FLL Ship to Airport Transfer Timing

[Sweetiepie3]

Hi. I am new to Celebrity. We have a noon flight out of FFL next April, after our cruise on the Ascent. We booked the transfer from the ship to airport. Can anyone advise the approximate time the shuttle leaves the ship if debarking is on schedule? Trying to confirm our noon flight is doable. We don’t usually book flights that early. TIA for your input.

[bob63005]

Noon is easy but taxi or uber is easier than shuttle. A taxi would be about $15 and get you to the airport in 10 minutes. No waiting for shuttle to load and unload. 

[retird]

We always use a taxi

[bikerunner]

I did it once with shuttle, was fine except they wait for the bus to be full.  Like others said take taxi or uber to airport if having an early flight, I have had no issues with flights from 10:30 AM on doing this.  My next flight is 11 and will probably walk off as I will only have a carryon bag to navigate.  

[cruisestitch]

The OP has the shuttle booked and presumably isn’t looking for alternatives. The shuttle will get you to the airport in plenty of time for a noon departure.  Usually they run several buses starting around eight, and it’s a fifteen minute drive to the airport.

[39august]

I understand the transfer is booked. However, a taxi or Uber is faster and cheaper and the transfer can be cancelled if the OP wishes. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, bob63005 said:

Noon is easy but taxi or uber is easier than shuttle. A taxi would be about $15 and get you to the airport in 10 minutes. No waiting for shuttle to load and unload. 

 

The OP can cancel and will receive an automatic refund.  I just wanted to point out that at the taxi, they'll often lie and say it's an unmetered fixed $20 ride.  Therefore before getting into the taxi simply just ask the driver "this is a metered ride around $15, correct?"

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, 39august said:

I understand the transfer is booked. However, a taxi or Uber is faster and cheaper and the transfer can be cancelled if the OP wishes. 

 

Based on our experience with using Uber/Lyft, be sure to ensure one is prepared for 15 minutes of waiting as it's not uncommon for them to cancel for a variety of reasons at the port checkpoint.  Some legally carry firearms for their protection yet those are not allowed in the port and some just get spooked by it and cancel

[phoenix_dream]

3 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Based on our experience with using Uber/Lyft, be sure to ensure one is prepared for 15 minutes of waiting as it's not uncommon for them to cancel for a variety of reasons at the port checkpoint.  Some legally carry firearms for their protection yet those are not allowed in the port and some just get spooked by it and cancel

I never use Uber at Lauderdale. Much easier to just grab a taxi, and often less $$.  Not against Uber but just not the best choice at Lauderdale as you state.

[jwlane]

3 hours ago, Sweetiepie3 said:

 We booked the transfer from the ship to airport.

Waste of $ and time.

[bob63005]

4 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I never use Uber at Lauderdale. Much easier to just grab a taxi, and often less $$.  Not against Uber but just not the best choice at Lauderdale as you state.

Agreed, Always use a taxi to get to FLL. They are cheap and lined up and ride share can be a pain if several ships are disembarking  

[Denny01]

We now Always use taxi. As others have posted: cheaper, quicker, more supportive.

 

We used the ship shuttle Once. Had to wait for the bus to fill. Then some woman had forgot something and jumped off the bus and ran back to the ship and we all waited for another 20min or more. Once we got to the terminal, the bus made one stop and took all the luggage off and we all had to walk to our terminals. Think of the time to fill up a bus (ignore the woman leaving everyone hanging), you pay more and it makes one stop and the driver gets out and unloads all the luggage as you all stand there waiting. 

 

A taxi will take you directly to your specific terminal….and again Cheaper Quicker and handier. There is No reason to use the ship bus system except habit. 

 

Den

[cruisestitch]

6 hours ago, jwlane said:

Waste of $ and time.

Maybe, maybe not.  Sometimes transfers are included in packages.  In those cases the he transfer can’t be cancelled.

[hcat]

if you use a porter for your luggage, you will go right to the taxi line.. asap!

[jwlane]

26 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Sometimes transfers are included in packages. 

Sounds otherwise per OP.

[Denny01]

31 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Maybe, maybe not.  Sometimes transfers are included in packages.  In those cases the he transfer can’t be cancelled.

But for $15 or so, you get much better and quicker service. So just gaff off the ‘transfer package’ and go taxi. 

 

Sometimes the ‘freebees’ arent worth it.

 

Den

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just now, Denny01 said:

But for $15 or so, you get much better and quicker service. So just gaff off the ‘transfer package’ and go taxi. 

 

Sometimes the ‘freebees’ arent worth it.

 

Den

 

I 100% agree as this is FLL where the airport is right by the port.  With the transfer, you may need to wait a bit for it to fill up before it leaves and once at the airport, you have to get off and wait for the luggage to be unloaded.  All and all it COULD add 20mins but a taxi is from point A to point B.  Also, while it is around $15, those cabbies will expect you to pay in cash and add a tip.  Bring a $20 to the casino cashier on a sea day as they'll probably be no one where and ask for a $10, a $5 and 5 $1s or just give the cabbie a $20.  Yet you should talk to the driver before getting in to ask "this is a metered fare that should be around $15, correct?"  You risk having unneeded debate with the driver at the airport otherwise

 

To the OP, have made this trip I'd guess a half dozen times since the pandemic, I ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE I CANNOT MAKE THE FLIGHT  All time record for arriving at the airport was 7:40 am and that was even with Ms. Nuts.  I have made a 843am flight but have airline status, clear and pre-check

[jean87510]

12 hours ago, Sweetiepie3 said:

Hi. I am new to Celebrity. We have a noon flight out of FFL next April, after our cruise on the Ascent. We booked the transfer from the ship to airport. Can anyone advise the approximate time the shuttle leaves the ship if debarking is on schedule? Trying to confirm our noon flight is doable. We don’t usually book flights that early. TIA for your input.

cancel the shuttle and get a cab.  Airport is very close.

[dazey]

We usually take the cab from port to Ft. Lauderdale airport.  Quick, inexpensive.  Have used shuttle a few times - fine if you have lots to time to get your flight.

 

We have a return flight from port in December and leaving from Miami.  Thinking of using ship's shuttle as flight does not leave until 1:30.  Assuming taxi would be more expensive.  Anyone have an idea which is better?

[kywildcatfanone]

21 hours ago, Sweetiepie3 said:

Hi. I am new to Celebrity. We have a noon flight out of FFL next April, after our cruise on the Ascent. We booked the transfer from the ship to airport. Can anyone advise the approximate time the shuttle leaves the ship if debarking is on schedule? Trying to confirm our noon flight is doable. We don’t usually book flights that early. TIA for your input.

Noon flight out of FLL is easy.  If you take the shuttle, they will give you your disembarkation paperwork with when to meet for your shuttle.

[d9704011]

24 minutes ago, dazey said:

We usually take the cab from port to Ft. Lauderdale airport.  Quick, inexpensive.  Have used shuttle a few times - fine if you have lots to time to get your flight.

 

We have a return flight from port in December and leaving from Miami.  Thinking of using ship's shuttle as flight does not leave until 1:30.  Assuming taxi would be more expensive.  Anyone have an idea which is better?

You could consider a taxi to the Fort Lauderdal Tri-Rail station the train to Miami airport.  Much less expensive than either of the options you're currently considering and easy to do.

[Tierun]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

You could consider a taxi to the Fort Lauderdal Tri-Rail station the train to Miami airport.  Much less expensive than either of the options you're currently considering and easy to do.

Tri rail works, but it takes forever 

[Cruise a holic]

23 hours ago, Sweetiepie3 said:

Hi. I am new to Celebrity. We have a noon flight out of FFL next April, after our cruise on the Ascent. We booked the transfer from the ship to airport. Can anyone advise the approximate time the shuttle leaves the ship if debarking is on schedule? Trying to confirm our noon flight is doable. We don’t usually book flights that early. TIA for your input.

I would cancel the transfers.  The bus makes many stops at various terminals- loading and unloading many passengers luggage and the passengers.  Takes long and to me stressful.  I would also call an uber- or lyft- they are all over the terminal and come quickly.

[Sweetiepie3]

Thank you so much for your responses. Based on your comments, it may be best to cancel the shuttle and take a taxi…..lots of time to think about it before making a final decision.

[tigervixxxen]

14 hours ago, dazey said:

We usually take the cab from port to Ft. Lauderdale airport.  Quick, inexpensive.  Have used shuttle a few times - fine if you have lots to time to get your flight.

 

We have a return flight from port in December and leaving from Miami.  Thinking of using ship's shuttle as flight does not leave until 1:30.  Assuming taxi would be more expensive.  Anyone have an idea which is better?

On our last cruise we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale but had a flight out of Miami to go home. We took the Celebrity shuttle for a 12:30 flight and was fine. We had to wait on the bus about 45 minutes for it to get full as there was only one bus departing to the Miami airport. We left about 9:45 and got to the airport before 10:30 and was perfect timing for our flight.