Flights changed, opinions please?

We booked air on our own. I just discovered our 1:50 return flight out of Fort Lauderdale was canceled and replaced with an 11:58 AM flight. The only other available flight is 5:35PM.

Before noon seems a little tight, although I understand it's a short ride to the airport.
5:35 would be fine if they offered a post cruise excursion, but the cruise personalizer isn't showing any.


Opinions, anyone? 11:58 AM or 5:35 PM. Which would you choose?

Tim and Joann
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Caribbean Princess

they do offer a post cruise excursion. at least they always have when i have been on. you just book it on the ship.

Therese

You should have no problem making a 11:58 flight. Actually I'd consider that about the perfect time.

Scott

Star Princess 11/28/04
Grand Princess 4/25/04
Island Princess
Galaxy
Jubilee
Sensation
Big Red Boat
Celebration
Starward
CostaMarina
Fantasy
Seaward
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Daphne
Independence

Since you are only flying to GA, I'd go for the later time and do something fun in FLL while you are there.

The 11:58 time was perfect time for us to fly back to the west coast. No problem getting to the airport and thru the security in time to make the flight.

I had my parents booked on a 10:15 flight and they had no problems making that time either, but they were just about the first people off the ship too.

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Spring Break was on the Grand Princess </font>21, March 2004
So when is the next cruise?

I normally make an 11:30 flight out of FLL and always make it.

You shouldn't have a problem.

we were on the Grand this past October. There are a number of excursions post-cruise. We did the Everglades Park and Tropical Garden. We were off the ship by 8:30am and the tour was about 3 hours. I believe they had us to the airport by 1pm - perfect time to catch our 2:45pm flight.

Personally, If it were me, I'd rent a car for the day (max $40) and do my own tour. Makes things much more convenient. Budget has a pick-up about 5 minutes from Pt Everglades and they have a shuttle to pick you up. Then, when you drop the car off, they'll shuttle you to the Airport, too!

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Up next - Pacific NorthWest Coastal!

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Navigator of the Seas - 01/05
Dawn Princess - 10/04
Grand Princess - 11/04 (Cancelled)
Grand Princess - 10/04 (Cancelled)
Island Princess - 05/04
Grand Princess - 10/03
Norway - 10/03 (Cancelled)
Wind Surf - Transatlantic 4/02

Thanks for the quick replies, everyone! It sounds like the earlier flight will work.

If it was just DW and me, we would stay and see FLL, but since it will be our first cruise with our kids, one teen and one teen wannabe, by the time we hit shore we may have already had all the fun we can stand! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Thanks again.

Tim and Joann
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Caribbean Princess

I think you are making the right choice for your situation.

Have a super cruise.

You can bring your air tickets to show the purser desk that you have an early flight (or you can forget and leave them in your room as my husband did once) and the purser will give you Red luggage tags. Red is the first color called to disembark. Easy. Grab a cab and there's no problem with the early flight.
J

Just off the Coral and had an 11:25 and we were at the airport by 0930. Show your ticket to Purser and they will provide red tags. The new immigration works well as you clear as you leave ship so no more waiting while every passenger does it on ship

How long is the ride from the ship to FLL airport?

The taxi ride from the port to FLL was about 10 minutes for a cost of $8.50 for the 4 of us in March 2004. It takes that long to walk off the ship, find your bags, and walk outside to the taxi.

We have a 10:25 booked! We are west coasters, and the othe flight got us in very late. We may be running, but we have made it before. Wish us luck!!

Carol and John
Caribbean Princess
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Carol and John, you will be fine. Get the red luggage tags and you will be first off. You may even be hanging around the airport. LOL

7 Days on The Star Princess OCTOBER,24,2004

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Thanks Sue, We will get those red tags!!

Carol and John
Caribbean Princess
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We recently had no problems making an 11am flight. Noon should be no problem at all, unless something awful were to happen with the immigration folks (rare, but can indeed happen). Just make sure the purser knows that you want to catch an ealy flight (I know others have already said this) and you should just enjoy your cruse with the knowledge that you will have to spend less time waiting at the airport.

Hank