Departing Flight

[Jim1847]

Hello, my wife and I are taking our first cruise in April 2016. We are scheduled to return to the Port of Fort Lauderdale at 6AM on a Sunday. Would anyone have an idea how early we can book a flight? The cruise line suggests no earlier than 1130 AM. There are flights at 930 AM that are much more affordable that I would like to book. I would hate to take a chance and miss a flight, but has anyone been able to make it to the airport for a flight earlier than 1130 AM. We are flying out of Fort Lauderdale Airport. Thanks in advance.:)

[klfrodo]

If I said that I did it once and made the flight, would that mean the you could book this non refundable flight and make it?

 

This is a first step in researching to help you decide whether to book this flight or not.

 

What is the upside if you make the flight?

What is the downside if you miss the flight?

What is the cost/benefit ratio?

 

Some things to think about should you book this flight and miss it.

 

Does this airline have an interline agreement with other airlines?

how many flights a day does this airline have back to my home airport?

What will new 1 way last minute tickets cost me if I have to purchase?

Will I have money/credit and medications for a couple of nights stay waiting for available seats?

Insurance may not cover any of this additional expense because I booked return flights earlier than the recommended time.

 

 

Bottom line?

Sure, you could make this flight. I wouldn't risk it though

Edited November 5, 2015 by klfrodo

[spookwife]

there is a reason they suggest the time they suggest.

 

so unless you are willing/able to hand carry everything via self disembarkation AND get in the line 1-2 hours beforehand in order to be among the first people off before the Customs line gets backed up,

 

you will have to suck it up and pay the higher price( and yes the airlines KNOW when the bulk of the passengers get off and that's why the demand/price for those later flights are higher)

[Jim1847]

Thanks for quick response. It won't be worth it if I miss the flight, therefore I will book a later flight. The jump in prices is amazing though, and I understand why. Thank you.

[Cuizer2]

Hello, my wife and I are taking our first cruise in April 2016. We are scheduled to return to the Port of Fort Lauderdale at 6AM on a Sunday. Would anyone have an idea how early we can book a flight? The cruise line suggests no earlier than 1130 AM. There are flights at 930 AM that are much more affordable that I would like to book. I would hate to take a chance and miss a flight, but has anyone been able to make it to the airport for a flight earlier than 1130 AM. We are flying out of Fort Lauderdale Airport. Thanks in advance.:)

 

Can you make this flight? IF everything goes has it should and you self debark, yes. If something goes wrong and you end up missing the flight, what is your backup plan?

 

I book my flights at around 5 to 6pm and then take a shore excursion. Ft. Lauderdale offers at least two (and possibly three) interesting shore excursions which will drop you at the airport in time for a late afternoon flight home.

[Schoifmom]

What about booking a flight even later in the day (late afternoon/early evening). I have noticed that the fares typically do down after the cruise business has depleted. Take a few hours and enjoy the last day of your vacation before hopping on the plane, and save a few bucks :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You are wise to book the later flight.

You would not want to end your cruise being stressed about whether or not you would make your flight.

Enjoy your first cruise.

[Jim1847]

Thank you, we are looking forward to it. Do you know if pre-paid credit cards (MC/VISA) are allowed to be used onboard?

[klfrodo]

Thank you, we are looking forward to it. Do you know if pre-paid credit cards (MC/VISA) are allowed to be used onboard?

 

Card has your name?

Yes

Card is just generic and does not have your name?

No, too easy to to forge

[FlyerTalker]

Thank you, we are looking forward to it. Do you know if pre-paid credit cards (MC/VISA) are allowed to be used onboard?

Onboard the ship or onboard the aircraft or both?

 

But KLFrodo has the real answer.

[Host Walt]

Being in Los Angeles, we always have to book connecting flights.

 

So what we now do is book a hotel room for the arrival date, schlepp our luggage to the hotel, rent a car and spend a day or two sightseeing Ft Lauderdale and/or Miami.

 

Our return flight can then be booked with no concern about the actual arrival time of the ship.

[cb at sea]

Waiting HOURS for a flight sucks. Book around noon, and while you'll still have somewhat of a wait, it won't be too bad. You're gonna kick yourself if you're off the ship by 8am!

Edited November 5, 2015 by cb at sea

[Flatbush Flyer]

Hello, my wife and I are taking our first cruise in April 2016. We are scheduled to return to the Port of Fort Lauderdale at 6AM on a Sunday. Would anyone have an idea how early we can book a flight? The cruise line suggests no earlier than 1130 AM. There are flights at 930 AM that are much more affordable that I would like to book. I would hate to take a chance and miss a flight, but has anyone been able to make it to the airport for a flight earlier than 1130 AM. We are flying out of Fort Lauderdale Airport. Thanks in advance.:)

 

 

So, have you figured out why the early flight is cheaper?

[kitty9]

FYI, on board the ship, its cashless except for the casino and any extra tips you might want to give, like for room service. You back your on board purchases via a credit card, bank debit card (not highly recommended due to the fact that the cruise line puts a hold on your funds for up to two weeks) or cash. Cruise lines do not accept pre paid gift cards, unless your name is embossed on the card.

[FlyerTalker]

Being in Los Angeles, we always have to book connecting flights.

I find this a bit difficult to believe.

 

American runs 8 nonstops daily between LAX and MIA. Delta has one as well. If you are going to FLL, there are three daily non-stops on Virgin America and JetBlue has two. You could even take a daily non-stop on Spirit if you have that much of a masochistic bent.

 

So....that's 15 non-stops per day. Just why do you have to book connections?

[Cruisin' Chick]

Just a further explanation of why not to go by the time listed for docking: this is just the expected time, but every once in a while weather conditions can affect the arrival. And even then, the disembarkation process might start late for a variety of reasons. This is the situation for any cruise.

 

The cruise lines will come up with the flight recommendation times to help passengers come up with realistic flights.

[Keith1010]

9:30 AM is pushing it. I would look for something around 11:00 AM.

 

Keith

[kelkel2]

So, I'm kind of the daredevil of travel. I kind of push my limits with what I can get away with booking as far as flights go.

Even I wouldn't book that flight.

Think about it, that's really early. Even if everything went absolutely perfect and you were off the ship by 8am. You still have to get through customs, into a cab and a 5-10 minute drive to the airport. Then the check in line and the security line. It's cutting it close, and that's if everything goes absolutely perfect.

Why end your vacation in such stress? I've seen the security line be very long at the FLL airport on cruise days!

Now, maybe if there was a 10:30 that would be appropriate, especially if you were able to self assist off of the ship.