How long does it take to disembark from a cruise ship after its arrival time?

Question

Would it be possible to catch an 8:30am flight when a cruise ship arrives at 6:00am? I don't want to end up missing my flight out of San Juan.

Answer 1

Laney is right, not enough time.  You are going to have the same security lines as you find in the U.S airports.  I am certain many passengers on the same cruise will be departing as well and this will really delay things.

If this is your first cruise, you are assigned a "color" tag to place on your baggage.  The color designation depends on where your cabin is located.  The ship will call your designated area using this color code as you depart.  This allows a safe, systematic, and fair departure from the ship.  When you leave the ship you will go through a "Customs" check, yet another line, all before departing for the airport.

You always have to be ready for delays of any type.  Enjoy the cruise by not worrying about the flight.  In doing so, call the airline and tell them what is going on.  They deal with this situation often and will give good advice.

Have fun and be courteous to everyone because departing a cruise ship can "test your nerves" and patience.  One last note when you board the ship, as soon as the ship is fully loaded for the actual cruise they will have a "drill" and all are required to participate.  This will occur usually within the first 2 hours you board and you will be instructed where to go, how to use a life perserver, etc.  This is mandatory and an inconvenience but necessary.  A member of the ship's company checks for each person using a "roll call", so be there when instructed so all can begin a "Good Time".

Answer 2

ooooh- that's cutting it way short- may be possible if you line up early, but disembarking can take up to 2 hours, especially w/ security these days-  Are you able to take a later flight??  Would also talk to the cruise ship customer service to see if they can accommodate you-

Answer 3

No.  The cruise ship pier is in Old San Juan -- in the best case scenario, it will take at least 1/2 hour to drive from the pier to the international airport, and will probably take longer.

Also, depending on the number of passengers and the moods of the customs/immigration folks, and your luck in getting off the ship, you could still be on the ship waiting for disembarkation at 8 am.

It would be much better to schedule your return flight after noon.

Answer 4

It varies, on a previous cruise it took hours to disembark, but on my last cruise it took a few minutes. You also had the option to carry off your bags which can make it easier. I think 8:30 though is really cutting it close. Just because the ship arrives at 0600 does not mean it is ready for disembarkation at that time. Also you still have to go through customs, get your luggage and get to the airport. Also you run the risk of missing your flight because you aren't giving yourself much time to check in and get through security at the airport. Try an 11 am flight if you want something early.

Answer 5

Tell the cruise ship (now and remind them later) that your flight leaves early and they will let you and your party be among the first to disembark.  Or find a later flight.

You are cutting it short because you are counting on;

1) the ship arriving in port on time

2) not having any problems being cleared by the port authority for passengers to disembark  

3) You have to claim your luggage from the cruise line before going to the airport

4) You will need to get a cab (suggested) or other ground transportation and hope there are no traffic problems.

5) Because you are a passenger on an International flight you should be at the airport a couple hours before departure time.

Having said all that, don't be too discouraged.  You sttill have a pretty good chance of making it.  

If you stick to your schedule you will make it if you are very organized and don't have any bad luck.

You'll have to have your bags packed and inspected by the cruise line the night before you disembark. (standard for all passengers)

Call the airport and let them know you are enroute if you are running a little late.  (It may not help, but it won't hurt)

When you get to the airport  don't think you have extra time just because you get there almost 2 hours "early."

The two hours is needed to check your bags, clear security (at least once) and find your departure gate.

Don't shop or eat until you have checked-in at your gate.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

Answer 6

I would try for a later flight. If you are on Carnival you can keep you bags in your room the last night and carry them off yourself, this is new and may save you some time. Also I would suggest you use a taxi for yourself and not shared transportation like cruise line transfers. Still you are really cutting it close and it could take about 2 hours to get off the ship from the time it ports.

Answer 7

No - you will not make it.  Rule of thumb is to book your flight home at NOON or after.   The cruise line won't even let you buy a shuttle pass to the airport if your flight is before noon, because they will not guarantee getting you there in time.

Answer 8

Probably not. Ive gotten off a ship as early as 7a but i think you are cutting it too close. I had one ship not clear customs til after 12p and many people missed flights. Good luck

Answer 9

considering you have to get to the airport check in and go through security and that is assuming the ship has no problems and arrives on time, i would give it a few hours try to get a flight around 10 am the earliest

if you are going on carnival they have a faster check out option system were you take all your luggage of the ship rather than the crew and you leave the earliest and don't have to go searching for your bags it saves alot of time

Answer 10

I would say that you have no chance of making an 8:30am flight.

First of all it takes time for the cruise ship to be cleared for disembarkation.  Figure at least one hour for this.

Next you have to go through customs.  Figure at least 1/2 hour for that.

Then you have to get to the airport and be at least one hour early.  

Finally I have not flown into or out of San Juan yet (I will next April) but I have heard that it is not a very good experience.  

Most cruise lines will tell you not to book any flights out until the afternoon.  So don't book anything prior to noon.

My flight leaves around 2:00pm.  I wish I could catch the 10:45am flight, as that is a nonstop, but I know there is almost no chance of that.  As for 8:30 - that would be impossible.

Answer 11

No way, in San Juan!  I wouldn't schedule anything earlier than noon.   The ship might be late, there may be Customs issues for non-US citizens, traffic to the airport, long security lines at the airport [especially if more than one ship is coming in], etc, etc.

To get more advice about this, go to CruiseCritic.com, "Boards", and look for the board for San Juan.

Answer 12

No, it takes FOREVER to disembark, I would definitely try to get a later flight.

Answer 13

Passengers disembark according to certain priorities. People who have to catch a flight are first to disembark but that is still cutting it awfully close.

Answer 14

Previous posters are right, probably not enough time. But, check with your cruise line. Several lines allow you to disembark early (before anyone else!) if you carry your own luggage off.

Answer 15

I would play it safe and book a later flight, although the ship will probably dock at or before 6.00am, the passenger clearance and Custom procedures may not be as fast as those of Miami or other large cruise terminals. You also have to allow for getting to the airport and checking in.

If you do miss your flight home, you may have a bigger delay trying to get on another flight.

Remember Murphy's Law: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.

If you book a later flight, you will have plenty of time to get the 8.30am flight. If you book the 8.30am flight you will arrive at the airport in time to see the boarding gate close.

Answer 16

When you fill out your fun pass, they ask if you have a flight itinerary, if you do,  you carry off your own luggage and are the first to leave. If the cruise lines know that you have to catch a flight, they try to make sure that you disembark in time.

Answer 17

we docked at 5am and the ship (huge voyager rci, over 3,000 passengers) was empty for 8am, they start u departing asap. if yours arrives at 6am u may get first off, maybe 630-7am so u are pushing it for a 830 flight, how long is ur transfer and check in ? Our flight was 11am, and timing was just nice with half hour transfer.