Getting off of royal caribbean

[Born2Sea]

Just wondering what time the walk off start on the Royal Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale. Just thinking if we walk off can we make an earlier flight. If not we will make the original one.

 

Any thoughts.

[Loonbeam]

From my FAQ (and BTW I assume you mean the Royal Princess in the Caribbean not Royal Caribbean, the same rules do hold though.)

 

Can I Make my XX:XX Flight?

 

This question comes up a lot and the safe answer is:

If you have to ask? No.

Most disembarkation ports have a suggested earliest flight time for a reason (and most lines will not provide transfers for departures prior to that). Those times are suggested for a reason, to allow for not only the expected challenges of arrival and disembarkation but also to provide a safety cushion.

Unfortunately, the airlines know this and price flights from those port cities accordingly. So sometimes you do have to consider an earlier flight (note – later flights might be cheaper as well, always consider that option if it fits your plans. There is no such thing as too much time to get to the airport.

If you do want to take a flight before the suggested times, there are a number of things to consider:

 

• How much luggage do you have? Princess offers a self-debarkation option. These passengers are often first off the ship giving you the best shot at an early flight. Passengers choosing this option MUST be able to handle ALL of their own luggage WITHOUT assistance and possibly with limited access to elevators. This option can greatly increase flight flexibility.
  
• How many ships will be arriving the same day as yours? How big? – The number of ships in port will affect the time it takes to clear customs, availability of taxis, congestion at port gates, etc. As an example, if the Island Princess is the only ship in port, I would be much more comfortable about an early flight than say if the Royal was porting at the same time as the Allure of the Seas and perhaps the Ruby as well. The more ships, the more possibility of issues arising.
  
• What port? – Some ports are noted for customs delays, traffic issues, etc. Identify where the airline is in relation to the port and how you get there. Ft. Lauderdale is relatively close to the airport and on a fairly fast-travel route. San Francisco is in another city along one of the worst highways in the country for congestion.
  
• What day/time are you arriving? Rush hour on a Tuesday or before dawn on a Saturday?
  
• Transport? Planning on a taxi or car service? Car services provide the advantage of a guaranteed waiting vehicle, at a higher cost.
  
• Finally, what is Plan B? Are there later flights you can hope to get on (at possibly some expense) if you miss yours? Remember, flights are closer to full than ever, there may not be any seats the rest of the day.
  

So, should you book that early flight? Thinking on all the factors above, look at the time your ship is scheduled to arrive. Remember, the ship itself has to clear customs itself before disembarkation can begin. Think about all of the factors above and make your best guess when you could get off the ship and clear customs. Estimate travel time to the airport and time to check in and clear security. Then, add an hour at least to allow for any issues/delays. If your flight is after that, MAYBE you can make it.

Or, as I noted above, book the later flight. It’s vacation, do you really want to spend the last day stressing about air travel?

Edited February 28, 2014 by Loonbeam

[-Lew-]

On our Emerald disembarkation on February 17th, there were three walkoff groups. The first was scheduled to meet at 7:10am, the last at 7:20am. If there are no delays, disembarkation begins shortly after the stated meeting time.

 

Lew

[DrivesLikeMario]

Did you mean to post this on the RCI board? This is the Princess board. :confused:

[Coral]

Did you mean to post this on the RCI board? This is the Princess board. :confused:

 

They meant Royal Princess.

[plunker]

Don't know what time your flight leaves but we got off the Ruby feb 15th with no problems and took a shuttle to the airport. When we got to the airport we could not believe the line to get thru security. We were in line a hour and a half but if your flight was coming up they would pull you out of the line so you could make your flight.

[DrivesLikeMario]

They meant Royal Princess.

 

LOL Thanks! ;)

[Born2Sea]

Yes I made a mistake on the name it is the Royal Princess. Thanks

[CruiseWookiee]

We were in the first walk off group on 2/9. I think we met at like 6:10am. We had to queue for the three customs agents and then again for a taxi that would fit four of us. After all that we arrived at FLL around 7:30am.

 

Your mileage may vary. :)

[satxdiver]

We were on the Royal last week leaving the ship on 2/23. We had checked luggage and were off the ship standing outside the terminal by 8:30 AM. We arrived at our designated waiting point at 8:00 only to find an empty room. They told us that the group had already left for the terminal. We were scheduled to be there at 8:10. The lines were short in the terminal.

 

There were about 20,000 pax in port that morning so I imagine the airport was crowded. We drove to the port so no problem getting our cars and leaving. Be aware that they are remodeling the airport runways and flights are being delayed into and out of FLL. They only have one active runway instead of the usual two.

Edited March 1, 2014 by satxdiver