9:20 AM Flight Out of MIA

[cmalagngl]

First off we are not rookies. This will be our 25th cruise with probably at least 12 of them out of Miami. So we know what we are up against. I booked free air using points. The airline changed our flights and our flight home now is a 777 from MIA to LAX at 9:20 AM. The 777 and the upgrade we got when they moved our flight makes it something we would like to do. Does anyone have any experience catching a flight this early out of Miami? This is a seven day cruise on the Reflection that returns to Miami on a Saturday so there will be several ships in port. We would carry our own bags off the ship with the first group.

[cruisestitch]

Have a look at this recent thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2044376&highlight=flight+miami

[cruisead]

I would never try that. Your problems will be many, including a lack of US Customs agents, and even if you're one of the first off, you could wait for agents. On our Reflection cruise, the selfies didn't start getting off the ship until after 7:45. And now that you have to actually be ON the plane 20 minutes before departure, I would not hazard this.

[Waco]

First off we are not rookies. This will be our 25th cruise with probably at least 12 of them out of Miami. So we know what we are up against. I booked free air using points. The airline changed our flights and our flight home now is a 777 from MIA to LAX at 9:20 AM. The 777 and the upgrade we got when they moved our flight makes it something we would like to do. Does anyone have any experience catching a flight this early out of Miami? This is a seven day cruise on the Reflection that returns to Miami on a Saturday so there will be several ships in port. We would carry our own bags off the ship with the first group.

 

I would not even think about trying it. Need to be at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. Half hour to the airport if things go well. Ship has to be cleared before anyone gets off. Ship could be late arriving. Think how many people will want cabs and the long security lines. you have to much to lose.

[Waco]

First off we are not rookies. This will be our 25th cruise with probably at least 12 of them out of Miami. So we know what we are up against. I booked free air using points. The airline changed our flights and our flight home now is a 777 from MIA to LAX at 9:20 AM. The 777 and the upgrade we got when they moved our flight makes it something we would like to do. Does anyone have any experience catching a flight this early out of Miami? This is a seven day cruise on the Reflection that returns to Miami on a Saturday so there will be several ships in port. We would carry our own bags off the ship with the first group.

 

I would not even think about trying it. Need to be at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. Half hour to the airport if things go well. Ship has to be cleared before anyone gets off. Ship could be late arriving. Think how many people will want cabs and the long security lines. You have to much to lose.

[Andy]

First off we are not rookies. This will be our 25th cruise with probably at least 12 of them out of Miami. So we know what we are up against. I booked free air using points. The airline changed our flights and our flight home now is a 777 from MIA to LAX at 9:20 AM. The 777 and the upgrade we got when they moved our flight makes it something we would like to do. Does anyone have any experience catching a flight this early out of Miami? This is a seven day cruise on the Reflection that returns to Miami on a Saturday so there will be several ships in port. We would carry our own bags off the ship with the first group.

 

Hi Cmalagngl,

 

Could you make it ? If all goes to perfection ? then it's possible. Personally, I'd never take that chance, and would never opt to end my cruise vacation by stressing myself like that.

 

I sincerely hope you consider a later flight. All the best to you !

Edited May 24, 2014 by Host Andy

[rucruisn2]

If your going to try for it, make sure to do self disembarkation. But since the airline changed your flight on you, they can change you to a later flight if you want. Or stay an extra night in Miami and fly home the next am.

[dodger1964]

If a "normal" arrival morning you can make it. Just be prepared if u don't. Being first in line to walk off will help. Having only carry on bags and checking in day before will greatly help your chances.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Oh let me count the ways! To make your flight- at minimum you'll have to be there 1.5 hours before your flight 8AM, especially with other ships in port clogging the airport. Saturday mornings are very busy travel days. If the ship docks on time at 7AM and you do walk off- you have to get a taxi or have one waiting at 7:30. You are cutting it way to close. There is no room for error. My experience with MIA has been pretty bad- very disorganized.

Edited May 25, 2014 by rebeccalouiseagain

[wwcruisers]

After several encounters there, MIA is at the top of my "flyer unfriendly" list of airports. For that reason alone, I wouldn't attempt a flight that early. Even something much smaller, closer, and easier -- like Port Everglades to Ft.L, would be a stretch on that timetable, IMHO.

[wallie5446]

We were on Reflection last Nov, customs was a cluster. The ship was in before 7:00, don't remember when she was cleared. This would be like playing the slots in the casino, IMHO. Not the way we would want to end a cruise, but each to his own.

[Sonoma fans]

we sailed the 2/8 reflection. We had a 1045 flight and decided to go for it. Self disembarkation started at 0645, we were through customs by 0700, and at the airport through security by 0825. I am sure this does not always work but 0925 can be done of all aligns. Good luck

[Tapi]

Don't make an ill-advised decision because the seat is on a bigger airplane. The negatives way outnumber the positives. If you're that interested in a First class seat on a wide body airplane, there's a 767 later in the day, or you can always wait until the next day for the 777

Edited May 25, 2014 by Tapi

[Minoushka]

Last time I was in Miami there were very few customs agents available .

We were down and in line by 8 am as requested for our tour ....we went thru customs after 9:30!i was sure we would miss our tour ..no they knew how long we actually got started after 10

However in your case i would argue to get a later flight

As you know the cruise lines recommend flights after noon ....they know why

 

Get yourself another flight ..if the ship were delayed for any reason you could not arrive on time

[20pluscruises]

First off we are not rookies. This will be our 25th cruise with probably at least 12 of them out of Miami. So we know what we are up against. I booked free air using points. The airline changed our flights and our flight home now is a 777 from MIA to LAX at 9:20 AM. The 777 and the upgrade we got when they moved our flight makes it something we would like to do. Does anyone have any experience catching a flight this early out of Miami? This is a seven day cruise on the Reflection that returns to Miami on a Saturday so there will be several ships in port. We would carry our own bags off the ship with the first group.

 

Is it a holiday week? The lines can be insane during hoildays.

[Keith1010]

Do not take the 9:20 AM flight.

 

You will not make it.

 

Keith

[monicajay]

That's early.

 

We did it once in Tampa. Stood in line for over an hour to make sure we were the first 'selfies' off the ship. Boarding passes printed, TSA pre-approved ( thanks- NEXUS) , no airline checked luggage, nothing to declare on customs cards.

 

We got the first taxi in the line. Actually had to wake up the driver as he'd been napping :p.

 

The only other option for us was 7 hours later.

 

If you miss the flight, what are your back-ups? Do you have enough status with the airline that they will happily book you on something else? What code is your ticket booked in? Do you have to report to work the next day? If you have to buy a new ticket, can you deal with that? It's really all about your ability to handle stress and the risks involved.

 

Not for the weak hearted.

[cmalagngl]

Thanks everybody for your feedback. We have made it to MIA previously where we could have caught a 10 AM flight but never one this early. As much as we'd like the direct flight home and back to Los Angeles just after noon I think your advise is good. There is another option that gets us home through Dallas to John Wayne four hours later. It is a Saturday and I don't have to work until Monday so the stress comments are well advised. Who needs the stress.

Thanks to everyone for commenting. We really wanted to get a feel for what everyone else thought and this did it. We will take a later flight.

[Andy]

Thanks everybody for your feedback. We have made it to MIA previously where we could have caught a 10 AM flight but never one this early. As much as we'd like the direct flight home and back to Los Angeles just after noon I think your advise is good. There is another option that gets us home through Dallas to John Wayne four hours later. It is a Saturday and I don't have to work until Monday so the stress comments are well advised. Who needs the stress.

Thanks to everyone for commenting. We really wanted to get a feel for what everyone else thought and this did it. We will take a later flight.

 

Hi Cmalagngl,

 

I'm so pleased to see that you've made this wise decision. Now that your decision is made, forget about that, and think about more exciting things - your upcoming cruise ! Wishing you a wonderful time on Reflection.

[ClaudiaB]

We do 10:10 flights out of FLL but wouldn't do the Miami. Glad you decided later.

 

One thing I will say about self-disembarkation that might be of help to you or maybe someone else reading this.

Celebrity will give you a time to meet in the morning, at a designated place. It may or may not be on the level that you disembark, meaning you might have to schlepp some bags up or down stairs. My husband will take the heavy ones down and I take the carry ons. It's a bit cumbersome but we like to get our nonstop flight and walk in our door by noon so we make the minimal effort. YMMV

 

The way my DH and I work it is whatever time they say to be down we go about 45 minutes ahead of that. Those who come down with their luggage at 'the appointed hour' are always veeeeeeerrry surprised to come down and see a line of about 75 to 100 people before them! That was us, the first time we did it!

 

Since you've done this before you know that your suitcases become your place in line. Even if you're 45 minutes ahead, you won't be first. We're usually about 5 or 6. One stays with the luggage and the other gets a couple Diet Cokes (they have been taking cash on that morning lately but not sure if that's always) and some croissants or something there - or something from the elite breakfast --- and then enjoy them while minding the luggage. Sometimes we haven't had anything at all, just grabbed a bagel at the airport.

 

We've been very fortunate the last few cruises, even TA's, in that there were no lines or customs issues, and since we were literally among the first handful to leave we have always been able to make our flight. We have never once pre-arranged a cab. Just grab one and go. But that's to FLL. MIA is a different deal.

And getting a shuttle adds a lot of time - because you have to wait for it to fill up and load everyone's luggage and not everyone gets off together. And who knows if your airline will be the last stop, and all the unloading for everyone else. We did that on our first cruise and never again will we get on a shuttle either to or from the pier.

[sergeant655]

Taking a later flight is a good idea. When I got of infinity at the end of March. There was a suprise customs shutdown that lasted 45 min. When we finally got off and got to the taxi rank. It was chaos. Waiting in line was useless as they allow people to cut in line

[hcat]

Can someone advise what level you line up at if planning to walk off with your luggage from Reflection in Miami port, and is that level you exit from?

 

Relection's 7 :00 am port arrival time means we want to get off asap and grab a taxi to FLL

Our flight is not til noonish but we want to do whatever we can to be there comfortably ahead of time,

 

Glad OP chose the less stressful time frame!

[monicajay]

Can someone advise what level you line up at if planning to walk off with your luggage from Reflection in Miami port, and is that level you exit from?

 

Relection's 7 :00 am port arrival time means we want to get off asap and grab a taxi to FLL

Our flight is not til noonish but we want to do whatever we can to be there comfortably ahead of time,

 

Glad OP chose the less stressful time frame!

 

This makes no sense. If your flight is not till noon, take your time. Enjoy breakfast, leave the ship around 9h30, you will be at the airport by 10h00 still giving you plenty of time to get your flight (a solid 2 hours before your flight).

 

Why do you want to get off ASAP??

[Minoushka]

Get the shuttle to the Fll airport ..very easy no need for cab

[Cruising89143]

Can someone advise what level you line up at if planning to walk off with your luggage from Reflection in Miami port, and is that level you exit from?

 

Relection's 7 :00 am port arrival time means we want to get off asap and grab a taxi to FLL

Our flight is not til noonish but we want to do whatever we can to be there comfortably ahead of time,

 

Glad OP chose the less stressful time frame!

 

They started self debarkation on our March Reflection cruise at 6:45 AM. We were at the airport by 7:30. We took the elevator down to deck five to line up and when the doors opened we were at the point where you debark the ship. It was straight off the ship. The line up was to have started at 7:00.

Edited May 26, 2014 by cruisingator2