Celebrity Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

[herickim]

Help please. I am new to Cruise Critic who would like to have a Live Chat with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo of Celebrity Cruise. On the Cruise Critic website, I went to Community/Live Chats and clicked on Lisa Lutoff-Perlo only to find the past archived Live Chats. But, I could not figure out how do I start a new chat? I see no icon any anything to click on to start it.

 

I have another question. We are taking a transatlantic cruise and Celebirty Constellation is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale Port Evergladesat at 5pm. By what time do we need to be at the Port not to miss the ship? Our plane does not arrive FLL until 2pm. Do we have enough time? We are light traveler and only have carry on bags (no checked bags). For now, we have budgeted the times, 20 min for plane taxing from the runway to the gate, 20 min for us to be off the plane, 20 min to get a cab and 20 min for the cab to get to the port. Is it reasonable time budget? Thanks, Eric

Edited January 18, 2016 by herickim

[Andy]

Help please. I am new to Cruise Critic who would like to have a Live Chat with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo of Celebrity Cruise. On the Cruise Critic website, I went to Community/Live Chats and clicked on Lisa Lutoff-Perlo only to find the past archived Live Chats. But, I could not figure out how do I start a new chat? I see no icon any anything to click on to start it.

 

I have another question. We are taking a transatlantic cruise and Celebirty Constellation is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale Port Evergladesat at 5pm. By what time do we need to be at the Port not to miss the ship? Our plane does not arrive FLL until 2pm. Do we have enough time? We are light traveler and only have carry on bags (no checked bags). For now, we have budgeted the times, 20 min for plane taxing from the runway to the gate, 20 min for us to be off the plane, 20 min to get a cab and 20 min for the cab to get to the port. Is it reasonable time budget? Thanks, Eric

 

Hi Herickim,

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

As for chatting with Ms. Lutoff-Perlo, here on Cruise Critic ? There is no option for that. Ms Lutoff-Perlo participated in a "Live" Question & Answer session, this past July. The thread remains open, for review purposes only. Believe me, I'm sure many of us would like to have a chat with Ms. Lutoff-Perlo, but I wouldn't count on it happening. Have you considered emailing concerns@celebritycruises.com ? They may be able to assist.

 

Regarding your 2 pm arrival in Ft Lauderdale... I feel you are cutting it close. Assuming the plane arrives on time - you should be fine. However, with air travel delays ever increasing, there's the rub. Any significant delay, and there's a chance you could miss the ship. In addition, you must be at the pier and checked in, no later than 60 minutes prior to the published sailing time, or you may not be permitted to board. Frankly, I wouldn't want to start my vacation with so much stress. Can you possibly take an earlier flight, or fly in the day before ?

 

Hope this helps. Have a wonderful cruise !

Edited January 18, 2016 by Host Andy

[gopro63]

one thing I must ask will you miss the Muster Drill. if so what next?

[MicCanberra]

Your 2pm flight is theoretically fine as the airport is only 1/2 hour away but if anything delayed your flight, it may be very consequential. Personally, I would rather be arriving the night before or early that morning.:D

Edited January 18, 2016 by MicCanberra

[wallie5446]

Help please. I am new to Cruise Critic who would like to have a Live Chat with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo of Celebrity Cruise. On the Cruise Critic website, I went to Community/Live Chats and clicked on Lisa Lutoff-Perlo only to find the past archived Live Chats. But, I could not figure out how do I start a new chat? I see no icon any anything to click on to start it.

 

I have another question. We are taking a transatlantic cruise and Celebirty Constellation is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale Port Evergladesat at 5pm. By what time do we need to be at the Port not to miss the ship? Our plane does not arrive FLL until 2pm. Do we have enough time? We are light traveler and only have carry on bags (no checked bags). For now, we have budgeted the times, 20 min for plane taxing from the runway to the gate, 20 min for us to be off the plane, 20 min to get a cab and 20 min for the cab to get to the port. Is it reasonable time budget? Thanks, Eric

 

To tight a time frame, even in Ft Lauderdale. Change to an early flight.

 

And I don't know of a web sight that a CEO of any Corporation maintains a live chat option.

Edited January 18, 2016 by wallie5446

[casper106]

You need to fly in the day before the cruise too many things can go wrong as others have also stated. As for contacting the CEO, you will need to do that directly and even then you will most likely get some exec farther down the ladder.

[kencr]

Ft.Lauderdale we were in a hotel 1/2 the distance to the terminal than airport. It took at least 1/2 an hour. Traffic jams and construction plus driver went to wrong ship.

Added to this our flight was delayed 3 hours the day before.

A 5 o'clock sailing mean terminal closes at 4 pm. In winter, arrive the day before.

[az_tchr]

one thing I must ask will you miss the Muster Drill. if so what next?

If you miss the muster drill you were then required (escorted if necessary) to a make up session that has been held at 8pm on my last several cruises. It is US law that every passenger and crew must attend one on every cruise.

 

Also agree that the OP needs to enjoy their vacation and if at all possible fly in the night before. That way if anything goes wrong - about 50 things - then you still make the cruise.

[cl.klink]

I strongly agree, I'm afraid, that a 2 pm arrival is too late. If the plane lands on time, and you get a cab quickly-ish, you'd be fine. But, those are big ifs, and you are not in control of them. Delays or cancellations in air travel are common. If you are not en route to the pier from the airport by 3:30 or so, I'm not sure you'll make it. And, since it's a transatlantic, you would not be able to fly ahead and board the missed ship for a week or so.

 

I would not plan to fly into a cruise city on the day or the cruise. Even if I were, I'd want it to be the earliest in the day possible.

 

Sorry. Do what you have to, but move that arriving flight.

 

- Joel

[AuntieSasa]

I have to agree with the "cutting it too close" theme. I always fly in the night before or worst the earliest flight I can get in the morning. For me, flying out of Chicago any time from Nov-March is hit or miss with weather related delays and cancellations, so that extra day is a must.

[misty57]

I have to agree with the "cutting it too close" theme. I always fly in the night before or worst the earliest flight I can get in the morning. For me, flying out of Chicago any time from Nov-March is hit or miss with weather related delays and cancellations, so that extra day is a must.

Agree! One year we even left 3 days early as the weather was forecasted to be bad on the day we were scheduled to leave via Midway. We had to change our flight and hotel reservation but it was worth not having to stress about getting out in time. We also always stay over near the airport when we fly out in the winter. That drive from south of I80 can be frightful in bad weather.

[davekathy]

OP...if at all possible change your flight. Being stress is no way to start out your Cruise.

Edited January 18, 2016 by davekathy

[SFL]

one thing I must ask will you miss the Muster Drill. if so what next?

 

If you miss it, they will 'invite" you to an evening private muster drill in one of the ship's congerence rooms, the first night

[Aunt Tina]

Considering that half your cruise is going to be missed if you miss the ship and have to fly to the first port, you want to make sure you get to the ship on time. Last year my flight to a cruise from San Juan was canceled; and my flight out of San Juan was canceled for three days. They were willing to take us to Philadelphia but could not get us into Rochester.

 

Several years ago our flight to Ft. Lauderdale was canceled the day before a cruise, and rescheduled for the next day - the day of the cruise, but through West Palm Beach. The voucher the airline gave us for the Supper Shuttle wouldn't work on their schedule. The limo driver they then hired for us got in a major traffic jam on 95 and had to detour to the turnpike to get to the ship on time. We were one of the last ones on the ship! Even two days in winter may not be enough.

 

If you booked through Choice Air they would be availble if you needed help, booking yourself you are on you own.

[Atocha Shipwreck Gal]

Help please. I am new to Cruise Critic who would like to have a Live Chat with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo of Celebrity Cruise. On the Cruise Critic website, I went to Community/Live Chats and clicked on Lisa Lutoff-Perlo only to find the past archived Live Chats. But, I could not figure out how do I start a new chat? I see no icon any anything to click on to start it.

 

I have another question. We are taking a transatlantic cruise and Celebirty Constellation is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale Port Evergladesat at 5pm. By what time do we need to be at the Port not to miss the ship? Our plane does not arrive FLL until 2pm. Do we have enough time? We are light traveler and only have carry on bags (no checked bags). For now, we have budgeted the times, 20 min for plane taxing from the runway to the gate, 20 min for us to be off the plane, 20 min to get a cab and 20 min for the cab to get to the port. Is it reasonable time budget? Thanks, Eric

 

Hello & congrats on a great cruise. The Constellation is my favorite ship! We live part of the year in Fort Lauderdale and I fly in and out of that airport an average of 30 times a year. and I can tell u that you really must change your flight. You have a three hour time difference coming from California so I realize that 2PM FLL time is really 11am Calif time. Your flight is 4 hours so you are leaving at 7am on what is likely the first flight of the day. But FLL airport, although close to the port, has delay issues all the time. If the weather is stormy in FLL, they will not land whereas at other airports they will land in bad weather. You are taking a huge risk flying in so close. And I am very adventurous but I think u run a fair risk of missing the cruise. Definitely fly in the day before. It will cost you to change the flight but that is better than missing half the trip!

[bravostar]

We are flying to FLL for our Celebrity cruise on Sunday and we are flying in on Friday just to make sure. Even from the East Coast I would never fly in the day of. Not worth the stress.

I concur with the majority. Change your flight and enjoy your cruise.

[rjrpar]

I always arrive a day early, too much downside of your plane is late

[MicCanberra]

I wouldn't risk getting in that late but just make sure you have insurance in case.

[Giorgi-one]

You are doing a transatlantic cruise with a carry-on bag. Surely you jest. I'm on Candid Camera, right?

 

As far as flights. Don't bother changing the time. Change the day. Never fly to embarkation port on the same day. Anything could go wrong. It is rare today that any flight arrives on time.

 

Also, according to Celebrity website "Failure to check-in and be onboard 60 minutes in advance will constitute a no show. Your booking will be cancelled and cancellation charges will be assessed."

 

Bon Voyage

Edited January 19, 2016 by Giorgi-one

[ChiGal1962]

That late of an arrival would make me far too nervous. I've never had serious delays getting in, but don't like to take the chance. I always fly in to the port city the day before. Then can get on board no later than early afternoon and start enjoying my vacation!

[kitty9]

You have to be ON the ship 90 minutes before departure----not in line checking in, but actually on the ship. For your cruise that means you have to be on board but 3:30. It takes upwards of 15 minutes to check in, so you need to be in the terminal by no later than 3:15. I just don't see how you're going to make it.

[alcpa1]

Welcome to Cruise Critic, herickim

Another experienced cruiser here who actually has been on Candid Camera!

Celebrity requests that you be onboard 90, not 60, minutes prior to the ship's departure. This is to meet the guidelines set by Homeland Security, not capriciously by the cruise line. The manifest must be submitted before the ship is cleared to depart. The only instances that any ship might be held is for is a LARGE group booked via the cruise air program, or a security issue. The ship will not be held for a few stragglers.

Change your flight or absolutely risk missing your cruise departure. Even if you have insurance a missed departure due to faulty planning will not be covered.

In your calculations you have estimated on the low side and failed to include the pre-boarding check in process too.

Once again do change your flights.

[dodger1964]

While I totally disagree with the "you must fly in day before" comments many people make (some would insist on flying in 2 or 3 days early....just in case!), If i had a transatlantic cruise that is what I would do.

 

We have flown in day of departure for at least half of our cruises, and that included 3 European cruises where you fly overnight and arrive the morning of departure, and one San Juan cruise.

 

The way I figure is if we had missed the ships departure, it would have been fairly easy to get to the first port (1 or 2 days later).

 

On your trip, that is not the case.

 

I would be curious if choice air has booked passengers on your same flight(or even later arriving flights). It that is the case you would have some insurance.

 

Most flights arrive on time, just depends on your risk tolerance.

 

Let us know outcome and have a great cruise!

[MicCanberra]

I am wondering why the flight arrives that late, Is it totally down to the west to east coast time difference and flight time and the earlier flight actually leaves the day before or is there an earlier flight on the same day that will give you an extra 1 to 2 hours wriggle room.

Edited January 19, 2016 by MicCanberra