Same day arrival for July cruise

[Emmabelle]

Anyone not made it for a cruise in July when flying in on the same day? We want to take a cruise on the Empress in July out of Ft Lauderdale. We can't fly in the day before. I know winter can be a major problem, but what about summertime?

[kc320]

Think Florida, Thunderstorms...............

 

If you absolutely can't fly in the day ahead at least get the earliest morning flight you can. Our weather tends to get bad in the late afternoon/early evenings.

A few years ago I was flying from Orlando to Ohio, with an early evening flight. A line of thunderstorms moved into Orlando so the plane coming in that I would be taking to Ohio was diverted to Daytona Beach. 2 hours later the weather had cleared in Orlando but the plane was stuck in Daytona another hour because the storm had moved east. After that I switched to morning flights.

 

Another thing to consider, Hurricane season starts June 1st so that could impact your flight as well. I would be sure to have Travel Insurance regardless.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

In summer we have afternoon thunderstorms nearly every day, from about 3pm onward; sometimes earlier. Along the coast these storms can be in the morning as well. Obviously storms can cause landing delays. Since you have no choice but to arrive the date of departure you just need to arrive by late morning and you will probably do ok because you'd have extra time if you are delayed. Most ships depart 5pm to 6pm so you should have plenty of time. Fort Lauderdale Airport is very close to Port Everglades.

 

BobK/Orlando

[Grandma Dazzles]

Having responded several times regarding this subject, people always seem to think of winter weather, which really is not the point.

 

Airline delays happen for so many other reasons - we were delayed by bad weather in summer - major thunderstorms over Miami - also mechanical delays can happen.

 

Our biggest delay problem occurred when we made it but baggage didn't. It was not "officially lost" - the airline knew where it was - it has just missed connections and had to wait several hours for the next flight. This was a cruise sailing out of San Juan.

 

I know it sometimes isn't possible to fly in the day before, but at least try to get there as early as possible and avoid so many potential headaches. Don't mean to sound negative, but give some serious thought to the day before, you won't regret it.

[pcbeck]

I fly about every other week and there can also be mechanical delays. Just last week I experienced a two hour delay due to a faulty landing gear sensor. This week I was held up in Dallas for two hours in the mid-morning due to bad weather. You may have seen the pictures on the news showing the small hail that covered the ground making it look like snow. So....you never know what might happen. Because of the aforementioned I ALWAYS fly in at least one day early for any cruise.

[leahjade]

Emmabelle - what date are you sailing in July? We're going 7/14-7/18 out of Ft. Lauderdale. This is our first cruise, and I had no idea you were supposed to fly in the night before, so I already have a morning flight booked. We'll just cross our fingers for good weather, though, I think most thunderstorms occur in the afternoons.

[lephysteria]

After our last fiasco trying to get to San Juan, I wouldn't have it any other way. If I arrived the day before, my mind is put at ease.

 

But in this case, (like your situation) we actually ended up arriving in San Juan the day of the cruise. We landed in the early afternoon. I hope you will be fine, and that you'll catch the ship. :)

 

When we were booking the flights we actually thought about doing a red-eye flight. This would have avoided the night before hotel stay requirement ... and would have put us into San Juan at 10am the day of sailing.

 

Food for thought. :)

[Emmabelle]

Leahjade,

 

We're looking at the Empress for July 28-Aug 1. Our flight would land at 11:30am. I'm hoping that I would have at least until 3:00pm to checkin at the pier. You'll have to let me know how you enjoyed the cruise. :)

[stuffic]

I've had 3 past cruises in the summer (and an upcoming one) and arrived the day of the cruise each time and everything went fine. However, in the future, I will book a day in advance for the reasons mentioned above, and also so I can just relax before the cruise.

[Emmabelle]

Thanks for the replies, I wish I could come in the day before too, but I want to use my frequent flyer miles and the flights the day before are so early it would require that my husband take another day off from work and he's just too busy.

[dms_cruisers04]

That is no excuse! Like everyone has said, you need to fly in the day before and just tell your husband work is not an excuse and

Don't worry about it Emma, it will be fine.

Another thing to consider, Hurricane season starts June 1st so that could impact your flight as well.

Um, wouldn't this effect her cruise too anyway?

[PhinsAndGills]

Did it last July - flew down same day, stood in longer lines embarking then usual but nothing terrible. Overall was fine - had a lot of time before sailing. Went smoothly for us (Ohio to Ft. Lauderdale with one layover...)

[Emmabelle]

Well everythings booked, flight arrives at 11:30am and Empress doesn't leave until 5:00pm, July 28th.

 

Does anyone know what is the latest time you can get to the cruise ship and still be allowed to embark?