What is the earliest I could be at the airport following disembarkation?

[Doc2725]

We are traveling on the Independence from Nov 16-Nov 21. We are also staying in a Junior suite, and this will be our second cruise with RCI.

 

Those who have done this before, what do you think is the earlier time we could be at the airport for our return trip home? We are looking to fly out of Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Thank you!

[Clarea]

We are traveling on the Independence from Nov 16-Nov 21. We are also staying in a Junior suite, and this will be our second cruise with RCI.

 

Those who have done this before, what do you think is the earlier time we could be at the airport for our return trip home? We are looking to fly out of Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Thank you!

It would help to know your scheduled arrival time.

[Doc2725]

For the ship? The Independence will be docked back in Fort Lauderdale by 7 AM

[Clarea]

For the ship? The Independence will be docked back in Fort Lauderdale by 7 AM

Then if you are first in line for self-assist disembarkation, and there are no delays, you should be at the FLL airport by 8:30am.

[Doc2725]

That's good news. I was hoping to be there by 10!

[Doc2725]

Anyone else have input on this?

[Starry Eyes]

Bob knows his stuff, so many of us see no need to respond after him.

 

But since you want more input, I will point out that Bob said IF you are first in line for self disembarkation and IF there are no delays. Those are, of course, important IF's. On some cruises there can be quite a large number of people wanting early self disembarkation, so you may not be first, especially if self disembarkation becomes a disorganized mess. And while ships are not usually delayed, things happen (weather, medical, mechanical, etc) now and then to delay arrivals. Sometimes customs and immigration may not begin in a timely fashion, delaying even early guests. So, in summary, odds are Bob's estimate is a good one, but, as with all of life, sometimes stuff happens.

[Doc2725]

Gotcha, thank you. So maybe I should play 9:30-9:45 to be safe! There is a 10:50 flight we'd like to make.

[Toddy709]

Just off the IOS October 11. It was almost 11:00 before we disembarked due to some delay with customs. After that, I'll never book a flight out before noon.

[Doc2725]

Just off the IOS October 11. It was almost 11:00 before we disembarked due to some delay with customs. After that, I'll never book a flight out before noon.

 

Hmm, this is a concern of mine as well.

[Starry Eyes]

Just off the IOS October 11. It was almost 11:00 before we disembarked due to some delay with customs. After that, I'll never book a flight out before noon.

 

Did you do self disembarkation? If so, when did you line up to disembark? Or if you put your luggage out in the hall, did you have an early, middle of late tag number.

 

Sometimes there are customs delays from the get-go, slowing even the first people off the ship. More often though, if there is such a customs delays, it seem to get worse as disembarkation proceeds.

 

op, a 10:50 flight is a calculated risk. If you do self disembarkation, I think the odds are in your favor. Still it is worth considering if (1) the early flight will stress you or your loved ones while on the vacation and (2) is there an easy backup plan if delays keep you from making that flight.

[wants2cruise2]

I have had 1.5-2 hour customs delays at Ft Lauderdale. Always have a back up plan if you are before 11:30 I would think.

[Doc2725]

Thank you to all who posted. I'm thinking a flight between 11:30-12:30 now.