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

[Son of a son of a ...]

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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Agreed. Also, spend the $$ on a porter to get through customs faster.

[zqvol]

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.

 

You check in online. The issue is the TSA line, not the lines at Delta or whichever airline the OP is using.

[Heather1972]

No to both flights, they are too EARLY!

[riclop]

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!

 

Miami is better.

[tlreze]

I have done flights around those times from both places....I personally think the FLL is riskier. We had a 10:30 out of FLL and didn't have much spare time even using self depart. In Miami we have always gotten there pretty quick that early in the morning.

[momto2js]

In October off of Getaway, we were in the car at 8:10. We did self carry and we all have passports. I think that is the best case. In that case you could be in a cab about the same time. At MIA by 8:40 giving you 80 minutes before the door is closed.

 

For FLL, again best case, you arrive at 9am. That gives you 105 minutes before the door is closed. Now the further away, the more chance for an accident or traffic jam and it is less likely you are head of those coming off Harmony in FLL.

 

I honestly think it is a toss up. Price and connection options and the viability of back up plans would also factor into the decision.

[jjc8]

Sailed out of Miami twice last year with flights out of FLL. Both times were waiting at the gate by 11. Both times did walk off and uber to the airport. If you make an effort to get off the boat quickly you can make it.

 

 

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[beerman2]

Sailed out of Miami twice last year with flights out of FLL. Both times were waiting at the gate by 11. Both times did walk off and uber to the airport. If you make an effort to get off the boat quickly you can make it.

 

 

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Waiting at the gate by 11:00, How long before 11:00 the OP has a 10:45 flight.

[beerman2]

Not in ATL, that is plenty of time.

 

I've connected through ATL before and we had to run to make it. So it can happen!

[2ManyCruises]

Agreed. Also, spend the $$ on a porter to get through customs faster.

 

If you're with first group off the ship there's no need for a porter. There's no lines no wait.

We sailed The Escape twice in 2016. Both times we did express walk off and was at FLL about 8:45am. We have a short flight to BWI and arrived home while many was still waiting at the airport. How sad.

 

I wonder how many commenters have actually had the courage to try this. And how many are committing from actual experience.

 

I will say though that as we get older our thoughts on this will probably change.

Edited January 26, 2017 by 2ManyCruises

[Tedj6050]

I have made a 10 am flight out of Miami on three separate occasions.

It's nice to be home early. just do the self walk away off as early as possible and get a cab and instead of a shared shuttle.

I was off the ship by 730 and at MIA by 8.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Tedj6050

[JinxyB]

I would choose the Miami flight. I made a 10:05AM flight before but was sweating it BIG TIME!! Never again. I was first off the ship on a Monday morning and grabbed a cab. Did curbside check in and had a 20 min wait in security. My gate was the farthest possible away and they started boarding when I arrived.

 

This was on Carnival Victory 2 years ago and I don't think the ship was even at the pier until 7:30, was off by 8:00 or 8:15.

[SaveFarris]

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!

 

With that tight of a time crunch, it may come down to something really simple like what the other people on your shuttle are flying. Delta is in the 2nd terminal in FLL but is the next to last at MIA. If everyone else on the MIA shuttle is flying American & United, you may be sitting on the bus a few extra minutes.

 

Also keep in mind that's a holiday weekend (Memorial Day). Expect larger than usual traffic.

 

Good luck!

[OneWord]

If you're with first group off the ship there's no need for a porter. There's no lines no wait.

We sailed The Escape twice in 2016. Both times we did express walk off and was at FLL about 8:45am. We have a short flight to BWI and arrived home while many was still waiting at the airport. How sad.

 

I wonder how many commenters have actually had the courage to try this. And how many are committing from actual experience.

 

I will say though that as we get older our thoughts on this will probably change.

 

Like

[blackwing]

If you're with first group off the ship there's no need for a porter. There's no lines no wait.

We sailed The Escape twice in 2016. Both times we did express walk off and was at FLL about 8:45am. We have a short flight to BWI and arrived home while many was still waiting at the airport. How sad.

 

I wonder how many commenters have actually had the courage to try this. And how many are committing from actual experience.

 

I will say though that as we get older our thoughts on this will probably change.

 

Not really sure why the need to comment "how sad" that people are at the airport while you were home, or why the need for the dig at people about lacking "courage". Everyone is different. Some people like to take risks. Some people like to play it safe. It's the same reason why some people will never step foot in a casino, while others will bet $10,000 on Black and think nothing of it if they lose.

 

Trying to catch an early flight is along the same lines. You might make it, you might not. You take a risk but you can get rewarded by being home early. The flip side is that if you miss your flight, you have the hassle of trying to make arrangements to find another flight, or finding other means of transportation home, etc. As long as you are OK with accepting either outcome, then go for it.

 

But I've seen too many consequences of missing a flight. I was at the Orlando airport renting a car for a Disney vacation back in October on the Saturday right after the hurricane passed through. The rental car line was well over an hour, and many people in the line were people with no reservations who were coming off of cruise ships that were delayed because of the storm. Hundreds or thousands of people missed their flights, subsequent flights were all booked, and many were trying to rent a car and didn't have a reservation. People were crying and begging. Someone offered me $500 to transfer my reservation to them.

 

Just way too much stress about the thought of missing a flight. On the converse, so what if you are sitting at the airport for a few more hours. Read a book, watch Netflix, have a cup of coffee, enjoy a nice lunch. After you get back home from your cruise you are back to "regular life" so why not relax during the last few hours.

 

Like I said... everyone is different. One person's way is not necessarily another's, and neither are necessarily wrong.

[dinette]

Not really sure why the need to comment "how sad" that people are at the airport while you were home, or why the need for the dig at people about lacking "courage". Everyone is different. Some people like to take risks. Some people like to play it safe. It's the same reason why some people will never step foot in a casino, while others will bet $10,000 on Black and think nothing of it if they lose.

 

Trying to catch an early flight is along the same lines. You might make it, you might not. You take a risk but you can get rewarded by being home early. The flip side is that if you miss your flight, you have the hassle of trying to make arrangements to find another flight, or finding other means of transportation home, etc. As long as you are OK with accepting either outcome, then go for it.

 

But I've seen too many consequences of missing a flight. I was at the Orlando airport renting a car for a Disney vacation back in October on the Saturday right after the hurricane passed through. The rental car line was well over an hour, and many people in the line were people with no reservations who were coming off of cruise ships that were delayed because of the storm. Hundreds or thousands of people missed their flights, subsequent flights were all booked, and many were trying to rent a car and didn't have a reservation. People were crying and begging. Someone offered me $500 to transfer my reservation to them.

 

Just way too much stress about the thought of missing a flight. On the converse, so what if you are sitting at the airport for a few more hours. Read a book, watch Netflix, have a cup of coffee, enjoy a nice lunch. After you get back home from your cruise you are back to "regular life" so why not relax during the last few hours.

 

Like I said... everyone is different. One person's way is not necessarily another's, and neither are necessarily wrong.

 

Well said ;

[OneWord]

edit

Edited January 26, 2017 by OneWord

[2ManyCruises]

Not really sure why the need to comment "how sad" that people are at the airport while you were home, or why the need for the dig at people about lacking "courage". Everyone is different. Some people like to take risks. Some people like to play it safe. It's the same reason why some people will never step foot in a casino, while others will bet $10,000 on Black and think nothing of it if they lose.

 

Trying to catch an early flight is along the same lines. You might make it, you might not. You take a risk but you can get rewarded by being home early. The flip side is that if you miss your flight, you have the hassle of trying to make arrangements to find another flight, or finding other means of transportation home, etc. As long as you are OK with accepting either outcome, then go for it.

 

But I've seen too many consequences of missing a flight. I was at the Orlando airport renting a car for a Disney vacation back in October on the Saturday right after the hurricane passed through. The rental car line was well over an hour, and many people in the line were people with no reservations who were coming off of cruise ships that were delayed because of the storm. Hundreds or thousands of people missed their flights, subsequent flights were all booked, and many were trying to rent a car and didn't have a reservation. People were crying and begging. Someone offered me $500 to transfer my reservation to them.

 

Just way too much stress about the thought of missing a flight. On the converse, so what if you are sitting at the airport for a few more hours. Read a book, watch Netflix, have a cup of coffee, enjoy a nice lunch. After you get back home from your cruise you are back to "regular life" so why not relax during the last few hours.

 

Like I said... everyone is different. One person's way is not necessarily another's, and neither are necessarily wrong.

 

We all take risk. The ship could arrive at port late say 12noon or after. In that case many will miss their flight. There could be a major accident after the express walk offs are at the airport tying up traffic for hours. In either case those with later flights could miss them not relaxing, reading a book or watching Netflix.

 

The majority IMHO seems to feel that it's too risky to take an early flight but many do and have never had an issue. Early or late both have there risk. We all do what's most comfortable for us.

[IrishCowboy]

Thanks everyone for the responses. really appreciate those that have shared their past experiences with early departure out of Miami.

 

Fortunately for us, some seats at a reasonable cost opened up on the Delta 11:00 AM flight out of Miami and I am very confident we can make that flight. :)

[js]

Thanks everyone for the responses. really appreciate those that have shared their past experiences with early departure out of Miami.

 

 

 

Fortunately for us, some seats at a reasonable cost opened up on the Delta 11:00 AM flight out of Miami and I am very confident we can make that flight. :)

 

 

Perfect. I would most certainly bok that flight. Just take your bags off and line up early. Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

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[Capitan52]

Just got off the escape last Saturday. Walked off with luggage. Got in line at 7:30 and was off the ship by 7:50. Used Uber to get to Fort Lauderdale airport and arrived at 8:45 am. So, baring any problems, you should be okay.

[chriscec2012]

Last few times we've sailed from Miami I always book an early flight. We are on the escape February 25 and have a 9:28am flight back to Raleigh. If you get up around 5:30am, do self walk off, grab a cab or Uber and you can easily be at Mia by 7:30am. All of this is assuming there are no issues with ship being late but I fly a lot and can get on another flight for free if we happen to miss the 9:28am so I'm not worried, if I didn't have that option I would probably wait and book later.

[Fiona2011]

Last few times we've sailed from Miami I always book an early flight. We are on the escape February 25 and have a 9:28am flight back to Raleigh. If you get up around 5:30am, do self walk off, grab a cab or Uber and you can easily be at Mia by 7:30am. All of this is assuming there are no issues with ship being late but I fly a lot and can get on another flight for free if we happen to miss the 9:28am so I'm not worried, if I didn't have that option I would probably wait and book later.

 

Um, not if they don't start debarkation until 7:45, as was the case just a couple of weeks ago when I was on the Escape. You are lucky that you can get a later flight easily and for free, but most of us don't have that option. I agree with the walk off as soon as you can and grab an Uber. We were quickly through customs and zipped right to the airport. Lots of that lounging around time, lol.

[zqvol]

Thanks everyone for the responses. really appreciate those that have shared their past experiences with early departure out of Miami.

 

Fortunately for us, some seats at a reasonable cost opened up on the Delta 11:00 AM flight out of Miami and I am very confident we can make that flight. :)

 

With an 11:00 flight you don't even have to rush off the ship, you can take your time.