jzad Posted September 25, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Good afternoon all, I was wondering if anyone could tell me, if we do self debarking in Miami, off the reflection on January 10, what time we 'may' be through customs? Our flights home have been changed and we fly our of Fort Lauderdale. thank you! Janine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynana Posted September 25, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 25, 2014 We disembarked our ship in Ft. lauderdale last March around 7:00 a.m. We zipped right through customs. I will say that we were on a lower deck and very easily rolled our luggage off the ship..:D maryann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eby Posted September 25, 2014 #3 Share Posted September 25, 2014 We disembarked our ship in Ft. lauderdale last March around 7:00 a.m. We zipped right through customs. I will say that we were on a lower deck and very easily rolled our luggage off the ship..:D maryann What time did you leave your room ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted September 25, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 25, 2014 What is your new flight time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted September 25, 2014 #5 Share Posted September 25, 2014 If you self disembark you can usually be off the ship by 7:00 - 7:30 is there are no unforeseen circumstances. Getting through customs is pretty hit or miss. Sometimes we have breezed right through, and sometimes it took forever. What time is your flight? It takes at the very least 45 minutes to get to Ft. Lauderdale. I hope your flight is noon or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sloop-JohnB Posted September 25, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 25, 2014 If you self disembark you can usually be off the ship by 7:00 - 7:30 is there are no unforeseen circumstances. Getting through customs is pretty hit or miss. Sometimes we have breezed right through, and sometimes it took forever. What time is your flight? It takes at the very least 45 minutes to get to Ft. Lauderdale. I hope your flight is noon or later. Ya Noon is usually the earliest flight people can make when you take into account all the variables... Docking Secure Ship Disembarking Customs Clearing getting Transportation & the Drive to Fort Lauderdale Check In & Luggage Drop at the Airport TSA / Security And line ups... Almost all of these things will have line ups Plus the fact there is usually a recommeded timeframe for the process at the Airport. Depending on where you are headed and which Airline (1 to 3 Hours)... Domestic vs International Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 25, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I knew about the noon flight thing so I had booked 12:15 but it's been changed to 11:30. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 25, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I am only flying domestic as well. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 25, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I would never do that. If the airline changed the flight time, try to get them to re-book you on an acceptable flight. Many airlines will do this at no charge when they change their schedules and you are unable to use the newly-scheduled flights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger1964 Posted September 25, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 25, 2014 we are taking 941am flight, domestic, out of miami after our next miami cruise. there obviously is a chance that will not work, but we have never had problem before. only have carryon bags, check in 24 hours in advance, have tsa precheck through our global entry program. as long as no freak customs boat clearing issues won't have any problems with that flight time. good luck to you. have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 26, 2014 #11 Share Posted September 26, 2014 But the OP is not flying out of Miami, they are going out of FLL. It's at least a 45 minute drive to get from POM to FLL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 26, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Google maps says 26 minutes? I don't imagine there will too much traffics that early? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted September 26, 2014 #13 Share Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) Google maps says 26 minutes? I don't imagine there will too much traffics that early? Sent from my iPad using Forums Sorry, but I have never found Google maps to be accurate on driving times. They just take the miles and divide by legal speed limit. It averages 45 minutes, we have done it many times. Sometimes faster, sometimes MUCH longer, especially when there are a lot of cruise ships in port. Edited September 26, 2014 by Phxazzcruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 26, 2014 Author #14 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Sorry, but I have never found Google maps to be accurate on driving times. They just take the miles and divide by legal speed limit. It averages 45 minutes, we have done it many times. Sometimes faster, sometimes MUCH longer, especially when there are a lot of cruise ships in port. Ok, thank you! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudiaB Posted September 26, 2014 #15 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Here's the thing. You'll get an "official" time to meet on some deck (3??) at a given time. Simply ignore that time. If they say get down at 7 a.m., get down at 6:15. Forget the breakfast, forget everything but getting yourself and all your luggage down. Your luggage will be your place in line. Then....you can take turns going to Cafe Bacio (they'll take cash that morning if I recall) or somewhere to get your coffee, bagel, etc. We just sit on some chairs near our luggage and enjoy our last "meal" there. You'll likely not even be the first one down. But 45 minutes ahead of that time is what you'll need to do to be one of the first ones off. We've noticed many very shocked (disappointed??) people coming to line up at the official time, seeing over 100 sets of luggage in line before them. So, get there early. As far as customs, clearing, you just never know, but we've never had an issue. And if you're one of the first ones off the ship, it's great. Also, don't sign up for a shuttle or van. That will only delay you as you have to wait for everyone to show up and load everyone's luggage, and then stop at all the different airlines and unload and reload. Take an independent taxi or car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 26, 2014 #16 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Which airline made the change? What are the later options? Have you called them to discuss this? The scenario just proposed will probably work, but what a hectic way to end a lovely, relaxing vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 26, 2014 Author #17 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Here's the thing. You'll get an "official" time to meet on some deck (3??) at a given time. Simply ignore that time. If they say get down at 7 a.m., get down at 6:15. Forget the breakfast, forget everything but getting yourself and all your luggage down. Your luggage will be your place in line. Then....you can take turns going to Cafe Bacio (they'll take cash that morning if I recall) or somewhere to get your coffee, bagel, etc. We just sit on some chairs near our luggage and enjoy our last "meal" there. You'll likely not even be the first one down. But 45 minutes ahead of that time is what you'll need to do to be one of the first ones off. We've noticed many very shocked (disappointed??) people coming to line up at the official time, seeing over 100 sets of luggage in line before them. So, get there early. As far as customs, clearing, you just never know, but we've never had an issue. And if you're one of the first ones off the ship, it's great. Also, don't sign up for a shuttle or van. That will only delay you as you have to wait for everyone to show up and load everyone's luggage, and then stop at all the different airlines and unload and reload. Take an independent taxi or car. Are there usually a lot of taxi's waiting that early in the morning? I have SAS booked but I can cancel that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted September 26, 2014 #18 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Stick with the transportation you have booked. There is no way to know how many taxis there will be that day, but with a booked transport, you lessen your odds of having trouble on disembarkation morning. What does the airline have to say about all of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 26, 2014 Author #19 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Stick with the transportation you have booked. There is no way to know how many taxis there will be that day, but with a booked transport, you lessen your odds of having trouble on disembarkation morning. What does the airline have to say about all of this? I haven't called them yet. I will tomorrow. What really ticks me off is that I changed the flight out from the 11th to the 10th because we were originally on the doomed Silhouette sailing....should have just left it on the 11th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunaman2011 Posted September 26, 2014 #20 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Greetings One thing you may wish to consider is that many airlines now offer express check-in. You get shorter lines for your baggage check and you get to use the priority security lanes. This does come with an additional fee (surprise, surprise) but it may provide you with a little extra cushion. Good Sailing Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lsimon Posted September 26, 2014 #21 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I haven't called them yet. I will tomorrow. What really ticks me off is that I changed the flight out from the 11th to the 10th because we were originally on the doomed Silhouette sailing....should have just left it on the 11th. I've found the airlines are extremely accommodating on moving you to a later flight, even the next day, if they've changed the schedule. If there is room on the flight they've always let us change with no change in airfare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjk9946 Posted September 26, 2014 #22 Share Posted September 26, 2014 We always fly out earlier than the suggested 1 p.m. Have flown out of FFL when docking in Miami around 10 with no problems. Go to customer relations and let them know you want to be among the first off the ship due to the airlines changing your ticket. They are always very helpful. We've never lined up, just walked off. If you haven't gotten you GOES card from Customs & Immigration I would highly reccommend getting it. It is $100 vs $85 for TSA and makes life much easier when traveling. Call your airline before hand and have them record the number in you file so you are ticketed with Pre-Check on your boarding pass. Good luck and happy sailing. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 26, 2014 Author #23 Share Posted September 26, 2014 We always fly out earlier than the suggested 1 p.m. Have flown out of FFL when docking in Miami around 10 with no problems. Go to customer relations and let them know you want to be among the first off the ship due to the airlines changing your ticket. They are always very helpful. We've never lined up, just walked off. If you haven't gotten you GOES card from Customs & Immigration I would highly reccommend getting it. It is $100 vs $85 for TSA and makes life much easier when traveling. Call your airline before hand and have them record the number in you file so you are ticketed with Pre-Check on your boarding pass. Good luck and happy sailing. Judy I;m still going to call the airline but speaking to customer relations sounds good. I'm not an american citizan, canadian, but we fly in and out of Buffalo. I don't think I can do the GOES card but thanks for the ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynana Posted September 27, 2014 #24 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Since we were already on a lower deck, we didn't have to concern ourselves with getting on an elevator..we didn't bother getting coffee or breakfast and were able to just walk off the ship and quickly went through customs. We were in Naples by 9:30 that morning. Hopefully your disembarkation will be stress-free, as was ours. Good luck and best wishes for a great cruise!:D Maryann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzad Posted September 27, 2014 Author #25 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Since we were already on a lower deck, we didn't have to concern ourselves with getting on an elevator..we didn't bother getting coffee or breakfast and were able to just walk off the ship and quickly went through customs. We were in Naples by 9:30 that morning. Hopefully your disembarkation will be stress-free, as was ours. Good luck and best wishes for a great cruise!:D Maryann Thank you Maryann! I sure hope so too! If you get get over to Naples I think maybe we can make it to FLL :) Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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