Earliest you'd consider from FLL

[nbsjcruiser]

Just curious how fast Princess self disembarkation is and what's the earliest flight you would consider from FLL. I'm thinking I'd easily do 10AM but I'm curious what others either have done or would consider. We're sailing on the Royal Princess on a 10 day in February and the ship returns on a Friday so its not like there will be 7 or 8 ships in that day. The Royal might actually be the only ship in that day.

 

thanks

[CruiserBruce]

This topic is commonly discussed on the Florida Departures board. Doubt I would be comfortable with a flight before 10:30, but some reading over there would find those that are. There are MANY threads with many opinions.

[JF - retired RRT]

You can check the number of ships in port on any given day here: http://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-from-fort-lauderdale-florida.html

[blkspy]

We did Walk off on the CB on the 17th. We were at the gate by 8:10 am. I book flights around 9:15 am if im doing walk off. Princess will always say 11am or later. Ive flown to Newark and at my house by noon.

 

Barring some delay. If you do walk off. You can be at the airport by 8am easy......a flight eaving after 9am is not only doable.....its a no brainer. IMHO

Edited December 27, 2016 by blkspy

[khalubear]

Domestic flight you would be okay. Flying to canada not so much

 

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[Todd320]

Just curious how fast Princess self disembarkation is and what's the earliest flight you would consider from FLL. I'm thinking I'd easily do 10AM but I'm curious what others either have done or would consider. We're sailing on the Royal Princess on a 10 day in February and the ship returns on a Friday so its not like there will be 7 or 8 ships in that day. The Royal might actually be the only ship in that day.

 

thanks

 

Big difference between what you can make and what your comfortable with.

I routinely make 7:30 to 8:00 AM flights off the Regal/Royal in FLL. However, I can change flights at no cost so I have nothing to lose. If I had to eat the cost of a missed airline ticket then for me it would be 11:00 AM or later.

 

In my experience it has not made a difference if there are nine or one ship in port.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Todd320

[sunsetbeachgal]

On a weekday return I would be comfortable with 10 am or after and would still do self disembarkation.

 

 

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[easyboy]

I have read previous posts on making the 10am or earlier flights. Barring any ship delay and the proximity of FLL, it could really be doable. But we have always preferred to be on the safe side and avoid stress of worrying on the last day. We take flights not earlier than 11am.

 

 

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[OCruisers]

Another who would not even consider booking a flight from FLL before 11 AM.

[donaldsc]

Yours is about the 10,000th post on this subject on CC. The answer you will get will be the same as the other 9,999 people got. You can almost certainly make it but why rush if you can get a later flight.

 

DON

[Pam in CA]

I've disembarked in FLL and several times, the ship wasn't cleared for disembarkation until after 9am. People were crying and begging to get off the ship but were told there was nothing that could be done.

 

What the OP isn't taking into consideration is that February is vacation time in south Florida and even on a Friday, the airport will be jammed. It's not just cruise ships in port but winter vacationers who they should be thinking about. I've had it take up to two hours to just get through check-in and security.

 

Count me as someone who wouldn't consider booking a flight before 11am. It's just not worth the possible anxiety and stress to me. I've seen too many things go wrong.

[Todd320]

I have not seen Global Entry mentioned so I will. We have gotten off the ship at terminal 2 in Port Everglades in the middle of disembarkation to find a very long line UP stairs with no movement. We pulled out our plastic GE cards and were allowed down the escalator and straight to a very short GE line without stopping. It saved a lot of time.

[wheezedr]

Just curious how fast Princess self disembarkation is and what's the earliest flight you would consider from FLL. I'm thinking I'd easily do 10AM but I'm curious what others either have done or would consider. We're sailing on the Royal Princess on a 10 day in February and the ship returns on a Friday so its not like there will be 7 or 8 ships in that day. The Royal might actually be the only ship in that day.

 

thanks

 

On the 20th we disembarked the Royal in the B walk off group. We were scheduled for 6:40 but they opened the doors for us at about 6:25. We were in the cab before 7:00 and at FLL by 7:30. Had 1 bag to check with Virgin, no line. Cleared security with short TSA pre line, but even the regular line was only 5-10 mins. We were at the gate by 8:00AM for a 10:10 flight. This was a Tuesday with only 4 ships in port and I think we were first to arrive. Port Everglades is supposed to have the mobile passport app up and running but it was not working but the regular CPB line moved fairly well as the bulk of our shipmates were carrying US passports.

Would check when your arrival is and would certainly suggest self walk off. None of the luggage was out to be picked up by the time we left

[lovevacadays]

Just sailed the Regal and did early walk off. I was checked in and through TSA pre-check by 8:00 am. With that said, I still wouldn't book a flight much earlier than 11 am because I wouldn't want the stress should there be any type of delay.

[Colo Cruiser]

10:00am would be the earliest we would book.

[TracieABD]

I think I am a big old risk taker... Next time I go out of FLL, I will probably shot for the 8:20 am. With that said, I would have a contingency plan, and be willing to pay for a flight change. I also would only do this if I had carry-on bags. I have to add the caveat, that I have global entry, which would expedite things at court and at the airport. The next flight goes out 10:30.

[Steelers36]

Domestic flight you would be okay. Flying to canada not so much

 

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Flying to Canada from FLL is no different than flying domestic.

 

The main requirement for anyone cutting it close is that bags must be checked 60 mins before flight time. You might get 45 mins with some domestic carriers, so not much different - and some are 60.

 

With carry-on, it's no different.

[Clownfish Cruiser]

Great information! I've been stressing whether we booked our flight out of FLL too late (around 1:00). The earlier flight option was at 10-something a.m. I just didn't want to press my luck and picked the later one!

[Sch-uite Sailing]

We booked a 1pm out of Ft. Laud. but disembarking out of the Miami Port. That should be plenty of time

 

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