How early do I need to reach before the cruise departs?

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Provided that time schedule keeps. The taxis are right outside of the terminal by the baggage claim and the drive is only about 30 minutes to the port where you will be dropped off right in front of the port you are going to. Just tell the taxi driver the cruise line and port number. And be sure to tell them Port of Miami. Sounds crazy, but lots come into Miami Int. and cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale and the taxis do go up there too.

From what you said, I take it you didn't book the flight with your cruise, meaning as part of the cruise itself. I take it you booked the cruise and then booked the flight seperately. However, if you booked the flight as part of the cruise, they will be aware of your flight and any delays, etc. and make will pick you up, adding to the assurance that you make the cruise before it leaves.

If you booked the flight another way, be aware of flight delays being the biggest problem. You will be ask to give the flight and time arriving to Miami on your pre-registration. That will give them an idea of who is still expected when it comes close to departure time and haven't checked in yet. However, that doesn't mean they will hold the ship if the flight is delayed a long time. That does however give them an idea by checking with the airlines shown on the registrations of those not arriving how long the delay will be.

I would suggest that if your flight is delayed at all to tell the airline that you have a cruise leaving Miami at 5:00 and to see if they can change your flight plans to another flight that would get in at the time that would work. No guarantees of this of course, but it would be worth it.

I tell first time cruisers that as a general rule to assure your arrival, book a flight for the day before so any delays won't be a problem. And the $90-$110 a night you will pay for a hotel in Miami for an extra night is cheap insurance. And besides, I've done it many times and still enjoy the extra day on South Beach (tons of nice art deco small hotels) or right by the Port (Holiday Inn, Biscayne Bay is popular choice - tons of fun and entertainment at Bayside right across the street (and you can actually see the ships from there)). If that's not an alternative, although it's more expensive to book the flight with the cruise, the extra gives you a little insurance that they will do everything in their power to get you to the ship on time.

But if your flight plans keep on schedule, you won't have any problem getting to the ship on time. And actually, the later you are, the better because those staying in Miami that are going out have to check out of the hotels by 11:00 and so the terminals are crowded with long lines right at the beginning (usually they start embarking at 1:30). I in fact check out of the hotels and tip them to hold my luggage while I go messing around until actually going to the port later to avoid the standing in the long lines.

So your actual time getting in and to the port is a good time line. And having gone through the Miami airport many times, the hour between arriving and getting out of there is on the long side, it's usually 30-45 minutes at most. Don't worry about getting a taxi and to the port quickly, it's a short drive. You actually realistically have about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour cushion built into your time, so you'll be fine.

You should be OK as long as you head straight for the port. I always recommend to my clients to arrive at the embarkation port at least one day prior to sailing to assure that delays due to weather, traffic or aircraft equipment problems, etc. don't cause them to miss the sailing.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

Gulfstream_five_fifty

Yes that is ample time...You have enough time to board and get drunk and sober up before the ship sails.
Good luck

ãƒ„ Andrea*â™¥

I would say at least 2 hours before, the final check in on the ship is usually at about 4pm so you'll probably be rushing to get from the airport to the cruise port......

GOOD LUCK!!

HAVE A AWSOME TIME ON YOUR CRUISE!!!

eviot44

At least 2 hours.. Bonn voyage..

Carolyn G

Yes, the airport is only a short ride by taxi to the pier. About 30 minutes. Have fun!

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