I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

So we dock at Miami Port on a Friday at 7am. (RC)

We're flying out of MIA back to JFK.

I am going back and forth trying to decide if I should book a 12pm flight back or a 3:40 flight back. I want to have enough time without worrying but I also don't want to sit in the airport for 5 hours.

Thoughts? TIA

Message edited 8/23/2012 2:36:55 PM.

Re: I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

I usually try not to fly home before 1. You would probably make a 12 flight but if unforeseen events make you late it it might be tight. Depends if you want to possibly rush or just be relaxed. With the later flight yes, you might sit there but you don't have to rush off the ship, pray your bags are together, and no other delays. You could relax in getting off, go and have lunch etc. I have taken early flights and it has gone smoothly but once we had a 1 pm flight out of FLL. Ship docked late, customs took a while, couldn't find 2 bags that were placed in the wrong area. We made our flight but it was stressful and we didn't get to grab the lunch we planned to have.

I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

Does the ship offer early debarkation? If so, you can be one of the first people off the ship to make an earlier flight. Of course, as PP mentioned, there is always a chance of a slowdown at customs, weather delays, docking delays, etc. I personally wouldn't chance it but that's just me. I don't like to rush and always prefer to be one of the last ones off the ship lol.

ETA: I just looked on RC's website and if you do a later flight you can book this, if your cruise offers it --

Miami tour w/ airport transfers

Message edited 8/23/2012 4:54:35 PM.

Re: I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

I would do the 3:40 flight only because the last few cruises I have been on have gotten in late and those with early departures missed their flights as we had not cleared customs before they were supposed to take off. I know waiting stinks but I would go for a nice lunch in your port city and then take a taxi to the air port.

Re: I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

I would book the 12 flight. You will have no issue getting there. We usually try to get like a 10am flight if possible.

Re: I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

We never book clients on a flight home before 1pm. All it takes is one surprise long inspection by Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, or the port police and you've missed your flight.

I've personally been held on a RCCL ship in Miami until 9:45am due to customs so it definitely happens!


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Mouse Tales® Travel
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Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008

Re: I need help booking a flight home after a cruise

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'll go with the 3:40 flight just incase.

I guess I'd rather worry about being bored in the airport just on that day then worry about missing the flight during the entire trip.