Best flight times after Splendor

[Minmounce]

We are sailing on the Splendor Feb. 7 - 14, 2010 and I am trying to book the flights. My options are:

SNA - 12 pm

LGB - 11:15am

LAX - 12:45 pm, 2pm or 3:30 pm

We would much prefer flying back to Seattle out or SNA or LGB but I am a little concerned about the timing. I also seem to remember the check in and security lines at LAX could be extremely long and possible time consuming. Any suggestions?

[mjesf]

I would go for the LAX at 3:00 PM (I hate running through airports) and if I got there early would ask if I could get on an earlier flight.

[jasmith52]

Keep in mind that you can never book a flight late enough to cover every possible contigency.

 

You'll probably be off the ship before 9:30-10:00, and at the airport before 11:00

 

Having said that, In my opinion a 3:30 flight guaranties that you will spend 3-5 boring hours sitting at the airport.

 

I think that an optimal flight time would be about 12:30-1:00.

[jimbo5544]

When we sailed on the Splendor 8/2, we had the same dilemma. We were off at 8:20 (self assist) and at LGB by 9:45.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Long Beach is supposed to be easier to get through security, etc. I would imagine it's feasible as you're disembarking in Long Beach, just miles away. But I've never used LB myself and haven't even used the Port of LB.

 

I definitely wouldn't schedule a 11am flight out of LAX.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

SNA - 12 pm

 

LGB - 11:15am

 

LAX - 12:45 pm, 2pm or 3:30 pm

Personally, I'd book the 2 PM flight at LAX. If you get there earlier, you can try to get on the 12:45 flight.

 

Sure, there are days when everything goes perfectly when debarking from Splendor, and you'll be off the ship early.

 

But there are also lots of times where these things occur:

Fog or weather causes them to wait several hours to pull into port.

Crew Customs day, means you'll debark late.

Customs problem if there are any non-English speaking people on the ship who don't hear or understand the announcements. You will have to wait possibly hours until they find them.

The gangplank malfunctions or has a problem.

Traffic accident or construction.

 

All of these things have happened, and do happen enough to take them into consideration.

 

So, do you feel lucky?

If so, then you can make the 11:15 AM LGB flight; and also the 12 PM SNA flight.

But what is your contingency plan if you aren't so lucky on that day?

How much of a gambler are you?

 

Your options, your choice.;)

[Minmounce]

Thank you so much for all of the input. We are thinking the 2pm out of lax due to the availability of earlier and later flights.

[jer630]

We just got off the Splendor on the 13th and had a 2:30 out of LAX and had plenty of time. We did regular disembarkation and were in the second group called. For us, 2:00 would have been just about right.

[hartjanet]

We were on Splendor this summer and there was a problem with the gangplank in Long Beach. Took 3 hours in an environment I would call anarchy to disembark. Never cut it close is all I can say!

[deepnite10]

we ve had close calls..and we ve arrived early ending up waiting a couple hrs. befor our flight..

 

its alot better reading day old newspapers than running around trying to find another flight home..

 

2pm out of LAX..i agree would be my best option..

[Rick Niles]

We just got of the splendor with a 12:30 flight....we did the self assist and left on the first call at 8:10 AM, we get to the customs and my Father inlaw forgets his jacket in his room, has to go back and get it......20 minute delay.......THEN going through customs he stupidly says he has cigars and bingo 30 minute search of all their luggage....my father inlaw is the type who thinks a joke is the way to have fun but NEVER with customs.....by now we have been standing outside waiting not knowing whats going on and taking so long........any way we got there by 10:30 AM and there were no lines at the ticket counter or security and stil had an hour and a half wait for our 12:30 flight......

 

This is just our experience.....and yes it was stressfull .....

 

Rick

[scottbee]

We are sailing on the Splendor Feb. 7 - 14, 2010 and I am trying to book the flights. My options are:

 

SNA - 12 pm

 

LGB - 11:15am

 

LAX - 12:45 pm, 2pm or 3:30 pm

 

We would much prefer flying back to Seattle out or SNA or LGB but I am a little concerned about the timing. I also seem to remember the check in and security lines at LAX could be extremely long and possible time consuming. Any suggestions?

 

 

Yes, avoid LAX. If you're flying back to SEA, that probably means AS/Alaska Air, and the terminal at LAX that they use, sucks beyond belief.

I've seen greyhound stations in better shape

[crzndeb]

I'll be on the Splendor, Oct 25, and my flight (Alaska) to Seattle from LGB is at 11:40...guess they redid their schedule. I got a great price and wanted to avoid LAX...if something happens, oh well, I'll deal with it. Or rent a car and drive home....my daughter and I did a straight 19 hr a few years ago from San Diego...LOL!!

[deepnite10]

for the sake of saving some $$$..consider southwest..it only flys out of

LAX..usually there s stop in vegas or oakland befor proceeding to seattle..

[Minmounce]

Thanks for the heads up for next time. We will be using Alaska air this time as we have $600.00 in credits due to a bump. Unfortunately it looks like the LAX flight at 2pm will be our best option. LAX will be fine we just prefer the smaller airports.

[cruiserbryce]

I would book the one at SNA or the 12:45 at LAX...the timing should work out nicely...there's a good chance like others have mentioned that you will be there before 10 am if you are in one of the first groups off