....it's more relaxing and too much stuff can happen to delay flights.

[lindanick]

I cast my vote to go in one day early!!! I had a delay at the DFW airport of almost 5 hours. Had to keep getting on and off the plane. Finally we took off. Had to fly to LA. There were about 15 people on the flight going to the ship. We had to grab our luggage and rush to the bus and pray it would wait. When we got to the pier we were told get off the bus and run to the ship. There was a side door opened on the ship and thats where we boarded. What a ride. Never again!! :o

[Cruising Illini]

We are sailing Jan 2-14 on the Amsterdam and luckily will be driving from our Florida home. Friends traveling with us are flying so I checked the # of ships arriving back on the 14th and if I remember correctly it was NINE!!! This will pose a major problem going through security and checking in at the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Have your TA check this arrival situation for you. If there is a problem you should get early disembarkation and take a cab instead of the HAL bus. The airport is only about 15 minutes from the ship.
Good luck!!

[the2ofus]

I'll add my voice to all the others. Fly in the day before if at all possible, even if it means a late flight. You'll be rested and relaxed in the morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and be fresh and ready to really enjoy your first day on board. There are many hotels in the area that offer transfers from the airport and to the pier so that's one less thing to worry about.

I second the motion about cancelling the bus transfers. A taxi makes a lot more sense financially (price is for the trip, not per person as with the transfers) and will deliver you directly to the right terminal without having a lot of time lost along the way at other terminals.

Michmike: if you are all unpacked by 2:30, you must travel really light and have everything in your carry-ons. Usually our luggage has arrived sometime between 2:00 p.m. and dinner and it takes me an hour or so to get everything settled. But then maybe that's a woman thing.;)