flight/cruise timing

[tugboatjulie]

Newbie here--(This is also in flying area, just in case.)

So, how long does it usually take to embark and disembark?

If we're supposed to be arriving in Tampa port on ship at 7am, would a 1:40pm flight be too risky?

Are ships frequently late?

If it departs from the port at 5pm, what time do they usually tell you to arrive? (I know CC says go 2 hrs earlier than that.)

[eritouma]

a 1:40 pm departure flight should be fine, although I am not sure of the relative distances between the port and the airport, but generally speaking that should give you plenty of time... I think that ships are usually not late, unless there are serious problems...or hurricane issues in the late summer and fall.....As for departure... in the past when we had 5pm departures, we arrived at the port anytime between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.. each time when just went through the check-in and then onto the ship....:)

[wrp96]

Boarding usually starts around 11:30 or 12. If your ship departs at 5pm, you have to be checked in and onboard no later than 4pm on Carnival, even earlier if you have not filled out your funpass, but you should plan on being onboard no later than 3pm in case there are any delays etc. Remember the later you get there, the more of your paid for your vacation you are missing.

[barbarah33]

I would take a 1:40 flight easily and not worry. Usually it's not at all a problem to be off a cruise ship by 9am. Sadly, they want to get you all off ASAP becuase they have lots to do in a short amount of time to be ready for the next 'batch' of passengers that afternoon.

 

As for getting on a ship the other posters are correct. Most of the time they will start to let people board between 11:30 and noon. But be warned - since you said this is your first time. They will start with all of their suite guests and past passengers; one of the perks of sailing with any one line over 5 times is priority boarding. So if you were to show up say before noon you could easily have a very long wait before being able to board.

 

Enjoy your cruise; but be prepared to become addicted like many of us have.

[cb at sea]

The ships are almost never late, but flights....well, if you've listened to the news lately, you know how that goes!

You shouldn't have an issue with your arrival time, as long as it's ON TIME! Really, it takes no longer to check in to the ship than it takes to check in to a hotel.