Ok...my nerves acting up. We are going on Majesty of the Seas on July 31st out of Miami for a short three night cruise. However due to flight costs we are landing in Ft. Lauderdale at 12:55pm on Friday (same day ship departs). We have a private sedan company already waiting for us. I know that the ship does not leave until 5:00pm. Please someone make me feel better that we have enough time to make the ship on time. Of course I do realize about possible flight delays but landing at 12:55pm or even 2:00pm will still leave us with plenty of time ..right?????

First, be aware that you will be required to check in at least one hour before the ship sails...so, you don't have until 5:00. Check your cruise documents for the exact window, as it might be more than one hour. It also means being checked in, not just arriving.

That said, are you on a non-stop flight? Do you have travel insurance that covers air delays? Both can work in your favor.

Should you become delayed, let the gate agent know you are on a cruise departing the same day, and perhaps they can get you on another flight. Also have a cell phone and the number of the airline. When our flight was cancelled before a cruise last year, I phoned the airline rather than stand in line with everyone else. They got us on a sister airline.

Yes, you're cutting it close. Being prepared is your best defense.

For what it is worth I would say you are tempting fate. We know it is not cheap however if you want to keep the stress down arrive the day before (just in case the baggage has to catch up) have a nice meal sleep well and arrange a shuttle for the next day. All part of the holiday.

Yes, you have time if everything goes right and no flight delays or traffic problems. Good Luck and ENJOY!

The things in your favor, Ft. Lauderdale is not an extremely busy airport and Port Everglades is no more than 10 minutes away. Things not in your favor, weather, plane being late for depature, lost luggage. If all goes well, you'll make it. If not, you'll be flying to Nassau. Please read and remember what LisaP wrote, take a cell phone, the number of the cruise line, the number of the airline. Your best bet would be some type of insurance, but that is totally up to you.

Good luck and best wishes!

No matter how long a cruise is, its always worth the extra to get there a day prior to relieve all that stress; we are now going in two days early but we mainly cruise during the winter months and we live in the Northeast.

Peterl

Since your cruise leaves out of Miami you will have to allow time for distance and traffic. I would probably plan on 45 minutes. This is a short cruise I would try to pack all your clothes in an airline size carry-on roll bag. It will save you time waiting for luggage.

you will be fine, if the flight gets there ontime. there will be no problem with the drive.

Oh, I'm so sorry, you're flying into Lauderdale and leaving out of Miami? Oh heavens, are you cutting it way too close. Ft. Lauderdale to Miami in the best of traffic is 45 minutes. You're not landing until 1, luggage, 1:30, cab 1:45, 45 minutes to Miami at best, 2:45. I believe you're suppose to be on board an hour before departure, so you're cutting it way too close. Best wishes!

This is a quote out of the Royal Caribbean brochure: "In preparation for sailing, cruise check-in will close 90 minutes prior to sailing. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. Guests arriving after check-in closes will not be permitted to board."

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't there a rant from someone who was late to a Port Canaveral check-in with Royal and had to fly to Nassau to catch the ship. It was their birthday and they didn't get a cake, something like that. However, they were really mad because they weren't allowed to board even though they were only a "few" minutes late.

OK thanks everyone....I looked into changing the flights and as of right now it's no dice. We are going with carry on luggage only so that will save at least 1/2 hours. Of course everything depends on the flight, landing on time (12:55pm) and no later than 2:00pm. I'll let you know the outcome. On our last cruise we did arrive a day early and will do that again when the Oasis Cruise comes up in 2010. This cruse was a last minute deal and things just got rushed. Thanks again.

That's OK, 417rogers. It's easy to forget that it's not always possible to book the flight dates/times we want. I am relieved to hear that you are using carry-ons only. That will save a lot of time. Be armed with the information mentioned above (thank you, Penny, for adding the cruise line's #), just in case.

Is this a non-stop flight? If not, I can give you some tips for connections.

Good luck! One thing in your favor is that the ride from the airport to the Port of Miami is only 45 minutes with normal traffic.

Sonny

Lisa,
Yes it is a non-stop flight, Northwest Airlines. If our plane takes off on time then I will be instant vacation mode the second we lift off...fingers crossed..'Yes...flight attendant I will have another" lol.... At the very worst I'm getting out of Detroit for the weekend...on the ship or a long weekend in Miami :-).

Another possibility, since you have carry-on luggage, is to get to the airport an hour earlier and try to stand by on the 9am flight. I don't recall if NW lets you onto an earlier flight as a standby for no cost. Some airlines do, some charge at the airport.

Sandy

We're all pulling for you! Like you said, Miami beats Detroit any day

We made it! Got back home yesterday. Everything worked out fine. We landed only ten min late (1:06 pm). One of our parties did use checked luggage so I was a little stressed prior to taking off. Upon landing I was very happy to see how small Fort Lauderdale airport actually was. We used "Larry Limo's" for transportation. Sal, our driver, called my cell when we were still on the plane on the runway. Hopped right into a nice Chrysler 300 with air conditioning cranked. Quick drive to Miami (think only 25 mins). Excellent transportation company. Port check in was a breeze. We ate at Windjammer right away as someone had not eaten all day (me). Lounging by the pool drinking Long Islands shortly after 3:30pm. Whew! Thanks again for everyone's input. As with our first cruise I think in the future (Oasis 2010) arriving the day before would be so much more stress free. Dodged a bullet! BTW...the entire crusie was excellent and I was very surprise on how nice Majesty of the Seas actually was.

Great the things went as good as they did, one question. Was the cruise director Ricky Matthews? He's our favorite so far.

Bill

FANTASTIC! It's always wonderful when it works out. I am glad to hear it sounded like a successful cruise all the way around and that you will soon be boarding another ship! I love to know there are other addicts out there Thank you so much for letting us know, we were all pulling for you!