goinsoon Posted January 26, 2012 #1 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Sailing out of Tampa on the Legend. We have never sailed Carnival or out of Tampa. Looks like this should be no problem but really would appreciate your input. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxy13 Posted January 26, 2012 #2 Share Posted January 26, 2012 It will be very close. On are Nov cruise are flight got changed from 1:30pm departing to 11:50am. Ship arrived at San Pedro at 8:00am no problem. All non USA citizens had to report to customs two people didnt show up no one could get of the ship until every one was accounted for. If every thing goes ok it will be aleast one hour from when u dock until they start calling zone numbers. In are case they didnt start calling numbers until 10:15 am. To make a long story short by the time we got off the ship and took shuttle to LAX we got there at 11:35am. The staff at the airport was great in helping us get through customs and getting us on the plane at 11:45am. The only downside of are cruise was the lack of support from the Carnival staff. On the flip side the passengers were great in helping us get through the long lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4hunters Posted January 26, 2012 #3 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I'm a new cruiser so take it for what it's worth, but I would never cut things that close. I don't like the added stress of missing a flight if any problems happen to arise in getting into port on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulu13 Posted January 26, 2012 #4 Share Posted January 26, 2012 In my past seven cruises, I have to say I don't think I ever got off the ship quickly enough to make that kind of flight time. I wouldn't risk it. But I guess it is possible if everything falls into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny1954 Posted January 26, 2012 #5 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Sailing out of Tampa on the Legend. We have never sailed Carnival or out of Tampa. Looks like this should be no problem but really would appreciate your input. Thanks! We sailed the Inspiration out of Tampa a couple of years ago. This may be a tight connection for you. You WILL need to do self assist debarkation vice turning your luggage over to Carnival the night before and you need to be ready to leave the ship as soon as the all clear is given. You will also need to get your own taxi vice using Carnival transfers. The airport is about 25 minutes from the piers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy72 Posted January 26, 2012 #6 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I have been on the OP's cruise and I was at the gate by 9:30. Did self assist. If you have already booked it, you will probably be fine but if you haven't booked yet, I would go with a later flight just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbird81 Posted January 26, 2012 #7 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Yeah, I agree with the others, that's cutting it close. Between the debarkation, drive, security, checking luggage etc, you may be incredibly close. If you could fly out a bit later in the afternoon (say, after 12:30/1pm?) I think you'd be fine with making it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvholly Posted January 26, 2012 #8 Share Posted January 26, 2012 This is WAAAY too tight because: there is no guarntee you will dock at 8 am-usually a bit earlier BUT....... immigration can take HOURS to clear a ship then you have to go thru customs even if you self debark then there is the trip to airport-no trffic issues???? time to do security at airport???? Change the flight to after 1 pm. It is going to cost but prob cheaper than missing a flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted January 26, 2012 #9 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I totally agree that that is waaaaay to short of a window and I would never book a flight that close - they usually close the doors to the plane earlier than actual departure time, too..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaGrl4Evr Posted January 26, 2012 #10 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I wouldn't do it. It says the ship docks at 8am but you have to take under consideration that the Legend will need be able to get under the Skyway Bridge under "no-fog" conditions and in a timely manner with the assistance of the pilot boat. Sometimes the boats have to line-up and take turns going under the bridge so this in itself could cause a delay. Secondly, even if you are doing the Self-assist, you still need to wait for any non-US passengers to debark first. On our last cruise, we were self assist and waited over 45 minutes for 3 non-US passengers to show up to their assigned meeting place. We could not debark until then. We have cruised from Tampa twice. The first time we did not get to the airport until around 10:45 am however the second time we were there by 9:30 am. It is just the luck of the draw. Carnival suggests no flights earlier than 11:30 am. We had one at 11:35 am and were stressed and sweating it the whole time. This is just my opinion and you will get many, but I would book a later flight or at least call the airline and inquire what type of policy they have for missed flights. Good luck and have a great cruise. :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skrufy Posted January 26, 2012 #11 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Heres one more factor you must consider trying to catch an early flight. If the weather conditions are right (or wrong, which ever way you look at it). When Tampa bay is fogged in the cruise ships cant pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Ships have been delayed up to 2 hours waiting out in the Atlantic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdaddyvoges Posted January 26, 2012 #12 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Missed our 11:35 flight out of Miami after our Grandeur of the Seas cruise with the 8:00am dock time. By the time we went through customs and all that we got to the airport at 11:30 and the plane was already on its way..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flick Posted January 26, 2012 #13 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Another consideration for you. Even if EVERYTHING works perfectly for you to get to your flight what about something to eat. They don't serve you on the plane anymore. For me, a diabetic, that could be a disaster! I would seriously consider a later flight...remember you have just come off of an eating orgy (called a cruise) and you WILL be hungry!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJinFLA00 Posted January 26, 2012 #14 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Just got off the Paradise in Tampa this week, we were number 20 and were off at 9:25am. In 2010 on the legend, we were off a little earlier. Can you make it, probably. Can stuff happen to make you late, yep. Check the airline and ask what the penalties are and when the next flight would be. Southwest has no change fees. You will also be one of the first off if you let guest services know you have an early flight. As a frequent flier out of Tampa, this is an easy airport to navigate and get through security. Is it worth the risk??? That's your call. Just make sure you don't stress out about it on your cruise! Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyol123 Posted January 26, 2012 #15 Share Posted January 26, 2012 :eek: I don't think I would book that....In all our cruises we have never been off the boat that fast...I never book anything before 1:00pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrounds Posted January 26, 2012 #16 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Its possible, but cutting it close, IMHO. If everything goes JUST RIGHT, fine, but ***** happens: Ship is late . . . occasionally the crew is required to go through customs . . . airport security jammed up. I'd opt for 1:00pm or later. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arush5268d Posted January 26, 2012 #17 Share Posted January 26, 2012 You should plan on missing your flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehpride Posted January 26, 2012 #18 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Just because the ship is supposed to dock at 8 doesn't mean it will. It also doesn't mean that you disembark at 8 am. You still have to get through customs once you do. I don't do self debarkation and I'm usually off the ship by 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goinsoon Posted January 27, 2012 Author #19 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We will change our flight! Delta has changed this flight no less than 4 times in 6 months we have had it booked. Went from a 1PM departure non stop to a 11AM departure with 3 hour layover in Atlanta! Not airline bashing but it has gotten to be a joke! I will call Delta and tell them the LAST change is unacceptable and move us to a later flight! As I have said "CCers are the best" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelo7 Posted January 27, 2012 #20 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Not impossible, but very, very tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richstowe Posted January 27, 2012 #21 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I say go for it! Let us know how it works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Periwinkle19 Posted January 27, 2012 #22 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Heres one more factor you must consider trying to catch an early flight. If the weather conditions are right (or wrong, which ever way you look at it). When Tampa bay is fogged in the cruise ships cant pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Ships have been delayed up to 2 hours waiting out in the Atlantic Ummmm....that body of water is the Gulf of Mexico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizinwoman Posted January 27, 2012 #23 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Sailing out of Tampa on the Legend. We have never sailed Carnival or out of Tampa. Looks like this should be no problem but really would appreciate your input. Thanks! You can never know what might happen. We were in our last port of call for a cruise and supposed to head out about 11:00pm to return to Galveston the following morning for disembarkation. Weather conditions (wind) prevented us from leaving. All those poor souls who had early flights were screwed. (Wind was strong enough it was feared we would run aground while moving through the channel). You never know what can go wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooner9795 Posted January 27, 2012 #24 Share Posted January 27, 2012 On my first cruise we were on board with 1200 members of the International Rotary Club. They were given priority when we docked. We cleared customs at 3:00 PM.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM Posted January 27, 2012 #25 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Had fog at the bridge and were 1.5 hours late to docking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.