FLL: couple of questions re disembarking & late flight....

[j3000]

we're on Celebrity Reflection April 7-13. Our flight out of FLL on disembarking day (Sat Apr. 13) is not until 2:30pm. What's the very latest we can hang around onboard that morning and, is there any point? Also- probably not, but... any suggestions for killing time before our flight, other than hanging out at the airport?

 

[CruiserBruce]

That is a Celebrity policy, the same in all their home ports, not related to FLL.

 

Generally, every cruise line wants you off no later than 10am, frequently before 9:30.

 

There are many threads here on the possible activities. Things like cruise line excursions, water taxi (our favorite), etc.

[j3000]

ok, but the second part of my post is FLL-related, no?🤷‍♂️

 

I guess I'm wondering if the approx. 4-5hr window between disembarking & flight departure time(or at least airport-arrival time) is long enough to plan any other activity?

[CruiserBruce]

35 minutes ago, jargey3000 said:

ok, but the second part of my post is FLL-related, no?🤷‍♂️

 

I guess I'm wondering if the approx. 4-5hr window between disembarking & flight departure time(or at least airport-arrival time) is long enough to plan any other activity?

Yes, it is. But you won't have a lot of time. Some cruise line excursions may be built for this short time frame...for example a 3 hour tour that starts at 8:30, has you at the airport by noon. 

 

The water taxi doesn't usually start until 10am, and a full circuit is about 2.5 hours, so that is much tighter.

[j3000]

^^^thanks^^^^

[LeeW]

Biggest problem with our 4 pm flights is that airlines won't check in your bags until 4 hours before the flight.  So even if you get off the ship at 9, you will have to sit at the airport until 1030 for your bag checkin, and there are very few places to sit.  Bag storage is $10/bag.

[Elaine5715]

On 3/7/2024 at 9:40 AM, jargey3000 said:

we're on Celebrity Reflection April 7-13. Our flight out of FLL on disembarking day (Sat Apr. 13) is not until 2:30pm. What's the very latest we can hang around onboard that morning and, is there any point? Also- probably not, but... any suggestions for killing time before our flight, other than hanging out at the airport?

 

Take a ride share to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  Leave your bags with Bell Services, hang out for a few hours and then return to the airport.

[capriccio]

15 hours ago, LeeW said:

Biggest problem with our 4 pm flights is that airlines won't check in your bags until 4 hours before the flight.  So even if you get off the ship at 9, you will have to sit at the airport until 1030 for your bag checkin, and there are very few places to sit.  Bag storage is $10/bag.

 

Actually it is worse than that at FLL during high season.  The airport website (https://www.broward.org/airport/passengers/pages/cruisepassengers.aspx) currently has this warning:

 

Due to peak cruise travel activity with multiple ships in South Florida ports, airlines at FLL may only be able to check your bags up to two hours before your scheduled flight. This is necessary to ensure that all passengers receive their luggage at their final destination. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Passengers have reported that it depends on the airline (so check that in advance) and success in checking luggage with the skycaps outside the terminal earlier than allowed inside.

 

For more info on luggage storage see https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/SERVICES/Pages/Default.aspx

 

Some cruise lines have programs where they take your luggage the night before disembarkation and you don't see it again until on the carousel at your destination airport so check that out on your cruise line forum.  Then you are free to spend your time in Fort Lauderdale after disembarking and just get to the airport and pass through security.

[Elaine5715]

10 hours ago, capriccio said:

 

Actually it is worse than that at FLL during high season.  The airport website (https://www.broward.org/airport/passengers/pages/cruisepassengers.aspx) currently has this warning:

 

Due to peak cruise travel activity with multiple ships in South Florida ports, airlines at FLL may only be able to check your bags up to two hours before your scheduled flight. This is necessary to ensure that all passengers receive their luggage at their final destination. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Passengers have reported that it depends on the airline (so check that in advance) and success in checking luggage with the skycaps outside the terminal earlier than allowed inside.

 

For more info on luggage storage see https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/SERVICES/Pages/Default.aspx

 

Some cruise lines have programs where they take your luggage the night before disembarkation and you don't see it again until on the carousel at your destination airport so check that out on your cruise line forum.  Then you are free to spend your time in Fort Lauderdale after disembarking and just get to the airport and pass through security.

True.  When I flew out of FLL in March, it was the two hour limit for a couple of airlines.  I was on Delta (4 hour limit in place) and even the Sky Priority line was crazy long.  The Sky Priority line to tag your own bag was outside the building.  Police were close to these lines.  Funny part was security was a breeze other than waiting for those who weren't Precheck getting done arguing why they just couldn't go through.    

Edited March 30 by Elaine5715

[rjack22]

Sign up for a post cruise tour.    They put your luggage under the bus and after the tour they drop you off at the airport.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 3/7/2024 at 9:40 AM, jargey3000 said:

we're on Celebrity Reflection April 7-13. Our flight out of FLL on disembarking day (Sat Apr. 13) is not until 2:30pm. What's the very latest we can hang around onboard that morning and, is there any point? Also- probably not, but... any suggestions for killing time before our flight, other than hanging out at the airport?

 

we are just off Reflection and our flight was at 4:45 pm (and then delayed till after 6 pm). We got off the ship after 9:30.

Stupid Spirit had the 4 hour limit on the luggage again. 

Edited April 12 by Itchy&Scratchy

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We usually can't get a decent flight at a decent time.  We've started spending the night in Fll and flying home early the next day.