San Juan Early Flight Post Cruise, how early?

I haven't booked my airfare yet. I'm use to flying back late or stay an extra day post cruise. I want to take an early flight back once ship arrive back. I think the ship arrives back at 7 a.m. As I research airfare, some of the earliest times are 9:15 a.m. Is that taking a risk at San Juan Airport?:confused:

I haven't booked my airfare yet. I'm use to flying back late or stay an extra day post cruise. I want to take an early flight back once ship arrive back. I think the ship arrives back at 7 a.m. As I research airfare, some of the earliest times are 9:15 a.m. Is that taking a risk at San Juan Airport?:confused:

YES THAT IS A HUGE RISK. What if the ship is delayed by customs, or traffic is bad. SJU is notorious for HUGE security lines. I wouldn't chance a flight before 11. When we flew out of SJU we choose a flight after 1...I would rather sit at the airport for some extra time than worry about missing a flight!

Our ship arrives back in San Juan at 6am, we have a 9:45am flight. I read a lot of reviews and posts, and I'm at the point where I'm pretty much convinced that we'll be okay. When I reserved the cruise, the man at Royal Caribbean to me to be sure and let them know onboard, and we would be with the first group of people off of the ship. We'll take a taxi to the airport (don't want to be dependent on arranged transportation), and think positive!

rummanroman - okay thanks. I definately wouldn't want that to happen.:eek: Thanks.

Our ship arrives back in San Juan at 6am, we have a 9:45am flight. I read a lot of reviews and posts, and I'm at the point where I'm pretty much convinced that we'll be okay. When I reserved the cruise, the man at Royal Caribbean to me to be sure and let them know onboard, and we would be with the first group of people off of the ship. We'll take a taxi to the airport (don't want to be dependent on arranged transportation), and think positive!

Actually, I think our ship arrive back at 6 a.m. too. But I don't know, I have been to that airport 2x and it is hectic.

We really didn't have much of a choice other than fly out early. Otherwise we would be getting home way after midnight (after long layovers, and w/a 9yo). My husband needs to be back at work the next day because of business commitments. So - if we miss our flight we will hopefully be able to get on the later one and we'll all be very cranky, but if we have to wait until the following day, he will have one very unhappy boss! We're just going to assume it won't be a problem - I read several reviews where people made 8:45am and 9:15am flights.

We really didn't have much of a choice other than fly out early. Otherwise we would be getting home way after midnight (after long layovers, and w/a 9yo). My husband needs to be back at work the next day because of business commitments. So - if we miss our flight we will hopefully be able to get on the later one and we'll all be very cranky, but if we have to wait until the following day, he will have one very unhappy boss! We're just going to assume it won't be a problem - I read several reviews where people made 8:45am and 9:15am flights.

Although I'm use to booking late flights, the cruise staff does "whisked" passengers off hastily. When do you leave for San Juan and on which ship?

We're on the Nov. 7th cruise out of San Juan. We're flying in on the 6th, but we don't get in until late. Our biggest problem is that we live in the middle of nowhere, so we have to drive quite a ways to get to the airport, and then it's still not a direct flight - the connections are thru Atlanta but we just can't get good connection times.

Oh well - I'm just so glad to be getting to go!

We're on the Nov. 7th cruise out of San Juan. We're flying in on the 6th, but we don't get in until late. Our biggest problem is that we live in the middle of nowhere, so we have to drive quite a ways to get to the airport, and then it's still not a direct flight - the connections are thru Atlanta but we just can't get good connection times.

 

Oh well - I'm just so glad to be getting to go!

Enjoy your cruise!!

RCI recommends not making a flight before 10am. Good luck.

I'd carry my luggage off the ship and take a cab

RCI recommends not making a flight before 10am. Good luck.

 

I'd carry my luggage off the ship and take a cab

chessbriar - we have an option to carry our luggages off the ship?:confused: I thought RCI requires all passengers to put their luggages outside the cabin the night before the last cruise(color coordinated tags)? Afterwards, we have to look for our color tag luggages.

I wouldn't book anything before 11am.

Our first cruise out of San Juan we arrived at our gate for 9:30am (our flight left at 1pm).

We were in the first group called off the ship, we happened to be walking past the exit as our group was called. We were the only ship at the Pan Am Pier and it was a Saturday which tends to be less hectic at SJU compared to a Sunday. We were able to easily find our luggage and didn't have to wait for a cab. At that time, we didn't have to do the agriculture inspection at SJU since our cruise luggage tags were still on our bags. Even with everything going in our favor, it would have been impossible for us to catch a 9:15am flight.

All bags at SJU now have to go through the agriculture inspection.

Personally, if I had an early flight I'd spend my entire vacation worrying about whether I'd be able to catch it. I'd rather book a later flight and then not have to worry about it. If you get to the airport early, ask at the check in counter if they can move yuu to the earlier flight. IMO, that is far better than booking a flight that you could potentially miss and then being at the mercy of the airline to find you a way home and potentially having extra fees to pay as a result.

Just wondering spoke with US Air, they said if you missed your flight they would just move you on to the next available flight with no cost. If that is the case why not book 9:50 and if miss it just take the 1:30?

Just wondering spoke with US Air, they said if you missed your flight they would just move you on to the next available flight with no cost. If that is the case why not book 9:50 and if miss it just take the 1:30?

What if the 1:30 flight isn't available? That would my reasoning.

Anytime I've flown out of San Juan my flight has been full and in some cases oversold.

What if the 1:30 flight isn't available? That would my reasoning.

 

Anytime I've flown out of San Juan my flight has been full and in some cases oversold.

Excellent point. I was mainly wondering if any one has ever miised the flight and how long did they have to wait and did it cost them.

Just wondering spoke with US Air, they said if you missed your flight they would just move you on to the next available flight with no cost. If that is the case why not book 9:50 and if miss it just take the 1:30?

That is assuming that there is available seating. I would not want to make that assumption.

Our ship arrives back in San Juan at 6am, we have a 9:45am flight. I read a lot of reviews and posts, and I'm at the point where I'm pretty much convinced that we'll be okay. When I reserved the cruise, the man at Royal Caribbean to me to be sure and let them know onboard, and we would be with the first group of people off of the ship. We'll take a taxi to the airport (don't want to be dependent on arranged transportation), and think positive!

We are Diamond members so we can get escorted off of the ship after the first walk offs go if we want.

Two times our ship docked early also and the Customs computers went down as we were waiting in the Lounge to disembark. That meant no one got off until they were fixed.

It was not until well after 8:30 AM before the first people were allowed off. Then it was our turn. By then there was a line to clear the ship, get the luggage, hail a cab and get to the airport.

The last time we left there, we did not do the escorted off as we were staying an extra day. (I wish I had)

There there was a traffic jam on the only road in or out out of the pier. A Princess ship had also docked there with us and it caused twice the traffic, twice the people needing cabs and twice the locals picking up and dropping off their families.

It took us over an hour to get a cab after Disembarking and then over an hour to just get out to the main road to go to the hotel we were staying at.

The airport is another 20 - 25 minutes from the piers with no traffic.

You are taking a big chance on booking at that hour.

I would never book before 11:30 - 12:00 noon at the earliest.

Count me as another person who wouldn't book a flight out of SJU before noon. Although I'm sure some people have made early flights, IMO, there are too many variables in San Juan to count on getting to the airport that early.

All of these happy thoughts - it's just so WONDERFUL to have such positive vibes sent my way......thank you SO much! (hint - sarcasm......)

I understand you're trying to help the OP, who hasn't booked her air yet and seems to have a choice. I agree, if you have a choice, book later.

We didn't have any real option available to us other than not go on the cruise at all - so we're choosing to think positive and not worry about it. If anyone wants to give me a "good luck, best wishes and hope it works out for you", that would be just g-r-e-a-t.

You guys are the biggest bunch of Debbie Downers I've ever seen. Not just this thread, but other topics as well - where's the "happiness"?

Sheesh.

All of these happy thoughts - it's just so WONDERFUL to have such positive vibes sent my way......thank you SO much! (hint - sarcasm......)

 

I understand you're trying to help the OP, who hasn't booked her air yet and seems to have a choice. I agree, if you have a choice, book later.

 

We didn't have any real option available to us other than not go on the cruise at all - so we're choosing to think positive and not worry about it. If anyone wants to give me a "good luck, best wishes and hope it works out for you", that would be just g-r-e-a-t.

 

You guys are the biggest bunch of Debbie Downers I've ever seen. Not just this thread, but other topics as well - where's the "happiness"?

 

Sheesh.

LOL, I think it is called reality ;)

I travel quite a bit and cannot remember the last time there was an empty seat, let alone two.

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Sandy, I'm thinking about the 9:45 Delta flight myself. Chances are you are going to make it. If not, it will be an adventure!!:)

Yes, there are glitches sometimes, but even making your flights for afternoon doesn't guarantee you'll make it.

We were on the Diamond Princess about 5 years ago coming back to LA. The last day was a sea day and the ship was really going along slowly. The captain announced that the ship had only one engine and would not be getting back to port on time. They gave us free use off the phones for those who had independent air. We didn't get into LA until after 3 pm!! Spring Break time, too. We had booked our own flights, Princess put us (and hundreds of others, too) up in a hotel overnight. Vouchers for dinner and breakfast, reimbursed us for all of our expenses (We had to book first class tickets, only seats available). It was an adventure and we made it home a day later.

When is your cruise? Let us know how you make out!!

All of these happy thoughts - it's just so WONDERFUL to have such positive vibes sent my way......thank you SO much! (hint - sarcasm......)

 

I understand you're trying to help the OP, who hasn't booked her air yet and seems to have a choice. I agree, if you have a choice, book later.

 

We didn't have any real option available to us other than not go on the cruise at all - so we're choosing to think positive and not worry about it. If anyone wants to give me a "good luck, best wishes and hope it works out for you", that would be just g-r-e-a-t.

 

You guys are the biggest bunch of Debbie Downers I've ever seen. Not just this thread, but other topics as well - where's the "happiness"?

 

Sheesh.

I don't think you will find anyone on here who doesn't wish you luck.

However, since there are many people on here who have actually experienced the chaos that is SJU, perhaps instead of complaining about those of us who want to allow the OP to make an informed decision, you might also take heed of this same advice and make sure you have a back-up plan.

IMO, allowing someone to make an informed decision trumps just sending happy thoughts any day of the week.

Have a great cruise. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Sandy, I'm thinking about the 9:45 Delta flight myself. Chances are you are going to make it. If not, it will be an adventure!!:)

 

Thanks KYDeb - and no offense on the "Debbie Downer" thing - LOL! I'll let everyone know whether it did or didn't work out, for those booking after me.

To the CC's who replied to my thread, thanks for commenting on your experiences. It's interesting to know other people comments since I never booked an early flight after a cruise. HAPPY CRUZIN!!!!!:)

All of these happy thoughts - it's just so WONDERFUL to have such positive vibes sent my way......thank you SO much! (hint - sarcasm......)

 

I understand you're trying to help the OP, who hasn't booked her air yet and seems to have a choice. I agree, if you have a choice, book later.

 

We didn't have any real option available to us other than not go on the cruise at all - so we're choosing to think positive and not worry about it. If anyone wants to give me a "good luck, best wishes and hope it works out for you", that would be just g-r-e-a-t.

 

You guys are the biggest bunch of Debbie Downers I've ever seen. Not just this thread, but other topics as well - where's the "happiness"?

 

Sheesh.

Nobody is being a "Debbie Downer". We are simply sharing our experiences with flying out of SJU. It's called being realistic.

And as for not having any real option available, you stated above that you could have taken a later flight but it would have meant getting home later.

I hope things do go well for you, but you also have to be realistic that you're taking a risk. So in addition to thinking positive you should also be coming up with a back up plan should you miss that flight and not be able to get on the next one.