Freedom of the Seas - what time does self embarkation start

[serene56]

For some reason air fare for our return date is horribly sold out. But there is a flight at 10am that is still there.

Next flight out is not until Wed.

 

Freedom leaves from Port Canveral- airport is MCO- Orlando

[coasterjan]

Yikes. I booked a 12:05 flight out of Orlando on Nov. 15, which is already causing me sleepless nights worrying about whether we can possibly make it....

 

I'm hoping to be off the ship by 7:30 am, but have no idea if that's even possible.

Janis

[cb at sea]

I wouldn't try a flight that early...it's AT LEAST an hours drive to the airport....gotta get thru security....too early. The noon flight is ok...stop worrying!

Edited October 30, 2015 by cb at sea

[judymag]

Yikes. I booked a 12:05 flight out of Orlando on Nov. 15, which is already causing me sleepless nights worrying about whether we can possibly make it....

 

 

 

I'm hoping to be off the ship by 7:30 am, but have no idea if that's even possible.

 

Janis

 

 

You'll be fine we self disembarked in September and were sitting waiting for our shuttle for 30 minutes were collected at 9 left a couple at the airport and universal studios and were in our motel at 11:30 if u get an early shuttle you'll be fine

[judymag]

For some reason air fare for our return date is horribly sold out. But there is a flight at 10am that is still there.

Next flight out is not until Wed.

 

Freedom leaves from Port Canveral- airport is MCO- Orlando

 

 

That's a bit to close for comfort could u get a flight from another airport for later in the day and drive by hirer car

[lv2bcruzin]

10:00 am is a bit close, but 12:00 is absolutely ok. It will still take 30-45 minutes to self disembark, 45-60 minute drive to the airport, so to be safe you're looking at 2 hours before you are even to the airport. Your bags need to be checked 1 hour prior to departure on most airlines. So, if all goes well and quick you might have a fighting chance, but it will basically have to be about perfect.

 

We've left multiple times out of Orlando around 12:00 and have had no issues.

Edited October 30, 2015 by lv2bcruzin

[loudbmw]

We just got off the Freedom of the Seas last Sunday and did self express debarkation (you carry your luggage ashore) - very smooth in our case.

 

Since we had a 12 hour drive to Virginia, we wanted to get an early start. We lined up at the forward gangway at 6:15 am. At that time, there was already a short line in front of us at the gangway. By 6:30 am there were a lot of people coming down and the line extended down the port side of the outside deck 4 promenade (yes - that's the smoking side). The ship's staff did a great job of directing folks to the end of the line (no cutting). At one point, the end of the lines for both the forward and aft gangways met on deck 4.

 

The announced self-debarkation time was scheduled for 7:00 am but they started early at 6:45 am. In the terminal, there are 3 ways down to customs; elevator, escalator and ramp. The escalator requires a free hand, elevator and ramp does not. There was no line for the elevator so we took that which saved a bit of walking. There were plenty of customs agents and no lines when we arrived at customs.

 

We were parked in the terminal garage so we loaded up our bags and were on the highway at 7:00 am. Lining up at 6:15 seemed to make a huge difference. Sure we waited 30 minutes for them to start debarkation but the plus was no line at customs.

Edited October 30, 2015 by loudbmw

[monctonguy]

I have done the P.C quite a few times..would not want to take a chance on anything before noon to be not stressed. Maybe 11 if you're desperate, but that would be pushing it.

 

I have flown back using the Melbourne airport before...closer, quicker, much smaller so less busy and no huge long security lines to worry about either.

[serene56]

That's a bit to close for comfort could u get a flight from another airport for later in the day and drive by hirer car

 

any idea what airport is close enough-- that we can check

[msmayor]

Both Tampa and West Palm are about a 2hr drive from Port Canaveral...maybe they have better flight options? Its a longer travel day but in all honesty a 10am out of Orlando is really a tough time to make. Depending on the time of year, the security lines there can be a nightmare because of Disney.

[coasterjan]

We just got off the Freedom of the Seas last Sunday and did self express debarkation (you carry your luggage ashore) - very smooth in our case.

 

Since we had a 12 hour drive to Virginia, we wanted to get an early start. We lined up at the forward gangway at 6:15 am. At that time, there was already a short line in front of us at the gangway. By 6:30 am there were a lot of people coming down and the line extended down the port side of the outside deck 4 promenade (yes - that's the smoking side). The ship's staff did a great job of directing folks to the end of the line (no cutting). At one point, the end of the lines for both the forward and aft gangways met on deck 4.

 

The announced self-debarkation time was scheduled for 7:00 am but they started early at 6:45 am. In the terminal, there are 3 ways down to customs; elevator, escalator and ramp. The escalator requires a free hand, elevator and ramp does not. There was no line for the elevator so we took that which saved a bit of walking. There were plenty of customs agents and no lines when we arrived at customs.

 

We were parked in the terminal garage so we loaded up our bags and were on the highway at 7:00 am. Lining up at 6:15 seemed to make a huge difference. Sure we waited 30 minutes for them to start debarkation but the plus was no line at customs.

 

Thank you so much for this information! I will most likely be awake half the night anyway, so being in line by 6:15 should be easy enough.

 

Being new to Royal, can you tell me where we should wait to debark? Which floor? I'm not at all familiar with the layout of Freedom of the Seas yet, but I will hopefully have it figured out by the end of the week!

The other line I've cruised has us wait in the theater or bar on deck 3, not allowed to wait anywhere near the gangway, and I've waited in the "wrong" spot before, making for a miserable time trying to get off the ship.

Thank you so much!

 

Janis

[happycruisers1011]

Thank you so much for this information! I will most likely be awake half the night anyway, so being in line by 6:15 should be easy enough.

 

Being new to Royal, can you tell me where we should wait to debark? Which floor? I'm not at all familiar with the layout of Freedom of the Seas yet, but I will hopefully have it figured out by the end of the week!

The other line I've cruised has us wait in the theater or bar on deck 3, not allowed to wait anywhere near the gangway, and I've waited in the "wrong" spot before, making for a miserable time trying to get off the ship.

Thank you so much!

 

Janis

 

 

Deck Four... Boleros for Aft and the Schooner Bar Fwd.

 

We arrived just before 0700 and we where queued up through the casino ( Boleros aft) and moved right along and to the car at 0730

[aloha43]

No way would I risk that. Any delay, what so ever, could be devastating. Cruise delay, disembarking delay, traffic delay, etc. No way. :eek:

[GTO-Girl]

any idea what airport is close enough-- that we can check

 

Check the Melbourne and Sanford airports.....

[frank808]

Got off the enchantment this friday and there was an accident on 529. Took over an hour and half to get to mco. Like others have said 10am is ony doable if ylalmoat everything goes right. I would not chance it.

[coasterjan]

Deck Four... Boleros for Aft and the Schooner Bar Fwd.

 

We arrived just before 0700 and we where queued up through the casino ( Boleros aft) and moved right along and to the car at 0730

 

Thank you! Noted in my cruise notebook.

:-)

Janis

[serene56]

Being new to Royal, can you tell me where we should wait to debark? Which floor? I'm not at all familiar with the layout of Freedom of the Seas yet, but I will hopefully have it figured out by the end of the week!

The other line I've cruised has us wait in the theater or bar on deck 3, not allowed to wait anywhere near the gangway, and I've waited in the "wrong" spot before, making for a miserable time trying to get off the ship.

Thank you so much!

 

Janis

 

I think that is all universal- you should not be hanging out at the gangway waiting to get off. (safety and all that hooha) Even royal will tell you where to be at a certain time. (some lounge and then get escorted off as a group) if you are waiting in the lounge you might not be able to get off with that group

[Firefighterhoop]

I would not risk that flight. That is way too early. The earliest you would be off the ship and into a cab/shuttle is 730-800.. then waiting for the shuttle to fill up (If you are taking a shuttle). Getting to the airport, waiting in line to check in, and then waiting in line for security.. No I would not recommend that at all.

 

However, Coasterjan. a 12pm flight should be fine as long as you carry your own luggage off. Do NOT book the Royal Caribbean transfers as you have to wait for the entire bus fill up.

 

I have used a private shuttle company the last few times, and I have been at the airport by 9-930.

[RuthlessBoss]

No way would I risk that. Any delay, what so ever, could be devastating. Cruise delay, disembarking delay, traffic delay, etc. No way. :eek:

 

Delays? imagine what's happening on the late Oasis arrival this morning:eek:

[Mnamom1105]

Did you check Melbourne Airport? IT is a NICE small airport to fly in and out of. They only do a few airlines, but sometimes flights are more available/cheaper from there.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Melbourne, Daytona, MCO, and Sanford are the closest 4 airport (all about an hour drive).

 

Sorry, there is no WAY I would chance a 10AM flight from Orlando. You're supposed to arrive at Orlando (especially if you're checking luggage) 2 hours before your flight. That means you need to leave PC no later than 7:15AM (45 minute drive minimum). That means you'd need to be off the ship by 7.

 

Everything would have to happen perfectly. Any little goof... customs running late, your ride not ready, a little bit of traffic, heavier than normal security, etc, and you miss your flight.