Serenade from San Juan - Can I make a 9:00 am flight?

[Travelalot2]

Looking at flights for our upcoming cruise on the Serenade out of San Juan, the 9:00 am flight is much cheaper (and gets us home much earlier). Can I make it? We've cruised on the Adventure before out of SJU and were at the airport through security by 9:00 am with a later flight. But, wanted to see if this was a fluke, or, common practice. I would expect to get an early departure "tag" and carry luggage off. Thanks!

[Sue L]

I wouldn't chance it, airport can be a zoo and twice had computer issues with customs and didn't start disembarkation until 8:30-9.

[cruisenfever]

Looking at flights for our upcoming cruise on the Serenade out of San Juan, the 9:00 am flight is much cheaper (and gets us home much earlier). Can I make it? We've cruised on the Adventure before out of SJU and were at the airport through security by 9:00 am with a later flight. But, wanted to see if this was a fluke, or, common practice. I would expect to get an early departure "tag" and carry luggage off. Thanks!

IMHO..........there is absolutely no way you will make a 9AM flight out of San Juan.

[Lvs2Cruise2]

I wouldn't chance it either.. Once on an Explorer cruise out of Miami the ship got held up by customs. They didn't let ANYONE off the ship until 9:00am. What a zoo to try to rush and get to Miami airport to catch our 11:30 flight (standing in lines to get off the ship were horrible) We barely made it. I wouldn't take the chance

[mjyanne]

I too have been to the airport by 9 am but I don't think you can get there by 8 AM which is probably the latest you could check in for a 9 am flight.

 

I would book a later flight and if you get there early enough try standby for the earlier flight.

[youngestof9]

Remember - AOS is Sunday, but Serenade is Saturday. It was a zoo. I would say there would be no way you would make a 9:00 with security, etc.

[waterbug123]

Looking at flights for our upcoming cruise on the Serenade out of San Juan, the 9:00 am flight is much cheaper (and gets us home much earlier). Can I make it? !

 

What you're really asking is if you can be 1)at the airport AND 2)checked in by 8:00am. If there is any delay with the ship clearing customs, they may not even begin to disembark until 8:00 am. No way would I book a 9:00 am flight after a cruise.

[alicam]

don't chance it...or be prepared to stay awhile

[PhoenixCruiser]

Yes, you can make that flight if you stay overnight in San Juan and fly out the next morning :p

 

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[boaterette]

Yes, you can make that flight if you stay overnight in San Juan and fly out the next morning :p

 

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I was just going to post that. Too funny.

[Alexis]

Yes, you can make that flight if you stay overnight in San Juan and fly out the next morning :p

 

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Hi PhoenixCruiser,

That is the only logical answer. :D

Twice when we were waiting to disembark, the customs computers were down. We did not even start leaving the ship until after 8:30AM and we were priority escorted. ;)

[BroncosFan2010]

No way would I chance it! I never book any flights out of San Juan earlier than 1:00.

[mjyanne]

No way would I chance it! I never book any flights out of San Juan earlier than 1:00.

 

Flights as early as 11 AM are very doable (unless several major things go wrong). I am usually at the SJU airport by 9 - 9:30 AM at the latest (regardless of what time my flight is) mostly to get a good seat and beat the security line backup. In fact, one time we were there BEFORE the security line opened.

[SeaTeach]

Looking at flights for our upcoming cruise on the Serenade out of San Juan, the 9:00 am flight is much cheaper (and gets us home much earlier). Can I make it? We've cruised on the Adventure before out of SJU and were at the airport through security by 9:00 am with a later flight. But, wanted to see if this was a fluke, or, common practice. I would expect to get an early departure "tag" and carry luggage off. Thanks!

Big headache in trying to do the impossible. Who can really say when the ship will clear customs. Besides, traffic in that area is a zoo. On one of our pre-cruise holidays in PR, we had accommodations 2 blocks from the airport, but it took us 13 minutes in a cab because of heavy traffic and construction detours. If by chance you reach the airport by 8:00, there're still the long lines to clear for entrance to the boarding area, luggage check, pulling off and putting on of belts and shoes, waiting for carry-on to clear the xray area, and the sprint to the boarding gate- wherever that may be. You reach the gate and lo and behold, the skywalk has been removed and you've missed the window to board.:( This superman feat may sound doable and/or petty until it's put into action in that island heat and humidity. Fly out the next day.Too much stress involved after a dream vacation.;)