Can i book my return flight at 12:30pm or is that too early?

i am taking a cruise on jan. 15th 2009 on the carnival fascination for our honeymoon. our ship returns monday the 19th at 8 am in jacksonville florida. will a 12:30 PM flight be too early? is there a chance we could miss this flight? this is our first cruise. thanks in advance.


**also our flight gets in at 1130 am on the 15th is that early enough to beat the crowds getting on the ship? thanks!






Answer :
The 11:30 arrival should be fine. I'd have a late afternoon flight out of there though. The ship docks at 8 am, but you won't get off the ship then. They empty the ship by decks and you might have to wait awhile. Plus, you'll probably go through customs, and you never know how long that will take. Then catching a taxi or bus. And getting to the airport and checking your luggage.

However, if you reserve the flight with the cruise, they will give you options and be able to get your luggage to the airport for you. That would save time, but it's usually more expensive.

I'd give myself some more time if booking it myself. You can always go to the airport for lunch, and have a chance to not be rushed in case there is a problem. Congratulations and best wishes, by the way!






Answer :
Not sure about the cruise thing, but I've flown in and out of Jacksonville several times, and b/c it's a small airport, it's a breeze to get through check-in and security. Though things can happen, I'm usually through security and to my gate in :15-:20 minutes. It's a nice quaint airport. I'm not sure where the port is located, but the airport is on the north side of Jacksonville, north of 295 - about 10-15 miles from coast. Hopes this helps relieve some of the pre-wedding planning stress.






Answer :
Depends on how far the port is away from the airport. Also that is assuming the cruise is right on time. Generally you should check into the airport about an hour before your flight, so you want to get there at 11:30- That leaves three and a half hours. I think it should be okay, unless the airport is ridiculously far!

As far as the flight getting in at 11:30, you didn't tell us what time the ship leaves so I can't really answer the question...

Good luck!






Answer :
Hi and congratulations!

I just returned from a cruise in July, so here is my advice:

~ Yes, a 12:30 flight should be good. Really, you have a "staggered" list of who gets off the ship at various times, but you can get off at any time after it docks (so, say about 9 a.m.). Then, you need to get your luggage, get to the airport, etc., etc.

~ The 11:30 a.m. is good getting into Jacksonville, but you will need to check with the cruise line as to when you can actually board. We were on Royal Caribbean and we could not board until 1 p.m. We ended up getting on at 2 p.m., but we were certainly NOT the first person(s) to board.

YES, I think the times getting in and departing will be very good for you.

Make sure to tell them you are on your honeymoon. Or, tell your travel agent if you worked with one. You may get a little "perk" like a free bottle of champagne or something.

Have fun! I just LOVE cruises!!







Answer :
i just went on a cruise last week! you can book a 12:30pm flight, that is plenty of time. any passengers who have a flight that day are let off of the ship first. you can get off the ship as early as 6:30am if you need to.
and as far as your flight coming in at 11:30am - that's a perfect time. we got on our ship right around noon. there were other people waiting in line with us, but it got way more crowded later. i think 1130am is early enoguh to beat the crowd for sure.