Flying out of San Diego - cruise arrives 7am - flight is for 9.50am - too risky?

[aussiecruisers]

We are expected to disembark from our cruise in San Diego at 7am.
I have completed my own flights research via aa.com & webjet and successfully got Flight Centre to match these flights and prices
I got my cruise TA to oversee the flights and he has suggested that we are cutting it too fine to get on our flight leaving for HNL at 9.50am on Hawaiin Airlines. Cruises have a good reputation of getting into port before expected time of arrival. I can also arrange to be the first group to get off the cruise. Also I don't think the airport is far from the port.
I don't think there are any other direct flights on HA to HNL for that day (20 Oct 07).

Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I don't know San Diego well but would, on the information given, be riskier than I'd be willing to do (assuming I am not booked on a fully flexible premium flight ticket). There are almost certainly later flights to HNL via one of the LA or SF area airports.

 

[Soundguy]

With a US airport? No way, sorry..... not gonna make that.

 

[NM]

And do you need to complete US Immigration and Customs on arrival into San Diego on the cruise? If so, then its also certain that you will be in trouble.

I would be planning on either staying in San Diego overnight and flying to HNL the next day, or make a connection via LAX (drive, bus, fly etc), Personally, if I had the time I would plan on spending the day in San Diego and have a look around.

 

[supergirl]

I agree with NM. Spend the night in San Diego and enjoy the day having a look around the city. The airport is close to where the cruise ships come in, however I have done that flight with my family many times and the airport at that time of morning is a zoo! We usually aim to get there at 7am to catch that flight- just for peace of mind that we will make it through check in and security on time.

 

[Altair]

I too have been caught at San Diego at that time and had to check bags and got the "special" treatment. I missed my flight and had to wait another 3 hours, which cut my waiting time at Salt Lake City down to 30 minutes .
Try to find an alternate flight is my suggestion.