Tara

I have cruised several times but not out of Miami. We currently have a 11:25 am flight time after our cruise on the Carnival Imagination which docks on a Thurs morning. I don't see a problem making that flight time, however, the Carnival rep gave me all sorts of slack on the phone about it saying I had to move it. All of the other cruises I've been on I've been off by boat by 9 am or 9:30 at the latest. Does anyone have some experience with docking in Miami from a Carnival Cruise that can tell me what time they got to the airport? (We have the Carnival travel vouchers to take us back to the airport.) Thanks! <BR> <BR>

Geofrey

Disembarkation in Miami is rated as one of the worst in the industry. The Imagination will carry 2040 plus and may take up until 10:30 to complete the process. <BR> <BR>Carnival normally goes overboard (pardon) to accommodate early flight times, but you must let the on board staff know of your requirements. You can even post a personal note to the cruise director at the grand loby desk. <BR> <BR>Disembarkation from Destiny last year in Miami began about 8:30 AM from a dock time of 7:00 AM. We were in no hurry and were last off at about 10:45 AM with about 2400 passengers. <BR> <BR>I did notice that they like to make sure everyone without their on board credit card has paid their account before they let people off the ship (We jokingly called it the "sink or swim" card). There were several calls for people to stop at the burser's office. <BR> <BR>I have never used a cruise lines' transfer service, so I do not know how the buses run. It's as easy to catch a cab. <BR> <BR>I would not worry a lot about it, but you will have to move quickly through the large customs house crowds to the exit and the buses. <BR> <BR>Have a great time and let me know how you liked the classical mythology motif. <BR>

sailinglisa

<BR>A lot depends on when the ship clears customs. If you let the cruise staff on board know you have an early flight they can make sure you are in one of the first groups off, maybe even the first.

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi Tara, <BR> <BR>Noon is the norm but you should be OK for 11:30 with a little pushing and shoving. It takes quite some time to clear a Carnival ship. You should definitely be out by 10:30 the latest. <BR> <BR>Paul

cruiseladytx

I can understand the Carnival rep being nervous about your flights. I usually have no problem getting off the ships by 9:30 or 10:00 but my last cruise the ship was late getting into port because of weather. Because of this, immigration and customs were late getting on the ship so it was about 11:00 am before we got off. I don't know what it is, but it always seems like everyone is either on the same flight or the same airline. The lines at the airport are always long. Just so I don't have to worry, I always book my flights back after 12:00. <BR> <BR>Good luck.