how late to board the ship?

[fishmom]

Hey Guys!
I have been a lurker here for several months. Have really appreciated advise I have gotten without asking [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Anxiously awaiting my 5/1 sailing on the Century to Eastern Caribbean. First time-cruiser...and all the anxiety that goes with it...
We booked our airfare ourselves. Had everything all set way back in January. Today when double-checking, saw that the airline had changed our flights. Our 'layover' in Cincinnati has been shortened to under 25 minutes. DH worries that this won't be enough time to catch the FLL flight if problem arises.
Airline has offered to move to later flight out of Cinci, but the result would be arrival at pier at 2:00 p.m., rather than the 12:30 original. Is it worth the gamble, or should we go with the later arrival?

[brigittetom]

Just your first opinion. Our connecting flights are always in Charlotte. I'm guessing the Cincinnati airport is larger than Charlotte. We have had a very close call with a 35 minute layover. As much as I would want the earlier flight to be able to board the ship early, I don't think I would risk it. If you don't make the earlier flight, is there a chance you can get on the later flight?? That would make the difference. I know this isn't very helpful but just a thought.

Zenith from Jacksonville
Feb. 13 05

[LynnObie]

Another opinion... You might ask the airline to move you to a day earlier flight, spend the night before your cruise near the port and be among the first to board around noon. IMHO, too many things can go wrong with flying in the day of your cruise.

Lynn Obie

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Until 14 day Summit - San Diego to Alaska


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[catmand]

[url='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008'][img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_113.gif[/img][/url]..........I agree with Lynn...if you have the extra day. When the cruise documents ask you to be on board by a time at the latest, they mean it. I have been amazed at the "on-time" running of both our ships. Not having anything in front of me I would guess you need to be onboard 30-45 minutes before scheduled departure time.

Our last ship was leaving port at 8pm we left out house at 2pm and had a 45 minute drive to the pier in San Francisco.....I was STILL a wreck up until we were walking distance to the ship! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img].....have a great cruise.
oh yes, if you have no other option I would go for the later flight if you are sure you will get to the pier at 2.
Star Princess 9/03 Alaska
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[JNLROSE]

You say the later flight would get you arriving at the PIER at 2PM? NOT the FLL airport?

If the ship sails at 4 or 4:30 (which I think it does), you will be perfectly fine getting to the pier at 2PM.

I would never chance arriving in the city any later than 4-5 hours before departure, but then we ALWAYS go at least 1 day early just "to be sure"!!!

Hope this helps, have a GREAT cruise!

Rosie

E-mail me <a href="mailto:JNLROSE@AOL.COM">here</a href>

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CELEBRITY MERCURY HERE I COME!!!

[tuggers]

Pls try to go a day early if at all possible. I have seen so many people miss the first day or two of a cruise because they had to 'catch up' with the ship. And if the first day is a sea day, you'll lose that too. Same with flights after the cruise. People will book a flight for 10:30 am the day the ship gets in and then stress from 8 am on wondering if they'll make it! Make it easy on yourself. Things happen. I've been on too many ships that had problems and were late getting back. Same with airplanes. Just MO.

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!
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[Pacificlander]

If you have the extra day to spare I would agree on going a day early. I found it very advantageous to have a day to relax and adjust to the time zone changes. Also there is nothing more exciting than waking up and looking out your hotel window to see your ship sitting waiting for you. Have a great cruise! You're going to love the Eastern Caribbean.

Norway 08/02 Rhapsody of the Seas 09/03
Mercury 9/3/04
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[nealberk]

Go a day early if at all possible. On our last cruise we arrived at the ship about 2 minutes before it left (and I think they held it up for us since we called in to Celebrity saying that we had air problems)

[fishmom]

well, leaving a day early isn't an option. That would be a Friday. I am managing to start a new job, and taking the week so soon was asking a bit much. I have thought that possibly if we miss the first flight to FLL, we could catch the next. But one nevers knows how full the flight will be. Wonder if anyone has been to the Cincinnati airport to know how difficult it is to maneuver. I have been to Dallas many times, and had to make the trek from the American Eagle hub all the way to the main gate area in a very short time.

[Lou33]

Fishmom

I would keep your original flight. If your first flight is running late, they may try to hold your connection for you. If you miss your connection, then you will probably end up on the later flight anyway. A connection through another airline is also a possibility.

Murphy's law, if you switch your connection to the later flight, what if that flight has problems? If you keep your current flight, then you have at least two chances to get to the ship.

Your luggage is another story. You probably have a better chance of making the connection than your luggage. But then again, if your luggage misses the connection, it will still go with the next flight. Just my opinion, but I think your chances are better with your current schedule.

Splendour of the Seas, 11/17/00
Summit, 10/28/02
Mercury, 5/05/04

[tuggers]

Nothing available Friday night? A redeye maybe?

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!
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[tuggers]

You do have travel insurance, right? That will help you out if your luggage doesn't make it and also if you have to catch the ship.

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!
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[JNLROSE]

Fishmom,

Are you going thru Dallas or Cin??? They have changed the AA Eagle from the outer term to the inside in Dallas if this is any help at all! Shorter transfer times are now do-able in Dallas.

Hope you make it!

Rosie

E-mail me <a href="mailto:JNLROSE@AOL.COM">here</a href>

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CELEBRITY MERCURY HERE I COME!!!

[fishmom]

Didn't mean to muddy the waters with the Dallas comment. Meant to try to compare to Cincinnati.
Was do-able there. I thank everyone for the advice. Do have trip insurance. I too have considered the 'Murphy's Law' potential. Seems that whenever I have gone on business trips, evertyhing goes smoothly. But whenever my SO and I travel, something always happens. (Last year we arrived at our destination to discover that our rental car had been reserved for 12 hours later, and nothing was available).
Will definitely use this as a 'life lesson'.

[LynnObie]

fishmom,

If Friday... (even a red eye) isn't doable, here's what I would do in your situation:

1. Ask if the airline can route you via another city for earlier arrival with comfortable connection.

2. Book the safer connection to make sure you *and* your luggage can both make the 2 PM arrival at the pier.

Making a "less than 25 min" connection might work but, if you miss it and don't get on the next flight... then what?

Just my opinion. Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy your cruise!

Lynn Obie

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Until 14 day Summit - San Diego to Alaska


8/1995 HAL Noordam, 6/2000 Carnival Ecstasy, 2/2002 HAL Maasdam, 3/2003 HAL Statendam, 1/2004 HAL Oosterdam, 5/2004 Celebrity Summit, 5/2005 Celebrity Infinity