Port to Tampa

[cojo75]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to book our flights. I am going to be flying to/from Tampa instead of Orlando, as the cost is almost half. Problem is the return flight home is only for 215 pm. Do you think this is doable? We will have to leave the port and get a rental car to return back to the airport as well. Last cruise we did this, and flew to/from Orlando, but spent almost an hour waiting for a shuttle back to the car rental place, then an hour to actually get a car. This time, we will not be using the same company...

Let me know if you think that the 215 flight is a good idea, or just too tight....

Thanks!

[n8tivecaligirl]

I think it's cutting it close. But possibly do able. It will take you approximately 2.5-3 hours to drive to Tampa and being there 1-1.5 hours ahead of the flight means getting on the road no later than 10 am. So I would get off the ship first thing and give me "room for error". I just don't like to stress but for the price I'd do it.

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by cojo75

Hi everyone,

I am looking to book our flights. I am going to be flying to/from Tampa instead of Orlando, as the cost is almost half. Problem is the return flight home is only for 215 pm. Do you think this is doable? We will have to leave the port and get a rental car to return back to the airport as well. Last cruise we did this, and flew to/from Orlando, but spent almost an hour waiting for a shuttle back to the car rental place, then an hour to actually get a car. This time, we will not be using the same company...

Let me know if you think that the 215 flight is a good idea, or just too tight....

Thanks!

Well, Tampa is at least one hour further from PC than Orlando is, so keep that in mind. You'll most likely hit quite a bit more traffic going there.

[TifffanyD]

Walk off with all your luggage between 7-730. We didn't do this but we did walk off right at 730, caught our shuttle to Park n Cruise, and were back home in Tampa at about 10:30am (with a short stop). Make sure you are returning your car AT the airport. The fact that the Tampa airport car rentals are right AT the airport and not via a shuttle will help you here. Should not be a problem...

[rosermama]

We flew out of Tampa on the 8th of Dec. Our flight was at 2:45 here is how we handled the day:
-got off the ship at 8:20 (we didn't put our luggage out instead we took it off with us, worked pretty well cause we had breakfast at Cabanas and went back and got our luggage)
- got a rental car by 9:30 from Budget
- was ahead of schedule so we stopped at the Polyensian around 10:30 for dole whip
- stopped at the mall by the airport in Tampa for some chick-fil-a around 12:15
- got gas at the gas station by the mall at 1 pm
- drove 3 miles to airport
- husband dropped me, dd and luggage off
- super quick drop off at rental car
- napping in terminal by 1:40

We no real traffic and cause we got off the boat right after the late seaters sat down for breakfast it wasn't too bad. There was a delay getting into the terminal but once we were in we went straight to the line on the right cause you can go to either just look for the shortest. We had to wait maybe 15 mins for the budget bus to come. Luckily my husband jumped out and was the first inside. All in all it wasnt bad at all if you cut out the detour to the Polyensian you should be fine.

[RedxPanda]

Originally Posted by rosermama

We flew out of Tampa on the 8th of Dec. Our flight was at 2:45 here is how we handled the day:
-got off the ship at 8:20 (we didn't put our luggage out instead we took it off with us, worked pretty well cause we had breakfast at Cabanas and went back and got our luggage)
- got a rental car by 9:30 from Budget
- was ahead of schedule so we stopped at the Polyensian around 10:30 for dole whip
- stopped at the mall by the airport in Tampa for some chick-fil-a around 12:15
- got gas at the gas station by the mall at 1 pm
- drove 3 miles to airport
- husband dropped me, dd and luggage off
- super quick drop off at rental car
- napping in terminal by 1:40

We no real traffic and cause we got off the boat right after the late seaters sat down for breakfast it wasn't too bad. There was a delay getting into the terminal but once we were in we went straight to the line on the right cause you can go to either just look for the shortest. We had to wait maybe 15 mins for the budget bus to come. Luckily my husband jumped out and was the first inside. All in all it wasnt bad at all if you cut out the detour to the Polyensian you should be fine.

Follow this lead and you should be good to go. The key is to get off as early as comfortable for you, so you can be in the front of the lines for shuttles and rental cars. Less waiting and more time to enjoy yourselves along the way.

Better yet, if someone is willing to get off as soon as possible and go get the car. Everyone else keep the luggage and wait for the call that they are on the way with the car!

[Barbydoll8]

I live on the east coast - about 15 min west of Tampa. You are cutting it close. the other posters got a very fortunate break when it comes to traffic IMO. They are doing fairly new construction on I-275 in Tampa right as I-4 comes into the freeway which can cause a back up.
I have cruised from Canaveral and drove from here and it took about 2 and a half hours. Plan for 3 just in case of traffic.

[Silverfox97]

I live in Tampa, but NE of airport. We were off Fantasy and in our car at PC Sat at 8:55am & in our driveway at 10:50am. We take 528 to I-4 to I-75. You would be taking I-4 until it ends and becomes I-275 directly to the airport. If I were u, I'd plan on 3 hrs but it *should* only take 2 1/2 travel time.

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[rosermama]

Originally Posted by Silverfox97

I live in Tampa, but NE of airport. We were off Fantasy and in our car at PC Sat at 8:55am & in our driveway at 10:50am. We take 528 to I-4 to I-75. You would be taking I-4 until it ends and becomes I-275. If I were u, I'd plan on 3 hrs but it *should* only take 2 1/2 travel time.

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We did plan for 3 hrs but because we ddint experience any real delays we were able to stop for lunch. We also planned originally and hour and a half to get off the boat and get the car. Luckily we didn't need it

[Silverfox97]

Originally Posted by rosermama

We did plan for 3 hrs but because we ddint experience any real delays we were able to stop for lunch. We also planned originally and hour and a half to get off the boat and get the car. Luckily we didn't need it

Very good!

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[cojo75]

Thanks everyone. It looks as though we will do the take bags with us, skip breakfast, hail a cab to the rental office and then run like the wind!

[TifffanyD]

Originally Posted by cojo75

Thanks everyone. It looks as though we will do the take bags with us, skip breakfast, hail a cab to the rental office and then run like the wind!

You will be fine ! You don't need a cab

[TifffanyD]

Tif you are a beer drinker hit the Cigar City in the airport! Award winning brewery with a beer they only sell at the airport