Between Flight & Embarkation/Debarkation

[CrazyCruisingCat]

Anyone know how much time we should allow in between when our plane lands to when our boat embarks, as well as how much time from when the ship docks for debarkation to when the flight leaves? If the itinerary says 4:00 p.m. for embarkation does that mean that we need to [I]be there[/I] at 4:00 or is that when it actually leaves and we therefore need to be there earlier than that?

[Travel Angel]

[quote name='CrazyCruisingCat']Anyone know how much time we should allow in between when our plane lands to when our boat embarks, as well as how much time from when the ship docks for debarkation to when the flight leaves? If the itinerary says 4:00 p.m. for embarkation does that mean that we need to [I]be there[/I] at 4:00 or is that when it actually leaves and we therefore need to be there earlier than that?[/QUOTE]

You should try to be to the ship by noon if possible as this is when you typically can board the ship. You must be onboard the ship NO LATER than 1 hour before sailing with most cruiselines and in some cases 90 minutes before sailing.

As far as flight schedules after the cruise.....depends where you are flying out of. I usually suggest, no flights any earlier than 12 noon to 1pm for most departure gateways.

[greatam]

[quote name='CrazyCruisingCat']Anyone know how much time we should allow in between when our plane lands to when our boat embarks, as well as how much time from when the ship docks for debarkation to when the flight leaves? If the itinerary says 4:00 p.m. for embarkation does that mean that we need to [I]be there[/I] at 4:00 or is that when it actually leaves and we therefore need to be there earlier than that?[/QUOTE]

Ship LEAVES at 4:00PM (or whatever time is on your documents).

Quite a few cruise lines require you to be CHECKED IN and ON BOARD 2 hours before the ship leaves. This is required by the Coast Guard/Homeland Security, etc.etc.

What I am reading into your post: arriving JUST IN TIME to sail away.

BAD IDEA. If your plane is delayed for any reason, your luggage is lost, you mis-connect with your ground transport, there is a traffic accident on the way to the port, etc. etc. etc., you may miss your cruise.

Unless you are flying a VERY short distance (like Portland to Seattle or Los Angeles to San Diego), you would be VERY wise to fly into your port city the day BEFORE your cruise, book a hotel, rest/relax, eat breakfast the next morning and board your cruise ready to have fun!!!

[Whimsy]

I recommend flying in the day before as well. Too many things can happen if you try to arrive the day of the cruise whether it be by car or plane. I want to be in the city I am sailing from the day before and know I will be on that ship the next day.

[Travel Angel]

[quote name='Whimsy']I recommend flying in the day before as well. Too many things can happen if you try to arrive the day of the cruise whether it be by car or plane. I want to be in the city I am sailing from the day before and know I will be on that ship the next day.[/QUOTE]

While I am in total agreement with flying in the day before, some folks just do not have that luxury due to work requirements i.e. time off allowance, etc.....

[CrazyCruisingCat]

Thanks for all the good info. It is a bit of a problem for us to fly in the day before, but we will consider a red-eye or something to get us there with plenty of time. Thanks everyone.

[wrp96]

General rule: If you fly in day of, take a flight that lands no later than 4 hours before the cutoff time for you to be on the ship. Give yourself more time the farther away from the port the airport is.

So for a place like Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, for a 4pm departure, you have to be checked in and on the ship no later than 2:30pm, so you would need to land no later than 10:30am.

For a cruise out of Galveston, if you are flying into IAH, I'd push that back even further since IAH is 1.5 to 2hours from the port.

Flying in day of, a non-stop flight is usually better than a flight with a connection because there is less chance of a delay and lost luggage with a nonstop.