8 Ships In Port

[Bases5]

Wow I was checking and its going to be crowed in port on the 11 of Nov in Ft Lauderdale

Enchantment of the Seas 80,700 tons 2,446 passengers
Radiance of the Seas 90,090 tons 2,501 passengers
Star Princess 109,000 tons 2,600 passengers
Sea Princess 77,000 tons 1,950 passengers
Zuiderdam 85,000 tons 1,848 passengers
Seabourn Pride 10,000 tons 208 passengers
Imperial Majesty http://www.imperialmajesty.com/ 21,909 tons 1,190 passengers
Island Adventure http://www.seaescape.net411.com/ 15,400 tons 900 passengers

By my math that's 489,099 tons of ships
13,653 passengers.

Better get there with your patience cap on and maybe a little early.

[cruisequeen10]

If I was there, I would probably die. On September 24 here in Vancouver, there will be 6 ships docked, 5 at Canada Place and 1 at Ballantyne. I don't know where they are going to dock them at Canada Place, because they are all huge ships and it can only accommodate 4.

[Roz]

Bases,

I sail Nov. 13 from Port Everglades, and there are only 2 ships in port that day (I guess Monday is an off day for cruise ships :D ). When we get back on Thanksgiving, the Volendam is the only one.

Roz

[earl_m]

Lucky me, I will be there nov12, I didn`t think that there was place
for 8 ships at one time

[Atomica]

If I was there, I would probably die. On September 24 here in Vancouver, there will be 6 ships docked, 5 at Canada Place and 1 at Ballantyne. I don't know where they are going to dock them at Canada Place, because they are all huge ships and it can only accommodate 4.

I wondered about that too. I heard that the Norwegian Star will be disembarking people in Seattle that morning, and sailing empty to Vancouver, where it will arrive at 5:30pm or so. Most of the ships should be gone by then.

That being said, I'm glad we're leaving the day before! It's just us and the Mercury, and that ship is just on a port call - no embarking passengers :)

[refman]

on feb. 26 there were 11 ships in port of ft. lauderdale.

[elmorejj]

I remember arriving back at FLL once along with another 10 ships, the airport was an absolute zoo that day..........jean:cool:

[FinelyRetired]

Wow I was checking and its going to be crowed in port on the 11 of Nov in Ft Lauderdale

Enchantment of the Seas 80,700 tons 2,446 passengers
Radiance of the Seas 90,090 tons 2,501 passengers
Star Princess 109,000 tons 2,600 passengers
Sea Princess 77,000 tons 1,950 passengers
Zuiderdam 85,000 tons 1,848 passengers
Seabourn Pride 10,000 tons 208 passengers
Imperial Majesty http://www.imperialmajesty.com/ 21,909 tons 1,190 passengers
Island Adventure http://www.seaescape.net411.com/ 15,400 tons 900 passengers

By my math that's 489,099 tons of ships
13,653 passengers.

Better get there with your patience cap on and maybe a little early.


Bases5:

I'm in a similar situation on 12/09/06. I wonder what the parking situation is at Port Everglades. Enough? Perhaps other posters will respond.

Marty

[MauiMermaid]

Sorry if I missed this....is there a website to check to see how many ships will be in a particular port? Thanks! D.

[elmorejj]

Try cruisecal.com

[MauiMermaid]

Thanks so much! D.

[Bases5]

The 2 I have highlighted are not on Cruisecal

[Aussie Gal]

If I was there, I would probably die. On September 24 here in Vancouver, there will be 6 ships docked, 5 at Canada Place and 1 at Ballantyne. I don't know where they are going to dock them at Canada Place, because they are all huge ships and it can only accommodate 4.


We will be one of the couples boarding a ship that day. I didn't realize that so many ships will be docked in Vancouver. We are boarding the Veendam for our 34 day cruise through the Panama Canal and up the Amazon. Please give us a wave as we cruise by on this big adventure. :)

Jennie

[richwmn]

When I did a Christmas cruise out of FLL a few years ago we were told 18 ships left that day. I had parked at a friends house and got a ride to the terminal, arriving early. From noon on the terminal area looked like a parking lot for the cars trying to get in. I sure was glad I arrived early and was watching from the Ship.:)

Rich

[thomasale]

3 ships when we leave on October 18, just enough to add some excitement :)

[PAHORNER]

The cab drivers will LOVE it.

[FRED-N-AGGIE]

Oh YES! FLL will be an absolute madhouse. We came back to FLL from a March cruise with 8 ships arriving that day. Even with preferred security line clearance, it still took us 45 minutes to check in and clear the TSA gate. Our friends who were flying on US-Scare stood in various lines for over two hours! :mad:

[kryos]

Bases,

I sail Nov. 13 from Port Everglades, and there are only 2 ships in port that day (I guess Monday is an off day for cruise ships :D ). When we get back on Thanksgiving, the Volendam is the only one.

Roz
If at all humanly possible, I try to book cruises that embark and disembark on a week day. Saturdays and even Sundays are crazy and often will have many ships in port turning around. That means major confusion and delays. I'd prefer to avoid that.

My cruise this October shouldn't be too bad. Embarkation on a Tuesday in New York and disembarkation on a Monday in Fort Lauderdale. Shouldn't be an unreasonable amount of people.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[tprime76]

For our January 05 cruise on Jewel of the Seas there were around 11 ships in port that day plus there was bad weather in FLL. Flights and boarding were so backed up that all of the ships in port pushed back their departures by 2 hours. I heard a crew member mention that if Jewel had left on time, they would have missed over 20% of the pax. The ship was really moving that evening throughout the night to make up lost time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been in Ft lauderdale when there were at least 10 ships in port. In 2005 we were on the Volendam. They had us docked half way down in the freight area towards Miami. Everyone had to be up very early as they began getting luggage & people off the ship around 6 AM. We independents were all bused up to pier 27 where there were very few taxis to take us anywhere!! There were separate buses for those who had their cars parked in the garage. We were fortunate to get a taxi right away and we were at the Embassy Suites by 8:10 AM!!!

[FinelyRetired]

8 or more ships seems to be quite the challenge for those who fly into FLL for their cruises.

What about those who drive to Port Everglades and attempt to park in the garage on one of these especially busy days?

Equally frustrating? Anyone know how many of the pax drive to this Port? Is parking sufficient?

I'm hoping that those who drive to Port Everglades will also share their expereince/advice, esp. with respect to embarkation days with 8 or more ships set to sail at appox. same time!

Thanks, Marty

[Ziggy7]

Keep in mind, these dock or piers are spread apart, so most likely you wont be sharing parking or terminals. They get crowded with just one ships cars and people eeeks!

I would worry about the airports though, they really get crazy with that much traffic comming in on the planes, also dont forget the pax getting off and going home, wow! Get there as early as possible!

[wrp96]

It's days like these (8 ships, or 11 ships - take your pick) that remind me why when people ask if they can make that really early flight, that it depends on the day. I see people that constantly say, oh, sure you can make that 10:30 flight no problem, I've done it in the past. I always want to ask them how many other mega ships were off loading at the same time they were.

[LetMeGo]

It says in Wikipedia about Port Everglades: "It holds the world record for hosting the most cruise passengers in a single day with 44,108 passengers." So 14,000 doesn't sound that much to me. :D


Helsinki isn't a cruise port, and there are 10,000 people (and as many as 1,500 cars in the same ferries) departing from the port every single day in about half dozen ships... In the cruise season during the summer there is another 5,000 - 10,000 people and half dozen cruise ships visitng every day.

The day after tomorrow there are five cruise ships in port

Amsterdam (1,300, 60,000 grt)
Rotterdam (1,300, 60,000 grt)
Blue Moon (700, 30,000 grt)
Star Princess (2,600, 110,000 grt)
Calypso (740, 11,000 grt)

and six car ferries
Nordlandia (2,000, 15,000 grt)
Galaxy (2,800, 60,000 grt)
Silja Serenade (2,800, 60,000 grt)
Meloodia (1,500, 12,000 grt)
Gabriella (2,400, 35,000 grt)
Rosella (1,700, 17,000 grt)

That's a total of almost 20,000 people and 470,000 grt.

While you may argue that there is no need for car parking for these ships, all those 1,500 cars (or 300 trucks) destined for the ferries drive through central Helsinki which is located in a small cape.

(There was no real point to this post... I was just a bit bored at work. ;) )

[Bases5]

Tero
Great post, I read the same thing.
As you have read on earlier post there have been 10 plus ships in port. So my 8 pale in comparison. We are sailing that day and when I looked it seemed like a lot of ships, at least compared to any port we have been to. I did my numbers based only on double occupancy and only 1 way. If I did it the way the record numbers were counted it would bring the total well over 30,000 people.
Example. Island princess, my count 1,000 official count 4,000.
I have only sailed out of Pt Everglades 1 time with 1 ship and it was very easy, The only slow down was at the entrance where port authorities were checking ID's.

[LetMeGo]

Tero
Great post, I read the same thing.
As you have read on earlier post there have been 10 plus ships in port. So my 8 pale in comparison. We are sailing that day and when I looked it seemed like a lot of ships, at least compared to any port we have been to. I did my numbers based only on double occupancy and only 1 way. If I did it the way the record numbers were counted it would bring the total well over 30,000 people.
Example. Island princess, my count 1,000 official count 4,000.
I have only sailed out of Pt Everglades 1 time with 1 ship and it was very easy, The only slow down was at the entrance where port authorities were checking ID's.

I didn't notice that the record numbers were counted in both ways... In fact it seems very small calculated like that, because the official statistics of Helsinki are calculated as 14,000 people per day. The Wikipedia article says there are 4 million people travelling from Port Everglades annually, while the Helsinki port has more than double the amount. :eek:


I can still remember the time in the 90's when you could sail from Finland to Sweden with no ID card at all... :D All you needed was the ticket. (I think that was changed after a major disaster, where the total number of missing people was impossible to tell.)

[willowtak]

Arriving in FLL with many ships in port wasn't too bad but cabs were a little scarce. The airport was packed but fairly organized. The lines were very, very long.Airport staff would come through the line frequently asking for passengers on flights that were boarding at that time. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to find something to do and come to the airport later. When I went near the area for security clearance around 3pm there were only about 10 people in line. Another plan would be to spend the night in FLL and fly home the next day.

[Tricia724]

When we booked our Caribbean cruise for next year, we were trying to decide between a couple of different dates. Although it was slightly higher in cost, we chose the cruise in February because the cruise departs on Friday and returns on Monday.....thus avoiding a Saturday or Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale.

Now we don't have to fight for space on flights that are always at a premium price and fill up quickly. In addition, we always fly in a day ahead of time and stay overnight. The rooms are high enough because it's peak season in Florida, but staying over on a Friday or Saturday night also jacks up the price even more. Even Priceline doesn't seem to work well for weekends anymore.

And when you stay overnight, sometimes it's tough getting from your hotel to the docks. Some of the hotels advertise that they have shuttles to take you to the port.....but with such heavy traffic, the shuttles get hung up and take forever to get back and forth. Likewise the taxis. It's a lot of frustration trying to get from Point A to Point B.

It's getting worse instead of getting better. And the cruiselines are building bigger and bigger ships. I think our winter getaways to the Caribbean are reaching an end unless we can sail from a different departure port. It's not worth the hassle any more.

[Mlascheid]

How many ships will be in port everglades on 11/4(embarkation day)? It looks to me on cruisecal that it is the only one. That seems strange since there are 6 ships in port on 11/11(debarkation day). I thought Star Princess did 7 day cruises too.

[newmexicoNita]

We are cruising on Wed, Nov 29th; I doubt there will be a mad house in Ft Lauderdale that day: retunring on Sat the 9th will probably be a different story and I don't think I even want to know. It's fun when there are several ships sailing away at once, several meaning 3 or 4; 8 or more, no thank you. NMnita

[scopewest]

We did the NYEve cruise out of FL on HAL a couple of years ago. Don't get me started on the madhouse aka airport going home. What I remember is seeing a Royal Caribbean ship outside our balcony and then one of Seabourn's ships sailed in and parked bow to bow with Royal. I figured that was the closest I would come to seeing a Seabourn ship at this stage in my budget! I forget how many ships were in port that day but it was a lot. We figured if we ever sailed a holiday again out of FL we'd fly home the day after the cruise to avoid the crowds at the airport. I did enjoy seeing all the ships docked.

[amybeth601]

With all this discussion about FLL potentially being a very busy place to be, I'm wondering if our plan is such a smart one after all... DH and I are planning to fly out of Indianapolis to FLL on the day we embark (Sunday, Jan. 28) We haven't purchased airfare yet (looking to see if prices will go down some first), and we really prefer a TA flight that will bring us into FLL by 9:50AM. Shouldn't that be a sufficient time allowance for any bad weather, crowded airport, etc.? There are 8 ships total that day leaving from FLL. I'm sure it will be nutty. Also, we had decided to forego the HAL transfer option, so instead we're planning to hire a cab to get us from the airport to the dock. Could anybody let me know if this is a good (or bad) idea? TIA

Amy

[Bases5]

It should give you plenty of time in FLL but my concern would be the weather in January at your airport in Indy. We fly out a day early when flying in the winter months.

[scopewest]

Just a comment. On that NYEve cruise we flew in a couple days early to visit family, and in the shuttle to the hotel there was a VERY unhappy couple from Canada who decided to fly in the same day and missed their Princess cruise due to icing on their plane's wings when they were to depart which delayed them. They had the choice of flying out to the first port and catching up or going home. If they caught up with the ship, they would miss the first two days at sea. They said their TA didn't warn them about flying in ahead of time!!!

Even though there's no icing problems out here, once we did get delayed flying home from Miami because Dallas had a freak snowstorm that shut the airport. We ended up going Miami-Chicago-Phoenix. It was amusing to be in the Chicago terminal in summer clothes when it was five degrees outside!

Once we actually flew Phoenix-San Juan the same day the ship left, but that was looooong before all the security issues, and I shudder to think how trusting we were that all the connections would work!!

[Tricia724]

... DH and I are planning to fly out of Indianapolis to FLL on the day we embark (Sunday, Jan. 28) We haven't purchased airfare yet (looking to see if prices will go down some first), and we really prefer a TA flight that will bring us into FLL by 9:50AM.....Also, we had decided to forego the HAL transfer option, so instead we're planning to hire a cab to get us from the airport to the dock. Could anybody let me know if this is a good (or bad) idea?

Amy....easiest question first.....taking a cab from the airport is a much better idea than cruiseline transfers. The airport is only a short distance from Port Everglades, and a cab is actually less expensive for two or more people than the cruiseline transfers, and it's a lot quicker, too. When you take the cruiseline transfer, you frequently have to wait for the bus to fill up.

Now the tough question....when to fly....and this is a question only you can answer. It depends on many factors....your comfort level....financial factors....whether you have time available, etc.

Many people do fly in the day of their cruise, but many of us here....myself included.....like to play it safe and fly in the day before and stay overnight. That way you are only a few miles away from the port and can relax and get a good night's sleep....or party a little, as you choose....get up in the morning at your convenience, and head to the port. You have all day to get there and don't have to worry about busy airports, delayed or missed flights, or any other delays. There is an additional cost factor here, though, for a hotel room and meals.

Something to consider is what has been previously mentioned: you are flying in from the midwest in the middle of winter. How willing are you to take the chance that there won't be snow or ice conditions that could cancel or delay your flights?

An acquaintance of mine took her first cruise last March and four of them were flying from Akron, OH to Miami, FL on the day of the cruise. The airport was fogged in and the flights were delayed. I'll spare you all the ugly details but they missed their cruise and had to fly to San Juan, PR, the ship's first stop and stay over two nights until the ship came in.

Bottom line: They missed the first two days of a seven-day cruise. The airline tickets to San Juan, hotel rooms, meals, taxi fare, etc. for the four of them added up to $1,500 extra. They're young and didn't think they needed insurance....so they didn't buy any....which meant the entire cost came out of their pockets. They did each get a free airline ticket, but somehow that didn't make up for what they lost.

I'm not trying to scare you, but stuff happens and you need to take it all into consideration before making a decision.

[amybeth601]

I'm not trying to scare you, but stuff happens and you need to take it all into consideration before making a decision.
Tricia724, scopewest, and bases5--Thank you for the wake up call. This isn't a scare...it's a winter reality. And although my mom, SIL, and I (and our luggage) made it to our Tampa cruise in mid-January without any trouble, that doesn't mean that it will necessarily happen this time too. We have insurance, but our first port of call (besides HMC) will be in Aruba on our third full day. I wouldn't want to miss that much of our cruise! Plus, flying in the day before would save us some money, as the early morning flight the day of the cruise is more expensive than flights later in the day. By saving a few bucks on airfare, we would have that money to put toward the hotel room. It makes so much sense to me. Thanks for helping me to see the big picture!!

Amy

[wrp96]

How many ships will be in port everglades on 11/4(embarkation day)? It looks to me on cruisecal that it is the only one. That seems strange since there are 6 ships in port on 11/11(debarkation day). I thought Star Princess did 7 day cruises too.

I would say looking at the other ships on the following Saturdays that Cruisecal is correct that only 1 ship will be there on 11/4. Star Princess is doing New England cruises out of New York through October, and doesn't make it back down to Ft. Lauderdale until 11/6. RCCL's Jewel of the Seas doesn't finish repositioning from New England until 11/12, otherwise she'd be in Port Everglades on 11/4 with you. Radiance of the Seas only sails on Saturdays every other Saturday so that is why she is in port with you on disembarkation day, but not embarkation day. RCCL's Enchantment of the Seas does 4 and 5 day cruises so her days in port alternate. Sea Princess doesn't finishing repositioning from her New England cruises until 11/11, which is why she is there on your debarkation day, but not embarkation day.

[MortgageChick]

We disembarked at FLL Dec 21 2003. (Just before the Holiday cruises embarked) Record # of ships that day - 16 ships .
I literally had to jump in front of a moving taxi to get his attention. Worst is , if your ship docks at one of the piers father in the pier area, most taxis would rather only go to the first few piers rather than drive any further in.
I would never want to have that situation again, it was a nightmare at the pier, the airport everything. If every ship averaged 2000 passengers then we are talking 32,000 people coming out of the pier are and 32000 trying to get in .

87 days til my next cruise

[amybeth601]

Looking at our embarkation day, there are 7 ships that are scheduled to leave Port Everglades within a one hour span. Is it likely that such a "mass exodus" within this one hour time span would cause a delay in the Wdam's embarkation? (the Wdam will be one of the 7 ships scheduled to leave between 4 and 5:00) I can't imagine 8 ships in port, let alone 16! :eek:

[Mlascheid]

wrp96...

Thank you so much for the detailed list of ship whereabouts! That explains it. We have never been to Port Everglades when only 1 ship was in port. It will surely seem empty! Not that I'm complaining, but it is fun to watch the other ships leave port ahead of you.

[KAYEF]

When we were in Grand Cayman last Dec. there were eight ships there......
no one's fault, Cozumel had been damaged so plans changed.........
but, it was AWFUL..............you couldn't even walk down the sidewalks. People were spilling over into the streets and getting into a shop (which, it is SOLID shops now) was truly impossible.
We'd booked a beach, thank goodness.............but we won't return there. You might as well go downtown in your home city........

[wrp96]

wrp96...

Thank you so much for the detailed list of ship whereabouts! That explains it. We have never been to Port Everglades when only 1 ship was in port. It will surely seem empty! Not that I'm complaining, but it is fun to watch the other ships leave port ahead of you.

You're welcome. I've gotten used to looking at it. February will be my first time sailing from Port Everglades, and there will be 6 ships on embarkation day and 5 on debarkation day, plus another 7 debarking in Miami. I've been trying to figure out what time to book my flight home and don't have much of a choice.