Help!

[houstonmomof4]

Don't know where else to ask this - so please forgive me if there is another forum I should've consulted.

 

We are having a TERRIBLY difficult time obtaining flights from Houston to Fort Lauderdale at a reasonable price. Leaving Houston is OK, but all the "cheaper" flights leave FLL anywhere from between 6:00 AM at the earliest (before the ship returns!) or the latest "cheap" option is 10:30 AM.

 

My MIL claims catching a morning flight would not be a problem because "on all the 7 cruises I've been on people get off right after 7 AM...blah, blah, blah". I'm still quite leary of any flight leaving FLL prior to Noon.

 

If any of you experienced cruisers think we can make a 10:30 flight, please let me know. I'd also LOVE to learn any additional hints on getting decent airfare prices.

 

Thanks,

 

Melody

[caribbean dreams]

I don't want to answer this question with a yes or no because i could always be wrong but

 

If you self disembark you may make it but you never know what could happen, the ship could be late porting or there may be problems with customs.

[Loves_Dogs]

You are supposed to be at the airport at least an hour before your flight, which would mean you need to be there by 9:30....Me personally, there is no way I would even attempt it. I would be a nervous wreck with worry that I would miss my flight and I just would not put myself through that.

[DEL67]

I have to agree with the others. You probably could make it, but if there is hold-up with immigration or customs or if a foreign national does not show up for immigration, it could be 10:30 before you leave the ship.

[wrp96]

What date are you trying to fly home? Which ship are you on?

 

One thing about those early flights, the reason they are so cheap is because the airlines know cruisers can't make them.

[vmom]

What about booking a late afternoon or early evening flight back and doing a visit to the Everglades on one of those air-boats for the afternoon? Or rent a car and visit the beach for the day.

 

Frankly, I think a 10:30 flight is pushing it. Ask the airlines what happens if you miss the flight. The reason all the afternoon flights are hard to get is the huge number of people getting off cruise ships wanting those flight times. Its all about supply and demand.

[benjidog]

Last week I took a friend to FLL airport. He was told to be there 2 hours before flight time due to heightened security. Things would have to be way too perfect to make a 10:30 flight.

[kitty9]

In all my 45 cruises, with probably 25 of them being in the Caribbean, never once did anyone begin getting off the ship right after 7 or 7:30. The earliest I've ever seen anyone getting off the ship was 8:30. Now, with the heightened security, you are told to be at the airport for domestic flights at least 2 hours before the flight. If even one thing goes wrong, you're not going to make a flight at 10:30--NO WAY. My sister just got off a cruise and she had the first departure tag and they were called at 8:50. Since you have to be at the airport by 8:30 for a 10:30 flight, there's no way for you to make it.

[UpstateCruizer]

Don't know where else to ask this - so please forgive me if there is another forum I should've consulted.

 

We are having a TERRIBLY difficult time obtaining flights from Houston to Fort Lauderdale at a reasonable price. Leaving Houston is OK, but all the "cheaper" flights leave FLL anywhere from between 6:00 AM at the earliest (before the ship returns!) or the latest "cheap" option is 10:30 AM.

 

My MIL claims catching a morning flight would not be a problem because "on all the 7 cruises I've been on people get off right after 7 AM...blah, blah, blah". I'm still quite leary of any flight leaving FLL prior to Noon.

 

If any of you experienced cruisers think we can make a 10:30 flight, please let me know. I'd also LOVE to learn any additional hints on getting decent airfare prices.

 

Thanks,

 

Melody

 

We faced this issue for our 06/07 cruise. What we ended up doing was extending our stay in Miami for an extra day. We will now depart at 6am on Sunday. There's a cruise air board on this site that's awesome with quite a bit of information :) It took me awhile to find it but if you scroll down to the bottom where you see forum jump scroll til you see it :)

[Globaliser]

... but all the "cheaper" flights leave FLL anywhere from between 6:00 AM at the earliest (before the ship returns!) or the latest "cheap" option is 10:30 AM.

...

I'd also LOVE to learn any additional hints on getting decent airfare prices.

Unfortunately, cruise ship passengers are always going to struggle at times. The reason why the earlier flights are cheaper is that demand is lower so prices are lower. It's just the basic law of economics at work: the law of supply and demand.

 

Why does demand for flights go up after 10.30 am on the day you return? Correct: It's because the cruise ship passengers start needing flights after that time.

 

So when you're faced with this sort of situation, the only thought with which you can console yourself is that the main reason why the earlier flights are cheaper is precisely because they're too early.

[A.J.]

Hi,

Not sure where you are checking for airfares, try KAYAK.COM best site for prices and schedules.

[UpstateCruizer]

What date are you trying to fly home? Which ship are you on?

 

One thing about those early flights, the reason they are so cheap is because the airlines know cruisers can't make them.

 

 

I've found the early morning flights in most airports are the cheapest......even those without a port. I'll take a 6-7AM flight anyday over a later flight. The airports are so peaceful and quiet at that time of the day. Very few if any lines and security moves rather quickly. The only downfall is not all of the eateries/coffee shops are open yet. Avoiding the hustle and bustle of the later day flights makes for a much more relaxing experience :)

[Grandpp]

I agree with "Crazed." We were able to book a low-cost flight on SW from FL to Baltimore on Monday (but not Sun.) so we booked a rental car and stayed at Holiday Inn-Ft. Lauderdale Airport and had a great day in Miami and a relaxed trip back.

[alcpa1]

Security at FLL has been a hassle for years and especially on cruise days. I concur with everyone else - don't even think about a 10:45 departure.

What I would suggest is rigging an itinerary. You may not have a direct flight but I think you can get out of Florida at a decent time. You may just have to take a deep breath and pay the bucks, but you should be able to get home without the stress.

I imagine you have looked at Miami and Palm Beach too. There are shuttles to those airports.

Good luck and have a great cruise.

[caribbean dreams]

I've found the early morning flights in most airports are the cheapest......even those without a port. I'll take a 6-7AM flight anyday over a later flight. The airports are so peaceful and quiet at that time of the day.:)

 

Miami international at 6am calm? it was a total madhouse the last few times i was there and it was 5am.. You must have a some kind of luck.

[caribbean dreams]

My sister just got off a cruise and she had the first departure tag and they were called at 8:50.

 

Darcie, i think what the other poster was trying to say is, if they self disembark, they will be able to get off the ship by about 7:30, which would make sense if your sister was the first color code to be called at 8:30, that means the ship was already cleared from the passengers that self disembarked.

But i still agree with you, I don't think they should book a flight that earily, MIA is a crazy airport.