Flight At End Of Cruise..... Will We Make It?

[Happy2Crews]

So the Regal Princess will be returning on a Sunday morning at 0600 to Ft. Lauderdale. We have a 10:40 flight. Would love to hear from those who previously had early morning flights on a Sunday and how it went for you. Any problems getting off the ship? What is the earliest one can disembark? Enough customs inspectors on hand Sunday mornings? Any issues getting to the airport and making your flight? Your post of your experience would be great appreciated.

 

Thanks so much.

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Disembarkation depends upon when the Customs Officials will clear the ship to allow passengers to exit. It is usually around 7:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter. The ship wants everyone off by 9:00 a.m. Our our last cruise, from our cabin to the outside of the terminal took about 10 minutes. We caught a cruise right at the curb and were at the airport about 10 minutes later. (The airport is only a couple of miles from the cruise port.)

[cherylandtk]

1. Earliest disembark will likely be around 7. That is for unassisted walk offs

2. No way to predict the number of agents on duty that day

3. How many other ships in port?

4. You increase your chances by taking a taxi and doing unassisted walk off.

5. All that said you meet the 4.5 hour time limit by 10 minutes. You should be fine, but don't dally.

[azbirdmom]

If everything is on schedule, you should be able to make it. We've done walk off and have gotten to the airport before 8 AM. Would suggest you sign up for walk off just in case there's any delays with customs or arrival back at port.

[paul929207]

Chances are good. As others have said, you should do the self-assist if you can. This means you do not put your luggage out the last night, but carry it off your self. You will need to have a free hand for the escalator. Otherwise they direct you to an elevator that quickly backs up. If you do self assist, get your self in an early group for debarkation.

[chief30]

Our last three cruises out of FLL we did early walk off. We are off ship by 7:30 and @ the gate at airport by 8:30, we are doing it again in February.

[shepp]

I'd look at how many other ships are in port that morning. The Regal is already bigger than most Princess ships, and if the Behemoth of the Seas and the Norwegian Giant are arriving too, that might slow down the process of getting to the gate; FLL has more than it share of TSA-line back-ups. But sure, if everything goes well...

[MarKay525]

Have you see this recent discussion?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2129142

[AE_Collector]

We caught a cruise right at the curb and were at the airport about 10 minutes later. (The airport is only a couple of miles from the cruise port.)

 

While 10 minutes is exceptionally quick time for a large cruise ship to navigate the streets from dock to the FLL airport, I would suggest cab next time to get you to your flight on time with less damage to public infrastructure etc.....

 

Terry

Edited November 23, 2014 by AE_Collector

[rdsqrl]

While 10 minutes is exceptionally quick time for a large cruise ship to navigate the streets from dock to the FLL airport, I would suggest cab next time to get you to your flight on time with less damage to public infrastructure etc.....

 

Terry

Wow, that had to have been rough on the propeller blades.

Edited November 23, 2014 by rdsqrl

[caribill]

On most USA cruises, gambling ends when the ship enters USA waters.

 

The OP has found a way to continue to gamble once the ship docks.

[Kerry&LuAnn]

While 10 minutes is exceptionally quick time for a large cruise ship to navigate the streets from dock to the FLL airport, I would suggest cab next time to get you to your flight on time with less damage to public infrastructure etc.....

 

You made us chuckle! :D Of course we meant that we caught a cab, not caught a cruise. But our taxi driver really cruised along and got us to the airport in a very short time!

[Carolyn R]

I suggest using EZ Check for your luggage and signing up for early walk-off. You should get to the airport in plenty of time and will be able to proceed directly to security.

[cruiseryyc]

I always love it when people come on and ask this question AFTER booking their flight!! The question would be better asked before booking an early flight. In this case you will probably make your flight.

[caribill]

I suggest using EZ Check for your luggage and signing up for early walk-off. You should get to the airport in plenty of time and will be able to proceed directly to security.

 

Not possible.

 

Earliest flight that EZCheck can be used for at FLL is 11:30AM.

 

OP's flight is at 10:40 AM.

[cb at sea]

OP can take their own bags to the airport...10:40 is totally doable.

[skf]

10:40 is totally doable.

Absolutely correct...we were off the Caribbean at 8:10am and the airport is close to the port.

[candide333]

See how many ships are in port. We missed a 1:00 pm when there was late disembarkation and no cabs picking up. There were 6 ships departing that day. This is a rarity I would bet.

[eandj]

Most likely you will make it. We book flights at 11 or later. Most here will agree that unless you choose to disembark late or you run into delays, you can make it. Make sure you are off the ship by 8:30.

[Happy2Crews]

Thanks all for the posts and giggles.... Love the one about the propellers.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riclop]

So the Regal Princess will be returning on a Sunday morning at 0600 to Ft. Lauderdale. We have a 10:40 flight. Would love to hear from those who previously had early morning flights on a Sunday and how it went for you. Any problems getting off the ship? What is the earliest one can disembark? Enough customs inspectors on hand Sunday mornings? Any issues getting to the airport and making your flight? Your post of your experience would be great appreciated.

 

Thanks so much.

 

We made a 9:40 flight.

[skf]

Double-check with Passenger Services to make sure you get the early departure and when you get your disembarkation package check your colored tag to the list of meeting times. Do remember that if you choose to carry your own baggage you are absolutely on your own...the crew are not permitted to assist in any way.