Flying out of Miami the same day

[minniemouse1]

We are sending my DD home the same say we disembark the Dream in Miami so she doesn't miss another day of college classes. Will we be able to get off the ship early enough for her to make her 1010am flight?
Any suggestions on the fastest, easiest way to get to the airport from the port?
Thank you in advance for any recommendations.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

We are sending my DD home the same say we disembark the Dream in Miami so she doesn't miss another day of college classes. Will we be able to get off the ship early enough for her to make her 1010am flight?
Any suggestions on the fastest, easiest way to get to the airport from the port?
Thank you in advance for any recommendations.

Will you be able to make a 10:10am flight? Maybe? If everything goes perfectly and you have her use express walk off (Where you carry ALL your luggage off the ship and are allowed to leave as soon as the ship is cleared. Anywhere from 7-8:30am normally). Then she will have to get a cab instantly and enjoy the 20 minute drive without any traffic or accidents happening on the route to the airport. Next she will hopefully have TSA pre-check and a carry on only back and can quickly get through Miami airport to her gate. Otherwise she could have to wait 20 minutes to check a bag. 20 minutes for security. And then walk to her gate. And don't forget she will need to board her flight around 30 minutes before it takes off at 10:10am.

Is all that possible if it all goes perfectly. Probably.

In recent weeks the Disney Wonder was several hours late docking in Vancouver. Would she make her flight if an issue prevented the ship from docking until 9:00am? Nope.

I've also waited hours for a taxi at some ports at disembarkation -it's rare but it does happen due to multiple ships, shortage of taxis etc.

One time I was over an hour late getting off a ship for a port adventure because customs in that country was taking their time to do the paperwork.

Once I was stuck on a DCL bus to the airport after the cruise where the bus driver got lost (seriously) and spent an hour trying to figure out where to drop us off and finally gave us and left us all at arrivals and we had to be escorted on a special elevator to departures. People on our bus missed their flight.

All the TSA has 3 people working the entire airport security line. Suddenly that 20 minute line takes 2.5 hours.

It's all happened. It all CAN happen. Would I book that 10:10am flight. Absolutely not.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We had a 10:00 flight out of Miami last December and all it worked out perfectly. Only the tiniest bit delay waiting for our driver. We thought having private transfers would make things faster, to have a driver there waiting for us. Instead, there was a line of taxis that we should have taken, or Ubered. Don't get me wrong, once we found each other, the private service was wonderful, beautiful clean car, but it's a short drive to MIA.

We did check bags with American but we also have TSA precheck and breezed right through everywhere. No need to eat at the gate like usual because we just ate a huge breakfast, but we did still have some time leftover just sitting at the gate. It wasn't at all the white-knuckle ride we thought it would be.
The key was getting in line early for early debarkation. We headed to the lobby as soon as they announced it but next time (this coming Friday) I don't think we'll wait for the announcement.
Both instances, the next flight to Philly is not until around 2 pm. In December we were already landed by 12:30. I'd go bonkers sitting around an airport til 2 pm. OP, I would definitely splurge for TSA precheck.

Sure, things can go wrong, but I wouldn't sit around an airport for 6 hours just because something might go wrong somehow. Worse case scenario, she misses her flight and they'll put her on another.

 

[Melissa518]

Personally I think security is horrible at the Miami airport. We waited at least an hour back in June. I think to make things easier, you might want to get TSA pre-check as you will be cutting it very close.

 

[minniemouse1]

We had a 10:00 flight out of Miami last December and all it worked out perfectly. Only the tiniest bit delay waiting for our driver. We thought having private transfers would make things faster, to have a driver there waiting for us. Instead, there was a line of taxis that we should have taken, or Ubered. Don't get me wrong, once we found each other, the private service was wonderful, beautiful clean car, but it's a short drive to MIA.

We did check bags with American but we also have TSA precheck and breezed right through everywhere. No need to eat at the gate like usual because we just ate a huge breakfast, but we did still have some time leftover just sitting at the gate. It wasn't at all the white-knuckle ride we thought it would be.
The key was getting in line early for early debarkation. We headed to the lobby as soon as they announced it but next time (this coming Thursday) I don't think we'll wait for the announcement.
Both instances, the next flight to Philly is not until around 2 pm. In December we were already landed by 12:30. I'd go bonkers sitting around an airport til 2 pm. OP, I would definitely splurge for TSA precheck.

Sure, things can go wrong, but I wouldn't sit around an airport for 6 hours just because something might go wrong somehow. Worse case scenario, she misses her flight and they'll put her on another.

She will not have any luggage to check. I will take that with me on my flight the next day so hopefully that will cut off some time.
What time do you suggest we head to the doors to disembark? I have not cruised in 5 years and feel like we are new to this again.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We got in line in the lobby at 7:30 and we were probably 20th family in line.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

She will not have any luggage to check. I will take that with me on my flight the next day so hopefully that will cut off some time.
What time do you suggest we head to the doors to disembark? I have not cruised in 5 years and feel like we are new to this again.

Is there time to get TSA Pre check for her? It helps.

 

[minniemouse1]

Is there time to get TSA Pre check for her? It helps.

I believe so. How long after you go to the appointment does it take to be approved for precheck?
There are lots of appointments at the facilities but they are all over 120 miles away from our home or her college so we are trying to figure out a day I can take her where she won't miss classes and we have enough time for the over 2 hour car ride to get there.

 

[Cheburashka]

Yes, I personally would schedule a 10:10 flight out of Miami post-cruise without hesitation if I was not checking bags. She should carry her own bags off the ship (so she won't have to wait for them to be ready for pick-up) and leave the ship as soon as she can. This is called Express Walk-Off. The Miami port is only about 20 minutes from the airport, and disembarkation typically begins before 8am. I recommend she take a taxi from the port to the airport, as taxis will be waiting right outside as soon as she exits the port. Pre-scheduled transfers can too-easily arrive late, and the DCL transfer bus can take its sweet time filling up with guests and loading luggage, etc.

Getting TSA Pre-Check would definitely help streamline this process. According to their website, approval currently tends to take about a week, but in some cases could take up to 2 months.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I believe so. How long after you go to the appointment does it take to be approved for precheck?

Wow, that’s a shame you have to go so far to get it. I don’t recall how long it took. We signed up for it in 2016. Renewal is online so I haven't really had to deal with waiting since my initial application.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

I probably wouldn't. We had an issue a couple of weeks ago disembarking in Miami from the Carnival Horizon. Some snag happened which prevented the ship from getting clearance and all of the different debarkation groups got backed up and stacked up so that it was a total mess. People with early flights were screaming and yelling because they had definitely missed their flights. People with noon flights were cutting it close. I've only had issues 3 times in around 70 cruises, but it only takes one issue to throw a monkey wrench into the plan. The security at Miami is usually a disaster. My husband and I were offered a 14 day free trial for Clear so we did that which saved at least a half hour, but then I had TSA precheck and he did not, so he was still about 15 minutes behind me. There's usually a shore excursion offered the last day that she could take and get dropped off at the airport at 1pm. That could be a better option.

 

[minniemouse1]

Yes, I personally would schedule a 10:10 flight out of Miami post-cruise without hesitation if I was not checking bags. She should carry her own bags off the ship (so she won't have to wait for them to be ready for pick-up) and leave the ship as soon as she can. This is called Express Walk-Off. The Miami port is only about 20 minutes from the airport, and disembarkation typically begins before 8am. I recommend she take a taxi from the port to the airport, as taxis will be waiting right outside as soon as she exits the port. Pre-scheduled transfers can too-easily arrive late, and the DCL transfer bus can take its sweet time filling up with guests and loading luggage, etc.

Getting TSA Pre-Check would definitely help streamline this process. According to their website, approval currently tends to take about a week, but in some cases could take up to 2 months.

Perfect. Thank you. We are just trying to get her home so she won't miss another day of classes. She will have a 2 hour car ride from the airport back to college as well and we are not flying until the next day because of the cost of the flights. We paid a premium for her to leave a day earlier.
We will use all your tips to disembark and get a taxi. I will probably accompany her in the taxi to the airport then get one back to our hotel after she is through security and I know she will make her flight.

 

[minniemouse1]

I probably wouldn't. We had an issue a couple of weeks ago disembarking in Miami from the Carnival Horizon. Some snag happened which prevented the ship from getting clearance and all of the different debarkation groups got backed up and stacked up so that it was a total mess. People with early flights were screaming and yelling because they had definitely missed their flights. People with noon flights were cutting it close. I've only had issues 3 times in around 70 cruises, but it only takes one issue to throw a monkey wrench into the plan. The security at Miami is usually a disaster. My husband and I were offered a 14 day free trial for Clear so we did that which saved at least a half hour, but then I had TSA precheck and he did not, so he was still about 15 minutes behind me. There's usually a shore excursion offered the last day that she could take and get dropped off at the airport at 1pm. That could be a better option.

Thank you for the insight. That sounds terrible for all those cruisers. I am hoping with precheck and no luggage she will be fine. Unfortunately where we live there are not many flight options available. The airport she is flying into only gets about a dozen flights a day so we have to take what we can get. If she does miss it she will just have to wait until the next day.

 

[minniemouse1]

Wow, that’s a shame you have to go so far to get it. I don’t recall how long it took. We signed up for it in 2016. Renewal is online so I haven't really had to deal with waiting since my initial application.

We live in Upstate NY, and I mean upstate, near Lake Placid. We are about 7 miles from the Canadian Border and Montreal is our closest city. We are limited with airport choices and anything major like surgeries or medical specialists we have to travel over 2 hours away to get care.
Its inconvenient but beautiful especially this time of year. Leaves are just starting to change, apples are almost ready at the orchards, and hiking the Adirondacks is spectacular on a clear fall day. Trade offs for conveniences I guess.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We all have our own comfort zone vs risk taking. IMHO for her to miss her flight would require a “perfect storm” scenerio where multiple things, that are typically rare occurrences, all happen at the same time.
Late ship clearance, highway closed to bad accident, flat tire, xray equipment down at security.
She is single, in a hurry, on a mission, with no children, and has 2.5 hours from typical debarkation time to departure time. Unless all one or all of those things go wrong, she will still be sitting bored at the gate.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I will let you know how it works out next week. We'll be doing the 10:00 flight again out of MIA. This time we'll just hop into whatever taxi is ready to go or Uber if one is very near. We'll also go downstairs to the lobby as soon as we get done eating.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Just off the night out of Miami~ship cleared at 7:30am on this trip. 20 minutes to airport on DCL transport. On her own, no luggage, with pre-should be fine. Do not take bus. They take too long to fill up. Should be fine. Have a back up plan

 

[mmouse37]

If she does get TSA pre check in time make sure you enter her Known Traveler Number into her airline reservation or she won't get the TSA pre check listed on the boarding pass. Some think you just show a card at the airport but the number has to be in your airline reservation.

MJ

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Also just double check that your airline participates before joining. I’m not sure if any US based airlines don’t participate but it would be good to know.

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines

 

[minniemouse1]

If she does get TSA pre check in time make sure you enter her Known Traveler Number into her airline reservation or she won't get the TSA pre check listed on the boarding pass. Some think you just show a card at the airport but the number has to be in your airline reservation.

MJ

Thank you! I don't know anything about precheck but plan to get it for her and if I am driving her over 2 hours to the nearest appointment site I will get it for myself too.