Cruise and Flights

Stay 1 night before and after in Miami, near port.

I know someone who missed the boat because of a delayed, same day arrival flight.

i'd be inclined to fly in the day before the cruise - with airport delays and such a possibility, especially during winter, better to be safe than sorry - the cruise ship will NOT wait for you! i'd get a flight in the afternoon on the day you return, i've never waited more than 2-3 hours to get off a ship. have a good time!

If it departs at 4:00, they are probably open for boarding at around noon. The earlier you get there, the less crowded it is, but you can board any time after they open for boarding.

I don't know anything about the flights.

In my experience, it can take a couple of hours to get off and get your luggage. We've always disembarked last because we were local. They will have you disembark based on your transportation plans. Even if you disembark last, you could catch a 6 pm flight. The entire disembarking will take a couple of hours so you should be off the boat with all your luggage accounted for by 11:00 or 12:00 at the latest.

Have a great time! I love cruises!

I would plan on staying one more night. The cruise I went on in January was 5 hours late getting into port because of fog. Many people had to reschedule their flights home. Those that had flights home that day were let off the ship before anyone else. Have fun!

We are going on a cruise in June and I wondered the same thing. I think it would be cheaper to drive down. I could be wrong. Our ship leaves at 5:30pm from Palm Beach so we could always stay the night in Georgia or Jacksonville and drive the rest of the way the day we leave.

Fly in the day before if you can. The cruise ship will open for boarding at 11am, and there is a ton to do on the ship that day - you don't want to be squeaking in at 3:45pm. You'll be stressed and you'll miss out on almost a full day. Also - they are totally serious about 4pm. If you are not fully on the ship by 3:59, you will not be on that ship at all. Plus, since you can get on any time after 11am, it's worth going early and spending the day exploring the ship.

I have several friends who have flown into Ft Lauderdale and taken a taxi/limo to the cruise pier - no issues. But they did fly in the day before and had the limo pick them up at 9:30 in the morning to get to the pier on time.

Have a great trip!

We are not a cruise vacation family so I can't answer specific to cruises, however, I book many many flights for our personal and business travel.

1. If it were me, I would fly in the day before just to make sure you are where you need to be on time. Same goes for flying home, you don't know how long it will take, etc so why stress out... stay at a hotel close to your departing airport and be on the safe side.

2. We have found it much easier to fly into and out of FLL than Miami. It is less crowded, easier to get a rental car if needed, and they do have shuttles to the ports and Miami. I would fly to FLL and take a shuttle/cab to the port. On the way home, when you are all done, shuttle back to FLL and stay the night there.

Airlines are notorious for mix ups, etc and you don't want to be the one with no luggage, late flight, cancelled flight, etc. Play it on the safe side.

True, flying into FLL is cheaper than flying in and out of Miami. I don't know why but they are not that far apart and that is the option we always take.

Your flight costs sound reasonable. Hopefully you are working directly with the airline site.. You can get good deals. Southwest has fantastic deals, especially the web specials that are offered at 21+ days in advance. I am flying hubby to Atlanta from Dallas for less than $120, i fly him routinely to Houston from Dallas for $100.

The only thing with the web special is that if you want to change your flight, you pay the fare difference ONLY, no other fees. That said, if the worst happens, you let SW know BEFORE you are schedule to take off and the funds for the ticket are banked for you. You then have an option for a refund or to use the finds on another flight.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!!

Just a suggestion (having grown up down there)... fly into Ft. Lauderdale that morning and rent a car. I suggest Enterprise b/c they will pick the car up there and bring another to you when your return. Drive to the port and plan on being there in plenty of time (at least 2 hours ahead of time) so that you can return the rental and have lunch before boarding the ship.

It's an easy drive (not short, but easy) and well marked. Renting a car for two mornings will be notably less expensive than taking a shuttle/cab or flying into Miami. You would still need to get from the airport to the Port of Miami.

Getting off of the ship will take you several hours, but unless you want to spend an extra night in Miami, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get back to Ft. Lauderdale in time for a 6:00pm flight.

It will take you about 45 minutes or an hour to get from one point to another.

oooh Racel - in all of my travels - i've not been to Florida!!!

Here's what I would do:

I would book a flight to the place closest to the port. Yes, it might be more expensive but it beats the taxi ride and the cost of the taxi - dealing with traffic and possibly being late!!

On the flight home - I would catch the 6PM flight unless you think you will need a day just to chill by the pool before you get back on a plane and travel home. Are you flying out of BWI or National? Dulles would seem WAY far out of your way...although you could stay our house the night before!!

I agree with others that say fly in the night before. I did on the last two cruises and it just eliminates any worries.
There is a very nice Holiday Inn right by the port of Miami and it's within walking distance of a little mall type place with restaurants etc and it was reasonable.
Getting off the cruise ship is not so bad. You will be off by 9:30 and would be safe with just about any flight in the afternoon.

Have fun-my kids loved it!!

If the ship departs at 4 pm, you should arrive at the dock by 12 noon. Call the cruise line to verify what time you should be there.

If I was going to go into Ft Lauderdale, I'd book a shuttle from the airport to the dock. A Shuttle is usually less expensive than a taxi. Check your prices to be sure. Search the internet for the shuttle and then call them to find out how long it will take. If you fly into Miami, the taxi rate from the airport to the dock is set by the government.

I would fly into FLL on a morning flight, and not spend the night in Miami or Ft Lauderdale.

If the cruise lines say the ship will dock at 8 am, then you can count on getting off the ship at 12 noon. Depending on how long your shuttle says it will take to go from the dock to FLL, you can book your flights accordingly. EXAMPLE: If the shuttle takes 2 hours, and you can leave the ship at 12 noon, add 30 minutes to find your shuttle, add 90 minutes to check in at the airport and for unforseen traffic, then you can book your flight after 4 pm on your return.

My wife and I have been on 18 cruises. The information I gave you is based on my experience on taking cruises. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Good luck to you and yours.