Equinox and FLL

[L454S]

Just as an FYI. We left the Equinox this morning (carried bags off), and were sitting at gate B3 in the airport at 7:55 AM. Flight was at 9:55. Could have easily gotten off with call groups and made it in plenty time.

 

Very smooth, no fuss. This was our fourth time through Ft. Lauderdale with 4 different cruise lines, all went that well. Cudos to the port security, customs, and airport security.

Edited December 12, 2015 by L454S

[FredZiffle]

You were fortunate to be the first off the ship. Most of us had to endure an hour in line to get through Customs. I can't believe someone thought that two Customs agents could handle all the US residents getting off the ship.

[Quo Vadis?]

We left the lounge at 10:15 waited in line for an hour. Departures were halted several times because of the backup in the terminal.

[hcat]

WE'll keep this in mind, much easier to walk off since no need to pack tux...and accessories!

[rwb]

Good for you! We spent more than 3 hours in line waiting to check bags at Delta in February, and only made our afternoon flight because a kindly agent pulled us out of line. We've never seen that monstrous a line anywhere before. Kinda soured us on FLL.

[andymattmom]

Just as an FYI. We left the Equinox this morning (carried bags off), and were sitting at gate B3 in the airport at 7:55 AM. Flight was at 9:55. Could have easily gotten off with call groups and made it in plenty time.

 

Very smooth, no fuss. This was our fourth time through Ft. Lauderdale with 4 different cruise lines, all went that well. Cudos to the port security, customs, and airport security.

 

So you did self debarkation, lined up before the time they said to line up? We are on the Equinox on the January 2 cruise. We arrive in FLL on January 11, which is a Monday. I have us on a 10:45 AM non stop flight. Hope we make it, but just want to see how you got off so fast.

 

Thanks! :)

[az_tchr]

You get off fast if the stars align. Customs all depends on how many ships are in port that morning. There are about 15 agents and they divide up. your ship could be assigned as few as 2 or as many as 8! The airport security is another issue. As others said it can take from 5 minutes to . . . . . Have made 9am flight and missed one at noon. You never know.

[chemmo]

I can only say our last experience in this port really was awful. We were in no rush so waited until 9.30 before being escorted down by the Michael's Club host to get our bags and then get in line....

 

The US line seemed to go quite fast but the non US line took forever. There were one or two passengers where there was obviously an issue with documentation resulting in no one moving....One lady in our line passed out and medical assistance had to be called. There were people trying to move forward in line, frantically waving their flight tickets. We let several groups in front of us but other passengers had a more fixed attitude.

 

I am sure we will cruise from here again, it wouldn't put me off but next time I would stay longer in Michael's! I would also never book an early flight, just too stressful.

 

Thanks for reporting your experience, gives me hope for next time!

[Jade13]

Just as an FYI. We left the Equinox this morning (carried bags off), and were sitting at gate B3 in the airport at 7:55 AM. Flight was at 9:55. Could have easily gotten off with call groups and made it in plenty time.

 

Very smooth, no fuss. This was our fourth time through Ft. Lauderdale with 4 different cruise lines, all went that well. Cudos to the port security, customs, and airport security.

 

 

Any off of a transatlantic?

[flamingogal]

Our transatlantic arrived Nov. 9, we did self disembarkation. We went downstairs at approximately 6:45, waited about 15 minutes and were off the ship and through customs by 7:30. We had to wait for a taxi, it was too early for them!

 

We usually book 10am ish flights and always self disembark. We've never encountered any problems, though we always know a problem could happen.

 

Jeanne

[tbmrt]

See next post please

Edited December 12, 2015 by tbmrt
Hit wrong button

[tbmrt]

You were fortunate to be the first off the ship. Most of us had to endure an hour in line to get through Customs. I can't believe someone thought that two Customs agents could handle all the US residents getting off the ship.

Worst ever for us.

 

Perfect cruise - awful ending w/customs