Nurse502 Posted February 22, 2016 #1 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We are first time cruisers and we are curious as to the time it takes to get through customs and to the airport. What is the earliest flight I can book if Oasis pulls into port at 6:30 am? I'm looking at a 10:10 am flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 22, 2016 #2 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) We are first time cruisers and we are curious as to the time it takes to get through customs and to the airport. What is the earliest flight I can book if Oasis pulls into port at 6:30 am? I'm looking at a 10:10 am flight. If you do self-assist disembarkation, get in line early, there are no delays with the ship's arrival or customs, you should be able to make it to the airport before 8am. Edited February 22, 2016 by clarea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danoconnl Posted February 22, 2016 #3 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm doing 10:20 am 3/17 off of Independence of the seas. I'll let you know how it goes. Based on things I've read on here about self assist, my plan is to be in line no later than 6:30 am, and if everything goes ok, I expect us to be at the airport by 8:15. For me the chance was worth it since every other flight home was non direct and would get us home so late and have us sitting in the airport for hours. DAn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nurse502 Posted February 22, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Great. Thank you! I'm hoping this goes fairly smoothly. I hate to get a day room if it's really not necessary. All of the later flights are 4 hours longer in duration that I need. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucruisn2 Posted February 22, 2016 #5 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We had friends with us last month on Allure. They had a 9:30 AM flight they made with no problem. Did self disembarkation and took a cab. But, as others have said, if there is a delay of any kind, you could have a problem. Have a back up plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nurse502 Posted February 22, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Oh no. What kind of back up plan should I be looking into? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constable145 Posted February 22, 2016 #7 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Oh no. What kind of back up plan should I be looking into? Enough room on your credit card to purchase another flight. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 22, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm doing 10:20 am 3/17 off of Independence of the seas. I'll let you know how it goes. Based on things I've read on here about self assist, my plan is to be in line no later than 6:30 am, and if everything goes ok, I expect us to be at the airport by 8:15. For me the chance was worth it since every other flight home was non direct and would get us home so late and have us sitting in the airport for hours. DAn Indy would be more difficult with an early flight, unless they are able to use Terminal 18. If you are getting off on 3/17, it looks like you might be the only Royal ship in port, so it's very possible you would use Terminal 18. In any case, I would be first in line, because I don't believe that Indy gets in as early as Oasis class ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danp Posted February 22, 2016 #9 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We just got off of the Seranade last Monday in Fort Lauerdale.We had a 1157 flight.We were suppose to get off at 0800.Well we didn't get called till after 0900.When we got down to claim our luggage there were about 300 people waiting to get thru customs.The problem was that there were only two agents for the 2900 passengers.We did get to the airport in time but we were also delayed two hours due to snow at ewr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercuryfan Posted February 22, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We booked at 5:15pm flight after the cruise, friends of ours booked the 12:40pm flight and almost missed the flight due to customs delay, at the port. get off the ship ASAP if you're going to book an early flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 22, 2016 #11 Share Posted February 22, 2016 ...get off the ship ASAP if you're going to book an early flight This is a lesson we learned early on. If there is a customs delay, it seems to get worse at the morning wears on. Best to get away from the ship as soon as possible, even if you have a later flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poz222 Posted February 22, 2016 #12 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Generally speaking you should be ok.... But DO SELF ASSIST! Meaning carry your own luggage off first thing in the AM. As a backup, buy trip insurance so if there is a delay you might be able to get assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml3 Posted February 22, 2016 #13 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We are just off the Oasis this past Saturday. Customs was slow! We did self assist and were in line on the Promenade at 7:30. The line barely moved. We finally made it to the taxi area a little after 9:00. We were at the airport about 9:20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nurse502 Posted February 22, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I will definitely be purchasing insurance on the entire vacation. This is what I was concerned with...the hold up. I may be better off leaving the next day and getting a room somewhere. Unfortunately, the boat convention is in Ft. Lauderdale and the hotel prices are through the roof. I guess it's all luck of the draw on these sorts of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefighterhoop Posted February 22, 2016 #15 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Seems like Customs in FLL for all RCCL ships (Not sure about other lines) has been slow this winter. I have been on Independence, Allure, and Navigator this winter which have all used separate terminals and each has been very slow going - even for self assist. I have friends who have been on Serenade b2b and they reported the same both cruises. With this I would be a bit nervous about booking an early flight. Usually on those ships they begin self walk off between 7-730am, so if you were in the first group off you SHOULD be OK, but again, depends on how quick or slow the line goes. During self assist with the Allure a month ago they only started out with 3 Customs agents clearing the ship, which grew to 4 at some point (Someone who went through right away told me they actually started with 2, but I personally never saw just 2). I got off the ship around 8:30 and the self assist line was nearly an hour long from getting off the ship to getting through customs - and they were running behind calling numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFD130 Posted February 22, 2016 #16 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We have done the self disembarkation the last three times in Fort Lauderdale and all three times we have been to the airport and through security by 8:30 am. Of course anything can go wrong-that is true with your arrival and any flight all day long. Being your first cruise just remember about mid cruise you will get a form in your cabin about your departure. Make sure you fill it out for self disembarkation. Also remember that you must carry all of your luggage, so if you have lots of bags it may not be possible, (We always have our carry on and one suitcase) I also get my boarding pass on the ship the night before. That's save a little bit at the airport as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexkrn46 Posted February 22, 2016 #17 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm doing 10:20 am 3/17 off of Independence of the seas. I'll let you know how it goes. Based on things I've read on here about self assist, my plan is to be in line no later than 6:30 am, and if everything goes ok, I expect us to be at the airport by 8:15. For me the chance was worth it since every other flight home was non direct and would get us home so late and have us sitting in the airport for hours. DAn We just got off iOS, inline at 7 am, hundreds of self assist ahead of us, made it to customs line around 815, very long with two agents, we have global entry, cut the line, out around 830. airport security was long took 30 minutes to check our bag. Long security line, but had tsa pre, at gate little after 9. If we did not have global entry or tsa pre would have been close Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akowilm Posted February 22, 2016 #18 Share Posted February 22, 2016 We have self disembarked on the last 2 cruises and had no issues at all being at the airport by 8:30-9:00. Maybe we were lucky, but we got up VERY early and were one of the first off the ship. It made for an easy day, and we were home unpacking by 2pm. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising_Kara Posted February 22, 2016 #19 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Booking a flight before noon is asking for trouble imo. You never know how long customs is going to hold you up at the port or how long the lines at security will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3putts Posted February 22, 2016 #20 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) We disembarked the Allure on Feb 14 with a 10:25 flight. We self disembarked at 6:40 am and were at the airport by 7:00 am. No problems. Edited February 22, 2016 by Tommy3putts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nurse502 Posted February 22, 2016 Author #21 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks everyone for the wonderful tips!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 23, 2016 #22 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I think it's too early. Things happen and there are delays from time to time. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted February 23, 2016 #23 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We are first time cruisers and we are curious as to the time it takes to get through customs and to the airport. What is the earliest flight I can book if Oasis pulls into port at 6:30 am? I'm looking at a 10:10 am flight. I'd look at something later was it me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 23, 2016 #24 Share Posted February 23, 2016 i wanted to add that I often see people stressing about making a flight and it takes away from the cruise. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 23, 2016 #25 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We disembarked the Allure on Feb 14 with a 10:25 flight. We self disembarked at 6:40 am and were at the airport by 7:00 am. No problems. That's been the experience of most folks with Oasis and Allure. Many people don't realize that these ships are normally arriving well before 6am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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