Early flight from FLL

[tejmar]

Our original flight leaving FLL was for 11:30 AM on a friday. There has been a flight change and now it leaves at 10:50 AM. I'm concerned that might be too early. I know that Princess lets pax with early flights debark early, but we are concerned about missing our flight.

 

Sorry to bring this up again. I know that this has been discussed before, but there must be something wrong with the search function because I keep getting an error.

[sunsurf]

In my opinion, you could probably still get away with it. We had an early flight last April out of FLL at 11:15 am, and still we waited at the airport for more than an hour before we could even begin to board the plane.

 

We were off the ship failry quickly as well. Princess will accomodate accordingly once they see your flight times. However, if you're worried , maybe you can sign up for the express walk off once on the ship?

[mizLORInj]

We're on an 11:00ish flight too and plan to do express walk off. FLL is close to the port (10 mins.) so it is doable--barring rare and unforeseen circumstances.

Last FLL cruise we did not do express walk off and were at the airport at 10. But I wouldn't chance it--I'd do express walk off.

Let guest svcs know (once you board) that you want to do this.

-L

[mizLORInj]

We're on an 11:00ish flight too and plan to do express walk off. FLL is close to the port (10 mins.) so it is doable--barring rare and unforeseen circumstances.

Last FLL cruise we did not do express walk off and were at the airport at 10. But I wouldn't chance it--I'd do express walk off.

Let guest svcs know (once you board) that you want to do this. keep in mind you have to be able to carry your own luggage off the ship.

-L

OOPS SORRY FOR DOUBLE POST--I GOT IMPATIENT WITH THE SLOW-NESS!!!!

[OhioDogLover]

We had a flight at about that time this past January from FLL. After freaking out :eek: for an hour waiting to get off, we had no trouble at all. We walked off, caught a cab, and had a lot of time to sit at the airport. Easy. Don't worry, you can do it.

Ohiodoglover

[usha]

When DH & I were on Caribbean Princess last month, some lame brain discharged a fire extinguisher in the cruise terminal, and it held up the disembarkation process for more than an hour. We were very glad that our flight wasn't until well after noon, because we would have missed an earlier flight for SURE.

If anything goes wrong, (don't forget Murphy's Law:eek: ) you'll be sooooo screwed.

[Colo Cruiser]

No problrm, go for it. ;)

[Pam in CA]

Under normal circumstances, your flight shouldn't be a problem but keep in mind that "stuff" does happen and disembarkation can get delayed.

 

One thing to consider is whether there are other cruise ships coming in the same day or whether there are major events in the MIA or FLL area. If you are flying during Thanksgiving, the holidays or February vacation, a flight before Noon could be tight as check-in and Security at FLL will be a nightmare.

[tejmar]

Thanks for the responses. For some reason yesterday I couldn't look at my thread. I kept getting errors.

 

I understand that we will be cutting it close as far as making the flight. This is actually for a Panama Canal cruise on the Island leaving 01/13/09 to 01/23/09. We got a great price on non-stop flights and would like to keep them if possible because the alternatives would have stopovers and would arrive 8 hours later. I'm assuming that more flight changes by the airline are a possibility before our cruise. Hopefully any future changes will be in our favor.

 

As far as I can tell on the 23rd the ships in port will be the Island, Constellation, Noordam, and Lirica. None of the mega-ships.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the responses. For some reason yesterday I couldn't look at my thread. I kept getting errors.

 

I understand that we will be cutting it close as far as making the flight. This is actually for a Panama Canal cruise on the Island leaving 01/13/09 to 01/23/09. We got a great price on non-stop flights and would like to keep them if possible because the alternatives would have stopovers and would arrive 8 hours later. I'm assuming that more flight changes by the airline are a possibility before our cruise. Hopefully any future changes will be in our favor.

 

As far as I can tell on the 23rd the ships in port will be the Island, Constellation, Noordam, and Lirica. None of the mega-ships.

 

That is not cutting it close as far as I am concerned. :)

[WWCJR]

You should be fine. We have had morning flights for both our January and May cruises and would have easily made your flight time. The one in January we did the Princess transfer which was not a speedy as our May cruise where we did the walk-off and took a cab. Since you have an early flight they put you in one of the first groups off of the ship. In May we walked off at about 8:15 AM and were in the airport waiting by our gate before 9:00 AM! Being in one of the first groups off there is less chance for something to slow you down such as was mentioned above. I was on that same cruise, but was off before the fire extinguisher was set off.

 

Go for it!

 

[vickie_bernie]

I don't think it will be a problem. We've booked an 11:15 flight and have always made it. Do let passenger service know of your need to get off early. Take taxi to pier, not princess shuttle as they will wait for bus to fill up before leaving and it is always faster and cheaper to go with a taxi.

[sunsetbeachgal]

To be on the safe side, sign up for Express Walk Off-you will be the first off...however, you must carry all of your luggage and hand carry off yourself without the aid of porters-so don't bring any more than you and your traveling companion can carry off in one load. Sometimes this can be difficult but we have done this on our last two cruises and were glad we did it-just plan ahead!

[NeurosurgeryNP]

In January on the CB, we had a 12 noon flight. We exchanged our luggage tags for an earlier disembarkation at the pursers desk (initially we were given 11 AM according to our deck). The disembarkation was so smooth, that we only sat in the assigned dining area for 5 minutes before we were escorted off of the ship (8:15 disembarkation). We caught a cab and were at the airport by 8:45 AM, checked in and through security and at the gate 2 1/2 hours before our flight twiddling our thumbs.

 

 

Take a TAXi and NOT a shared ride service to the airport.

 

Taki - about $12 for the ride plus tip - as many people and as much luggage as you can fit.

 

Shared ride - i.e. - van - $9 PER PERSON and you have to wait aorund until the van fills up. There will be both services around as soon as you get off of the ship. We wound up paying $36 for the four of us!!!!!! Stupid on our part - we wen't make that mistake again!

 

When we booked our flight, we called Princess to make sure that we were going to be OK - they told us that a flight after 10:20 AM in FLL would be OK based on their recommendations.

[Luke gs Daddy]

When DH & I were on Caribbean Princess last month, some lame brain discharged a fire extinguisher in the cruise terminal, and it held up the disembarkation process for more than an hour. We were very glad that our flight wasn't until well after noon, because we would have missed an earlier flight for SURE.

If anything goes wrong, (don't forget Murphy's Law:eek: ) you'll be sooooo screwed.

 

 

 

Non please.

[Colo Cruiser]

Non please.

 

 

???? :confused:

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

While I do agree it might be a tad early, I think you'll be fine. More often than not I book flights between 11-12 and have always had plenty of time to spare.

[tejmar]

I've sailed Princess twice before from FLL and I was always at the airport very early. The first time we had a 5:30PM flight and decided to take the tour of FLL which was very nice. Even with that we were at the airport at 12:30.

 

I felt fairly safe with the 11:30 flight and we probably won't have problems with 10:50, but if they move the flight to an earlier time I might have to change flights.

 

Thanks to everyone for the input.