Flight home

[ronl]

is 11:30 to early for flight home from getting off the ship? I know the ship dock at 6am and have to go through customs do I tell someone at the perser desk what time our flight is or what do I do ?

 

Ron

[sue d. miller]

Yes. Go to the pursers desk with your flight info. They will give you red tags for your luggage the last night. Red tags are first off the ship. Have a great cruise.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[srphnx]

11:30 isn't too early if things go right, we never book that early as things are MUCH more inclined to go wrong when time is tight. I look at it as the time I spend sitting in an Airport is better than the anxiety I get by cutting it close.

 

The ship does dock @ 6 am. however NO ONE ever starts moving till 8 or 9 (when things do go right) and even if you are first off the ship, luggage pickup, cab, airport checkin lines,security lines.. can gobble up time like demons. I am not saying there IS a problem but I have had Murphy travel with me more than once.

 

One open Princess booking

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>

Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02

Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95

<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>

Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04

Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>

West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>

Ecstacy 09/01

<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>

Century 12/97

<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>

Century 9/96

 

[PeabodyNVL]

I think it depends on the port you are at and the airport you are going to. In Fort Lauderdale, 11:30am probably wouldn't be a problem, but I'd think twice in San Juan, after all the horror stories we've heard about the airport there.

 

Sometimes, the ship does not dock at 6am. Sometimes it arrives a bit later. The later it arrives, the later disembarkation starts, as they have paperwork to take care of before they can begin disembarkation.

 

Pea

 

5/9 Golden Princess  

[CruiseFever]

I agree with Pea.

 

We had a 10:30 AM flight out of Fort Lauderdale and made it with plenty of time to kill with the early off tags and a bit of hussle.

 

But the notion that the ship docking at 6:00AM means you'll get off really early is not entirely accurate. We were on a ship several sailings ago that docked at 7:00 AM but Immigration called for a "full inspection" and not one person walked off that ship until 11:30AM. That's rare but it happens.

 

Still, if you're worried about missing your flight there are steps you can take to better your chances of making it

 

Time, we all agree, is what this is all about. Right now see if it's possible to carry on all your stuff and not check luggage going TO your cruise. If you can then maybe you can not check luggage coming FROM your cruise which will save time. After the cruise you will not have to wade through the sea of luggage to find yours. Transporting it from port to airport will be easier. Getting on the plane will be quicker too.

 

Get early off tags for your luggage. Go see the Purser as soon as possible and get that nailed down- you'll not have it looming in the background clouding your fabulous cruise experience. On our Golden cruise we visited the Purser who said our cabin steward would have the red tags needed to get off early but if not come see them. Our steward did not have the tags so we went back to the Pursers desk, flight information in hand, and go them easily.

 

We had early-off red tags (group #2- they color and code them) because if our early flight. Princess requests that you get out of your cabin by 8:30 AM and wait in public areas. (Good idea, our cabin was set up perfectly when we boarded at 11:30 AM) Where we were there were also people tagged much later than our group #2. I asked the man next to me if he was in group 1 and 2 which had been called to which he replied in that snotty tone:

 

"No I am ELITE!"

 

(Indicating having cruised many times with Princess, earning priority disembarkation among a laundry list of other viable perks)

 

To which I replied, "Well I'm still a little plastered from last night so EXCUSE ME for asking your lordship"

 

He didn't find that amusing but the surrounding elbo to elbo crowd got a big kick out of it.

 

 

You don't mention which airline you'll be flying but if it is one that you can print a boarding pass off any computer 24 hours in advance go to the Internet cafe on your ship the day before and do this- big time saver

 

On the morning of Disembarkation get to the place designated for the early off people early. Grab some danish and coffee and take it with you but be there early and one of the first off the ship. They'll call your group but if you wait for that there will already be a pile of people trying to get off.

 

Have your identification and customs form ready and in your hand as you get off the ship and be realistic about declaring stuff that might have gone over the limit. Also, this might not be a good trip to purposely bring home so much stuff that you will need to pay duty on it- check the limits and stay pretty close to them

 

About your ground transportation: If you've done all the above you are now standing at curbside ready to be whisked off to the airport (memorize the layout of the terminal). All that won't do you much good if your ground transport is not waiting. You can get a good limo company and exchange phone numbers- when your ship comes in call to let them know you have docked, call again when you're about to walk off the ship so they will be in position to receive you. If you've docked at Port Everglades, heading to FLL, just grab a cab. There are plenty of them and the airport is just ten minutes away.

 

Between now and then refine and hone your plans. Search this board or post questions finding out the other variables such as time from curb at airport to waiting inside at gate, all checked in

 

Before you go research other possible return flights just in case the bottom falls out of your plans and you have to take a later flight. Good information and quick thinking can get you seats in a first-come-first-served situation.

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

 

[mii]

Last Feb we got off the Coral at Fort Lauderdale and had a 12:05 p.m. flight. They got us off of the ship o.k. but when we got to the airport the lines for security were so long that it took is around 1 hour to get through. We did make the flight but it got quite hairy and we were constantly looking at the clock. The staff did go through the line and found out what flights were getting close to flying so that helped.

 

 

Marilyn

[ahracer]

We got off the Grand on Sunday. We had a 10:30 flight so we got Red tags to be in the first group off. We disembarked just after 8:00 and were checked in, through security and sitting at our gate at 8:45.

 

If every thing goes as planned you'll have no problem making a 10:30 flight. However if there is a delay getting off the ship which can happen you might miss it.

 

Scott

[cruisinsuz]

Yikes! This is what I was afraid of...I was clearly not thinking when we booked our 11:35 flight out of Miami (since we couldn't get into FLL). Anyone had any experience w/getting from Port Everglades to Miami for an earlier flight?

Any tips you have would be VERY appreciated!!

Thanks!

[sue d. miller]

Yikes!!!! Miami!!!! I would call your airline and pay the fee to change the time to at least 2 p.m.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[srphnx]

What Sue says....

 

Which is a good policy in general infact.

 

One open Princess booking

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>

Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02

Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95

<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>

Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04

Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>

West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>

Ecstacy 09/01

<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>

Century 12/97

<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>

Century 9/96

 

[sue d. miller]

I would even say to try for a pre and post day next time . Saves a lot of stress, not to mention going home relaxed.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[srphnx]

Again what Sue says... she sure is smart.. especially about chocolate.

 

One open Princess booking

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>

Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02

Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95

<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>

Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04

Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>

West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>

Ecstacy 09/01

<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>

Century 12/97

<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>

Century 9/96

 

[cruisinsuz]

Believe me, if it were as easy as paying a penalty, not a problem but we are talking frequent flier miles....I have some more investigating to do on this one....thanks for the input!!!

[srphnx]

You can always try.. we are saying don't count on it.. and by all means do your homework, know "what if" before it happens.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cruisinsuz:

Believe me, if it were as easy as paying a penalty, not a problem but we are talking frequent flier miles....I have some more investigating to do on this one....thanks for the input!!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

One open Princess booking

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>

Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02

Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95

<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>

Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04

Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>

West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>

Ecstacy 09/01

<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>

Century 12/97

<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>

Century 9/96

 

[JanC]

Our flight home from FLL isn't until 2:30, so I am not really worried about the time. However, we did not buy transfers from the port to the airport. Is it easy to grab a cab from the port? Or should I call Princess and get a transfer? (not worried about pre-cruise, we are flying in a day early and staying overnight, and the hotel provides transportation.) Thanks!

 

WooHoo, cruisin' again in May 2004!

[ahracer]

I've never had a problem getting a cab. They are waiting right outside the cruise terminal. Cost us $10.50 on sunday which I'm pretty sure is cheaper than the tranfers. Also you don't have to wait for a bus to be filled. You hop in the cab and go.

 

Also the FLL airport will not allow you through security until 2 hours before your flight time which can be a major hassle.

 

 

Scott

[JanC]

The transfers thru Princess are $10/pp and there are 4 of us, so that would be $40. I don't care about the money (did I just say that LOL!)I just want to make sure I get to the airport. And we have always bought the transfers, so this is our first time not doing so.

 

WooHoo, cruisin' again in May 2004!

[Jerlyn]

I have noticed that everyone has said how easy it is to get a cab. Last October (Halloween) we had 5 ships in port at the same time,and it was almost impossible to get a cab. But that was a Saturday and it seems like everyone is talking about Sunday. I would love to try again but that was a nightmare for me. So this November I think I will be the transfer.

 

Good luck to all of us.

Jerlyn

[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Believe me, if it were as easy as paying a penalty, not a problem but we are talking frequent flier miles....I have some more investigating to do on this one....thanks for the input!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

If you can't change the flight to later in MIA or a similar or later time from FLL I think you're in trouble. If it were me and I had non-refundable fares I'd call the airline and beg for mercy. If I didn't get a merciful reservation specialist on the first call I'd try again and again with a different one before I gave up and faced the gloomy alternative: I made a mistake, I'll learn from it, and move on.

 

One thing for sure that you need is flights that work.

 

Again, if it were me, I'd start a new search right now, before I called to beg for mercy with my current booked airline and have some alternative flights picked out. The fact is, the flights between 11 and Noon are very popular while the later in the day ones are not, especially the 5 to 6:00 departing ones. The right flight reservation specialist might find a swap an attractive alternative...but that's a real long shot.

 

I am assuming that you booked these yourself? If by chance your TA booked these that's a whole other story

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

 

[CruiseFever]

Jerlyn- good point!

 

Here's a little number to tuck away in your cruise stuff someplace in case you need ground transportation in Fort Lauderdale at the last minute...or if you want to schedule in advance just to be safe.

 

Will from Castro's Limousine Service has handled our ground transportation needs in Fort Lauderdale for the last three trips there and done a splendid job. They drive very nice Ford Excursions so they can handle a lot of luggage. They're readily available at the port whenever ships are unloading passengers or the airport at other times or on A1A at night just to drive people around. Their number is 954-593-9052 and they do a really nice job at a reasonable, cab-like price.

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

 

[JanC]

Jerilyn, We are coming in on Saturday, so I need to re-think this. Our ship alone has 3300 passengers!

Chris, thanks for the info on Castro Limo Service. I will give them a call and get a price. This board is great!

 

WooHoo, cruisin' again in May 2004!

[cruisinsuz]

OK-you guys scared me enough that I sucked it up and paid $100 per ticket (x4) to fly out of FLL instead of Miami at 12:05 (please don't tell me that is too early!). The penalty is because the routing had to be changed and now we connect at LGA to get to DFW. Oh, well. Thanks for the information!

[sue d. miller]

You will feel much better on that day!!!!

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CruiseFever]

It was a tough situation and I think that is the most viable option. You should be fine with a flight leaving at 12:05. Ours left earlier and we had plenty of time.

 

Still, take precautions, plan ahead, and get off the ship early.

 

Also we should keep in mind what was said above in mind about a potential situation developing causing a shortage of cabs if there are several ships in port.

 

I would check the Harbor Masters Report closer to your sailing. You can see how many ships will be in port at the same time as yours and plan accordingly. As reported above, if there are 4 ships in port at the same time that could be a problem.

 

There's a link to that report on this page:

http://www.lifeiscruising.com/ft_lauderdale

 

Glad you got that taken care of.

 

Just curious...which airline and how were they to deal with in this situation? (If you don't mind saying)

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[cruisinsuz]

Thanks for your responses. Chris, I don't mind at all telling you of my experience w/American.

I knew that if I was changing the routing (from MIA to DFW over to FLL to DFW) would cost the penalty, but was forewarned by a very helpful AA rep last week that if we missed our 11:35 flight out of MIA, that standing by for any other flight that day did not look good as they were all overbooked. Otherwise, I would be willing to take the chance. When I called today, the rep was very helpful and tried to find an alternative to paying the penalty, but since we are returning on July 3, holiday travel was very heavy and you could forget it. Now at least I feel good about it and I will also make sure I have reliable travel from the port to the airport. Thanks again!