Disembark Timing

[redheads3]

We have a later flight out of Fort Lauderdale after our cruise on NOS- 4:05pm. How late can we actually stay of the ship? Any suggestions on what to do in the area to kill some time before heading to the airport (FLL)?-remebering we have our luggage with us still. Thanks for any suggestions or tips.

[Gonzo70]

Generally they want everybody off the ship by 10:00am or so. You may want to consider booking a debarkation day excursion with the cruise line; they will store your luggage on a bus, take you to the excursion and then drop you off at the airport. Otherwise you may want to rent a car (so you can store your luggage) and hit a beach or what not. A third option would be to try to get a "day room" rate at a hotel and hang there for a few hours. Be advised that at FLL you generally cannot check baggage until two hours or so before your flight departs (this time varies a bit from airline to airline); as such if you arrive at the airport at 10:15am or so, you will have a long wait with your luggage in the entrance area of the airport (where there is not much to do).

[cruizinEllen]

Another possibility is to do luggage valet so that you don't have your luggage with you, then take a taxi to the beach or shopping and then back to the airport for your flight.

[redheads3]

Thank you Ellen and Gonzo70 for the ideas. We will look into them. Nice to have a little heads up when you're not sure. We all know how tiring and long the good old travel days can be once the fun is over!

[Raenstoirm]

We have the same problem, although we will be "stuck" in San Juan till our 4:20 flight. I am seriously considering doing one of the tours RCCL has on depart day.