We're doing half land, half cruise next spring. Trip ends with ship's return to port in Athens at 5:30 a.m. I'd like to book a flight home at 11 a.m. Is that realistic, or is that playing it risky?
Posted by
Land of La
9921 posts
Too risky from my POV.
Posted by
OP
96 posts
I was afraid you'd say that.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6752 posts
Don't forget that the estimated time of return to port is NOT the same as the time when the ship will begin disembarkation. That may depend on when the port personnel are ready to receive passengers. Plus you need to allow time to find your luggage in the arrival hall, unless you are prepared to carry off all of your luggage without assistance.
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
808 posts
Won't really work and you will be stressed out the entire time.
Even if the ship gets in at 5:30 am. The earliest you will disembark is 8:00 am, with the DIY crowd. Don't leave your bags out the night before, but wheel your own bags off the ship. Otherwise you will spend time looking for your bags.
then you have to book your own transport to the airport
If you are take the ship's transport to the airport and that will take a lot of time, and you won't make it.
Even if you book your own transport and you are lucky to have it waiting for you at the port at 8:30 am. It will still take you an hour to get to the airport.
Boarding closes an hour before the flight, so 10:00am. You won't make it.
Book a flight in the afternoon.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13073 posts
Where will the departing flight land?
If it goes to an non-Schengen destination ( e.g., USA, UK or Turkey) you need to do the passport exit procedure at Athens, so need to allow some extra time for that.
I am with Claudia.
Posted by
Connecticut
764 posts
It depends on the ship’s disembarkment time and procedures which may be different from the port arrival time. Earlier this year I disembarked at 7 AM in time for a 10:00 AM flight. I sat for over an hour at the airport waiting for an on time departure. Additionally one must consider distance to the airport and checkin requirements. Personally I find it doable for me if disembarking begins around 7:00 AM.
Posted by
Oregon 🌲
463 posts
Contact your cruise line. If they allow you to book cruise-provided transportation to the airport, ask them what would be the earliest arrival time at the airport.
Posted by
OP
96 posts
Thanks to all for talking common sense. Still, I was tempted. But… just changed to a 1pm flight.
Posted by
OP
96 posts
Leonard, great tip, too. Cruise line told me 11:30 is earliest I’d get to the airport via its shuttles. I’ll have had enough adventures without missing flight home.