Port Everglades Disembarkation HELP!

[pk&Di]

Hi All,

 

We have an early flight (945am with Spirit Airlines) to Orlando on Saturday April 2. We know the CL typically recommends not booking before 11am. However, we took this calculated risk as last year our friends had a 10am to Canada and they made it in good time.

 

My question has to do with Disembarkation Procedures for suite guests. Last time we were in a Sky Suite and I believe we should have had priority Disembarkation privileges, is that correct?

 

Some how we ended up in the same line-up as everyone else and had a bit of a wait.

 

However, this time it is really important that we got off quickly--- so is there is a difference between Celebrity Suite Disembarkation and Sky Suite?

 

Who do I need to make arrangements with to ensure a swift departure in the morning?

 

Thanks in advance for your help

[dkjretired]

Hi All,

 

We have an early flight (945am with Spirit Airlines) to Orlando on Saturday April 2. We know the CL typically recommends not booking before 11am. However, we took this calculated risk as last year our friends had a 10am to Canada and they made it in good time.

 

My question has to do with Disembarkation Procedures for suite guests. Last time we were in a Sky Suite and I believe we should have had priority Disembarkation privileges, is that correct?

 

Some how we ended up in the same line-up as everyone else and had a bit of a wait.

 

However, this time it is really important that we got off quickly--- so is there is a difference between Celebrity Suite Disembarkation and Sky Suite?

 

Who do I need to make arrangements with to ensure a swift departure in the morning?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help

 

If your physically able to, the fastest, quickest way off is self disembarkation.

[john_galt]

Self-debarkation is the safest route. Check with your butler or the concierge in Michael's for approximate earliest time off the ship. It can vary depending on the whim of customs clearance.

 

We've never done the taxi thing at debarkation but may give it a shot this time. Had a limo last time but there was some snafu and we ended up standing outside the customs shed for half an hour waiting for the limo to get through the taxi line. Hopefully things will be better if Connie is at her normal berth 4. Really feeling antsie over taxi availability. :confused:

[Bo1953]

Well, that is a real risk, what is the backup plan if there is a 'slight' delay in docking or a problem with customs?

 

Traffic back up or miss cut off for checking in at the airport by a few minutes? Does Spirit have a two (2) hour cut off for check in, if so how do you propose to navigate that as most self-disembarkation times start at 7a or so the earliest?

 

This is similar to a current thread about people running late and no making the ship as it did not wait.

 

 

There are other flights out of FLL to get you to MCO just in case... and possibly your travel insurance?

 

bon voyage

Edited January 26, 2016 by Bo1953

[WEGL81]

Regardless of priority, there is still only one line to get off the ship (Or two exit kiosks at the door but one queue to get there). So while you may have suite priority, you will still leave at the same time (and be in the same line) as the walk off passengers. The only thing suite priority got us on our last cruise was that we could walk off with the carry your own luggage people but our luggage was picked up the night before and ready for us to pick up in the terminal. Getting off the ship was no faster. YMMV

[Caribbean Chris]

When we were on Constellation into FLL a year ago, Sky Suites were assigned to Ocean Liners with Elites, and the Captain's Club host escorted us to the exit just before each number group was released. On Reflection last month into MIA, assigned to same lounge or location as other passengers in that number group.

 

The problem in FLL was not getting off the ship, it was the mass of people all waiting to go through the needle's eye of US Customs & Border Protection.

 

I'd definitely pack light and arrange self-disembarking if I were you and get off at the earliest option.

Edited January 26, 2016 by Caribbean Chris

[tunaman2011]

Greetings

 

If you really want to try to make this work then I suggest you get yourself and your travel companion down to your nearest customs office and obtain a Global Entry Card. This allows you to go to the front of the customs line in Port Everglades and also gives you a Trusted Travelers Number allowing quick passage through airport security.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We were in a Celebrity Suite. The MC concierge had special tags delivered to our stateroom indicating suite class. We went to MC in the morning and once the ship was cleared the concierge escorted guests off the ship when they were ready to go. We by passed the line, our sea pass was scanned and off we went. When we went to the terminal we were directed to the area where our luggage was. Picked it up and then escorted to a dedicated line for customs. We were off the ship and out the door in about 7 minutes and did not have to take our own luggage off.

 

This was in New Jersey. Don't know if it will happen like this in the ports in Florida but hope it does even though our flight is not until 1:00.

[pk&Di]

If your physically able to, the fastest, quickest way off is self disembarkation.

 

OK--- This is good to note. Last time we did do this but we somehow ended up in an enormous line up, while other suite guests were whisked by LOL>

[pk&Di]

Hi John --- Taxi availability has never been a problem for us. This is the earliest flight we have booked. We have successfully done 10am no problem. And that is with the added check-in time because it was a direct to Canada flight. So I'm not too worried--- as long as we make it off the ship at a descent time.

 

Self-debarkation is the safest route. Check with your butler or the concierge in Michael's for approximate earliest time off the ship. It can vary depending on the whim of customs clearance.

 

We've never done the taxi thing at debarkation but may give it a shot this time. Had a limo last time but there was some snafu and we ended up standing outside the customs shed for half an hour waiting for the limo to get through the taxi line. Hopefully things will be better if Connie is at her normal berth 4. Really feeling antsie over taxi availability. :confused:

[pk&Di]

Hi Bo1953. Thanks so much for the points you raised. We do have great trip interruption insurance etc. I will look into those details as they would be great back-ups. It would be great to know in advance.

 

Spirit suggests two hours before with a cutoff of 45mins before the flight takes off so I think we are good as the ship is scheduled to dock at 7---

 

the Taxi ride is a max of 20mins--- Even if we arrive at 845 we should be good to go.

 

Well, that is a real risk, what is the backup plan if there is a 'slight' delay in docking or a problem with customs?

 

Traffic back up or miss cut off for checking in at the airport by a few minutes? Does Spirit have a two (2) hour cut off for check in, if so how do you propose to navigate that as most self-disembarkation times start at 7a or so the earliest?

 

This is similar to a current thread about people running late and no making the ship as it did not wait.

 

 

There are other flights out of FLL to get you to MCO just in case... and possibly your travel insurance?

 

bon voyage

[tangerinebunny]

Since you're in a suite, talk to the MC's host about your situation. She can better explain your options.

 

I was actually the first person off in one self-disembark. It's an easy off and the line moves fast IF you're at the front.

[pk&Di]

Hi Chris,

 

Thank-you this is helpful. Last year we were in line with walk off passengers but because we were in no rush we probably joined the line at 730 or something. However, when were in line waiting for Customs suite guests from our Hallway were being escorted past the line and to a dedicated customs line. We recognized them and also noted that their luggage tags were the same as what had been left for us had we choosen to give our bags up the night before.

 

So I'm guessing that if we do carry off our own bags we could be close to first off the ship, but if we are back in the line aways it would be better to go off via MC and the system there?

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Really appreciate yours and everyones comments so far. Thanks all.

 

PK

 

 

When we were on Constellation into FLL a year ago, Sky Suites were assigned to Ocean Liners with Elites, and the Captain's Club host escorted us to the exit just before each number group was released. On Reflection last month into MIA, assigned to same lounge or location as other passengers in that number group.

 

The problem in FLL was not getting off the ship, it was the mass of people all waiting to go through the needle's eye of US Customs & Border Protection.

 

I'd definitely pack light and arrange self-disembarking if I were you and get off at the earliest option.

[dodger1964]

Greetings

 

If you really want to try to make this work then I suggest you get yourself and your travel companion down to your nearest customs office and obtain a Global Entry Card. This allows you to go to the front of the customs line in Port Everglades and also gives you a Trusted Travelers Number allowing quick passage through airport security.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

 

GE is a great program, but it won't make much difference in the OP's case...If you are the first off the ship, there will not be any lines to worry about. We did self walk off after Xmas cruise, and used the GE line...saved about 2 minutes, but we were probably 100 or so in the walk off line.

 

We didn't need to be off extra early, if we had to catch a flight, we would have been at the front of the line. I would suggest going down about 1 hour early if you really need to be first off the ship!

 

At least this cruise had a couple of employees organizing the line. Other times it has been a little more chaotic.

[Hlitner]

As others have said, Express Disembarkation (where you carry all of your own luggage) is the way to go for this kind of early flight. Port Everglades is a total zoo on Sat/Sun mornings so it is vital to among the earliest off the ship. Even with the highest priority you would be at the mercy of the luggage folks which is not always a good thing. The unknown is how long it takes the authorities (CBP) to clear the ship and while this usually happens pretty fast....we have been on some cruises where there were complications that delayed clearance past 9am!

 

The suggestion to join the Global Entry Program ($100 for 5 years) is a good idea but getting in this program is somewhat of a hassle (you need to schedule a face to face interview at specific places with CBP officials. Port Everglades is currently the only US Port that is allowing GE participants to have head of the line privileges and this is not without its own issues.

 

Hank

[emelle]

Was just off Silhouette in FLL and was in a Royal suite.

 

Did not try to be "first off" but did go buy Michael's club and concierge took us to the front of the Seapass swipe off line....then we were off to customs (we did Luggage valet, so did not have to pick up large suitcases, but they were there for suite passengers in a special, designated place as you entered the terminal, before the lines started for customs).

 

However, on this past Sunday, if you were in a hurry...your problem would have been at the customs line....moved fairly efficiently, but was very long and there was no special place for suite passengers, global entry however was a much shorter line and moved faster.

 

Then you would have waited in a line for a taxi if that was your method of getting to airport. We had a car service pick us up, but that may not have been faster because we had to call them to come from their "waiting lot."

 

So, I agree, be first off the ship.....also remember you have security to clear in FLL and hope you are pre check TSA. We were, so wait was not too bad, but other line was very long because of all the ships docking on Sunday.

 

Hope this helps, emelle.

[dkjretired]

Although you will probably make it, the last thing I want to do is go on a wonderful cruise and worry if I'm going to make my flight at the end.

[crimsonbird]

It is so easy. Don't put your luggage out the night before. Instead be on line at 7 (or earlier) to walk off with your luggage. This eliminates trying to hunt it up in the terminal.

[jjk9946]

I agree with Tunaman2011. Get your Global Entry TSA card. Best money you'll ever spend. Google it. The application is online. Once there the directions are easy to follow.

 

We got ours on advise of our TA. Last time we entered the country the line was literally hours long. Start to finish it took us about ten minutes.

[SuiteTraveler]

Yes, definitely get your Global Entry TSA card. This gets you pre-check at most airports (including FLL) which means you go to a special line. The alternative way to get pre-check is to fly first class.

 

Onboard:

Print your boarding pass out the night before.

 

Keep your luggage with you and self disembark in the morning (probably around 7:15am) Go through Global Entry line at Customs, head for the taxi line - you should be within the first 20 off the ship. Take taxi to FLL. Drop luggage at outside the terminal check in, head straight for security. Go through pre-check line. All told you should be at your gate by 8:30am if you move quickly and have no unexpected delays.

[dodger1964]

Yes, definitely get your Global Entry TSA card. This gets you pre-check at most airports (including FLL) which means you go to a special line. The alternative way to get pre-check is to fly first class.

 

Onboard:

Print your boarding pass out the night before.

 

Keep your luggage with you and self disembark in the morning (probably around 7:15am) Go through Global Entry line at Customs, head for the taxi line - you should be within the first 20 off the ship. Take taxi to FLL. Drop luggage at outside the terminal check in, head straight for security. Go through pre-check line. All told you should be at your gate by 8:30am if you move quickly and have no unexpected delays.

 

Agree with all of that except, "around 715"...if you go down at 715 I would guess you would be about 100 to 150 in line...still doesn't take a lot of time, but it will add 15 minutes at least.

 

On Silhouette we lined up one floor above where we actually departed (we lined up on guest relations floor 3? and then departed on 2)...It was a small pain to use the steps..but there actually were a couple of X employees helping some of the people with bags down.

[waterbug123]

Hi Bo1953. We do have great trip interruption insurance etc. I will look into those details

 

"Trip interruption" may very well not include just being tardy to the airport. Definitely contact your insurance company and ask.

[pk&Di]

Thank-you--- I will check into that to make sure it will cover things.

 

Thanks,