Which flight would you book?

[virginialucy]

I'll be on Celebrity Silhouette this December, disembarking on the 21st at Port Everglades and heading back to Boston. I'm trying to book my flights right now, but for my return flight I can't decide whether I should book the 12:40pm or the 1:30pm flight (I know, I know, poor me :rolleyes:) I don't want to be waiting around unnecessarily, but I don't want to book a flight that's too early and be stressed about making it. Both BF and I will be heading back to work the next day, so we don't want to get home too late. It looks like Celebrity says flights 12:30 or later are okay, but is 12:40 cutting it too close?

[Husky61]

You're only talking about an extra 40 minutes to book the later flight. Why not eliminate any stress and just have a drink or two during the 40 minutes.:)

[CruiserBruce]

A 12:40 or 1:30 flight out of FLL???? Or MIA??? You didn't specify.

 

If at FLL, you will have absolutely no problem making a 12:40 flight out of FLL. In fact you won't have much problem making a 12:40 flight at MIA.

 

All of this is commonly discussed on the Florida Departures board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

where there is much discussion about catching flights as early as 10am out of FLL, and noon out of MIA.

[virginialucy]

Sorry, should have mentioned the flights would be out of FLL.

[cruisead]

We have made an 11:40 flight back to Dallas many times. We've even made a 10:40 flight, but during the holidays, I'd never book that early a flight. I'd book the earlier flight especially knowing that they have all passengers off the ship by 9:30 or 10:00.

[Putterdude]

You could probably walk from Port Everglades to FLL and make a 12:40 flight. But in all seriousness FLL is about a 10 min taxi ride from PE, you will be just fine with the 12:40 time.

[sail7seas]

You almost always would be fine with the 12:40 but before deciding, look to see how many ships will be disembarking at Port Everglades with you. That will give you an idea how busy the airport will be..... how long the lines will be. Also, last late winter and spring we read about long lines clearing Immigration in Port Everglades. Seeing the season has not yet started this year, it's hard to know if they have more officials working the terminals thus moving the lines faster.

 

None of these are totally accurate but here are some sites that tell what ships will be in port with you:

 

http://www.cruisett.com

http://www.cruisetimetables.com

http://www.cruisereport.com/portsofcallList.aspx

http://www.portfocus.cxom

 

 

[Scrapnana]

The schedule shows two ships in FLL and three in Miami. Although not as many ships as on some days, I would pick the later flight.

[Keith1010]

A 12:40 PM flight would be perfect.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would go with the later flight. That way you will have a chance to get something to eat before you get on the plane.

[Keith1010]

I tend to really be on the conservative side when it comes to flights.

 

12:40 is really fine and you will also have a lot of time should you wish to get something to eat on the plane or even a quick bite at the airport.

 

Enjoy.

 

Keith

[Flatbush Flyer]

December 21 is a Sunday and the beginning of Christmas week. Expect very busy airports, which translates to long check-in and security lines. Take the later flight and save yourself the angst.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[marco]

It's only 40 more minutes. I doubt you'd have any problem with the earlier flight, but if it causing you angst, book the later one. FYI... granted, it was not during the holidays, but we've done self walk off in FLL, grabbed a cab, and been at our gate (not check-in, but our gate) at FLL airport by quarter past nine on more then one occasion. Not lookin' for comments or criticisms....just sayin'......

Edited September 20, 2014 by marco

[zookiebird]

JMO but I'd take the 1:30 flight. Any way I could strech out my time in Florida, even for a little bit, before heading back up North is worth it to me. Have a great cruise!!!!

[virginialucy]

Thanks all! I decided to book the 1:30 flight since it's only about an hour later and we can be a little more leisurely in disembarking. Plus, I was remembering the looooooong lines as we disembarked last year, so I (hopefully) won't be looking at my watch too impatiently as we go through customs.

[cb at sea]

Take the earlier flight..about midway thru the cruise, they will ask all those with early flights to tell them...so tell them! You will be off the ship early! Unless your airport is more than 40 mins. from the port, you'll be good. No worries!

 

Sorry...just saw you picked the later flight...enjoy your wait!

Edited September 21, 2014 by cb at sea