Escape: MIA (10:00 AM) vs FLL (10:45 AM) Delta Flights

[IrishCowboy]

First time sailing in/out of Miami and we have 2 options for early flights on Saturday May 27

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Thanks!

[ColinIllinois]

Both of those are risky. 10:00 out of Miami has been done before as reported by previous posters on here but keep in mind that MIA is an absolute zoo on Saturday mornings. After a nice relaxing cruise I wouldn't want to have to go in to stress mode when I was getting off the ship.

[airkiwi]

I think the advice you'd get from most on here is to do everything you can to fly in the day before travel. If your boat is also leaving that same day you're really gambling if there happen to be flight delays.

 

If for some reason you can only travel that morning I would strong recommend flying into MIA. The transfer from FLL to the Miami port only adds more problems and isn't the most relaxing adventure ever.

 

 

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[ps4125]

I'd be terrified of either of those flight times. We're flying out late in the afternoon. I'd rather have to kill time than worry about missing my flight. I'm a worrier though.

[cruise pup]

I think the advice you'd get from most on here is to do everything you can to fly in the day before travel. If your boat is also leaving that same day you're really gambling if there happen to be flight delays.

 

If for some reason you can only travel that morning I would strong recommend flying into MIA. The transfer from FLL to the Miami port only adds more problems and isn't the most relaxing adventure ever.

 

 

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OP is referring to post cruise flights.

[Pher4Real]

I usually grab a flight after NOON, just in case. There could be any number of reason as to why you can be delayed in disembarking. Customs doesn't clear the ship, too many people self-disembarking, issue locating bags, etc.

[dgparent]

Are you flying to Birmingham, AL ? Why not take the 12:45 PM from FLL ?

 

12:45 PM – 2:39 PM

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Atlanta (ATL)

Delta 2026 · Economy Class · Airbus A321

Average legroom (30")

 

 

3:24 PM – 3:16 PM

Atlanta (ATL) – Birmingham (BHM)

Delta 1626 · Economy Class · MD-80

Average legroom (30")

[beerman2]

Are you flying to Birmingham, AL ? Why not take the 12:45 PM from FLL ?

 

12:45 PM – 2:39 PM

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Atlanta (ATL)

Delta 2026 · Economy Class · Airbus A321

Average legroom (30")

 

 

3:24 PM – 3:16 PM

Atlanta (ATL) – Birmingham (BHM)

Delta 1626 · Economy Class · MD-80

Average legroom (30")

 

45 minutes between fights with a plane change is worse than the OP's times in Fla.

[dgparent]

45 minutes between fights with a plane change is worse than the OP's times in Fla.

 

 

You need to be pretty darn slow not to be able to make a 45 min connection in ATL.

 

Also if they miss the 10ish flights in FLL or MIA and have no status they need new tickets or have to call and pay the change fee, if the flight at 12:45 is late getting into ATL they get put on the next plane free by DL.

 

Going from MIA or FLL to Birmingham AL you are going to change planes no way around that you have to stop in ATL on Delta, the only NS I see is on American at 330 PM

[Oldgoat61]

We have flown out of both, and both of your times are very risky. It also depends on when you get off the ship. Give yourself more time to get to the airport, and through security. Noon or later is best.:)

[laurabegorrah]

We had a loooong delay once with customs clearing us or something. Whatever the reason, the ship didn't start to disembark until after 10am. Thankfully this is rare (and we drove to the pier), but I always think about it when booking return flights and normally don't go for anything before noon.

[IrishCowboy]

I appreciate all the warnings and advice. We are experienced cruisers and understand all the risks.

 

Would still like an answer to the original question.....

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

[dgparent]

I appreciate all the warnings and advice. We are experienced cruisers and understand all the risks.

 

Would still like an answer to the original question.....

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Well according to google maps FLL is 40 mins from the cruise port and MIA is 20 so I am guessing FLL, of course that depends on a myriad of factors traffic, weather etc.

 

Also you must be checked in 45 Mins prior to your flight, not waiting in line, so a Sat morning at a S. FL airport if you are not DM or PM I would say the line would be what 15 mins at least ? So add a hour for check in, 10:45 AM departure means you need to be in line at 9:45, 40 mins from the cruise port so you need to be in a cab at 9 AM.

 

What I don't understand is if you are so experienced why you would ask this question ? You should know what everyone on hear will say, relax and take a later flight.

Edited January 25, 2017 by dgparent

[OneWord]

10:45am

[IrishCowboy]

Well according to google maps FLL is 40 mins from the cruise port and MIA is 20 so I am guessing FLL, of course that depends on a myriad of factors traffic, weather etc.

 

Also you must be checked in 45 Mins prior to your flight, not waiting in line, so a Sat morning at a S. FL airport if you are not DM or PM I would say the line would be what 15 mins at least ? So add a hour for check in, 10:45 AM departure means you need to be in line at 9:45, 40 mins from the cruise port so you need to be in a cab at 9 AM.

 

What I don't understand is if you are so experienced why you would ask this question ? You should know what everyone on hear will say, relax and take a later flight.

 

I ask this question because I wanted some information.

 

As stated in my original post, this is our first sailing in/out of Miami and wasn't sure what the actual logistics would be. We've only sailed out of Port Canaveral and New Orleans. The general rule of them is to not schedule a flight out of Orlando before noon when sailing out of PC, but we've often been sitting at the airport at 9:30 AM waiting on flights.

 

I have access to Google Maps and noticed the distance and estimated times, but was hoping to hear from someone's real life experiences. How crowded is the Port? What is the traffic like on Saturday morning at the Port of Miami.

[packer99]

I would rather be one of the last ones off the ship and sit in the airport for a little than panic to see if I can make a 10am flight.

 

I wouldn't do FLL if you want the 10:45am. It takes 45 minutes just to get there. Then what if customs holds you up, traffic, the ship is late. Too many variables for me.

[trish1c]

First time sailing in/out of Miami and we have 2 options for early flights on Saturday May 27

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Thanks!

 

I would not risk either one of those but that is just me. The Miami port is extremely congested. There is often an accident trying to get out of the port. At least every time we've cruised out of there I saw an accident either as we were boarding or as we were disembarking.

 

Stop going by what time your flights take off & look at what time you have to be at the AP. Do you honestly think you can be at MIA by 8:00 a.m. Remember this is also a crowded international hub. It's about a 1/2 hour drive so you need to be off the ship by 7:30. To get to FLL you need to be there by 8:45. You hit the littlest bit of traffic & you are stuck.

 

Remember, if you miss the flight they put you on the next available flight, not the next flight so you could be there until Monday.

[punkincc]

I appreciate all the warnings and advice. We are experienced cruisers and understand all the risks.

 

Would still like an answer to the original question.....

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Yes, the FLL flight leaves 45 min later, but it's also a 45 min drive away. You'd have to book a shuttle as the cost of a taxi Miami to FLL is high. That might add a little extra time as well.

 

I'd just make sure I'm in line with my own luggage well before 7:30, grab a taxi at the curb, and 15 or 20 min later, arrive at MIA. No hold ups with the ship, traffic or screening and check in, and you should be fine.

[2ManyCruises]

I would have no problem doing the 10:45. Here's what we do. We place our bags in line early usually we're the first or amoung the first group to line up. Then we enjoy our last breakfast come back to our bags and take our position in line. It's a breeze to go through customs no stress when you're first to get off the ship.

 

We have our transportation to the airport pre-arranged. Having already checked in the night before or the morning of we drop our bags with the airline and off to security.

 

Once rookies we used to book flights after 12noon but always ended waiting hours (2-3) for our flight. No more. We detest waisting time at an airport.

[blackwing]

I appreciate all the warnings and advice. We are experienced cruisers and understand all the risks.

 

Would still like an answer to the original question.....

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

I think you got the answer several times.... most people are saying that neither option is particular safe. You say you are experienced cruisers and understand the risk but then you say you want the "best chance" to make your flight. As far as I'm concerned, when I fly, I don't want a "chance" of making it. I want to be assured I will make it and not have to stress.

 

But it seems like you are pooh-poohing people's concerns, so just do whatever you feel comfortable with. As others have said, your FLL option is 45 minutes later but you also have further to drive. If you're going to take a chance, might as well take that 10 AM Miami flight. Pray that the ship isn't late in docking at Miami, doesn't have any issues clearing customs, there are no accidents clogging the road to the airport, the airport security line isn't long, etc. Get up at 6 AM and line up outside the departure door so you are one of the first people off the ship.

 

Plus when you miss your flight there might be more options for rebooking than if you were at FLL.

Edited January 25, 2017 by blackwing

[hugocruiser]

Honestly I would be less concerned with the port and more concerned with how long it will take to get through the airport. Last time I flew out of Miami on a Saturday it took us 25 min just to check our bags and another 45 min in security. It was at least an hour and a half before we made it to our gate. I have not flown out of FLL but I wouldn't risk Miami that's for sure. With a 30 min drive and my experience with how long it took to make it to the gate your plane would leave without you. Could it be done yes, but I wouldn't want to try it unless I was forced too.

[murfette]

We have done 10 am from Miami a couple times. Do walk off with luggage and be first off. We where in suites and had priority escort though. Also we are tsa precheck and flew first class which has separate check in lines. I would not do it though if the above criteria does not apply to you.

 

 

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[Lido_Deck]

First time sailing in/out of Miami and we have 2 options for early flights on Saturday May 27

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Thanks!

 

10:00 AM from MIA is a bad idea.

 

10:45 AM from FLL is a terrible idea.

[zqvol]

45 minutes between fights with a plane change is worse than the OP's times in Fla.

 

Not in ATL, that is plenty of time.

[zqvol]

I appreciate all the warnings and advice. We are experienced cruisers and understand all the risks.

 

Would still like an answer to the original question.....

 

Which option gives us best chance to make flight assuming we are one of the first to debarK?

 

10:00 AM out of Miami

10:45 AM out of FLL

 

I know FLL is further away, but wasn't sure it it was worth the extra 45 minutes for later departure.

 

Neither is good, but IMO the flight out of MIA is the better choice. If you can get off the ship pearly you can be through security at MIA well before 9:00.