Early flight out of Miami

[colesc15]

I searched and came across a bunch of older threads. For those who have done early morning flights out of Miami after getting off a ship in Miami, how early were you able to get to the airport? I booked our flights for March on Icon. Options were early morning or super late, including out of FLL. We've managed early flights out of Fll but haven't tried Miami. With facial recognition now, generally outside of customs not clearing the ship which feels rare, how early have you done?  I assume Icon disembarking will be similar to oasis class. 

 

Right now, our flight is at 10am. I'm thinking of we get off the ship by 7:30 with self carry, at the airport by 8, should be plenty of time with precheck. Baggage drop off could be a hold up, but could upgrade to first class for the priority drop off as we get closer. 

 

Normally I'd prefer an 11am or noon, but there isn't that option, and I don't feel like sitting around for a 4 or 5 o'clock flight. 

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, colesc15 said:

I searched and came across a bunch of older threads.

The timing to make a flight has not changed - assuming the ship is on time and there are no issues with disembarkation, you should be fine.

[luvbrady]

We have been at the gate by 9 self disembarking at 8.  If anyone in the group is traveling with birth certificates instead of passports that slows things down considerably at the port.

[djvcr]

I made 10 am flights with plenty of time to spare in April and June, self walk-off with all luggage and get right in taxi line.

[yogimax]

People will tell you "no problem."

 

Just remember that stuff happens... at the port... at the airport.   There are NO guarantees.

[johnlcruise]

Four weeks ago, we made our 10am flight. 

We were off the ship by 7;30. We took the first cab we saw and at MIA a little after 8ish.

If you have TSA pre-check like we do, we went right through security and were at the gate just before 9.

We were on the Harmony and they really want you off the ship a.s.a.p. and they have the process down getting you off the ship.

 

[FTLCruiseGal]

Ever been on either of the highways that take you to the airport when there is an accident?  Think bumper to bumper, and you move a mile a minute at best.  You can make it, if everything aligns and is in your favor.

[vswan]

This makes me think I'm a worry wart. Our flight option was at 11:50 and I was worried that it was before the noon recommendation.

[PrincessPatti]

• For those that keep asking if they can make a flight and think nothing can happen, this was posted this morning.  Disembarkation still has not taken place.  A yacht crashed into the ferry/. Sadly, one person did not make it.

 

Edited June 25, 2023 by PrincessPatti

[lcpagejr]

58 minutes ago, PrincessPatti said:

• For those that keep asking if they can make a flight and think nothing can happen, this was posted this morning.  Disembarkation still has not taken place.  A yacht crashed into the ferry/. Sadly, one person did not make it.

 

Yup... Very rare delays happen.... but like today, inbound and outbound traffic around pier will be unbearable with major delays

[2wheelin]

7 hours ago, PrincessPatti said:

• For those that keep asking if they can make a flight and think nothing can happen, this was posted this morning.  Disembarkation still has not taken place.  A yacht crashed into the ferry/. Sadly, one person did not make it.

 

And no one made their 4pm flights either.

[#1packerfan]

31 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

And no one made their 4pm flights either.

Exactly.  Today it would not have mattered what time a flight was unless it is very late this evening.  So to say never book till at least noon (or 1 or 2)  or after, it would not matter in some situations, like today.  The airport will be a nightmare tonight once the ships finish docking and allow passengers to get off.  

[2wheelin]

3 hours ago, #1packerfan said:

Exactly.  Today it would not have mattered what time a flight was unless it is very late this evening.  So to say never book till at least noon (or 1 or 2)  or after, it would not matter in some situations, like today.  The airport will be a nightmare tonight once the ships finish docking and allow passengers to get off.  

We once had a morning flight home to the north country and were some of the few who got out that day. Airport closed shortly after we left and many were stranded (hotels full and car rentals all booked) for two and three days.

[teddybear231]

On 6/25/2023 at 4:37 PM, 2wheelin said:

And no one made their 4pm flights either.

Yup, valid point!

 

We made our 9:40am flight out of MIA back in March when we got off the Explorer. We just lined up early in the dining to carry off our luggage, grabbed a cab, and it was a quick ride to the airport. We were checked in for our flight by 8:05am. We also have TSA pre-check which helps, and were flying first class which in MIA makes a huge difference with American Airlines as they have a separate check-in area for their first class passengers.

[KroozNut]

On 6/15/2023 at 4:08 PM, FTLCruiseGal said:

Ever been on either of the highways that take you to the airport when there is an accident?  Think bumper to bumper, and you move a mile a minute at best.  You can make it, if everything aligns and is in your favor.

 

And we prefer not to gamble on the 'if' part, so we always factor some extra time in to our plan to account for any possible glitches along the way.