9:45am flight out of Tampa???

[lauraapp]

Does anyone know how far the port is from the Tampa airport? Can we make this flight?

[crbonfiber]

Does anyone know how far the port is from the Tampa airport? Can we make this flight?

 

Its not far. If everything goes right you will make it. However, you need to do express departure and carry your bags off the ship

[TBR]

Depends on the time of year. The winter months can bring fog and I have seen ships not able to dock until noon. The port to TPA is about a 15 minute ride.

[DebJ14]

I did a self debark and was the first person off the ship (I had a suite so I had priority debarkation) at 8:00am and I was at the airport checking in by 8:20. Others in my group decided to have the cruise line take their luggage off. They missed our 10:30am flight out.

[DJ1VIKES]

I would really give it a little more time if I were you. You might be able to make it if you are the first one off. It takes about 1/2 hour to get to the airport but you must account for getting transportation and check in and security at the airport. I think a later flight might be better.

[molly361]

When we were on the Radiance in April they did not offer self disembarkation. It is the first ship we have been on that did not offer it.

 

I guess it has changed this then??

[Mainer59]

If you book it and you miss it because the boat it late or debarkation takes longer than expected no complaining allowed.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1455333

[mamapan]

What day of the week do you get back to port?

 

As a long time (now former) Tampa resident, morning rush hour traffic is awful despite the "improvements" made to I-275.

 

If this is a weekday you get back to port, you should try for a later flight.

[bajathree]

I live in Tampa and like posted above....morning rush hour during the week is terrible....what should be a 15 minute ride can easily turn into 45 minutes. Can you make it....I would say 50/50 at best...why stress it...book a later flight.

[yogimax]

Its not far. If everything goes right you will make it.

 

Too much risk here!

 

For peace of mind during your cruise, book a later flight.

[wolfcathorse]

I did Radiance Dec 2010 and Feb 2011. Neither cruise offered self-assist. The first priority group (Suites/D+) was escorted off at 8:15. Then you have to find your luggage and go through customs. We had an 11:15 flight for the Feb cruise and got to the airport at 9:30. It was 10:00 before we got to the gate, after checking our bags and going through TSA.

[silentbob007]

I wouldn't do it ... it is very easy for ships coming into Tampa to get delayed (fog, high wind, etc) and by doing this, you are essentially removing all "just in case" time. I was on the Radiance last December and thought that that debarkation in Tampa was one of the slowest I had experienced, and this is from someone waiting in a "priority" lounge.

[TriMomma]

Ha ha....I am a risk taker too. Looking at a 10:15 flight and wondering...hmmm.

[jennmaybe]

I would never book a flight that early coming home. Just too much stressed involved. Why end a wonderful cruise with that much worry and stress?;)

 

We sailed out of Tampa a few years back (my 1st cruise) and if I remember correctly, there was a delay in disembarking. The line to disembark wrapped around the lobby and all the way down the hall.....our hall.....it was a mess. We ended up not getting to the airport until around 10am.....then we had that zoo to deal with.:)

[jdvoyager]

The earliest recommend departure flight time by the cruise line is 11:30 AM. As others have said, the port is pretty close to the airport but 9:45 is just too early IMO. There's too little "buffer time". I wouldn't do anything before 11:00, preferably noon.

[orville99]

We've cruised on RCI out of Tampa twice. First time we docked at 2PM because of heavy fog in the bay. The second time, we docked before dawn and were off the ship by 8:15, but there was torrential rain when we docked, and it took an hour to get back to the 275. I'd vote for a later flight

[BlueSkyTraveler]

No.

 

I drive I4 to 275 to the exit before the airport every weekday morning for work - from downtown (channelside/pier) to the airport will take you appx 45 minutes Monday through Friday. If you have to be there 2 hours before your flight (and yes, here at TIA it usually will take over an hour to get through security and to your gate) you would have to be off the ship with all your luggage and in a cab by 7am to make it. Realistically, not possible. Even on a weekend, you would have to be on the way by no later than 7:25.

[luvstwocruise]

You just spent a small fortune, unwinding and relaxing. Now the "moment" you get off the ship your putting pressure back on your self by trying to make the flight...

 

Relax, breath...enjoy the aftermath..til you walk in the door and start looking for your next cruise. :)

[Rockfordcruiser]

All in... Go for it... That's the gambling side of me. Have done Tampa 3 times now. First time ship delayed due to fog in bay. Second time we were off the ship and at the airport within an hour. TSA was slow that day and it took over 45 minutes to get through. Flight that day was at 11:30 Third time drove and was off the ship by 8:20. Best advice, book flight after 11:30 and later if during weekday traffic.

[MCC retired]

Book that early flight ,then worry about making it every day of the cruise .

There are reasons why that early flight is available on a cruise turnaround day . The better departures are either more $$$ or booked up.

 

It ain't worth it . Too many variables

Possible late arrival (like #1 fog)

Possible heavy traffic or construction

TPA, although a pleasure to fly to/from has a TSA that can be slooooow.;)

[clean1owner]

Does anyone know how far the port is from the Tampa airport? Can we make this flight?

 

 

You better pray for short lines at the security checkpoints.

[MCC retired]

Does OP"s ship have a Chapel to pray in during the cruise ?;)