Earliest flight from Ft Lauderdale

[snorkler8]

What is the earliest flight you dare book and feel comfortable making? It seems every time I find a great deal on a cruise out of Florida ( coming from the west coast area) the airfare blows it out of the water ( no pun intended lol). The airfare ends up costing quite a bit more than the cruise. It's quite a challenge to get flight times that work without just staying another day. Any suggestions?

[alcpa1]

What time does your cruise line recommend?

While it is a short drive from the port to the airport, there is currently construction at FLL which could cause minor delays for the next year +.

Having cruised out of FLL many times I would not book a flight before 11:30 from most terminals.

The time of year also has great bearing on the price structure.

Have you flown anywhere lately, fares are rising. And, I don't know what your cost tolerance is either.

Lots of unanswered questions...

[WestLakeGirl]

If you are looking at a transatlantic where the ship is arriving US for the first time add extra time for that process too

[snorkler8]

I'm referring to the flight home after the cruise. The one cruise we took out of Ft Lauderdale we had a rental car and stayed in Florida a few more days. So I don't know the distance/traffic to get to the airport from the port.

 

So to be on the safe side no earlier than 11:30? And what day is more crowded, Saturday or Sunday?

[vulcan1971]

I'm referring to the flight home after the cruise. The one cruise we took out of Ft Lauderdale we had a rental car and stayed in Florida a few more days. So I don't know the distance/traffic to get to the airport from the port.

 

So to be on the safe side no earlier than 11:30? And what day is more crowded, Saturday or Sunday?

 

Not knowing a few things about your cruise makes it hard to provide feedback...

 

1) what is the expected arrival time at the port on the day you return?

 

2) is this cruise originating and returning to the same port? Which port?

 

3) what stops will the ship make?

 

These factors can play a substantial role in deciding what time is realistic for trying to catch a return flight home.

 

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4

[vulcan1971]

Not knowing a few things about your cruise makes it hard to provide feedback...

 

1) what is the expected arrival time at the port on the day you return?

 

2) is this cruise originating and returning to the same port? Which port?

 

3) what stops will the ship make?

 

4) how many other ships are in port at the same time you are?

 

These factors can play a substantial role in deciding what time is realistic for trying to catch a return flight home.

 

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4

 

 

 

Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4

[coldweathergirl]

We sailed out of FLL in May and although the port and airport are quite close, I wouldn't book a flight for before 11:30 or 12:00. I believe the cruise lines don't recommend booking anything before noon.

 

Do self disembarkation from the ship and try to be one of the first off as they often don't have a lot of customs workers working and that may slow you down considerably.

 

We did manage to get to the airport really early for our flight but once I was there I was then able to relax. With last minute fares really expensive I wouldn't want to chance missing my flight because of some delay. This November we're going to stay over an extra night and then take a leisurely flight home the following day.

[snorkler8]

I haven't booked a cruise yet. I am trying to do home work on which port. I go on cruises to relax. Nothing like the airport stress to kill it.

 

Also which day is more crazy, Saturday or Sunday?

[kitty9]

Both days are equally crowded.

 

I think an 11:30 flight is workable. I've done a number of cruises where I've made an 11:30 or 11:45 flight.

[wallie5446]

FLL airport is only a short $15 cab ride from the port. If you want to skip breakfast, and carry off your luggage, you can clear customs before 8:00 am,,, in most cases,,, and be walking into the airport by 8:30. But if you would like to linger over that final cup of Joe and powdered eggs:rolleyes:!

[Lsimon]

For a flight leaving from FLL on a Saturday or Sunday during the peak season I wouldn't book a flight before 11:30. Yes, there is a good chance you could make a flight earlier but unless you have an affordable backup plan the risk of not making the flight is just too expensive.

 

If you are sailing Celebrity and returning on a Saturday or Sunday there is a good chance you'll be at terminal 24/25 which had a lot of long disembarkation delays last season including a long line outside the ship to get into the terminal, long lines for customs, and long taxi queue as the taxi stand is shared with another ship at an adjoining terminal. Add to that an average load of 15,000 to 20,000 cruisers disembarking at the port on both weekend days in season. We've seen very long lines for both check in and security at the airport too and then there are reports of airport construction this coming season.

 

On the other hand I've heard that if you get off the ship with self disembarkation or one of the first couple groups that the lines at the terminal and airport will not have had a chance to build up yet. But it would worry me a bit to count on everything going right for an early disembarkation. I'd rather fly out late in the day and find something to do during the day (like rent a car for the morning and early afternoon) or make a flight the next day and stay overnight at a local hotel.

 

So if you're picking a cruise based on flight availability or airport congestion why don't you book the Eclipse 10 day which disembarks on a Monday or the Eclipse 11 day which disembarks on a Friday? These use the huge new terminal that was designed for the Oasis and Allure megaships so there is plenty of capacity for a ship the size of the Eclipse.

[wallie5446]

menajr, Here is another thread that you may want to read on this subject;

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1919616

[Smileyonthego]

We're doing the Western Caribbean in February and faced the same issues with the crazy airfare back to Toronto from Fort lauderdale. Best prices were the flights first thing in the morning or late at night.

For the cost, we are renting a car for the day - Budget has a rental place right at the cruise port. We'll drop the car off at the airport in time for our 10:30pm flight home. Cost of the late flight and the car rental was cheaper than the afternoon flight.

[Cruise Raider]

FLL airport is only a short $15 cab ride from the port. If you want to skip breakfast, and carry off your luggage, you can clear customs before 8:00 am,,, in most cases,,, and be walking into the airport by 8:30. But if you would like to linger over that final cup of Joe and powdered eggs:rolleyes:!

 

 

If you are sailing into Ft Lauderdale, I would get the walk off and not worry about booking a later flight. I know I may get flamed for this but I would feel comfortable booking a flight out by 10 AM. The later you leave the ship, the better chance you have of it not being crowded.

Last time there, we could have made an 8:30 AM flight -- we carried our own luggage off, caught a cab and were there before 8 AM.

[jackdiamond]

FLL airport is only a short $15 cab ride from the port. If you want to skip breakfast, and carry off your luggage, you can clear customs before 8:00 am,,, in most cases,,, and be walking into the airport by 8:30. But if you would like to linger over that final cup of Joe and powdered eggs:rolleyes:!

Interesting, since I have never been served powdered eggs on a Celebrity cruise; and, we have many cruises on Celebrity. As a matter of fact, on our last few cruises I have always had breakfast in Blu.

[Shake]

Like to watch your types stress it out at disembarkation.

 

Seriously. If your worried about how soon possible .......... maybe you really don't get the whole cruise mentality.

 

GL to you,,, obvious living in Idaho you won't really get the most convient connections.

 

Go with that and "Let it Be" or Let it Bleed".

[keesar]

If you carry off ALL of your luggage and get off the ship as soon as they announce you can disembark, you should be able to make a flight that leaves at 11:00 am. However, if there are problems at customs, then it may get real tight. The last time I was in Port Everglades, it was a long 1.5 hours from leaving the ship and getting through customs. Then on a weekend during peak times, the lines in the airport often go all the way up the ramp. Weekdays have not been bad.

 

Friends of mine booked a flight leaving at 9:30 am and easily made it. But that can be risky. And stressful at the end of a relaxing vacation!

[wallie5446]

Interesting, since I have never been served powdered eggs on a Celebrity cruise; and, we have many cruises on Celebrity. As a matter of fact, on our last few cruises I have always had breakfast in Blu.

Toung in cheek:D There are no powdered eggs on X but us common pax don't get to go to Bluuuuu:rolleyes:

[cibumcupio]

What would you all say for a cruise getting into Miami on a Saturday then taking a flight from FLL? What's the earliest flight you would book then?

[phoenix_dream]

If you are sailing into Ft Lauderdale, I would get the walk off and not worry about booking a later flight. I know I may get flamed for this but I would feel comfortable booking a flight out by 10 AM. The later you leave the ship, the better chance you have of it not being crowded.

Last time there, we could have made an 8:30 AM flight -- we carried our own luggage off, caught a cab and were there before 8 AM.

Don't consider this a flame - just a fact. We have been on two cruises where we were not able to even start to disembark until after 9:30 am due to Customs issues. One of the ports was FLL. Anyone who is willing to risk it and self-disembark, will probably make a flight as early as 10 the majority of the time. Eventually, fate will catch up to you and you will also encounter a situation like we did. It is up to the individual person whether the risk (small, but real) is worth it. These days flights are so full getting onto another is not only potentially costly, but could take hours if not more than a day, and could mean a 3+ hour airplane ride in a middle seat in the back. Yikes.

[phoenix_dream]

What would you all say for a cruise getting into Miami on a Saturday then taking a flight from FLL? What's the earliest flight you would book then?

Driving time is around half an hour or so usually, but to be on the safe side I would add another hour or so to the usually suggested time of 11:30 or so.

[Keith1010]

I recommend Noon or a flight around that time.

 

Keith

[Benjo8]

Don't consider this a flame - just a fact. We have been on two cruises where we were not able to even start to disembark until after 9:30 am due to Customs issues. One of the ports was FLL. Anyone who is willing to risk it and self-disembark, will probably make a flight as early as 10 the majority of the time. Eventually, fate will catch up to you and you will also encounter a situation like we did. It is up to the individual person whether the risk (small, but real) is worth it. These days flights are so full getting onto another is at not only potentially costly, but could take hours if not more than a day, and could mean a 3+ hour airplane ride in a middle seat in the back. Yikes.

 

Amen to that. if ship is late getting in or a customs delay in disembarking and you are toast. I never fly out before noon. Who needs more stress at the end of your cruise?

[snorkler8]

You have all been so helpful. I guess if we are going to do this right we might as well do the day before AND the day after. It would be a shame to ruin the relaxing week stressing an early flight. Really, how often do you celebrate your 30th anniversary ;)

[GiannaD]

For a flight leaving from FLL on a Saturday or Sunday during the peak season I wouldn't book a flight before 11:30. Yes, there is a good chance you could make a flight earlier but unless you have an affordable backup plan the risk of not making the flight is just too expensive.

 

If you are sailing Celebrity and returning on a Saturday or Sunday there is a good chance you'll be at terminal 24/25 which had a lot of long disembarkation delays last season including a long line outside the ship to get into the terminal, long lines for customs, and long taxi queue as the taxi stand is shared with another ship at an adjoining terminal. Add to that an average load of 15,000 to 20,000 cruisers disembarking at the port on both weekend days in season. We've seen very long lines for both check in and security at the airport too and then there are reports of airport construction this coming season.

 

On the other hand I've heard that if you get off the ship with self disembarkation or one of the first couple groups that the lines at the terminal and airport will not have had a chance to build up yet. But it would worry me a bit to count on everything going right for an early disembarkation. I'd rather fly out late in the day and find something to do during the day (like rent a car for the morning and early afternoon) or make a flight the next day and stay overnight at a local hotel.

 

So if you're picking a cruise based on flight availability or airport congestion why don't you book the Eclipse 10 day which disembarks on a Monday or the Eclipse 11 day which disembarks on a Friday? These use the huge new terminal that was designed for the Oasis and Allure megaships so there is plenty of capacity for a ship the size of the Eclipse.

 

Just a minor point: The Eclipse does the 14 day itinerary from terminal 24/25 and the Equinox does the 10/11 day itinerary from the same terminal as the Oasis and Allure. The Equinox debarkation goes much faster than the Eclipse.