return flight from cruise

[samom]

Is there a general rule about how early one should book a return flight. We will be traveling from Miami. Not sure how much time to give ourselves for getting off the cruise, going through customs etc.

[kitty9]

Most cruise lines say not to book anything before noon, although I've made flights at 11:30.

[Scrapnana]

Give yourself plenty of time so you don't spoil the end of a wonderful vacation.

[mikewrit]

There are internet sites that will tell you how many ships will be in port the day you end your cruise, which will help you plan. One is Cruise tt. If you are in Miami with four other large ships you probably won't make a pre-noon flight at Miami of FLL.

[Ashland]

Is there a general rule about how early one should book a return flight. We will be traveling from Miami. Not sure how much time to give ourselves for getting off the cruise, going through customs etc.

The exact answer you need will be from your cruiseline...follow their guideline.

[Keith1010]

I have returned to Miami many times and this question comes up often on the Florida Departures Board.

 

I would recommend Noon or later to be on the safe side. This will take into account any delays in arrival and or getting through customs/immigration as well as any long lines at flight check in and/or getting through airport security.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Too many things can happen -- ship arrives late -- local authorities don't clear the ship right away. We have had those things happen.

Book your flights after Noon.

[samom]

Thanks so much. We have a choice of 12:10 or 3:00. I will look into how many ships are in port that morning. I appreciate everyone's feedback

[Keith1010]

Thanks so much. We have a choice of 12:10 or 3:00. I will look into how many ships are in port that morning. I appreciate everyone's feedback

 

The day you disembark there will be five ships in port but remember it is also a Saturday and many people will be flying that day as well who are not on cruises.

 

Either time that you mentioned will be fine.

 

Keith

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Noon is a good time ..

[goose30]

Never ever book a flight for before the ship docks. It happens!

[samom]

Thanks for the site. There will be one other ship besides mine in the Port of Miami.

[DonnaK]

Thanks so much. We have a choice of 12:10 or 3:00. I will look into how many ships are in port that morning. I appreciate everyone's feedback

 

I would feel quite comfortable booking the 12:10PM flight

[samom]

wow I read that wrong. You are correct that 5 ships will be in port! May relook at my times. Thanks

[trish1c]

Ships generally dock in the morning which is why people say not before noon.

The real "rule" is no earlier than 4 hours after your ship is scheduled to dock. It's also best to think about what time a given flight requires you to be at the AP vs what time the flight is scheduled to take off.

[Keith1010]

I don't see there being a real rule. It does range by port and some ports have more issues than other ports.

 

Keith

[cb at sea]

Depends on the port/airport and how far apart they are! In Miami, you can easily do an 11am flight with time to spare from port of Miami.....

 

Same with Port Everglades/FLL....

 

You will likely be off the ship WELL before 10am......usually, much earlier than that!

[curly wurly]

I would suggest not before noon, but you could also research the possibility of flying home the next day. We did this in dubai, and saved £150 which paid for our hotel that night, and caught the early morning flight the next day.

[navybankerteacher]

I would suggest not before noon, but you could also research the possibility of flying home the next day. We did this in dubai, and saved £150 which paid for our hotel that night, and caught the early morning flight the next day.

 

This is great advice - generally the early flights from cruise ports tend to be less expensive than those mid-day or later. We regularly spend the night at the port of debarkation and catch a very early flight the next morning. Not only does it get us home at a decent hour, we often save enough on the airfare to cover the cost of the room. The lack of stress is simply an added benefit.

[mikewrit]

Another complication. Maybe it only happened to us and was unusual. We docked at Miami and had booked a flight out of FLL around 4 p.m. When we got to the airport around noon, the airline would not let us even get in line to check our bags in until 2:30, so we had to sit on our bags in the entry area for a couple of hours.

[Ashland]

Another complication. Maybe it only happened to us and was unusual. We docked at Miami and had booked a flight out of FLL around 4 p.m. When we got to the airport around noon, the airline would not let us even get in line to check our bags in until 2:30, so we had to sit on our bags in the entry area for a couple of hours.

Sorry..but this is not unusual and the reason you see how crowded the lobby areas at FLL can be with people and their bags..This is something many air traveler's don't think about. But it's true at many airports.

[pilot123texas]

While the Miami airport is not far from the Miami port, getting through security can take time. Give yourself lots of time, such as two hours once you get to the airport, to check luggage and get through security, if you are flying out of ft. Lauderdale, you should plan on at least an hour to get there from the port. Although getting through security and to the gate will be easier.

 

How quickly you can get off the ship depends on the cruise line. If you can manage to carry all your luggage off, some of the lines are now letting you leave before everyone else. Bottom line, save yourself the stress and don't book before noon.