Disembarking on the Miracle

[TeacherJenn]

Hi,

 

We are sailing on the Miracle in August and have a 12 p.m. flight out of Tampa. At the time of booking, I didn't think this would be a problem. Now that I have have been reading these boards, I am getting worried.

 

How is disembarking in Tampa? I have been on 2 other cruises and haven't had a problem. Any comments?

 

Thanks!

[Chelsea17]

Hi,

 

Disembarking is very quick and easy in Tampa (as opposed to Port Canaveral) especially if you carry off your own luggage. My husband were off at 7:30AM when we sailed on the Miracle in May. Sorry, can't answer your question about the flight time since we drove.

 

Have a nice cruise.

 

Deborah

[Caliber1]

You shouldn't have a problem, if you do self debark the airport is a short cab ride away. We were on in May as well and didn't do self debark, were in our driveway an hour and 1/2 away by 11:30. Have a great time, the Miracle is a beautiful ship.

 

Jess

[Darcy03231]

Just keep in mind that you have to be able to navigate the channel to get back to port on time. I've sailed out of Tampa three times and have only made it back on time once (the first time). The second time we couldn't get into the channel due to fog. We ended up not arriving in Tampa until noon and we didn't clear customs and make it off the ship until about 2 pm. Luckily we had a 4:30 p.m. flight. The last time I didn't even make it back to Tampa due to Hurricane Katrina, but had booked a 7 pm flight just in case. IFyou make it in on time you should have no problem making a 12:00 flight. Personally, now when cruising out of Tampa I book late afternoon/early evening flights.

[TeacherJenn]

Thank you for your resonses. So does everyone think we should do self check out?? Or does it matter.

[MsMiMi]

Hi,

 

We are sailing on the Miracle in August and have a 12 p.m. flight out of Tampa. At the time of booking, I didn't think this would be a problem. Now that I have have been reading these boards, I am getting worried.

 

How is disembarking in Tampa? I have been on 2 other cruises and haven't had a problem. Any comments?

 

Thanks!

 

Hi, We just got back from Miracle on July 16, we took our time, didn't self embark, ate breakfast and we were still off the ship and with luggage and in the taxi by 10am. Very efficient set up, IMO.

The announcements for the passengers to disembark with self assist (carrying their own luggage) was given around 8:30am.

Once the ship makes it back to the port, you have to wait for immigration to "clear" the ship before anyone is allowed to get off. So if that goes well, then there is no problem... I remember them telling people who had early flights (such as yours), to go to the persers (sp?) desk and get some sort of coupon, to allow them to get off first. (they had to show their e-tickets to get the coupon).

Having said all that, unless the ship runs into complications, I think you will probably make it...

Good luck!

[tankersbabe]

Hi, We just got back from Miracle on July 16, we took our time, didn't self embark, ate breakfast and we were still off the ship and with luggage and in the taxi by 10am. Very efficient set up, IMO.

The announcements for the passengers to disembark with self assist (carrying their own luggage) was given around 8:30am.

Once the ship makes it back to the port, you have to wait for immigration to "clear" the ship before anyone is allowed to get off. So if that goes well, then there is no problem... I remember them telling people who had early flights (such as yours), to go to the persers (sp?) desk and get some sort of coupon, to allow them to get off first. (they had to show their e-tickets to get the coupon).

Having said all that, unless the ship runs into complications, I think you will probably make it...

Good luck!

 

It didn't go well on our return last year.

 

We were blocked by a tanker, then there was the weather (high wind and driving rain), and then the gentleman (who I remember his name very well and what cabin he was in because they announced it soooo many times) that didn't bother to follow directions and clear immigration and we were held up until he decided to finally listen to the speakers and go to the pursers desk. You should have heard the cheer from the lobby when he finally showed up. Hubby and I had resorted to sitting in the casino. We had even watched Shrek 2 in the main showroom while all this was going on.

 

We got off the ship at 2pm.

 

Good luck, and I hope it goes well for you!

[jenn_saxon]

I have never done the self assist. I always have too much luggage to carry. I envison self assist to be crazy, everyone carrying huge suitcases and bags and bumping into people and rushing around. (again I've never done it but thats my imagination, and I know some have early flights and thats their only option) I'd rather relax and take my time, I don't wanna leave! I was on the Mircale in June and had no problem getting off at the regular time. I slept in until 8:00, grabbed some breakfast before they stopped serving at 9. Then just ate, and drank some coffee until they called us the disembark around 9:45, there was a little congestion on the bottom floor but we were in our car by 10:30, no lie. Just keep in mind there will be a little wait and you'll be fine : )

[woodman]

If there is a tanker unloading in the chennel the Miracle is to long to navigate around it I was told. There for the ship tied up at some other peir and we along with all the luggage was bused back to the terminal. You could imagine the confusiion with all the people trying to get their luggage and clear Costoms while all the people that were supposed to board at the terminal were trying to get bussed to where the ship is. I'll never sail the Miracle again for this reason. It happens from time to time and if it does happen on your cruise you may have a problem. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[D4]

We were on the Miracle in June and had a 12:57 flight. We were there a few hours early. We have never experienced such simple and fast embarkation and debarkation as on the Miracle. We did the early flight debarkation which came after the self-assist people.

 

Although there used to be a frequent conflict with the tanker in Tampa, I don't think that's an issue any more. Of course weather or people not clearing immigration could cause delays.

[TeacherJenn]

We don't want to do self checkout. It is easier to have Carnival do it for you.

 

I spoke to American Airlines and if I forsee a problem, they told me to call and they will move us to standby on a later flight. I also purchased trip insurance, just in case.

[Buffettfan 225]

The Miracle last April, was by far the smoothest we have ever had for disembarking. We were fortunate and no trouble in the channel or weather delay. Having a flight at 3:30, we hung out in room as long as possible (9am- as steward politely asked us to leave now.) Went up to Lido dining area- they still were serving food. All clear given at 9:20am- we waited until crowd cleared out, about 10:00 cleared and got luggage in 20mminutes- (even though one piece of luggage was in wrong spot) likely someone else picked it up realized it was not theirs and it was thus misplaced. Caught the Blue One shuttle for $10 back to airport and checked in 20 mintues later. OH-- Despite what you think bring an extra bag--we had to move items being 1 pound over 50 into another bag. Better to have 2 bags and not worry about weight limit.

Tampa is a very nice airport, areas to shop, food, and even Marriott Hotel if need at start or end of trip.

Enjoy!

[suncoastgirl]

You should be fine. The issue with the tanker has been cleared up. I drive past the port each day on my way to work. The Inspiration and Miracle seem to always be in port around 8:15 when I drive past. I am sure they arrive earlier I just don't get to that area until then. The only issues you might have will be with clearing customs and weather. The airport is about 15 minutes from the port. Security at TIA (Tampa airport) runs smoothly. In June I flew on the busiest international travel day of the year and it still only took me less than 5 minutes to clear security,

[walkswife]

On Saturday go to the pursers desk with you flight confirmation... they will give you VIP tags for your luggage..... you will meet in the Phantom Lounge around 8am..... we were in a cab to the airport by 9am and easily made our 11:35am flight .....

[TeacherJenn]

Thanks. These responses are putting my mind at ease.

[CruiseHobbit]

We don't want to do self checkout. It is easier to have Carnival do it for you.

 

I spoke to American Airlines and if I forsee a problem, they told me to call and they will move us to standby on a later flight. I also purchased trip insurance, just in case.

 

It sounds like you have all bases covered. Sometimes problems occur, it sounds like you will take them in stride and not have a heart attack over them(or fake one);) to get off the ship faster.