Flights and Cruise

[thisbud]

I have a cruise booked(Celebrity) which departs San Juan at 11pm. I am in the process of selecting flights(cheap ones hopefully!) and have found one that arrives into SJU at 7:22pm. I see the taxi ride is about 30 minutes from the airport to the terminal.

 

Does any experienced cruiser(especially one having cruised from San Juan) feel this is cutting it to clse?

 

Any advice/opinions? Much appreciated! Thanks...

[Tinkerbellcgy]

Yup, it would be too close for comfort for me. Too many things could go wrong.

 

You don't say where you are travelling from or what time of year. Depending on where you are coming from and the time of year you could run into flight delays due to inclement weather or plane problems or any other type of problem. Also, if you have connecting flights there could be delays there too.

 

When I spoke with Celebrity regarding air arrangements for my upcoming cruise, their guideline for a 10:00 p.m. sailing was arrival at the very latest by 6:30 p.m. and the rep indicated that was pushing it to the limit for one to get off the plane, get their luggage, get onboard their transportation to the ship, get checked in at the pier and finally embark.

 

Be good to yourself and go down either a day earlier or earlier that day. Don't forget you are losing your first day on board by coming in so late. Happy sailing.

[Clubber]

I would highly suggest flying in the day before, especially during the winter months. It gives you some room for weather issues, mechanical troubles, luggage, etc... In addition, you've paid for that first day and it's nice to get on the ship early afternoon and treat it like a sea day.

[DiveCruiser]

Way to close if your flight is delayed bye bye cruise

 

Bob

[wrp96]

WAY TOO LATE!!

 

You have to be checked in and onboard the ship by 9:30 for an 11pm departure. General rule is your flight should be scheduled to land no later than 4 hours before you have to be onboard the ship (so 5:30).

 

The pier is 20 to 30 minutes from the airport. So now you are back to 9pm.

 

So you are only leaving yourself 1.5 hours to get your luggage and get transportation to the pier - IF everything goes right with your flights. Considering that less than 75% of flights were on time last year, that's not very good odds that everything will go right with your flights.