Colorado Babe Posted December 27, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Has anyone ever tried to get a 9:30 a.m. flight after sailing the Serenade of the Seas? I have a fusion in my back and always try to get non stop flights back home. We will be sailing on the Serenade in March and it's time to book our air travel since the rates are fairly reasonable this morning. We just sailed on the Harmony a week ago and had no problem getting a 9:15 a.m. flight and had plenty of time once we got to the airport to enjoy breakfast and coffee. We carried our luggage off the ship at 6:30 a.m. However, the Serenade would be a little later as it doesn't get into port until 7:00 a.m. vs 6:00 a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted December 27, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Might be able to help if you tell us from which port/airport? I don't have all Serenade sailings by my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Babe Posted December 27, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Might be able to help if you tell us from which port/airport? I don't have all Serenade sailings by my head. Fort Lauderdale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted December 27, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 27, 2016 For our Equinox arrival time into port Everglades was 7 am. and at 7 pm, we went down to deck 5, in line to be among the first to go ashore - already a huge queue for self-disembarkation! Already at 7:15 the queue did start to move and 8:45 we were off the ship in line for immigration. Pretty fast and just before 8 am we entered a taxi (no waiting line) for the airport - With United premier access and 'TSA Pre' check-in and security took less that 20 minutes. So just in time for a 9.00 am flight - 9:30 certainly doable but a bit risky with a 7 am ship arrival. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted December 27, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Since you have asked for advice, here is mine: no way would we book a flight that early. Remember you will go through customs and immigration at the pier upon return, then wait for a cab, then check your luggage and go through security at FLL. In my opinion, it's just too early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted December 27, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Has anyone ever tried to get a 9:30 a.m. flight after sailing the Serenade of the Seas? I have a fusion in my back and always try to get non stop flights back home. We will be sailing on the Serenade in March and it's time to book our air travel since the rates are fairly reasonable this morning. We just sailed on the Harmony a week ago and had no problem getting a 9:15 a.m. flight and had plenty of time once we got to the airport to enjoy breakfast and coffee. We carried our luggage off the ship at 6:30 a.m. However, the Serenade would be a little later as it doesn't get into port until 7:00 a.m. vs 6:00 a.m. Was on Serenade 11/21 11 night cruise. This is not typical of Royal but we arrived in Port as scheduled but during heavy rains. We were in Suites and first walk off wasn't until 0830. Our luggage was there but nobody else. I believe the early self depart was on another gangway with their luggage (same time). We were on I95 headed North at 0915. Everything was delayed due to the storms. This is not usual but can happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted December 27, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) On our last year 10 night Serenade out of Ft. Lauderdale, there was an unusually high amount of pax doing self assist. Just as they were about to let them out onto the gangway, a medical emergency stopped the process. Those pax were standing in line for an hour, waiting for the medical team and ambulance to depart the pier. Ship did not start the process again until after 8:30 am. We were one of the early numbers seated in the dining room, having checked our bags. We did not depart until well after 9 am, and then found a huge line of pax waiting to go through customs. That took another hour. Did not clear the terminal until after 10 am. Not that this might happen on your particular cruise...but...... Edited December 27, 2016 by island lady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted December 27, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Assuming everything is on schedule, the earliest you can walk off is about 7:30 (if you get in the self debark line at about 5 AM) and catch a cab about 10-15 min later. That would get you to the airport around 8. That is the best case scenario - you can see other examples in previous posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted December 27, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 27, 2016 For our Equinox arrival time into port Everglades was 7 am. and at 7 pm, we went down to deck 5, in line to be among the first to go ashore - already a huge queue for self-disembarkation! People slept in the debarkation line? :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted December 27, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) People slept in the debarkation line? :eek: Oh...great idea Biker!! Maybe we should bring our sleeping bags the next time we get stuck in line for 12 hours! ;) :p Edited December 27, 2016 by island lady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted December 27, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Oh...great idea Biker!! Maybe we should bring our sleeping bags! ;) :p :p I thought folks were crazy on Serenade when I heard people had been in line 2+ hours before scheduled debarkation, but 12 hrs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted December 27, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 27, 2016 I thought folks were crazy on Serenade when I heard people had been in line 2+ hours before scheduled debarkation, but 12 hrs? Yeah, I posted addition just when you did. Found that typo pretty funny also! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ONECRUISER Posted December 27, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) Has anyone ever tried to get a 9:30 a.m. flight after sailing the Serenade of the Seas? I have a fusion in my back and always try to get non stop flights back home. We will be sailing on the Serenade in March and it's time to book our air travel since the rates are fairly reasonable this morning. We just sailed on the Harmony a week ago and had no problem getting a 9:15 a.m. flight and had plenty of time once we got to the airport to enjoy breakfast and coffee. We carried our luggage off the ship at 6:30 a.m. However, the Serenade would be a little later as it doesn't get into port until 7:00 a.m. vs 6:00 a.m. I wouldn't that early. Sailed Serenade 7 times out of Ft Lauderdale last yr and 2-3 times 9:30 either too close or miss a flight. Last Friday changed to Pier 25 and was actually quicker then the Allure's Pier 18. If do make sure you carry luggage off early. Having the pre-TSA and new mobile passport app would help. Edited December 27, 2016 by ONECRUISER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted December 27, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Having the pre-TSA and new mobile passport app would help. Yes, MP certainly helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted December 27, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Yes, MP certainly helps. Helps a lot if you are delayed on disembarkation. You are actually enough to the airport to wave to your plane as it departs when you are still on the gangway. :p :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Babe Posted December 28, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted December 28, 2016 I guess we will have to do the 11:30 flight with a stopover in Texas. I was really wanting to avoid a stopover but I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks all! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted December 28, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 28, 2016 I guess we will have to do the 11:30 flight with a stopover in Texas. I was really wanting to avoid a stopover but I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks all! Depending on the fare, changes on the day of the flight might be possible. If you do end up at the airport early enough, you could try switching to the earlier non-stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted December 28, 2016 #18 Share Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) I guess we will have to do the 11:30 flight with a stopover in Texas. I was really wanting to avoid a stopover but I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks all! Sent from my iPhone using Forums IMHO, you made the right choice. No sense stressing out on your vacation to save a few hours. A lot of cruisers take flights out of FLL from the cruise port, and knowing many of them don't opt for them since they may not make it in time to do the early flights ....they lower the prices for those flights that have a lesser demand. Supply and demand economics. Edited December 28, 2016 by island lady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crbonfiber Posted January 4, 2017 #19 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Has anyone ever tried to get a 9:30 a.m. flight after sailing the Serenade of the Seas? I have a fusion in my back and always try to get non stop flights back home. We will be sailing on the Serenade in March and it's time to book our air travel since the rates are fairly reasonable this morning. We just sailed on the Harmony a week ago and had no problem getting a 9:15 a.m. flight and had plenty of time once we got to the airport to enjoy breakfast and coffee. We carried our luggage off the ship at 6:30 a.m. However, the Serenade would be a little later as it doesn't get into port until 7:00 a.m. vs 6:00 a.m. I have made even earlier flights walk off with your own luggage ASAP and you will make it NO problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmayor Posted January 4, 2017 #20 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Last March we were debarking the Serenade in the self assist group to make an 11:30am flight out of Miami...we had a private car service picking us up at 8am for the trip north. We were docked by 6am and in line by 7am. As another posted had happen on their trip, a medical emergency delayed the start...only in our case it was not one but TWO ambulances alongside. The line to get off snaked all the way aft. We (and those around us) had been outside in line a good 45-50 minutes when a group of four pushed their way through and wanted to cut the line. None of us budged...we pointed aft to the end of the line... A man responded rudely "No, we have to make an early international flight...we will wait here!" I responded "We all have flights to make...that's why we got in line early. Sorry, but the end is that way (pointed back)." Don't be 'that guy'...plan wisely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted January 4, 2017 #21 Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) Maybe. If you do walk off express departure. Our flight was at 10:40 and we did regular departure. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to make it. We entered the line at 8 and we were at the airport at 9:15~9:30. We used the Global Entry line at Port Everglades. These questions are always difficult. Friends (Pinnacle) said they were through by 8:15 with a concierge escort. But we have no way of knowing on this particular cruise, how it went earlier. :) Edited January 4, 2017 by Coralc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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