Post-cruise, pre-airport in Tampa

[Guest nemo2005]

We have a 3pm flight on the day we debark from the Grandeur. Family of 5 - what do we do between off-the-ship and needing to be at the airport. I imagine there is at least a 3 hour gap there. We are wishing to bypass the aquarium. What happens with our luggage once we are off the ship? Is it possible to shuttle to the airport and check our bags in the AM? Thanks!

[signman]

I would shuttle or cab it to the airport. Check in at the counter and check your bags. Put your carryons in a locker. Then take a cab to International Plaza just outside the airport and kill a couple of hours. Maybe there are stores you don't have at home. Lots of good dining choices too.

 

http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/

[balconyview]

Has anybody tried checking bags in early at the airport? My TA said he thought 2 hrs early would be the max.

[balconyview]

We checked our bags at the cruise terminal for 5 bucks. Lots in that area near the terminal. We took a streetcar to Ybor City, cigar making area of Tampa, with shops and restaurants.

[popcorngal]

Sorry, but since 9/11, lockers are no longer available. We just got off the Miracle two weeks ago and Tampa airport is very easy. We were at the airport before 10 for a 3 pm flight. We got off the shuttle, a skycap grabbed our luggage and in two minutes we were all checked in and free of our big bags. We had no line getting through security and another ten minutes we were at our concourse having a snack. Absolutely painless. You just have to take the train to get to your concourse.

 

Ft. Lauderdale is the only place we have been told we couldn't go through security until two hours before our flight. Even with that, we still checked our luggage when we arrived at the airport with no problem. I just don't think Lauderdale airport is really geared up for all the cruise passengers they handle. Their security checkpoints are a nightmare!