Fort Lauderdale to San Diego Flight The Earliest You have booked?

[marluvs2go]

I usually book after noon but just wondering if anyone has been successful or missed a flight with a 10 am or so flight after disembarking in Fort Lauderdale.? Thanks  

[Gigi1977]

I’ve never booked a flight before 11:30 in Ft Lauderdale.  The cruise port is very close and in a perfect world, you could make a much earlier flight but there are far too many ‘what if’s’.  

We do a Caribbean cruise out of FLL at least once a year and always fly home the day the ship returns to DFW.  I would say 75  percent of the time, we could have made a 10 am flight - but I won’t book them because of that 25 percent and the nightmare that would come with missing the flight.  
It can be done - IF the ship is on time, there aren’t too many ships coming in, there aren’t any problems with disembarking, (taxis are not a problem), lines through security at the airport aren’t too long . . . (The last time we were there, they had closed precheck line.)  I don’t recommend it. 

[Krazy Kruizers]

JMO -- I would not want to be stressed whether or not I could make a 10 AM flight.  Book a flight after Noon.  Too many things can happen causing the ship to arrive late.  OR the ship may not be cleared right away for whatever reason.

[seagarsmoker]

30 minutes ago, Gigi1977 said:

I’ve never booked a flight before 11:30 in Ft Lauderdale.  The cruise port is very close and in a perfect world, you could make a much earlier flight but there are far too many ‘what if’s’.  

We do a Caribbean cruise out of FLL at least once a year and always fly home the day the ship returns to DFW.  I would say 75  percent of the time, we could have made a 10 am flight - but I won’t book them because of that 25 percent and the nightmare that would come with missing the flight.  
It can be done - IF the ship is on time, there aren’t too many ships coming in, there aren’t any problems with disembarking, (taxis are not a problem), lines through security at the airport aren’t too long . . . (The last time we were there, they had closed precheck line.)  I don’t recommend it. 

Exactly our experience - 75% of the time we would make it. Our biggest "unknown" time element is getting off the ship and picking up luggage and going through customs. Examples, a few years ago, one piece of our luggage could not be found. That was almost a hour delay while they looked for my suitcase and then filling out paperwork. We found out later, someone took my suitcase which looked similar to mine. Another time we spent almost two hours in the customs line as they were short on agents. On both of those occasions, we made our 11:57am flight, but never would have made it by 10:00am. 

[CruiserBruce]

This is discussed daily on the Ft Lauderdale board because it is a ground logistics issue. If you can carry off your luggage, a 10:30 flight is doable. Some will go for as early as 10am. Just walk off and grab a cab.

[kazu]

I’d never book a flight that early.

I don’t like stress and worry.  And, I hate missing flights.  I’d rather be there early and kill some time than be sweating bullets.

 

If all goes well as others have said, yes it can be done with self disembarkation, but, I’ve also seen disembarkation delayed, hold ups due to Customs/Immigration (whatever the right term is), etc.  And, horrific lines at FLL for security.  It depends on the day and the flights.

Each to their own, but if you do it, have a plan B if you miss the flight.  Myself, I’d be booking an 11:30 or after.  Ours normally go around 1:30 pm and that’s fine.  I know how to kill a bit of time enjoyably 😉 

[drowelf]

If all the stars align and everything goes right, it can be accomplished, but why risk it? Booking a later flight only costs you a few hours and no stress at the end of your vacation? 

[tallnthensome]

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

Try this forum as it’s discussed daily and this isn’t a Holland America related question .

[DaveOKC]

I have been to my airline gate before 10 am several times, but never have booked a flight before 11:30 AM.

 

Edited October 22, 2019 by DaveOKC

[marluvs2go]

Thank you All! Booked at 11:45.