Candle555 Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 We are booked on a cruise on Harmony of the Seas on May 13, 2017. We always do express walk off when the cruise ends. Usually we are at the Ft. Lauderdale airport by 9:00 or so. I have always booked the flight home after noon which usually ends up being 1:00 or 1:30 pm. I hate just sitting at the airport for hours. This next cruise there is a flight home at 10:40 am. Do you think we should go for it this time? Has anyone booked a flight before noon to fly back home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I always use the Luggage Valet option (I know this option is disappearing at some locations....boooooo.....) and you must have a flight later than noon to use that option so I have always had afternoon flights. ...but I think, from your experience, if you do the express walk-off and you have always arrived at the airport in plenty of time, I would probably risk a flight departing at 10:40...but certainly no earlier than that. cruising diva 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela27 Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 We always book our flights after 12 noon just to be on the safe side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Is doing an excursion in Ft. Lauderdale an option for you? Matt pointed out recently (I think on a podcast episode) that even though it's disembarkation day, there are still excursions to be done and it's a good way to fill time until your flight departure. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Personally, I wouldn't book a flight before 11. I agree sitting at the airport stinks, but stressing about making my flight is a much worse feeling. DocLC, dejagatkins, Pamela27 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I HATE to even think about flying home after a cruise! I have even thought about stowing away just to stay on board the ship,but, my wife was always quick to point out that I didn't bring enough clean underwear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising diva Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I always use the Luggage Valet option (I know this option is disappearing at some locations....boooooo.....) and you must have a flight later than noon to use that option so I have always had afternoon flights. ...but I think, from your experience, if you do the express walk-off and you have always arrived at the airport in plenty of time, I would probably risk a flight departing at 10:40...but certainly no earlier than that. I enjoy using Luggage Valet as well. Do you know if it still available in Ft. Lauderdale? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 We are booked on a cruise on Harmony of the Seas on May 13, 2017. We always do express walk off when the cruise ends. Usually we are at the Ft. Lauderdale airport by 9:00 or so. I have always booked the flight home after noon which usually ends up being 1:00 or 1:30 pm. I hate just sitting at the airport for hours. This next cruise there is a flight home at 10:40 am. Do you think we should go for it this time? Has anyone booked a flight before noon to fly back home? Hello and welcome to Royal Caribbean Blog! We are on the same sailing with you. Our flight back to DFW leaves at 12:15. Really really hoping that luggage valet is still on option. It was no longer available on our Jan Indy cruise. :( Hope to see you on the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I enjoy using Luggage Valet as well. Do you know if it still available in Ft. Lauderdale? Thanks! It was available on the 1/2/17 sailing. cruising diva 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjohnbamber Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I'd say 11am at the absolute earliest, but bear in mind you've got to be at the airport at least an hour and a half to 2 hours before the flight, so I usually go for flights around 1pm or later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candle555 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 Thanks everyone but I decided to book the 1:40 p.m. flight back to Boston. I know we'll be at the airport early as we always are, but I guess I shouldn't chance it. DocLC and Wilson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 Thanks everyone but I decided to book the 1:40 p.m. flight back to Boston. I know we'll be at the airport early as we always are, but I guess I shouldn't chance it. It should lead to a more relaxed disembarkation especially if there are any delays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Wise choice, IMO DocLC and bcarney 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb0336 Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 If you're going to book that early I'd suggest make sure you have trip insurance that covers missed flights/flight changes. Or just book a later flight. In October, our ship was late getting back to port because two nights prior, after we left Cozumel, we had to turn back for a guest who had a medical emergency to get to the hospital. As result, the ship didn't get back to port until 11 AM. People with early flights and no trip insurance (or trip insurance that didn't cover the flight portion) were really stuck and some had to spend a lot of money to rebook. We were relaxed--we had a later flight and we had trip insurance. Clearly this isn't something that happens often, but it illustrates how it's better to be covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toodle68 Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 If there is one thing that stresses me out on a vacation, it is having to rush anywhere.. I would rather sit in an airport for 2 hours than be stressed all morning about every delay and watching the clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 If you're going to book that early I'd suggest make sure you have trip insurance that covers missed flights/flight changes. Or just book a later flight. My best guess is that the trip insurance will only cover the missed flight if it is a flight booked AFTER the recommended flight departure times provided by the cruise line, which Royal provides for each port. You can find the information here:. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 My best guess is that the trip insurance will only cover the missed flight if it is a flight booked AFTER the recommended flight departure times provided by the cruise line, which Royal provides for each port. You can find the information here:. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport Kris, that link isn't working for some reason. Says the page is no longer available. I tried looking through the site's regular links for planning, customer support, etc., but it seems that they're now heavily promoting their Air2Sea service for flight booking and not giving information for those who still want to self-reserve their flights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 Kris, that link isn't working for some reason. Says the page is no longer available. I tried looking through the site's regular links for planning, customer support, etc., but it seems that they're now heavily promoting their Air2Sea service for flight booking and not giving information for those who still want to self-reserve their flights. If you Google "Royal Caribbean Fort Lauderdale Flight Departure Times" it should take you to Royal's FAQ webpage where you can enter flight details and it should provide a recommended flight time. I've used this page for all of my flight planning for past European cruises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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