10:45 AM flight too risky when ship is expected in Barcelona port at 7 AM?
 

For any of you who have read my other post regarding Baltic versus Mediterranean cruise, thank you for your help and we've decided on the DCL Med cruise. Although it's too early to book our flights, I am trying to have everything planned out so that we will be able to book on the first possible day tickets become available (we're using miles). It seems like the only direct flight to Newark airport is at 10:45 AM and the ship is expected to arrive in the port (Barcelona) at 7 AM. After reading other posts on this board, I know that we'll need to carry our own luggage to speed up the process, but I still have no idea if it is feasible that we'd be able to make a 10:45 AM flight. We really would like to avoid having to stay over an extra night in Barcelona (need to get back to work!) and also would like to avoid an indirect flight (we'll be traveling with a 21 month old!). The cruise line gave me the safe answer that they recommend booking flights 12:30 PM or later, but I was hoping that seasoned European cruisers on this board can give me more "practical" advice! Thanks!

First find out from the Cruise ship what time you can disembark.

Next ...be ready to disembark as soon as you are able to leave the ship.

If you take your own luggage which of course you will...then from the cruise ship to the airport is about a 20 minute taxi ride..... make it 30 minutes to allow for morning traffic.

In North America you have to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.....you can make it as long as you can get off the ship by 7:30 to 8 AM.

then tell the taxi driver , which airlines you are taking for your flight back home and he will drop you off right at the door.

Good Luck :)

I agree with Percy. It should be no problem if you are ready to disembark w/ your luggage at 0700. If the day you leave is a WE then traffic should of course be less. However if not you should be fine. In fact we had an 0800 flight from Copenhagen in 2007 w/ an arrival time of 0500. We were at the gate at 0500 and off the ship in 15 mins. No worries. Enjoy the Med. Its a grat cruise. :-) Larry

We are cruising from/to Barcelona in a few days. Our cruise line will not book our return flight before 11:30 AM. The preferred flight is at 11:20. So we are flying a rather odd itinerary. Good news though is that we avoid the dreaded Kennedy and even worse Philadelphia. However, seems to indicate that even with the degree of control that the cruise lines have over things,e loathe to cut corners very close.

The important point already made is to find out what is the earliest you can disembark. These things are uncertain at a port, since the ship has to clear first. So disembarkation may not actually begin at 7, but later.

And yes, keep your luggage with you overnight so you can just walk off asap.

Perhaps the day of the week matters too, thinking about traffic issues. Are you counting on getting a cab right at the dock, or pre-booking a car service?

I personally would not do it. Everything would have to click just right to work. There are too many factors beyond your control. Consider the downside risk if you miss your plane.

Too risky, too much left to chance. I wouldn't do it.

Waaaaaaay too risky - you'll be a wreck the entire time. Either fly out later that day or spend one night and fly out the next AM. You have to be at the airport 2 hours early for an international flight too - so, keep that in mind!

>>I personally would not do it<<

Neither would I, but some folks just don't have the time.

I hate worrying about things like that when I'm supposed to be vacationing--this is a time to relax. And I *always* worry if the schedule is iffy or tight.

I am in the same boat, except our ship is expected to arrive in the port (Barcelona) at 5 am and our flight doesn't leave until 11 am. Unfortunately, 11 am is the ONLY flight each day and we cannot wait until Monday to come home. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!

Another consideration is the Port you are in before Barcelona. If the ship is coming from another Spanish Port, e.g. Valencia or Palma de Mallorca, it will have been cleared by Spanish Passport Control and you will be able to get off the ship shortly after it arrives.

But, if the ship is arriving from France, Italy, or another country, it will have to be cleared by the port authorities in Barcelona and this has the potential for delaying your departure to the airport. This should be figured into your calculations.

Also, if there are several ships arriving that day, and you are not among the first off, there could be a problem getting a taxi. When we arrived on Oceania, simultaneously with a large MSC ship, two years ago, we walked off the ship with our carry on luggage and got a taxi. Our friends waited for checked luggage and arrived at our hotel 55 minutes after we did. I think the suggestion that you engage a car service is worth considering.

If you elect to take a flight out that early, you will have to do the self checkout. We have done this in the past and it can be a nightmare as people try to get off the ship with all of their luggage. Then your worrying about whether or not you'll make the flight. Best thing... either use connecting flights, or stay overnight and leave the next morning! You'll save yourselves a lot of stress and heartache not to mention possibly missing your fight

Remember, being at the airport on time is only step 1. You also need to get through the check-in lines. Almost by definition, several hundred people from your flight will be in line to check-in and then get through security. We had an 1155 flight and waited only a few minutes before boarding (at BCN). We were in the very first group to disembark.