Fort Lauderdale - Port to Airport

[lynch34]

It looks like its about 5 miles from the port to the airport? If so, anyone have any experience with aggressive flight times? I am looking at a 9:20 and think I could make it pretty easy with carrying the luggage myself.

 

[starvenger]

In early September, we had an 11am flight time to Toronto. We drew an early debarkation number (5) and were at the airport before 8:30. We checked in online so it was really just a matter of doing the bag drop (we have to drop the bags 60 minutes before departure) and security at that point.

9:20 seems pretty aggressive - if the ship gets in late you may be you know what out of luck - but suppose it can be done if you're flying domestically. Personally, I don't think I would do it.

 

[bumbershoot]

A lot of people do it. I wouldn’t.

 

[crabbymom]

FLL is probably the only port where a 9:20 flight is even remotely possible. If you do self disembark and carry all your luggage you SHOULD be able to make it.

One other suggestion: Port Everglades accepts Mobie Passport for closed loop cruises. If your not on a repo or transatlantic cruise, I would suggest downloading the mobile passport app and using that. There is a separate line at customs if you are using the app and there is never anyone in that line. Could save you a bit more time.

 

[FabFourteenFamilyFun]

In early September, we had an 11am flight time to Toronto. We drew an early debarkation number (5) and were at the airport before 8:30. We checked in online so it was really just a matter of doing the bag drop (we have to drop the bags 60 minutes before departure) and security at that point.

9:20 seems pretty aggressive - if the ship gets in late you may be you know what out of luck - but suppose it can be done if you're flying domestically. Personally, I don't think I would do it.

We made a 9:30 flight but not going to do it again I have a question for you Starvenger and whoever knows the answer! Our friends swear they saw that when the ship is in port the bars are closed (RCI)! Is this true? Thanks!

 

[msjprincess]

I know many people on Cruise Critic say they do it. I couldn't do it, I'd be way too stressed.

Bars are definitely open while in port.

 

[lynch34]

FLL is probably the only port where a 9:20 flight is even remotely possible. If you do self disembark and carry all your luggage you SHOULD be able to make it.

One other suggestion: Port Everglades accepts Mobie Passport for closed loop cruises. If your not on a repo or transatlantic cruise, I would suggest downloading the mobile passport app and using that. There is a separate line at customs if you are using the app and there is never anyone in that line. Could save you a bit more time.

Thanks for the info.

 

[bumbershoot]

Our friends swear they saw that when the ship is in port the bars are closed (RCI)! Is this true? Thanks!

I’ve never heard of that happening. Casinos and shops, yes. Bars? Naw.

The only semi-exception I’ve heard is Galveston, where only certain beverages are allowed to be sold bc of TX liquor laws and taxes. But that’s all lines. Not just Royal.

You said they *saw* this? In what way? A post online, or a sign onboard? Etc?

 

[crabbymom]

I’ve never heard of that happening. Casinos and shops, yes. Bars? Naw.

The only semi-exception I’ve heard is Galveston, where only certain beverages are allowed to be sold bc of TX liquor laws and taxes. But that’s all lines. Not just Royal.

You said they *saw* this? In what way? A post online, or a sign onboard? Etc?

The only thing I can think of is that since most people are off the ship, not ALL the bars are open, but there are always some! Usually by the pool and one or two interior bars depending on the ship.

 

[LdyStormy76]

Something else to keep in mind when planning return travel - customs has the right to detain you on the ship and pull you and your luggage aside for interviews/searching. This can delay you 30-60 minutes.

Experienced this in November. The group that I was pulled aside with spent 15 minutes standing on the ship before the customs officer came to get us, take our passports, lead us to luggage pick up and then escort us to a dingy room. There they read you the riot act about properly filling out the customs form and tell you to make any changes before they call your name - and stress that any items you bought on the ship need to be disclosed on the form. If you are over the $800 allowance you have to pay the fees/duties/taxes and they only take cash.

The reason I was pulled: I bought something during an art auction. Between it being art and being shipped I was not fined for not disclosing it as it was an exempt item. Later in the airport I saw people who were part of the group with me, and the one common denominator was that we had all bought merchandise totaling more than $800 on board.

We were at least the second group detained by customs, and it was only 9 am.

Lesson learned: purchases on board are NOT truly duty free (no matter what the ship says). Make sure it is an item you really truly want, follow the customs form closely, disclose everything that you should and have cash to pay the government when you disembark.

 

[msmayor]

Something to remember when choosing an early flight time...while many make it, it's not a given...past experience does not predict future success.

Last March we were on the first of two sea days back to FLL and a medical emergency required us to divert to Grand Cayman...the captain suggested that he would try to get us in as close to 7:30am as possible, and opened up Guest Services to give people a chance to make flight changes. We ended up docking around 8am, but debarkation was delayed slightly for another medical emergency and the lines didn't start moving in earnest until 8:30.

Making a 9:20 am flight on that day would not have happened.

Moral of the story...if you book the 9:20, have your backup plan in place before you leave. Know what flights are available after yours so you can be first in line for changes.

 

[TLPL]

One other suggestion: Port Everglades accepts Mobie Passport for closed loop cruises. If your not on a repo or transatlantic cruise, I would suggest downloading the mobile passport app and using that. There is a separate line at customs if you are using the app and there is never anyone in that line. Could save you a bit more time.

What is mobile passport?

 

[starvenger]

What is mobile passport?

It's probably easier to give you the link: https://mobilepassport.us/

(scroll down to the FAQ)

 

[crabbymom]

What is mobile passport?

What starvenger said. But just to be clear, this only works if you already have a passport, it is not a replacement for the blue book passport.

 

[River Country]

So 11:30 at FLL is a makeable departure?

 

[starvenger]

Most definitely. Just make sure you get an early departure number.

 

[TLPL]

What starvenger said. But just to be clear, this only works if you already have a passport, it is not a replacement for the blue book passport.

Learn something new from here everyday!

 

[lynch34]

I've never been to Fort Lauderdale. Assume taxis are readily available right off the ship?

 

[SteveMouse]

I grew up next to Port Everglades and have flown out of FLL innumerable times and cruised/transferred to FLL a bunch of times.

Port Everglades to FLL is very easy- physically, they are adjacent to each other, but there's no road route immediately between the two. Cabs are readily available. Immigrations and Customs is pretty efficient.

One potential source of delay is getting through security- there are simply alot of people making connections, depending on when you are flying-cruising.

That being said, 9:30 is too early a flight time. If f everything went right, you'd be OK; if ANYTHING went less than OK, it could be very problematic. Bad weather (where are you the day before disembarkation?), and customs clearing the ship are two that come to mind.

Safe travels!

 

[lynch34]

We booked the 9:30. With self-disembarkation and Pre-check at the airport, we are banking on getting out in time. I'll report back. Hopefully it won't be a disaster.