Mid afternoon flight from FLL after cruise

[georgiaguy]

Flying on Jet Blue on a mid-afternoon flight post cruise. Any suggestions on how to spend the hours that will ensue at the airport?

[FOPMan]

Take a ship's excursion that ends at the airport. Your bags will also be transported.

 

Some if the excursions opportunities often include a combined bus and boat tour. Your flight can't be before 1 or so-check with your cruise line.

 

If you're on HAL and have HIA, you can use the excursion credit for this transfer.

[georgiaguy]

Seems that it is mostly Everglades and that isn’t particularly interesting to us and we are on Celebrity. Return flight is 3:20pm, so expecting like 5ish hours to kill. 

[FOPMan]

You could take a taxi/rideshare to the Hilton Marina, walk across the street and get on the water taxi and cruise Fort Lauderdale.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

4 hours ago, georgiaguy said:

Seems that it is mostly Everglades and that isn’t particularly interesting to us and we are on Celebrity. Return flight is 3:20pm, so expecting like 5ish hours to kill. 

we usually take a very late afternoon return flight and spend the entire time at the airport. We leave the ship as late as possible and then go to the airport. Most of the time we can drop the luggage off right away, and then we just chill out. There is a virtual library available at the airport if you didn't bring your own materials. We bring our own - I read, DS usually plays on his Switch, and DH just browses the internet and plays games on his phone.

[capriccio]

11 hours ago, georgiaguy said:

Seems that it is mostly Everglades and that isn’t particularly interesting to us and we are on Celebrity. Return flight is 3:20pm, so expecting like 5ish hours to kill. 

The other frequent post cruise excursion goes to Flamingo Gardens (https://flamingogardens.org/).  We take out of town visitors there and haven't had any complaints.  In fact, we'll be there next Friday when our next group of visitors arrive.

 

Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida. Flamingo Gardens is the premier Everglades Learning Center and South Florida Wildlife and Botanical Sanctuary. Flamingo Gardens mission is to depict, preserve, and provide education about the natural and cultural heritage of South Florida and the Everglades in our botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary.

[negn]

Have you considered a day pass to a hotel?  You can find many on line for day pass  I also look for those that include shuttle to airport 

[Josie201]

On 2/4/2024 at 4:35 PM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we usually take a very late afternoon return flight and spend the entire time at the airport. We leave the ship as late as possible and then go to the airport. Most of the time we can drop the luggage off right away, and then we just chill out. There is a virtual library available at the airport if you didn't bring your own materials. We bring our own - I read, DS usually plays on his Switch, and DH just browses the internet and plays games on his phone.

Operations at FLL may have changed.  You should verify you can check in/get through security/drop luggage early.  At least for the terminal we use, the max advance time is three hours. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Just now, Josie201 said:

Operations at FLL may have changed.

in the last 2 months?

[Josie201]

In November at least.  As I said, it may depend on the terminal/your carrier.  We use Air Canada and have never been allowed to check in more than 2-3 hours ahead.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 minute ago, Josie201 said:

In November at least.  As I said, it may depend on the terminal/your carrier.  We use Air Canada and have never been allowed to check in more than 2-3 hours ahead.

it depends on the carrier. We flew back in Nov and checked our luggage in at 11 am for a 6:30 pm Spirit flight.

[FOPMan]

2 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

it depends on the carrier. We flew back in Nov and checked our luggage in at 11 am for a 6:30 pm Spirit flight.

Just confirmed with a friend who IS baggage services @ Spirit @ FLL- Any time same day isn't an issue for them. Maybe even 24 hours prior.

 

Other airlines may have different policies.

 

 

[georgiaguy]

Any thoughts about JetBlue?