Flying in the morning of the cruise?

[maberlyne]

We're flying in from CA and had scheduled our flight to arrive Sat evening, then to stay over so we'd be all ready for Sun. But I just got an itinerary change notice.... they want the flight to be an overnight that will arrive at 10 AM Sun morning.

While this would save us a hotel for the night, I'm not sure how I feel about arriving just that morning. I'm just nervous that something will delay and we'll miss the cruise. It looks like the earliest we can board anyway is 1 pm so theoretically, we should be okay?

Just wanted some advice from the experts.

[Horace Horsecollar]

One question you need to ask yourself is, "What happens if the flight is delayed several hours?"

Delays happen, especially in the winter. Although you may be flying between two warm-weather locations, you don't know where the aircraft is coming from.

And whenever you take a redeye (overnight) flight, a question you have to ask yourself is, "How much sleep can we really get in an airplane seat, and do we really want to be miserable on the day we board the ship?"

There's a lot to said for getting a good night's sleep at a hotel near Orlando Airport or near the port before your cruise. It makes the first day of the cruise much more pleasant.

[safetymom]

I agree. See if you can change it to come in on Saturday.

[Alexander]

We fly in from the Northeast and would never fly in the day of the cruise, let alone from the West Coast. There are just too many things that can go wrong. Especially being on one of the latest flights of the night.

What happens if the crew times-out (can't fly because they already logged too many hours).

What happens if there is bad weather in certain parts of the country and your plane can't get to CA to fly you to FL?

Nope! Definately get on a plane and arrive sometime on Saturday. The $100 you spend on the hotel will be well worth the relaxation you'll have from not having to worry! JMHO of course--but ya' did ask!

If you call the airline and tell them you are boarding a cruise (tell them that you have to be onboard by 10 AM) and that the itinerary change won't work--they'll should be pretty good about getting you out earlier on Sat. Just be nice to the CS rep.

[Grandma4ever]

I would not risk it. They do not begin to board untill about noon but once you land you must get to your transportation and travel to the port. Once at the port you must get checked in. You will want to explore the port before boarding. I would want to be on my way to the port by 10AM

Then how much will you enjoy your first day if you have been up most of the night. Call your airline and explain that those changes will not work for you. They should rearrange your flights without any fees.

Enjoy your cruise!

[clten]

More than the problems will delays that may keep you from catching the cruise (OP covered them quite nicely), you are cruising on Sunday which says your doing a shorter cruise. These cruises are short enough. I would be afraid that if we arrived from a red eye, we would be exhausted that first day and pretty much waste a day of the cruise. It is so much nicer to start the cruise rested and stress free.

[dizzi]

Change it!!!!!!!

[outahere]

Even though we fly from New England, we always fly in at least one day prior to the cruise, even in warm weather months. Traveling the day of the cruise, there are just too many things that could cause you to miss the ship, especially flying from the west coast. Plus, as others have said, you will be tired from traveling and probably won't be able to completely enjoy your first day. Don't forget the 3 hour time difference as well. That always does a number on me, especially flying from west to east.

[kcashner]

It's not worth the risks and all the "what ifs" I'd fly in the day before if at all possible. The $40-50 that I spend on a Priceline room for the night (which includes breakfast!) is well worth the peace of mind that comes with being in the Orlando area.

Change it!

[NancyIL]

Since the OP booked a flight the day before and the airline changed it to a redeye - there should be no problem getting the airline to put them on an earlier flight on Saturday without charge.

[jilljill]

If your new flight is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 10am it sounds like you have to change planes so being at a 2nd airport has the potential for even more delays.
The airline changed your flight so I would call them and have them put you on a flight to come in on Sat. the day you originally planned. They should do it at no cost to you since they changed your original booking.

[RedSox68]

Originally Posted by Alexander

We fly in from the Northeast and would never fly in the day of the cruise, let alone from the West Coast.

We do too -- and I agree. I have never flown in the day of the cruise even though it's on the same coast. I've had flights delayed because of electrical problems, plane problems, runway problems, etc. Even a couple hours of delay could throw everything into a turmoil because then your plane may not get a place for take-off and have to wait on the runway.

You can always book a room at the Hyatt in the airport. Very convenient and they work with DCL the next morning getting your luggage down to the buses, etc.

[lildeb724]

Flying in the day of and coming in the day before.....Having done both, we would NEVER fly again in again the morning of the cruise. It is so much more relaxing and less worrisome to fly in the day before.

[mainegal]

I think the day before would be best if you cna change the flight. Be well rested for the cruise!

[maberlyne]

Thank you for all the responses! I think part of the problem will be is that they don't have any other flights Sat - wth?! Just the late night ones. Unless there's other ones that aren't showing up when I search. So we would have to fly in Fri redeye, gosh. I actually have DVC so the room probably won't be a problem. Just have to call to see what they have available. I agree with all of you, don't really want to take that chance. Just frustrates me! Spent all this time going through and picking the right flight times and they just mess it up! Grr!