11 a.m. flight

[niner cruiser]

Does anyone know the earliest you can get off the ship in Seattle. We have a 11 a.m. flight.

[CruiserBruce]

11am is too early. Nothing before noon is really safe.

[RickEk]

The official Princess guideline for early flights out of Seattle is 11:30am. Your best bet is to do early walk-off and grab a taxi...

[Happy2cruise]

Does anyone know the earliest you can get off the ship in Seattle. We have a 11 a.m. flight.

It depends on when the ship is cleared by customs.

[bigchid]

We did that once to LAX. Everything went like clockwork and we made it with no problem, but we decided not to try it again, too much stress.

Plan to carry your bags down the stairs because the elevators will be jammed when you need them. A trick is to grab an up elevator and ride to the top, then back down.

[Northender]

Usually you will be fine. But if something goes wrong, be sure to have plan B ready.:):)

[Colo Cruiser]

Does anyone know the earliest you can get off the ship in Seattle. We have a 11 a.m. flight.

 

 

As stated get off in the first self walk off group around 7:00-7:30am and you will be at the airport by 9:00. I would probably take a cab or set up a limo.

 

We use Class A (Solomon) 206-245-3540.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Remember that SeaTac is a bit south of Seattle.

[Loonbeam]

Since I haven't posted this from the FAQ in a while:

 

Can I Make my XX:XX Flight?

 

This question comes up a lot and the safe answer is:

If you have to ask? No.

Most disembarkation ports have a suggested earliest flight time for a reason (and most lines will not provide transfers for departures prior to that). Those times are suggested for a reason, to allow for not only the expected challenges of arrival and disembarkation but also to provide a safety cushion.

Unfortunately, the airlines know this and price flights from those port cities accordingly. So sometimes you do have to consider an earlier flight (note – later flights might be cheaper as well, always consider that option if it fits your plans. There is no such thing as too much time to get to the airport.

If you do want to take a flight before the suggested times, there are a number of things to consider:

 

• How much luggage do you have? Princess offers a self-debarkation option. These passengers are often first off the ship giving you the best shot at an early flight. Passengers choosing this option MUST be able to handle ALL of their own luggage WITHOUT assistance and possibly with limited access to elevators. This option can greatly increase flight flexibility.
  
• How many ships will be arriving the same day as yours? How big? – The number of ships in port will affect the time it takes to clear customs, availability of taxis, congestion at port gates, etc. As an example, if the Island Princess is the only ship in port, I would be much more comfortable about an early flight than say if the Royal was porting at the same time as the Allure of the Seas and perhaps the Ruby as well. The more ships, the more possibility of issues arising.
  
• What port? – Some ports are noted for customs delays, traffic issues, etc. Identify where the airline is in relation to the port and how you get there. Ft. Lauderdale is relatively close to the airport and on a fairly fast-travel route. San Francisco is in another city along one of the worst highways in the country for congestion.
  
• What day/time are you arriving? Rush hour on a Tuesday or before dawn on a Saturday?
  
• Transport? Planning on a taxi or car service? Car services provide the advantage of a guaranteed waiting vehicle, at a higher cost.
  
• Finally, what is Plan B? Are there later flights you can hope to get on (at possibly some expense) if you miss yours? Remember, flights are closer to full than ever, there may not be any seats the rest of the day.
  

So, should you book that early flight? Thinking on all the factors above, look at the time your ship is scheduled to arrive. Remember, the ship itself has to clear customs itself before disembarkation can begin. Think about all of the factors above and make your best guess when you could get off the ship and clear customs. Estimate travel time to the airport and time to check in and clear security. Then, add an hour at least to allow for any issues/delays. If your flight is after that, MAYBE you can make it.

Or, as I noted above, book the later flight. It’s vacation, do you really want to spend the last day stressing about air travel?

[CruiserBruce]

Very well written Loonbeam. Particularly the opening thought- if you have to ask, the answer is probably NO.

 

 

As stated get off in the first self walk off group around 7:00-7:30am and you will be at the airport by 9:00. I would probably take a cab or set up a limo.

 

We use Class A (Solomon) 206-245-3540.

 

OK, but what happens when you dock at 7:15, and the ship isn't cleared until 9:15? As happened to us...Fortunately our flight was at 1pm.

Edited July 20, 2014 by CruiserBruce

[Colo Cruiser]

Very well written Loonbeam. Particularly the opening thought- if you have to ask, the answer is probably NO.

 

 

 

 

OK, but what happens when you dock at 7:15, and the ship isn't cleared until 9:15? As happened to us...Fortunately our flight was at 1pm.

 

 

 

Well you can what if until the cows come home.

 

As stated have a backup plan.

[CruiserBruce]

Well you can what if until the cows come home.

 

As stated have a backup plan.

 

Or don't paint yourself into a very tight corner by having too early a flight.

[Colo Cruiser]

Or don't paint yourself into a very tight corner by having too early a flight.

 

Or stay in a hotel for the night and get a flight the next day, only to have that delayed as well.

[Loonbeam]

There's no plan that will handle every possibility (see Carnival Triumph Poop Cruise). But there's a certain amount of common sense that should be involved.

[Colo Cruiser]

There's no plan that will handle every possibility (see Carnival Triumph Poop Cruise). But there's a certain amount of common sense that should be involved.

 

Exactly! Common sense.

An 11:00 flight is by no means a stretch.

[Loonbeam]

My personal rule is that for a domestic port, I will not book a flight for any reason within 6 hours of scheduled arrival. For international ports, 8 hours.

 

Then again, I have priority pass, which means lounge access at most airports.

[MJSailors]

Is it an 11AM flight or is it the time you need to be at the airport?

Check in and security guidelines have been one hour for domestic and two hours for international flights. Airlines may have their own time constraints too.

For example, Jet Blue requires checked in passengers to be at the gate 15 minutes before the flight- that is when the gates close.

Seems that you are cutting your time very close to getting off the ship and getting to the airport.

I would change to.a later flight time or consider staying over until the next day.

Why stress after a relaxing cruise?

[donaldsc]

One other thing that nobody has mentioned is that there is only one major road from the ship terminal to the airport. What happens if there is construction or an accident?

 

I would not chance it but then again I always prefer to get to the airport early just in case I am delayed. My father was the same way - I guess that it is genetic. I can always sit and read at the airport.

 

DON

[niner cruiser]

Thanks for the info. Think we will do the walk off and take our chances

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the info. Think we will do the walk off and take our chances

 

You will be fine. ;)

[CatsareCool]

Disembark in Seatlle usually starts around 7:30-7:45 and the airport is 30-40 minutes away. Barring no unusual circumtances, if you walk off with your luggage you should have no issue with a 11 am flight.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I think Loonbeam's post was excellent. I certainly wouldn't advise someone casually not to worry about having such a tight schedule. I would certainly worry. That could be the day that immigrations decides to be extra careful, could be the day that the freeway between the port and Seatac has a major accident on it. Better to have backup flights you can switch to if you miss your flight.