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Topic: Getting nervous about not making the cruise

Angie
Just Boarded
Member # 1805

posted 03-21-2001 05:16 PM

I'm getting really nervous now. Princess scheduled our airline to arrive in Miami at 4:45 and the ship leaves at 7:00 from Ft. Lauderdale. If our plane is delayed or our connecting flight delayed, we could miss our ship. Princess informed us someone would be at the baggage claim about 4:45 to pick us up..Has this ever happened to anyone before? There is an hours drive to the ship from Miami..Should I be worried?

Angie

Posts: 6 | From: Aurora, Colorado | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-21-2001 05:43 PM

If the cruise line arranged your flights, it's a pretty safe bet that they will wait for you if you are a bit late.

From what you say, I'd say 'DON'T WORRY'

Happy Cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RICHARD CHUDY
First Class Passenger
Member # 1323

posted 03-21-2001 06:03 PM

Angie,
The drive from Miami airport to Port Everglades is no more than 1/2 an hour, less if traffic is good. I'v been there, done that, got the t-shirt, many times. Relax and enjoy your cruise. Don't forget to be out on deck as your ship glides past the high-rise condos on the left as many of the people come out on thier balconies and ring bells, blow horns and bang pots and pans togeather. This is to bid the ship fare-well. It's great.

With Kindest Regards
Richard

Posts: 195 | From: Singal Hill, CA 90755 In sight of The Queen Mary | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 03-21-2001 08:09 PM

Angie,

I do not agree with Green and Richard. You are cutting it close. I have read posts where the ship did not wait, even when the air was booked through the cruise line. I do agree you have a better chance of the ship waiting, but there is no guarantee. Call you TA to see if you can change your flight or fly in the night before. It will cost you a couple of extra $$ but it may be worth it.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

SF
First Class Passenger
Member # 407

posted 03-21-2001 08:30 PM

I agree with the poster above, you are cutting it real close. You will be driving on the highway during rush hour traffic and it will definitely take you longer than a half hour to get from Miami airport to Port Everglades. I would try to talk to my TA and change flights. If it's to late to switch then just try to stop worrying as there isn't anything else you can do. Things may go smoothly and then you can laugh about it while sailing away.

Posts: 23 | Registered: Jan 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-21-2001 08:53 PM

Richard - I would like to know when you drove from Miami to Port Everglades at 5pm in 1/2 hour or less? That is rush hour and the highways are packed - takes an hour or more for this trip. If the plane lands at 4:45pm, it will take over 1/2 hour to get out of the airport and then the drive. Have driven this route many, many times both in a bus and in a our car and it is more like 1+ hours.
Angie - do what the others say - see if the TA can get you on an earlier flight.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 03-21-2001 09:34 PM

When we were on the Millennium in January. A BIG group of passengers from Colorado missed the ship because of an airline delay. They ended up catching up with the ship two days later in San Juan. NOT happy cruisers

I am flying in a day ahead for my March 30 cruise. We fly to Miami and stay the night there then catch the Celebrity shuttle the next day to Fort Lauderdale.I would be really nervous if I was flying in the same day!!!!!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Angie
Just Boarded
Member # 1805

posted 03-22-2001 07:56 AM

I forgot to mention that this will be on a Saturday that we arrive to Miami at 4:45. Will there still be a rush hour problem on that day? Also, this is on spring break and our TA said there is no possible way to change our flight for that day or for the day before. We scheduled this cruise in January and this is the best they could do. I hoping there are more spring breakers arriving to Miami at the same time that we are. If our planes leave on schedule and the bus is waiting--I'm hoping we'll make it to Ft. Lauderdale on the ship before it leaves at 7:00. Since this is on Saturday, will there still be a traffic problem?

Angie

Posts: 6 | From: Aurora, Colorado | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 03-22-2001 09:03 AM

We were in a similar situation with Princess about a year and a half ago. We made it with an hour to spare. When we were chsanging in Atlanta, they announced that they would hold the ship for usbecausewe were delayed a few minutes. There Fifty of us on one flight and seventy five on the flight thirty minutes later. The ship sailed forty-five minutes late.
So don't worry and enjoy the cruise.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-22-2001 11:13 AM

Angie - It is cutting it very fine - that said, I think a lot will depend on how many other passengers are arriving on that same flight - with cruise line's air I would assume that transfers are provided.

Will keep our fingers crossed for you as obviously there's little you can do to change anything.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 03-22-2001 03:50 PM

Don't sweat it. I have yet to be on a ship that sailed from its original port on time. They are either loading baggage, loading food, or the pilot went home for dinner and didn't get back until late. Getting you to the ship along with your baggage is the line's responsibility and they knew this when they made your airline reservations.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

cruisernh1
First Class Passenger
Member # 1864

posted 03-23-2001 10:47 AM

As green said it depends on how many ship passengers are on that flight. I have been on cruises that waited for passengers. be glad that you booked air with them otherwise, you would be out of luck.

Posts: 35 | From: Tilton,NH,USA | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

KansasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 1758

posted 03-23-2001 11:07 AM

I think you will make it to the cruise ship on time, Angie, and there is a good chance they will wait for delayed passengers to arrive. The Grandeur of the Seas was scheduled to depart at 5:00 and did not leave until 8:00 when we cruised on her. They waited for the late airport arrivals because the airport had closed due to severe thunderstorms.

My question is why cruise lines wait until the absolute last minute to make airline reservations so that they have no choice but to give you poor flight times on weeks when the planes are full, like Spring Break, or a July 4th long weekend in the United States. We flew on July 1 last year, and three weeks before we left, we finally got our tickets and found our 18 year old daughter was on a different flight than the other three of us. We objected to this and our TA said she would try to get this fixed, but I think it was only because someone canceled that our daughter was changed to our flight. Like Angie, we were told there were no more seats when we first called.

Posts: 126 | From: Overland Park, Kansas USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-23-2001 08:51 PM

I doubt very much that cruise lines wait until the last minute to make airline reservations - my guess is that they block space on many airlines and confirm passengers on those that quote the lowest price.
Cruise prices these days are usually cruise only - an air add-on price, which includes transfer to and from the ship, is quoted. In some instances, it's higher than the price you would pay by booking yourself. For example - Toronto to Ft. Lauderdale to join the ship - Lisbon to Toronto on your return - best to take the Line's air - Toronto to Ft.Lauderdale to Toronto, chances are you might do better on your own.
On the other hand, take the Line's air and you have no luggage transfer problems - you check it in at your home airport, identify it at arrival city and, at least 90% of the time, it's delivered to you cabin. Decisions, decisions!!!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 03-24-2001 10:56 PM

I, personally, would make my own air arrangements only to arrive at least one full day prior to sailing. This we may do for one future cruise to work off some miles and ride in a forward cabin on a long flight. I have traveled with other pax who did this.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

jmfleser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1141

posted 03-26-2001 03:34 PM

My suggestion for you in the future is to make your own flight arrangements. You'll get there when you want, in most cases, and getting to the ship is not a big deal. You can get a shuttle or a taxi and most likely be there before the folks who are using the transfers. Another big plus in making your own arrangements, you can most likely get your tickets much cheaper than if the cruise line books it for you. In most cases whiat you save will more than pay for the hotel if you go a day early.

Joan

Posts: 183 | From: Esperance, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Marcia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1198

posted 03-27-2001 04:34 PM

You should be O.K., but in the future, go one day earlier. After our first cruise when we saw people running, trying to get on the ship at the last minute, we have always flown at least one day earlier. That way, we are rested and have no worries about a late plane or other delays. We have also found that is we request a carrier or an earlier time them will usually try to work that out. It's always worked for us. Maybe we just have a good TA. By the way, almost every ship we have sailed on has left right on schedule.

Have a wonderful trip...

Posts: 101 | From: Hamilton, Oh. U.S.A. | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

bcmc
Just Boarded
Member # 1874

posted 03-28-2001 11:10 AM

Recently we booked our own air from the West Coast to Ft Lauderdale for a Panama Canal cruise returning to San Diego. We then booked our air to return to Northern California. These are one way flights which does not always give you a good air fare. While Southwest airlines is not always the best for long trips, they offered a senior discount fare that was less than half the price booking through the cruise line. We saved enough money to book a hotel on the Intercoastal Waterway accross from the cruise terminal in Ft Lauderdale. We arrived 3 days early. This gave us time to sightsee and left us well rested for the start of our cruise. Tried to do this a couple of years ago to spend a few days in Athens. Could not find a reasonable international air fare so, had to settle for the cruise/air package. I will always compare the air package with independent travel arrangements as I think going early is a great way to start a cruise vacation.

Posts: 7 | From: Truckee, CA USA | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

Angie
Just Boarded
Member # 1805

posted 04-02-2001 04:06 PM

Well this is Angie (the one who originally wrote this post). Well, we are back from the cruise and this is what happened. We arrived at Miami airport at 5:00 p.m. A princess person was waiting for us at the terminal. We followed her all through the airport (at a very fast walk/jog)..She led us to a bus. We sat on the bus until 5:30 p.m. The driver took his time and made a stop first at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. Dropped off a couple of people who were taking a cruise the next day. Then proceeded to leave this hotel at about 6:15 p.m. We finally arrived at the ship dock at 6:35 p.m. Everyone was to be on the ship by 6:00 and it was to start sailing at 7:00p.m. As we walked into the huge room (deportation) 3 Princess workers ran up to us and said "we were waiting for you". "glad you're here." They did the proper paper work and hustled us on the ship at approximately 6:55. They closed the gangway right behind us. We immediately went to our room and then went on deck. They were pulling off at this time. I was such a nervous wreck I grabbed 2 tutie frutie drinks. We were then getting nervous about our luggage not arriving. The princess worker at the airport assured us our luggage was going on a truck and will probably be on the ship before us. Well, 9:30p.m. came then 10:30 came and still no luggage. But, then at about 11:00p.m. our steward brings it in our room. This whole time waiting for our luggage was wasted for us. We were too nervous to enjoy the ship just yet, and waited this whole time in our room. I'm telling everyone right now...(DO NOT LEAVE THE SAME DAY OF THE CRUISE)..The ship did leave a wedding party behind whose plane was delayed in the New England area. They missed their plane and was flown into Jamaica 3 days after the cruise began. It was definately a nightmare for them too. But, they did fly thru the cruiseline, therefore, the cruiseline paid for their flight to Jamaica. But, if you book flights your own, you may have to see to your own expense a way to the ship at the next port...

Posts: 6 | From: Aurora, Colorado | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-02-2001 04:42 PM

Thanks for the feedback Angie! I'm glad you made it, even if it was by the skin of your teeth!

Maybe you would like to write a review of your ship and cruise? (See the Menu of the left "Submit a review").

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 04-02-2001 07:40 PM

Angie,

I am so glad you made it. You really lucked out. It was a shame your luggage arrived so late. I would have been a real basket case.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 04-02-2001 08:00 PM

Cheers Angie - Crossed fingers by TP posters did the trick! Great!

Next time for sure you'll go a day early - experience counts!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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