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Getting off ship on new Orleans in time for 1030 flight

kissmeyoufool

By kissmeyoufool,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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TheDougOut

TheDougOut

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Our flight is tomorrow morning at 11:15am, which makes me nervous.

 

We should be fine if the ship doesn't encounter any issues being cleared, but that's the risk you take.

 

If you're carrying travel insurance - be sure to verify what timespan is required between arrival and plane boarding. An early flight may not be, since we're taking on additional risk.

 

 

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murph1031

murph1031

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I know its not New Orleans, but we sailed on the Getaway two weeks ago. We had an 11.30 flight out of Miami. We did self disembark, and we where sitting in a cab heading to the airport at 7.45 am give or take five minutes. WE ended up sitting at the airport for over 2 hours before we boarded. Still better safe than sorry.

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kissmeyoufool

kissmeyoufool

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I know is a gamble murp1031 but but last time we cruised I got nervous about our flight times and changed them to later this was in Barcelona .

We could have easily got on the earlier flight so I am torn should I book the 1030 flight or not will decide over the weekend booking flights Monday before I have no options left

 

It is also a 3 hour drive home once we land in Halifax

 

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EmeraldCoastCruisers

EmeraldCoastCruisers

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We got off the NCL Dawn in NOLA on November 20th. Did the self embark with taking our luggage off ourselves. We then drove home 3 1/2 hours away with a quick rest stop in between and home by 12:30! We were off the ship and cleared customs by 8:30 and had a walk through the mall to our car parked at the Hilton. I would say it's possible, but tight. We didn't have anyone to rely on like shuttles or taxi's, but with how our process went it could be done.

 

 

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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OP, do you have trip insurance for flight delay coverage, regardless of ...

 

If I am not mistaken, Port of New Orleans is seasonally prone to fog & weather, affecting the ship channel & timely arrival/docking - before you book/confirm your 10:30 flights, might be strongly advisable to check with the locals on the Destination sub-forum here on CC, as they can be invaluable.

 

In addition, border control/immigration and customs can also delay the process even if you have priority self-walkoff and ready to rush to get to the airport - and, can quickly get into a taxi or car service, etc. without waiting or a line ... elements beyond NCL and your control.

 

Personally, we rather deal with sitting at the airport with a longer wait and getting home later ... whether it's a 30 minute drive or 3 hour drive after deplaning, than to deal to MCT (Minimum Connect Time) playing the game of making flight connections & getting to the airport with no time to spare. For a domestic departure out of New Orleans - you would need to be inside the airport at least 1 hour, if not more (if checking luggage) + clearing security screening. From the poster above, your window is under 60 minutes of leaving the port and making your way to the airport - so, ready to roll the dice and feeling lucky ??

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LadyShiva

LadyShiva

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MSY is a mixed bag--I've had check-in lines that my local Metairie family couldn't believe (Southwest, 1.5 hours+ to get bags checked, close to Mardi Gras in February) and we've also made it through to the gate in 15 minutes (with PreCheck). Check a NOLA online newspaper for an events calendar--if you're anywhere NEAR Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras, give yourself extra time.

 

Check the flights for the day after--might be worth the less than $100 hotel in Kenner to get the better flights home to Halifax. As for Kenner hotels -> Crowne Plaza or the Hilton Garden Inn. The Doubletree is also right by the airport.

Edited by LadyShiva
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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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I understood you are eager to fly north home - plan to DIY disembark ASAP - to winter wonderland and go ice skating on the lakes ... JK :D

 

That February sailing is right around President's Week in the USA and tons of school aged will be off school/classes and ship will likely be sailing full, disembarkation could be a circus with lots of pushing & line jumpers - unless you are in a suite or Haven with escorted priority to get off. My gut feeling is that there will be hundreds lined up early & even skipping the morning breakfast to rush off ... with similar "missions" in mind.

 

With luck & the weather goddess aligned and being nice, you have a chance but a minor hiccup, all bets are off and it's game over. Even if your airline & its alliance partner will honor the "flat tire" rules and put you on the (always long around holidays !!) standby lists at no charge on the next available flight - it might be full with few, if any, available seats to fill ... leaving you stranded until the following day. If airfares are similar and not much higher with more time for connections at the airline's hub ?? - isn't it better to have confirmed seats & time in between to eat a proper meal or two (airport food prices are crazy but still better than those $10 snack boxes sold onboard ... if they stock them & don't run out, seen that) ... otherwise, you might be skipping both a nice morning breakfast on the ship for a leisure walk-off and rushing thru the airports with no chance to grab brunch.

 

Hate flying in the winter months as an ice storm could easily shut down airports & ruin flights in the hundreds, if not thousands - just like those blizzards (and, this winter is forecasted to be above average with more frequent snowfalls in the U.S.) Sometimes, it's perfectly fine to go with one's own "gut" feelings and you sounded like you knew already that it's nice to be home for early dinner, but ... too many but's and what if's in this matrix.

(Plus, Mardi Gras & NBA >>>> it's still your own call)

 

P.S. It's always nice to come back here on CC to do post-trip summary & wrap up of the outcome, positive or otherwise and share a lesson for others. Good luck in whatever you choose & happy cruising.

Edited by mking8288
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kissmeyoufool

kissmeyoufool

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Thank you mking8288 for the info I was hoping to get home with out a ton of connections but I realize that is going to be impossible.

That's why I post on CC because that's where u get the best information to make a decision.

Going to book a later flight

Thanks everyone

 

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kenb

kenb

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Please keep in mind TheDougOut was in a suite during his cruise. When we had a suite on our cruise last year on the Dawn the concierge walked through back passages of the ship to bypass the very long lines to disembark. From start to finish we were in a cab in less than 30 minutes.

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TheDougOut

TheDougOut

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Please keep in mind TheDougOut was in a suite during his cruise. When we had a suite on our cruise last year on the Dawn the concierge walked through back passages of the ship to bypass the very long lines to disembark. From start to finish we were in a cab in less than 30 minutes.

 

 

Agree.

 

But we also exited after other, non-suite guests. The priority convenience was that we didn't have to get down there early and wait in line.

 

 

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EmeraldCoastCruisers

EmeraldCoastCruisers

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We weren't in a suite, ate breakfast and honestly lounged a bit with our new friends we met on the ship, went back to our room to get our things and walked off by 8:15 and cleared customs by 8:30. IF we had a flight to catch we would have been able to get out much earlier. It's a gamble, but as TheDougOut shows very doable.

 

 

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katiecat

katiecat

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When I look at the flights offered at 1030 am I have so many options and we will get home way sooner

When flying to Halifax so many connections I could get home with only 0ne instead of 3 or 4 if we get on at 1030

 

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The port is not that close to the airport. I wouldn't do it!

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