Our cruise leaves the Miami port at 4pm. Our flight arrives at 2:16 pm (MIA). Do we have enough time to board?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

First, the cruise lines request that you be at the pier to check in at least 90 minutes before the announced sail time. That is so that they can meet Federal US Government requirements to provide a complete list of passengers to the Homeland Security officials at least an hour (60 minutes) before the cruise departs. To meet this requirement you need to be at the pier by 2:30 PM. And there is very little leeway in that schedule.

The Miami airport is a good 30 to 45 minutes taxi ride from the Port of Miami; depending on traffic in the city and at the pier. You'll also have to consider whether the flight lands on time, whether the gate for the flight is ready and you can get off the plane quickly, and usually the wait for luggage is about 20 to 30 minutes. Then add to that time to get out of the airport and to a taxi. Assuming you are not flying into the US from another country and have to clear US Customs and Immigration; which can add another 15 to 20 minutes, that's another 15 to 20 minutes.

In my calculator it does not add up to enough time for you. The only way I can see that you will make your cruise is if you made air travel arrangement with the cruise line and the cruise line put you on that flight. If that is the case the cruise line WILL wait for you and your flight (unless its hours late). My suggestion is change you flight to an earlier time, or change your flight to the day before your cruise and get a hotel in Miami at the airport. You'll likely pay a fee to change your flight but that's better than missing your cruise.

sally b

In a nutshell - No.

Time travler

That is cutting it too close for comfort. Yes it may be enough time and their would be no line at the cruise terminal, but if possible, change your flight. To tell you the truth, I prefer to fly in the day before just in case. I have seen people miss their cruise because of flight delays and they had to fly again to catch up with the ship the next day or so. That would be devastating.

Kevin L

Nope. Unless you purchased the flights through the cruise line. If you arranged the flights through the cruise line, you will be fine. Unless the flight is late.

A cruise that departs at 4:00 p.m., all aboard will be 3:00 p.m. and the doors will be closed at that time. Most people will be on by 2:00 p.m., but 3:00 p.m.is the absolute latest you will be allowed to board.

I'd like to see anyone get off a plane in Miami, go down to baggage, get your bags, get over to the cruise terminal and on the ship in 44 minutes.

It's not going to happen.

Oh and you're assuming everything is going to be on time? Why would you schedule such a late arrival into Miami?

little miss tiny =]

that is seriously really cutting it close big time. my family and i went on a cruise last summer and we flew in on a saturday (the cruise was sunday) and the plane was delayed for 3 hours! thank god we had nowhere to be but there were people on our plane that were supposed to be on a cruise that day and they missed it! change your flight if you can.

dave.greg

By 2:16 the flight will be running behind schedule. At least if I was on it it would.
It's a very short trip to the cruise ship terminal but I think you may be in trouble, At the very least My stomach would be in knots. The cruise ship will leave on time, usually.
I'd try and get into Miami earlier in the day or a day earlier. Pay an extra hundred bucks and get a hotel over night Your stomach will thank you.

ctelly22

You are pushing it. If I were you I would change the flight to an earlier one. If the cruise leaves at 4 then you have to be checked in and boarded by 3pm. Remember most cruises have an hour cut off time. With your flight arriving at 2:16, hoping it arrives on times, by the time you deplane and collect your baggage it would be close to 3pm. Not to mention the taxi ride to the pier, which isn't that close to the airport, and traffic. Try arriving by noon to give yourself more time.

footidad

Unless you book your flight with the cruise line you should go the day before.I always do this and was so glad at xmas as we missed our connecting flight to Puerto Rico due to bad weather but because we left a day early we did not miss the ship,unlike many others.

1Cheapcruise

might want to try and arrive around 12p ...if your flight is late you might miss your ship.

palmyrafan

Probably not.

You still have to collect your luggage after the plane lands, drive to the pier, go through customs, show your paperwork, etc.

Most cruise lines want their passengers to be aboard at least 2 hours before the ship sails. This ensures that everyone is ready for the emergency ship drill.

The ship also needs time to get your luggage aboard.

Ships are not like planes. They will not wait for late flights or errant people.

Your best bet is to either go earlier in the day or go the day or night before.

randall_nd

That is cutting it kind of close. You always have to allow for flights being late and stuff. You should call the cruise line and explain your concern to them and they will advise. I do know that you immediately find your cruise line representative at baggage claim. Once you've made contact with them, you can relax, you won't miss embarkation time.

Natty D

I would absolutely try to get an earlier flight. If you have any delays whatsover, or run into traffic, you might miss your departure.

Crystal

Good luck. Bring a pair of good running shoes with you, you're going to need them.

Boggy

I would say no, you have to collect your baggage, clear immigration and customs, transport to the cruise terminal and check in there (including security). If the ship leaves at 4 pm it will expect everybody to be on board at least three quarters of an hour beforehand. I would change flights if you can.

Sean M

With many cruises, you don't have to pick up your luggage from the airport when you land, it should be taken to the cruise for you which is a big time saver in itself. But, with as many flights that run late, you may be crunched for time anyways. I've never been on a cruise, but I did work for Northwest Airlines for a while, and I know your not the only one that has a tight schedule like that. They seem to do it a lot, and people always seem to make it in time, so I'm sure you'll be just fine as well.

edit: luggage is normally only handled like that for you, if you booked everything all at once through a travel agent, if you found discounts online and pieced your vacation together, you will have to get your own luggage, I would ask about that in advance.

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