6:30 a.m. flight vs. the afternoon before...

[Raven9 Studios]

Our DCL vaca isn't until May 2011

Any suggestions / thoughts? I've done DCL cruises many times and usually flown out of Boston about 7:30 - but that flight time is not currently an option. The later flight puts us at risk for delay and if things go smoothly, we'd get to the terminal around 2:30 - 3:00.... HUGE difference than 11am.

we did a non stop leaving at 9am getting into the airport around 1230 ...we had to wait about 30 min or so then took the shuttle with disney it was fine and we had tons of time to spare. saved us close to 300 with 2 kids

 

[NancyIL]

Since all the debate over global warming came up, it sure seems that NO month is assured of no snow.
The last 6 global WARMING hearings have be SNOWED OUT!

Haven't heard much from Al Gore lately. Oh yeah - he is still shoveling his driveway in Tennessee!

For my cruises out of Port Canaveral, I have arrived several days early and gone to WDW first. (I have also returned to WDW post-cruise, but that had nothing to do with flights.) I would NOT fly to the departure city the same day ANY cruise leaves.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for flying the day or night before. We usually fly down between 6-8pm the night before and it's actually cheapest time of day. We get the Hyatt through Hotwire ranging from $54 to $79. Not sure how pp calculated a $300 savings by flying down same day. I guess it depends on airlines.

We have done both and 2 out of 8 cruises, our luggage was delayed. First time was same day cruise. We were so stressed out, we stayed at the airport until the next plane arrived from Philly which we were told, our luggage would be on. The airline assured us earlier that they would deliver them to the ship but I didn't trust them. Staff was bickering and trying to figure out to get so many bags to so many people and which employees could be called in to work a double, who still hadn't gotten a lunch break, who had too much OT, etc. Not organized and did not instill confidence in me that they could get it together. We ate lunch and when the next plane arrived, got our bags and rushed to the port.

Also by waking up at such a ridiculous hour, we were all cranky all day and ds fell asleep during dinner. Never again. When we fly down night before, we all get a good night's sleep and arrive at the port early, well rested and ready for fun!

MCO has so many inexpensive airport-type hotels. Why start your vacay off with so much stress for you and your family? Not worth the small $$ savings imho.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I would go with a flight the day before--just in case. Last July, our return flight was delayed for over 2 hours due to technical problems with the plane. I would not want to risk missing the ship due to something like this--the cost of 1 night in a hotel is well worth making sure I am on board when the ship departs.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Thanks! Still working on him!!

 

[TheWog]

Thanks! Still working on him!!

Good luck. Enjoying the snow? Route 3 is at a standstill right now.

 

[2littleprincesses]

I see that priceline cannot guarantee you a room for 4. It is only a room for 2. Has anyone had problems getting a room for 4?

 

[TheWog]

I see that priceline cannot guarantee you a room for 4. It is only a room for 2. Has anyone had problems getting a room for 4?

That is a disclaimer, particularly in areas such as NYC where there are sometimes rooms only big enough for 2. I think you will find most hotels (if not all) in the Orlando area are set up for at least 4 or more (family destination).

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Arrive the night before. Why get up at 4 a.m. and be to tired to enjoy the first night of the cruise.
This will eliminate the possibility of something going wrong if you fly the day of. There are 100's of things that could happen and cause you some panic. Such as someone causing a security violation thus resulting in the airport to be evacuated and everyone rescreened. there could be an accident that ties things up on the highway. So too many things could happen to risk missing the cruise.
Spend the night, relax at the hotel then make your way to the cruise being well rested.

 

[macd4]

Fly in the night before.
Get a Priceline hotel near the port (about $60).
Get a one-way car rental. (about $75)
Use the car to stop at a store to buy some carry on beverages that you might otherwise purchase on board.
The savings from car vs. bus, and carry on beverages vs. by-the-glass will make it a break-even event.

 

[Happy100]

Thanks!!! For our upcoming cruise I was considering flying in the day of. Now I am convinced...fly day before as we did last cruise.

However this time I think I will stay at MCO because our hotel at PC was so loud the night before our cruise we didn't get enough sleep.