WWYD: 12:01 PM flight into MIA or 10:00 AM arrival into FLL

[Scarlette]

Trying to book some flights. Flying into FLL is about $30 a person cheaper (4 tickets) than into MIA, with arrival time into FLL at 10:00 AM on the day the cruise is departing. The first arrival time into MIA is 12:01 PM. We are on the Liberty of the Seas, she departures the port at 4:30 PM. Should I just book my flights straight into MIA even though the first flight doesn't arrive until a little after 12:00 PM?

 

We cannot fly in the day before.

[cruisenfever]

Trying to book some flights. Flying into FLL is about $30 a person cheaper (4 tickets) than into MIA, with arrival time into FLL at 10:00 AM on the day the cruise is departing. The first arrival time into MIA is 12:01 PM. We are on the Liberty of the Seas, she departures the port at 4:30 PM. Should I just book my flights straight into MIA even though the first flight doesn't arrive until a little after 12:00 PM?

 

We cannot fly in the day before.

I would book into FLL much less congested airport and more passenger friendly IMHO. It's a 20-30 minute ride to the port.

[uksimonusa]

if you must fly in the day of the cruise I would book the earlier flight, it isn't far from FLL to the POM.

[printingchick]

The drive from Fort Lauderdale airport is more like 45 minutes, but I would still suggest that airport. I've taken several cruises out of Miami and have ALWAYS flown into FLL. It's always been significantly less costly for us to do so.

[mjldvlks]

Let's assume Printing Chick is right and it is 45 minutes further from the port. The earlier fight still gives you over an hour more flexibility -- take FLL.

[silentbob007]

Are both flights the same in terms of connections? Or are they direct flights? I'd take a direct flight over anything, but all other things being equal, would take the FLL flight.

[setsail]

How are you going to get to the mia port from fll? cost figured? It could cost you half or more of that 30$ pp to get to mia.

[izodlacoste]

Fll is smaller but only has one runway which means that there are always backups and delays there. Mia has many runways and delays due to Mia traffic are far less common. Flying in the day of is always risky. Book the earliest flight in the day

[waterbug123]

Fll is smaller but only has one runway which means that there are always backups and delays there. Mia has many runways and delays due to Mia traffic are far less common. Flying in the day of is always risky. Book the earliest flight in the day

 

I fly in and out of FLL about once a month, have for the last several years. I've never found backups and delays there to be any worse than anywhere else. In fact, the vast majority of my flights haven't been delayed at all. MIA on the other hand, handles a LOT of international traffic, and in my experience is total chaos, both due to the crowds, and the rather inefficient way in which you check in and check bags. I would vote for FLL and day over MIA, but YMMV.

[Ashland]

We usually always fly into FLL same day as cruise with an early arrival time..It is a 45 min drive from FLL to POM, and if you use http://www.ridesas.com it will be $13.00pp (children 11 and under are less)...

[biker1972]

When and where are you do you start your trip. Same airline or different? Any connections? Non-stops or direct or connections. Choose the earliest non-stop or earliest direct, not worrying about which airport.