Ports of Departure - Florida

[reader5]

My daughter and her husband are going on their first HAL cruise. (Daughter has been on a cruise with me on Celebrity). They are cruising to the Western Caribbean and according to the info from the TA they are flying into Miami on Air Canada and returning from Miami on American Airlines. I am familiar with Celebrity and using their air and flying into Fort Lauderdale with cruise departure from Port Everglades. I am just wondering if HAL ships use this port also and how far to travel from Miami to Port Everglades or is their a port in Miami that I am not aware of?

 

On the Internet it looks as though Miami is approximately 28 miles from Fort Lauderdale? This means that if the HAL ships leave from Port Everglades then the transfers included with the airfare would get them to this port in late afternoon. Their flight does not get into Miami until early afternoon so hopefully there are no delays.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

[Deb C.]

There is definitely a port in Miami! Pretty sure it is the LARGEST in the U.S. I sailed out of there as early as the 70's.:cool: Deb C.

[elmorejj]

I think the OP was wondering if HAL uses Miami, no they don`t, only FLL in south eastern Fla..............jean:cool:

[arzz]

I have never done it but I believe that there are transfer buses that will take you from the airport in Miami to Port Everglades and return

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just like Jean said - HAL uses Ft Lauderdale (Port Everglades) in that area of Florida.

You mentioned that they are using HAL air and won't be getting into Miami until early afternoon.

Are they using HAL transportation to get to the pier in Ft Lauderdale? Reading from what you have written it sounds as though they are making their own way to Ft Lauderdale.

An early afternoon arrival time in Miami, getting luggage, getting a taxi, traveling to the pier in Ft Lauderdale - hopefully not heavy traffic - they are cutting it close to make it to the ship on time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just noticed something else. They are flying into Miami on Air Canada. Are they from Canada?

If so, they will also have to allow time to go through customs in Miami.

[formercruisestaff]

It's not too far of a drive from Miami to FL. We used to go to Miami sometimes on a turnover day. If your relatives are leaving from a major Canadian airport they won't have to go through customs in Miami, they actually go through it in Canada as they're boarding.

[sail7seas]

Depending upon traffic, it is about 45 minutes from Miami Airport to Port Everglades. We flew into Miami a few times and caught a taxi to Hyatt Pier 66 which is very near Port Everglades.

 

If all goes as scheduled with no holdups or problems (fingers crossed), she'll be okay. Any problems at all and she could possibly have difficulty.

 

The best thing going for them if they have HAL transfer on the bus, is they have a chance the ship might wait a few minutes for a busload coming from Miami on an HAL bus if they are en route.

[reader5]

Yes, they are from Canada. They will be using the HAL air and transfers. I am hopeful that the flight is not delayed and the ship will wait for them.

I am not certain of the cruise departure time.

 

Thanks to all for such swift responses.

[sail7seas]

Seeing as they have HAL air and transfers, put their mind at ease that even if worst case scenario (and unlikely to happen) and they miss the ship, HAL will fly them to the next port of call to meet the ship. At least they know they will be able to join the ship if they miss sailaway.

 

The chances are highly in their favor. The ship probably sails at 5:00 P.M. That is the normal time.

 

Good luck. Let us know how how make out.

 

[Divette]

I just flew on Air Canada in to Miami and the good news is is that you clear customs in Canada. Wierd I know, but true. So when you land in Miami you just go to baggage claim, get your stuff and go.

[formercruisestaff]

Yup, I've never had to go through American customs on US soil - its so much easier that way...