Flight time?

I will be sailing on Carnival in November. The ship is due to dock in Miami at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning. I am flying out of Ft. Lauderdale. What time would you say is a safe time to book our flight home?

I'd be comfortable with a flight after 1pm.

The common recommendation on the Florida Departures board, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

to this question is after 12 noon.

Looking at a SAS transfer (or comparable company) from POM to FLL I'd be comfortable with anything after 11:30.

If you have Global Entry or TSA Pre and are going on a domestic flight you would be fine.

Since you don't give us airline(s) or your means of transfer between the two points we are all just speculating. If it is the Saturday before or after Thanksgiving that might make a small difference too.

As CruiserBruce said sometime after 12:00 Noon is fine with Saturday morning in mind.

As mentioned these questions are discussed regularly on the Florida Departures Board.

Keith

I can't give you a hard and fast answer because everyone's level of risk tolerance is different. What I will do is give you a list of things to consider. All play a role in how long it takes you to get from ship to plane.

What time is your ship scheduled to dock?

How many other ships are in port that day?

Are you willing and able to self disembark with all your own luggage, or do you want/need to put it in the corridor the night before and wait for your group to be called to disembark?

Does your port offer Global Entry for expedited processing through customs upon disembarkation and if so, do you have Global Entry?

Will you have anything to declare at customs upon disembarkation?

Are you taking private transportation to the airport, a cruise line shuttle, a rental car you'll need to return, or something else?

Are you disembarking on a weekday or weekend?

Will you be able to check in to the airline online in advance or will you need to check in in person on the day of your flight?

Will you be checking bags on the flight?

Do you have any priority status with your airline that allows for an expedited check-in process?

Do you have PreCheck, allowing for an expedited process at airport security?

Do you have something other than your airline's version of "basic economy?" Basic economy may not allow you to be rebooked if you miss your flight.