Royal Caribbean Cruise and Jet Blue?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on many Royal Caribbean cruises and just got back from one. They sent out information with our cruise ticket that their new policy is that EVERYONE must be at the port to board no later than 90 minutes before the ship sails. Here's the policy from Royal Caribbeans site:
" Due to new government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Online Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete Online Check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. "

SO if the crusie leaves at 5:00 you need to be there by 3:30 at the latest. Add a bout an hour to that for collecting luggage and travel to the airport and you are looking at sometime around 2:00 PM. My suggestion is to plan on getting to the port between 11:30 AM and noon. If you can get a flight that will get you there in that time frame then you will be OK. If not, i.e., flights get there later in the day, then fly down a day early and stay at an airport hotel. Flying in a day early is also recommended to prevent missing your cruise due to a flight delay. Both Miami and Ft Lauderdale airports have plenty of hotels and some of those in Ft Lauderdale provide transportation to the port.

Dusie

Most veteran cruisers fly in the day before. There are just too many thing that could happen to delay the flight to the point of missing the ship entirely. Especially the weather in New York in February. You need to be on board at least 90 minutes before the official cast off time. This is federal law.
I find that flying in the day before lets me get a good nights sleep and then I can board relaxed and refreshed. Plus I am paying for this first day of the cruise. Why not board as soon as possible. I try for about 11:00 if they say you can board at 12. Saves all that time waiting in long lines.

stepmiller2

Jet Blue is my preferred airline, but unfortunately JFK rarely runs on time. Coming from Maine I have to go through JFK but I believe that from NY you can use either LGA or JFK. I would suggest you use LGA. In any event get there as early as possible to avoid the potential problem caused by the flight not leaving on time. (Typically the cheaper flight are early in the morning anyway.) You do not say which airport you are flying into so I assume it is Orlando (for Port Canaveral) or Ft Lauderdale (for Miami and Ft.Lauderdale ports) From Ft. Lauderdale to Miami takes 45 minutes to an hour and Orlando is 90 minutes to 2 hours. Since you need to be at the port 90 minutes ahead of time you will need to be on the ground in Florida by noon, That will allow you some time to collect your luggage. (The early morning flights should put you in Florida by 10. If they make sense for you I would suggest you take them.) Of course your best course of action would be to go down a day earlier and stay in a hotel. You might want to look at pricing and see if you can actually save enough for it to be cost effective. Good luck and have a great cruise.

worknlakeside

I agree with Dusie, excellent info, try and be at the port at 11:00. This way when you board you can go to the buffet and have a nice lunch. Then explore the ship and start to find your way around. About 3:00 you will probably have your luggage in your room and you can put that away and park you bags under the bed. Then your off to the best time you have ever had.

las vegas golfer

I think 11 is far too early to be at the port. All you will do is sit and wait. Be there by 1PM and you will have plenty of time to eat and look over the ship. Also don't count on your bags being there by 3 PM, it can take much longer, put what you need in your carry-on bags just to be safe.

MomSezNo

Plan to fly into your departure port the day before your cruise, especially in the winter from anyplace where it may snow.

You need to be on the ship 1-2 hours before it sails in order for the final passenger list to be processed with security officials. Actual boarding time depends on how soon the ship is cleared from the last sailing - sometimes you can board around Noon, or even earlier, and begin enjoying the ship, though you won't be able to go to your cabin before 1:30 or so. Your trip tickets will have info about when to board.

For lots of great info from experienced cruisers, go to CruiseCritic.com and click on "Boards".

Mike V

If the cruise leaves at 5... I would get there by 12... It's about a 2 hour flight... I would get to the airport 90 minutes before the flight.

I'M LEVEL FOUR NOW!!!!!

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