When Can You Actually Disembark in SanJuan on CCL?

[skiwindham]

Timing is critical on whether we can book on the Destiny...the only return flight that works leaves San Juan at 9:15am Sunday morning.

 

I know the ship is listed as arriving at 7am and the airport is only a few minutes away. And I know actaul disembarkation times vary with the potential for delays.

 

But how likely is it to actually leave the boat by 7:30? What expereiences have you had?

 

We need decide now (sailing in 2 weeks) on whether to book this cruise...this is the only cruise/flight combination that works for us.

 

Thanks!

[karen_cpa]

Regardless of what port you are disembarking from, I think you are cutting it way too close. If the ship isn't arriving until 7am, you will be lucky if they start disembarking people by 7:30. I don't think you would be able to get through airport security in enough time. My experience with the SJ airport is prior to 9/11, and I don't remember it being too pleasant. I would imagine security is much tighter now!

 

Also, if you are checking luggage, I believe there is a 30-45 minute rule - if your luggage is not on-board within 30-45 minutes of flight time, it won't make it. This happened to me a few years ago and it was not fun trying to track down my luggage after the fact!

 

IMO - you are cutting it way too close!

[serene56]

I dont think you will ever catch that plane with any cruise...even at other ports. 9:15?? you would have to be at the air port by 8:30 at least

to check your luggage.

 

YOu just had a wonderful relaxing vacation and I do believe you will waste precious cruise times stressing if you would make that plane or not.

 

Just because a cruise lines state that we will be docking at 7:00 doesnt mean you can get off at that time....Customs gotta come onboard and clear the ship. People dont always pay their accts off and think they can jsut leave the ship. THings do happen. (On our VIctory cruise we arrived at 7am but didnt start getting called off til almsot 10am)) May I suggest that you book the later flight and hopefully go for standby when you arrive at the airport.

[cruisead]

There's absolutely no way you're going to make that flight. There are many things that have to happen in order for passengers to begin disembarking. They have to clear the ship via Immigration and Customs (and if the non-US citizens don't report on time, there's a delay), they have to off load all the luggage (literally thousands of pieces) and put them in order in the terminal, officials with dogs inspect the luggage, passengers have to take care of their room charges if they didn't pay using a credit card, After all that you have to leave the ship, search for your bags, find a porter if you need help, stand in a long line to go through Customs, find your transportation to the airport (depending on which dock you're at the ride to the airport could take as long as 30 minutes), stand in a long line for check in, stand in another long and very slow line for security, and make your way to the gate. Even if you start getting off the ship by 8, you still won't make a 9:15 flight. Every cruise line tells you not to book any flights before noon.

[yankfan]

I agree w/the others..we usually take risks on the early flights to not sit arround the airport in San Juan - but I really don't think you should take this risk.

[JanetMarie]

Oh my! The airport is a lot farther away than you think. Traffic!!! We have been stuck in that highway traffic at times!!! I wouldn't think of taking a flight out of San Juan before high noon. The other thing is that they are doing construction in the airport area. Lots of factors for you to consider! And you need to get through customs, too.

[CCLNCLRCICRUISER]

skiwindham

 

Although I wouldnt want to cut it that close, Destiny makes special arrangement for passengers with flights before 9:30am. Here's a page from the Destiny Capers outlining that fact.The info is in the lower right of the page.

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/159004777/159038860hFonRL

 

Again, I wouldnt risk it, but many have had early flights and been successful.

The ship usually gets to San Juan about 5-5:30, eventhough the official docking time is 7am.

 

***********************************************

I wanted to add this. Here is the actual exeperience of a Canadian with an early flight and the procedure she went through on Sunday Morning.

 

We were told to bring our etickets to the Pursuers desk so they could make sure we would be the first off the ship Sunday. We had to do this before Wednesday.

 

The boat actually docked at 5:00 am.

 

On the day of disembarkation, being Canadians we had to go through a separate immigration clearance, which was surprisingly quick.

We then went to a “meeting place” where we met the other four people who were on our early flight out. At exactly 7:00 am a Carnival person came, escorted us to the gang plank where the officer had a list of six names, checked our ID and off we went.

 

I had the Carnival transfer to the Airport coupon, but we were told to take a cab ($ 8.00 ea). At 7:20 we were in the airport!

 

It worked out great!

 

It turned out to be an advantage having an early flight! No disembarkation mega-line!

 

[skiwindham]

The link to the Caper confirmed that there is a strong possibility of making a 9:15am flight!

 

I'll try and book that cruise now.

 

Thanks again!