Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

Well sometimes it is cheaper or close to the same to come in the day before. You can often get a room for about $100 and if you fly in the day before the airfare can be a bit cheaper b/c there are less people flying those days. But it is hit and miss. DH and I went on two cruises in Aug - not ideal time (hurricane and thunderstorms which can delay or cancel your flights) but we were lucky - I know others who weren't. I prefer to go Nov-March/April.

Delta can be tricky and they change flight times and cancel flights regularly.

You should check out hotel rates and see if you can get a bargain before you decide what to do.

Yes people were right there is a time you MUST be at the port to get on - and you have to arrange in advance to meet up - it does happen in winter and it can be done but it is a HUGE hassle you DON"T want to deal with.

The only thing you will have to worry about is hurricanes at that time of the year - you might want to consider trip insurance - read them carefully - some cover hurricanes etc others DO NOT. So make sure you know what you are getting. Check out insuremytrip where you can compare different companies and policies to get the one you need.

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

Definitely fly in the day before if possible.

DH and I did the same-day fly in when we went on a cruise and thought we'd have plenty of time - but then there was a mechanical problem and our flight was delayed for several hours. We RAN through the airport with our luggage to the ground transportation station and just made it on the ship way too close to final boarding for comfort, IMO. Not the best way to start off a vacation.

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

We always fly in the day before and stay at a hotel, MUCH easier.

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

We usually fly in the day before. In addition to not having to worry about a late arriving flight, I find it much more relaxing this way. I have flown in the day of in the past and never had a problem, but those were flights that were booked through the cruise line.

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

We usually fly the morning of and head right to the airport.

I think you should take me in your suitcase!

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

We have gone on 3 cruises (including a princess cruise to the carribean) that all left out of fort lauderdale, 2 in the winter and one at the end of October. We just take the very 1st flight (usually jet blue) out of Laguardia that morning. You dont want to get to the boat too early anyway or you'll just be standing in line. Our last cruise was this past December and we took a 6am flight out of Laguardia, got to fort lauderdale around 9ish, rented a car and went to sawgrass for a few hours to go shopping. We returned the car and then got to the port (which is about a 10-15 minute cab ride away from the airport, maybe less) around 2ish and went right onto the boat, no line. The cruiseline (celebrity) actually recommended not gettoing to the boat too early in order to avoid the lines.

ETA: we booked the flights ourselves, didnt go through the cruiseline

Message edited 5/4/2010 2:12:28 PM.

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

Thank you all for the feedback.

I actually booked today! Super duper excited!!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to fly in the day of. My boss was nice enough to give me miles so my flights are free!!!!!!!!

Yayyyy....lol

Re: has anyone done this cruise? and questions for ppl who have flown+cruised.

That's awesome! Have fun! What a nice boss!!!