how early doe you have to be at the port the day you leave

[compelled]

First time Cruiser question...

I am booked on a Caribbean Princess out of Ft Lauderdale. My cruise leaves at 5:00pm and my flight gets in at 12:50pm. Is this enough time to get checked in at the pier or should I fly in the day before and stay at a hotel.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Anne

[Oggy Boy]

If your flight and luggage make it on time, then you would have no problem getting to the ship in time to board. However, if you are connecting through another airport, or there is no way to recover if your flight has a weather delay or mechanical, I would strongly urge you to fly in the day before. You would only have about a three hour window until you miss your cruise. Why risk it?

Tom

[Sunprincess]

Anne,

You did not mention when you are cruising.
That can make a huge difference. Where you are flying from & to need to be considered.

Living in Connecticut I always use caution for my annual winter cruise. Could be snowing here & I need to allow for time.
I will be honest & say that for the majority of my cruises I do not fly in a day early. I prefer to use the time for another cruise.
That said I have read horror stories of those who missed the ship or their flight not allowing proper time.

IF all goes well you should have plenty of time to make it to the ship arriving at 12:50pm.
Port Everglade is very close to the FLL airport.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.
Let us know.

Cathy

[compelled]

Thanks for the info...

My cruise is the last week of March. So I'm still debating whether to spend the extra $'s on an overnight hotel.

Kinda leaning towards it because if I didn't have bad luck traveling, I'd have no luck.

Anne

[Oggy Boy]

I applaud your decision. Why take the risk?

Tom

[Sunprincess]

HI Anne,

I think that is a wise decision.
You do not want to take any chances.

Cathy

[Cruise Fanatic]

Plus when you fly in the day before your not as tired from getting up at 4am to drive to the airport to catch a 7am. Besides worrying about bad weather (in those states), if you fly in the day before you don't have to worry about flat tire, accident, or traffic delays on the way to the airport.