What is a good amount of time to allow yourself to get to the airport after your cruise arrives in port?

Question

We are going on a cruise leaving from Miami. When the ship arrives back into the port ( scheduled time is 8am), what is the earliest time I should book a return flight in order to not be rushed.

Answer 1

give yourself atleast 3-4 hours. there are people in line trying to get out of the boat and then their is customs. Its a mess most boring part of the trip.

Answer 2

If you go to your cruise lines website, they will make recommendations for flight times.  I can only speak for Carnival....they advise you don't book flights until at least 1:00pm.  Many do book earlier flights - some miss their flights.  While a ship may be scheduled to arrive at 8:00am, many, many things can delay arrival.  Then, once the ship has docked, U.S. Immigration and Customs can delay debarkation for any reason.

To avoid stress and a possible missed flight (which can be VERY expensive - and which the cruise line will NOT pay for), schedule an afternoon flight.

Answer 3

In most cases ships arrive back in port at their scheduled time and passengers can start getting off within an hour.  But in some cases the US Customs and Immigration folks may be late or delayed and thus your departure from the ship is delayed.  Remember also that they must  get all of the luggage off the ship before they let passengers leave.  

When they let passengers leave its usually in the order of their flights, so those  with the earliest flights go first. There will be a line of people trying to get off the ship, then you will have to locate your luggage which will be spread out in the terminal, then get in another line to go through customs, then go find your bus or a taxi to the airport.  All of this could take easily half an hour.  So even if you get to leave by 9:00 Am you want to give yourself about 45 minutes or more to get to the airport and then plan to be there about 2 hours early to get checked in and through airport security

Whenever we are flying after a cruise we always book an early afternoon flight so that we do not have to rush and/or be worried about missing a flight.  So in your case I would suggest anything about 1:00 PM or later.

Answer 4

i would at least book it for 12p.m.  or even 1 p.m. so that it gives yous osme time just in case you get into the port a littel late for whatever reason...cuz then you wouldnt really have to rush at all

Answer 5

Disembarkation probably takes place about an hour to an hour and a half after the ship arrives.  You could probably book a flight about 2 hours after that.  Carry off your luggage, it is much quicker.

Answer 6

i dont remember where i read that for the save saide book your flight after 12 in the afternoon... but i promise i read it because Im going on one and I needed to know as well jaja

have a good time

Answer 7

probably about 2 pm or so. Customs can take a little while, so that is being on the safe side.

have a wonderful cruise.