FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Hello All, I know that most people say do NOT travel the day of a cruise, however I have a few questions to those who have. We are from Orlando and our cruise is out of Ft. Lauderdale at the end of October. We have the ability to get a direct flight to Ft. Lauderdale (also the first flight of the morning for this plane). Would you think this would keep us "safe" in regards to timings. The flight is due to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 8am. Thanks in Advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I flight the day of the cruise. I have travel insurance which gives me a peace of mind. Hoski and Baked Alaska 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Just now, Sweety said: I flight the day of the cruise. I have travel insurance which gives me a peace of mind. How far do you typically live from the ports? For us it is about a 3 hour drive, so i know that as long as they don't delay us past 12:30pm we could make it via car in plenty of time. Hoski 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 3 minutes ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: Hello All, I know that most people say do NOT travel the day of a cruise, however I have a few questions to those who have. We are from Orlando and our cruise is out of Ft. Lauderdale at the end of October. We have the ability to get a direct flight to Ft. Lauderdale (also the first flight of the morning for this plane). Would you think this would keep us "safe" in regards to timings. The flight is due to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 8am. Thanks in Advance. I drove twice from Orlando to Miami/Ft . Lauderdale on the same day , it was OK both of the time , I think you should be OK , you will come to the airport around 6:30 AM I guess , if for some reason flights will be cancel due to weather you can always rent a car and drop it off at the airport Hoski and Orange Crush 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Just now, Traveler said: I drove twice from Orlando to Miami/Ft . Lauderdale on the same day , it was OK both of the time , I think you should be OK , you will come to the airport around 6:30 AM I guess , if for some reason flights will be cancel due to weather you can always rent a car and drop it off at the airport Our flight leaves at 6:30 so i would assume we would have plenty of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 minute ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: Our flight leaves at 6:30 so i would assume we would have plenty of time. yes , I think you should be safe as you always have the driving option. also if the cruise is during weekend traffic should be OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 54 minutes ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: How far do you typically live from the ports? For us it is about a 3 hour drive, so i know that as long as they don't delay us past 12:30pm we could make it via car in plenty of time. We live in Chicago. I take the first flight. My 6 year old nephew says we leave in the middle of the night which is usually 5am. Hoski 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I've flown between FL ports between cruises. Backup plan is renting a car. Orange Crush 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 17 minutes ago, twangster said: I've flown between FL ports between cruises. Backup plan is renting a car. Thanks @twangster that definitely give us confidence in booking this flight. Orange Crush 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I would take my chances on that. you live close enough to grab a rental car or even bus if you had to and still make it ok. I am envious of anyone that lives so close with so many options...good luck! Hoski, SpeedNoodles, Baked Alaska and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 8 minutes ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: Thanks @twangster that definitely give us confidence in booking this flight. The important thing is knowing the time that is the point of no return. If you have to be on board say at 2pm and it takes 4 hours to drive and park, then 10am is the point of no return. If the airline delays and says "flight will now arrive X time" you have to decide to stick it out with them or give up and drive. I've had airlines delays and say "30 minutes late", then "1 hour late" then "2 hours late" then cancel the flight. If everything goes on time you are good, but plan your point of no return and if delays happen know when it's time to give up on the airline and drive. Orange Crush and Hoski 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 minute ago, monctonguy said: I would take my chances on that. you live close enough to grab a rental car or even bus if you had to and still make it ok. I am envious of anyone that lives so close with so many options...good luck! I too am envious. I have to fly clear across the continent from Vancouver so always fly in a minimum 1 day prior. SpeedNoodles and monctonguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 15 minutes ago, monctonguy said: I am envious of anyone that lives so close with so many options...good luck! Me too ! packercruising 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Thanks ya'll! I completely understand. Traveling from anywhere not near a port sucks. I've been there and done that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 5 hours ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: How far do you typically live from the ports? For us it is about a 3 hour drive, so i know that as long as they don't delay us past 12:30pm we could make it via car in plenty of time. As long as you have this attitude and are prepared to hop in the car and go, you should be fine to fly the morning of. I would suggest not checking luggage as to not delay anything if you bail on your flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 I m still trying to wrap my head around this, you are flying from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale ? You could drive to Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise and stay in a Honeymoon suite for the price of the plane ticket. Why take a chance when you live so close? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mook1525 Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 minute ago, MikeK said: I m still trying to wrap my head around this, you are flying from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale ? You could drive to Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise and stay in a Honeymoon suite for the price of the plane ticket. Why take a chance when you live so close? my thoughts exactly... I am guessing they are unable to travel the day before for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 The discount airlines fly that route...save on gas, port parking, tolls and hotel..could be a wash cost-wise depending on how many people there are. People place different values on different factors...I mean if I could hop on a $100 flight to avoid the drive and hotel stay I would in a heartbeat. Orange Crush 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 13 minutes ago, MikeK said: I m still trying to wrap my head around this, you are flying from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale ? You could drive to Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise and stay in a Honeymoon suite for the price of the plane ticket. Why take a chance when you live so close? Southwest has cheap seats intra-Florida. When I needed to get from Indy in Port Everglades to Brilliance in Tampa this was the cheapest and fastest option. I think my ticket was $59. Few women I know would be happy in a $59 bridal suite. jhatle01, AshleyDillo and Orange Crush 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 20 hours ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: How far do you typically live from the ports? For us it is about a 3 hour drive, so i know that as long as they don't delay us past 12:30pm we could make it via car in plenty of time. How is that even possible? I live on the west coast of Florida and Miami is only 3 hrs for me, Ft Lauderdale is only 2 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 6 minutes ago, twangster said: Southwest has cheap seats intra-Florida. When I needed to get from Indy in Port Everglades to Brilliance in Tampa this was the cheapest and fastest option. I think my ticket was $59. Few women I know would be happy in a $59 bridal suite. Touche! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said: How is that even possible? I live on the west coast of Florida and Miami is only 3 hrs for me, Ft Lauderdale is only 2 1/2. Orlando is a bit north of Tampa still...I just did the drive from Miami all the way up to Tallahassee and it's a solid 2.5 - 3 hours on the Turnpike from Miami to the Orlando area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Yeah as i look at the map Orlando is farther north than i thought it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 I wouldn't do it, if it involves flying, because too many bad things can happen. Being as close as you are, you could probably do it no problem. Why not just drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyB Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 we always fly the morning of our cruise...from Indianapolis... also, if I lived in Florida, chances are I'd be close to being a Diamond...because weekend cruises would happen REGULARLY!!! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 5 minutes ago, JennyB said: we always fly the morning of our cruise...from Indianapolis... also, if I lived in Florida, chances are I'd be close to being a Diamond...because weekend cruises would happen REGULARLY!!! Just not in the month of March...college spring break..avoid, avoid, avoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyB Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said: Just not in the month of March...college spring break..avoid, avoid, avoid. true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 4 hours ago, twangster said: Southwest has cheap seats intra-Florida. When I needed to get from Indy in Port Everglades to Brilliance in Tampa this was the cheapest and fastest option. I think my ticket was $59. Few women I know would be happy in a $59 bridal suite. @Twangster is right, our flights round trip are cheaper than driving, getting a hotel room and paying for parking. Getting a rental car for one day is more expensive than a one way flight for us. Thank heavens we have cheap SW flights. AshleyDillo and JennyB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said: Getting a rental car for one day is more expensive than a one way flight for us. Thank heavens we have cheap SW flights. After just doing that drive to/from Miami at 7 hours each way for a 3 night cruise...soooo envious of cheap airfare. I have access to one-way car rentals with no surcharge, but it's nearly breakeven for such a short cruise for me..being 7 hours away I need the good night's sleep before, so have to have hotel too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 47 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said: After just doing that drive to/from Miami at 7 hours each way for a 3 night cruise...soooo envious of cheap airfare. I have access to one-way car rentals with no surcharge, but it's nearly breakeven for such a short cruise for me..being 7 hours away I need the good night's sleep before, so have to have hotel too. We did a 4 hour drive to Miami for our last cruise the night before (it was 3 night cruise). I was so sick before that I needed that night before but that trip back was brutal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Crush Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 7 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said: How is that even possible? I live on the west coast of Florida and Miami is only 3 hrs for me, Ft Lauderdale is only 2 1/2. I-4 has a charming ability to turn a 30 minute stretch into a 2-hour stretch, especially when you've got a ship to catch AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Just now, Orange Crush said: I-4 has a charming ability to turn a 30 minute stretch into a 2-hour stretch, especially when you've got a ship to catch yeah i stay off i-4 as much as possible...its alligator alley for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted March 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 4 hours ago, Orange Crush said: I-4 has a charming ability to turn a 30 minute stretch into a 2-hour stretch, especially when you've got a ship to catch I have to drive I-4 for my job everyday. I spend roughly 2.5hours in my car every week day. If I don't have to drive on a major highway somewhere I will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlgg Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 We drive down from South Carolina and stay in Fort Pierce about an hour and a half north of Fort Lauderdale. Hotels are cheaper and we get to the port by 11am so no worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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