Flight Times from Miami

[jus4fun]

What is the earliest flight time would you suggest when returning from a cruise at Port of Miami? I found a great price, but my return flight has me departing at 9:30am the morning we return to port. Any suggestions?

[Pika8347]

Hi Jus,

 

I'd say 9:30 is just cutting to too close! The earliest my travel agent has ever recommended is an 11:30 a.m. While I've only cruised two times, I believe Carnival does disembark passengers based on flight departures. Still, 9:30 seems way to early. IMHO.

[krazy4kruisin]

Go for It! Live dangerously. You will probably make it! And so what if you don't?

[gypsyrose]

I think I'm pushing the limit by booking 11 flight home. Deinitely would not recommend 9:30. Unless you don't mind waiting in the airport for another flight and possibly paying extra for it. Seems too risky.

[betcat]

I say go for it and then when you make it back home you can go to the cruise critic boards and tell everyone why you should not book before noon! You will be are expert!

[landyn]

I just got off the Victory this past Sunday and was sitting at my gate at 8:15 am for a 10:22 flight. The self disembarktion worked great.

[yst347]

Just like the replies on this thread, I would say your chances of making the 9:30 flight are 50-50. :D

[jiggs]

I've made it to the airport before 8:00am before, but it is risky and nothing is for sure. I've also been on ships that we were still waiting to clear customs at 8:00 am...9:30 is early, but not impossible. For me it would depend on what day I was flying out. If it is a saturday or sunday, I'd hesitate to book, because the later flights will likely be full. Many times on the weekend, return airfare is cheap in the morning and late in the evening, this is because the remaining flights are full of cruise passengers

[DCcruising]

I always book a flight that leaves around 11:30am. We do the self disembark, and usually arrive at the airport by 9am. You never know how long Customs will take to clear the ship before they start letting folks disembark, sometimes it takes a long time. Or you could hit bad weather and be late coming into port. I wouldn't do a departure time that early, its just too much that could go wrong.

[yst347]

Another consideration is your luggage. You will need to check your luggage 45 minutes before departure or it will not be accepted. That means you must be at a check-in kiosk or counter handing your luggage over by 8:45. While this can be done it can also easily be missed for a myriad of reasons from delays clearing customs to an accident on the freeway.