Walk off in Fort Lauderdale

[judbusluc]

What time can you get off in Fort Lauderdale doing the walk off program? We are sailing on the Emerald next February and hubby wants to book a 9:14am flight out of Fort Lauderdale. He says using the walk off program we can make it with time to spare. I am not so sure.

[ttax]

We walked off the Emerald Princess on February 14. I don't recall exactly when we left the ship but we caught a cab immediately and were in the airport just before 8:00 a.m. Our flight wasn't 11:20 a.m. so we weren't in a great hurry. Based on 15 years of cruising experience, I think a 9:14 a.m. flight is asking for trouble, but I'm the cautious sort.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes I think there is no way to make that flight. :)

[nna]

one cruise we pulled up to Ft. Ll--and we were supposed to get off the ship starting at 7 am. no one got off the ship til 9:30 due to a power outage.

 

you are asking for trouble to make it that tight to the airport.

[kywildcatfanone]

There are many factors to consider when deciding on what time to book your flight; customs, weather issues in port, ship arriving late for one reason or another, etc. While the airport is very close to the cruise terminal, I would give myself some allowance for delays. The cruise line will tell you not to book a flight before noon or so, but my personal experience says no earlier than 10:30am. 9:14 is too early. If customs hold you up, which does happen, you will not make it. Don't add the stress to your last day at sea, seek out a bit later flight.

 

Mike

[judbusluc]

I am in agreement with you all. We have cruised many times out of Fort Lauderdale and now that Princess has that walk off program, hubby is INSISTING that we take that 9:14am flight. He says we can get off the ship on the walk off starting at 7:15am. He even pulled out old Princess Patters that listed that time as when you could walk off with your luggage. He then gave me examples of how many times we were at the airport by 9am when we were doing just regular disembarkation and so on. We are elite so he is sure that we can be first off BUT I am more wary thinking of things that could go wrong one way or the other. :rolleyes: I am going to show him all these posts so keep them coming.

[DanJ]

Well, we did the walk-off from the CB in January, and we were at the airport just after 730am. We didn't have to do immigration in Ft Lauderdale so that helped. I certainly would not rely on this timing in the future though. Any type of delay, and you are screwed.

 

You need to point out to him that 715 is when they plan to start debarking, not when you will actually get off. There will be hundreds of people lined up to do this. You can't count on being first. And getting to the airport at that time might be earlier than the usual cruise rush, FLL is still a major airport for non-cruisers, and that time of morning is still "rush hour", with line-ups at the counters and at security. Those flights are certainly possible with the walk-off, but you need everything to fall in line for it to happen.

 

What we did was booked the normal, later, flight, and did standby for the 930 flight, which we got.

[bubbadog]

as long as your hubby does'nt mind your foot in his rear all day go for it lol:p

[LynandBill]

What time can you get off in Fort Lauderdale doing the walk off program? We are sailing on the Emerald next February and hubby wants to book a 9:14am flight out of Fort Lauderdale. He says using the walk off program we can make it with time to spare. I am not so sure.

 

You will not make the flight! We were on the Millennium 1/27-2/3/08 cruise. We did the walk off and were 1st in line waiting at the ship's exit. Our flight was 9:50 out of ft lauderdale. We left the atrium at 8:40, had the long walk to customs and arrived at airport by taxi at 9:10. Waited in line at southwest until 9:25 and they moved us straight to the security agent without waiting in line. As we entered the gate area southwest was just starting to board. I think 9:14 is cutting it way to close.

[seagarsmoker]

We were at Ft Lauderdale airport last month and just to check in luggage and go through security took us 90 minutes. That was at 8:00 on a Sunday morning.

[KreinKrunker]

If it's a Saturday or a Sunday, forget it. If it's another day, go for it.

[Linaka]

While I agree with everyone else and wouldn't knowingly book a 9:14 am departure, if all things fall into place, it might be possible. I was on the Grand in February and had a 1:35 pm flight. We did the self-disembarkation and left the ship around 7:15 am. There weren't any lines at customs and we quickly caught a cab to the airport, arriving by 8:00 am. There was a 9:35 am flight which I was able to go stand by on & had plenty of time to get through security & make the flight. This was flying out of terminal 3 on American, so other terminals/security checkpoints might take longer. You could try booking a later departure & then watch the seat availability on the earlier flight and if things work out, try going standby on that flight.

[CruiseFever]

Go ahead and make your hotel reservation now. You won't make that flight so just tell hubby "Sure honey, whatever you say!" plan on spending a day at the beach and check with your airline to see what happens to you when you miss the flight then plan accordingly.

 

He gets to feel like he's in control for a while then you come in for the kill and save the day later; what could be better?

[cruiseryyc]

I'd let him book the early flight for himself and you should book yourself on a later flight. Or as the previous poster, said book a hotel and spend a lovely day at the beach!

[YoPhilly]

Go ahead and make your hotel reservation now. You won't make that flight so just tell hubby "Sure honey, whatever you say!" plan on spending a day at the beach and check with your airline to see what happens to you when you miss the flight then plan accordingly.

 

He gets to feel like he's in control for a while then you come in for the kill and save the day later; what could be better?

 

I LOVE this idea!!!!! CruiseFever, you've made my day!! :D :D :D

[blindrid]

I always do after noon flights. the husbands comments as to the times he was at the airport by 9:00. So a 9:15 flight is doable. I never trust TSA and their lines for one, trying to make it would cause me more stress than I need on a vacation especially with the manner that airlines overbook. I plan on not getting grumpy on my vacation and this one may get me as I would probably start worrying the night before.

 

I enjoy my last day with breakfast, taking my time getting off and getting home. That's my last day of vacation and I'm going to enjoy it one way or another.

 

You may make it or you may not. Murphy's law dictates you won't whether it's a long line waiting for a cab, immigration or like a PP mentioned a power failure. You may also be flying standby that would really make my day - hanging around the airport.

[judbusluc]

After reading all your replies, hubby has agreed to take the 11:00am flight instead. Thank you all!

[jfhtn]

We are on Carribean Princess March 30. The return flight is at 8:45 am. It is the only flight of the day back to Tn. Am I in trouble also?:eek:

[Colo Cruiser]

We are on Carribean Princess March 30. The return flight is at 8:45 am. It is the only flight of the day back to Tn. Am I in trouble also?:eek:

 

 

 

I would say yes. :)

[blindrid]

We are on Carribean Princess March 30. The return flight is at 8:45 am. It is the only flight of the day back to Tn. Am I in trouble also?:eek:

 

We're on the same cruise. I didn't look at anything earlier than 11:00. Ended up with 3:30. My 2 cents on your question. Yes you are in trouble. Do people forget TSA lines?

[Genessa]

we returned to Port Everglades from the Grand on 3/8.

 

Dh, after asking me should he book the 10:00 or the 12:30 flight, decided to go with the 10, anyway.

Then the airline upped the flight to 9:30.

 

We did the walk off, and got really lucky, despite not disembarking until 7:30AM.

We were scheduled to get off at 7:10 and another group at 7:30. We had to meet in the casino and no one was supposed to meet until it was their time - yeah, right. So, people were piled up, with all their suitcases.

 

What helped us...

1. we were able to take the escalator with our luggage. There was 1 elevator running and if we had to use that, we would have been delayed at least 20 minutes. The Princess "guides" won't let you on the escalator unless you have one hand free to hold the handrail.

 

2. we got to customs way ahead of those waiting for the elevator

 

3. we didn't buy anything, nothing to declare

 

WE got to Ft. Lauderdale airport by 8 AM - there were plenty of taxis, but our driver called his base to tell them to send more that people were just beginning to disembark, used the kiosk to print out our boarding passes. I didn't want to pre-print them on the ship in case disembarkation was seriously delayed. Despite this being a Saturday, the TSA line was very empty.

 

I wasn't stressed at all, since dh made the call. If I had been the one to say "go for it" it would have ruined my entire vacation. Since I wasn't, I didn't really care if we missed the flight - we would have had to work something out.

[cruiseryyc]

You will not make an 8:45 flight; no way; no how.

[sunsetbeachgal]

We did the self-debarkation on Emerald in January. I think we were off around 7:15 or so. Suggest getting down to the Plaza Deck at least 1/2 hour before the time they suggest and waiting in the International Cafe' area rather than the dining room. This way as soon as they announce that you can leave the ship, you can walk right over to the gangway. There is no special Platinum lounge for this option-you all wait together (we are Platinum also). Be aware that you must be able to schlep all of your luggage and carry ons (and purses, bags, etd) with you in one trip-this can be very tricky for a 10 day cruise! Once you get off there are only a couple of elevators, so with a flight this tight it is crucial you be in the first off. And agree with posters, if you are disembarking on a weekend it will be tighter-and FLL airport is known for very long security lines! Good luck-I would be more comfortable on a later flight!

[DanJ]

You will not make an 8:45 flight; no way; no how.

 

I wouldn't be so final about it. Maybe your experience has been that, but we would have last time around, and it looks like at least 2 others on this thread would have made that flight time as well. Odds are very long against making 845, but not impossible.

[cruiseryyc]

I have sailed on Princess 13 times, disembarking at Ft. Lauderdale, Hawaii, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and have never experienced anyone getting off the ship in time to make a flight that early. Yes that is my just my experience but I would never book a flight before noon.