8:30am flight??? San Juan

[PIED PIPERS]

Thinking of booking the galaxy in feb.Was wondering if booking a 8:30am flight was to chancy to make.I know the get in to san juan at 6am how early do they let you off?

[NSBFloridaRetiree]

Thinking of booking the galaxy in feb.Was wondering if booking a 8:30am flight was to chancy to make.I know the get in to san juan at 6am how early do they let you off?

 

Do not book a flight before noon. You won't be off the ship early enough.

[TravelerThom]

Thinking of booking the galaxy in feb.Was wondering if booking a 8:30am flight was to chancy to make.I know the get in to san juan at 6am how early do they let you off?

IMO it is highly unlikely that you could make that flight. It generally takes about an hour to clear the ship with the authorities before anyone can get off, but even if you carry your bags off at 7am you still have to clear Customs, get a taxi, get to the airport, check-in, clear airport security and get to your gate. This is ASSUMING that your bag meets airplane carry on limitations. Not saying it couldn't be done, but I'd gladly wager a large sum that you wouldn't [and I only bet on "sure" things (NEVER in the ship's casino)].

[cruisinfanatic]

Thinking of booking the galaxy in feb.Was wondering if booking a 8:30am flight was to chancy to make.

Funny

[grandsix]

Only a miracle will allow you to make this flight. Our advice, do not book anything before 12pm.

[aldesonia]

We did the Galaxy 2 weeks ago and had a 10:00am flight we did not have any extra time an we got in at 5:00am I don't think you can do it hope this helps. AL

[nps001]

During my cruise, Galaxy arrived in SJ very early..perhaps 5am. However, the ship wasn't cleared until almost 8am. I wouldn't take the chance.

[jollyjones]

I just got off the Galaxy and altho' we made it into San Juan before 6am, they didn't appear to clear the ship before about 7.30am and then there were very long delays at Immigration (not the ship's fault) - I think that the first people off the ship could perhaps have made a 10am flight if they were lucky.

[PIED PIPERS]

Finally some up to date good imformation thank you. I,ve done this boat twice new it ot in really earl but didn,t know if it was possible thank you again

[Lois R]

I just got off the Galaxy and altho' we made it into San Juan before 6am, they didn't appear to clear the ship before about 7.30am and then there were very long delays at Immigration (not the ship's fault) - I think that the first people off the ship could perhaps have made a 10am flight if they were lucky.

 

Hi, welcome home:) I sail her on Friday:D, not tomorrow...next Friday:)

I hope you had a wonderful time:)

 

To the OP, I wouldn't book a flight that early.

Unfortunetly my flight home doesn't leave till 3:20pm:eek:

So I have all day in San Juan. I could not find something

in the noon hour so I will be in the airport for a good long while:rolleyes:

[chessbriar]

X says not to make any flight plans before 10:00. As you read from one persons experience the 10:00 was a squeeze. San Juan airport flying on Mondays and Fridays is actually quite pleasant. It's only a nightmare on the weekends.

 

Have a great cruise

[cruisestitch]

I just got off the Galaxy. The people checking in just before me had not allowed enough time -- the agent told them that they require 3 hours lead time between check-in and departure at San Juan. You'll never make an early flight. Also, remember that you have to go through an extra security line (USDA) and have your bag x-rayed before you can check in to the flight, and there is only one machine for this with long lines there. An 8:30 a.m. flight is not just chancy, it's impossible.

[Lois R]

Hi Rick, Happy New Year to you and your family:)

[dkjretired]

Finally some up to date good imformation thank you. I,ve done this boat twice new it ot in really earl but didn,t know if it was possible thank you again

 

 

I don't think you would have a chance of making it unless real lucky, I would also not like to have it on my mind all week, "am I going to make the plane." Just seems it would take some enjoyment from the cruise.

 

Good Luck...

[mardon]

we took a cruise out of San Juan and on our return (day to disembark) our flight home was 9:30 a.m. We didn't get off the ship until 9:30 and by the time we got our luggage and then cab to the airport, of course we missed our flight. We then had to pay $50 extra for a new ticket and didn't get out until close to l p.m. Don't think that is a good idea. Too early in the morning flight.

[cabo de hornos]

Although I've not experienced San Juan as yet, I think it's fair to say that no matter what port you are in, you would be taking a real risk to book so early a flight.

 

From our own experience in Miami, we had booked a relatively early return flight (about 10:30 I think, which fortunately was moved by DL to about 2 hours later (or maybe even the first flight was dropped).

 

As it turned out, a pax or two tried to smuggle in contraband (gee, funny how the dogs can be so friendly around innocents), and the entire ship did not begin to clear until about 9:45. Now in our case, there was another issue with an insufficient number of pier porters that really could have meant a disaster for some folks (and maybe even did).

 

So in spite of otherwise perfect conditions, matters out of your control can result in missing a flight home, so.....think carefully.

 

My two Tums

 

Cabo

[jennifers490]

I just got off the Galaxy. The people checking in just before me had not allowed enough time -- the agent told them that they require 3 hours lead time between check-in and departure at San Juan. You'll never make an early flight. Also, remember that you have to go through an extra security line (USDA) and have your bag x-rayed before you can check in to the flight, and there is only one machine for this with long lines there. An 8:30 a.m. flight is not just chancy, it's impossible.

 

slightly off-topic but i was told by the airlines checking in at san juan that you dont have to go through the usda line if you keep the cruise luggage departure tag on your bag...apparently they do some sort of check at the pier before you get your bags...does anyone else know if this is still true? it was last november and in feb (not sure why no one ever tells passengers this)

[wlbox]

we have a 9:45 am flight out of San Juan.... now I am a bit concerned. Never thought it would be a problem since the ship got in at 5am.

[cruisinfanatic]

we have a 9:45 am flight out of San Juan.... now I am a bit concerned. Never thought it would be a problem since the ship got in at 5am.

But know one gets off then. The ship has to be cleared by immigration. And then there's the matter of getting 5000 pieces of luggage off the ship. Even if everything went absolutely perfect and you were off by 7 by carrying your own luggage, and in a taxi by 7:15 (not likely) you'd get to the airport by 7 :35 - 7 :40. You would have no problem if all that happened.

[Hflors]

Thinking of booking the galaxy in feb.Was wondering if booking a 8:30am flight was to chancy to make.I know the get in to san juan at 6am how early do they let you off?

 

On one of our Galaxy DH and were standing on the promonoade deck watching the luggage being off-loaded at 8:30 am. In my humble opinion - NO WAY!

 

Take a later flight your nerves will thank you!

[wlbox]

we plan on carrying off our own luggage. that should help.

[cruisestitch]

Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. On one recent departure, only people from certain cruise lines had to go through the USDA check. Leaving San Juan in December 08, Continental Airlines made me go through the USDA screening despite Celebrity luggage tags on my bag. There may be a pattern there, but I haven't found it yet. Be ready for the extra screening and allow time for it, just in case.

[Hflors]

we plan on carrying off our own luggage. that should help.

 

If you are refering to my comment about the offloading the luggage I will tell you that at that time the ship wan not cleared. As a matter of fact DH and I were the first off and that was about 9 - 9:15 am. We were first because we had booked a tour and we were called first.

 

Just wanted you to know that when the luggage is being off loaded no one was leaving the ship and that was at 8:30. What ever you decide I hope you have a great cruise.

[cruisinfanatic]

If you are refering to my comment about the offloading the luggage I will tell you that at that time the ship wan not cleared. As a matter of fact DH and I were the first off and that was about 9 - 9:15 am. We were first because we had booked a tour and we were called first.

 

Just wanted you to know that when the luggage is being off loaded no one was leaving the ship and that was at 8:30. What ever you decide I hope you have a great cruise.

If you're referring to your Explorer cruise, it's not the same. The Explorer doesn't get in as early.

[kitty9]

we plan on carrying off our own luggage. that should help.

 

Carrying off your luggage doesn't matter. They still don't allow anyone to leave until all the luggage of those who are not carrying off luggage has been off loaded and has been checked by the Custom's guys and their dogs. I think your 9:45 flight is way too early. Plus, the San Juan airport is crazy. Long lines for check in and even longer lines for security. And then you have the fact that airlines have cut lots of flights and flying standby is nearly impossible if you miss your flight. Depending on where you dock, the ride to the airport could take longer than 30 minutes.