? about missing the ship

[jfeasel]

We are planning our cruise for June '03. It's going to be a 7 day with 3 days in the park after the cruise. We're going to leave as soon as school is out so we were going to fly down on the day the ship leaves. However, we've now heard local horror stories of people on nonDisney cruise missing their ships because of airplane delays. We always purchase travel insurance, but that can't make up for a missed vacation. Does anyone know what DCL does if people miss their ship due to the airlines?

If we were to fly down the night before, we wouldn't get in until after 8pm. We wanted to use the Disney Transportation to get to the ship, so where would we stay the night before? Would it have to be on Disney property?

Has anyone's cruise been messed up due to the airlines? I've flown 3 times in the last year and each time I've been delayed.

 

[wovenwonder]

We flew in the night before and stayed at the airport Hyatt -- located right in the Orlando airport. In the AM we put our luggage outside our hotel room door and it was magically picked up by the mouse and the next time we saw it was in our stateroom on the ship! We quite conviently met the buses for the ride to the ship in the lobby of the Hyatt.

 

[Michelle]

Julie, I would recommend coming in the night before just for the peace of mind. You can add a pre-cruise stay at the Airport Hyatt through DCL (or you can book it on your own, probably cheaper) and still use DCL motor coach transfers if you'd like. Or you can book a towncar service or rent a car to get to the port. The Hyatt is actually IN the airport and very convenient.

Good luck deciding!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We're actually leaving for the airport 2 days before our Nov 30th cruise. 1st night we are staying at the airport hotel in Providence night before we fly down. Night before the cruise we are staying at the Radisson.
On the way home we are spending the day in Orlando (Downtown Disney? Gatorland? DVC properties?) then flying home at 7pm.

 

[lUVTOGO]

if you miss the ship due to a delayed flight? We are flying in on the morning of our cruise(didn't know better at the time i booked the flight)and I am nervous when I read these posts To change our flight to Friday night would have cost us $300 to change and the cost of the Friday flight which was 65.00 more than Sat a person.I couldn't justify paying almost 600 more to change.I know there is a lot of people that fly in the same day, and I hope everything goes well that day!!!!

 

[wovenwonder]

If you miss the boat -- it will be your responsibility to find a means of transportation to the first port of call and catch the ship there.

 

[disboo]

If you need a hotel the night before, try Priceline.com. We just booked a room (Marriott Orlando-Airport - 3 stars) for $29!! Amazing! (This was for Nov. 1)

 

[SweetSpot]

lUVTOGO:

When I booked we couldn't find a flight out of either airport that fit our needs so we decided to drive. We are also in S. NJ (and I believe the same cruise) and we did the drive last year during teachers week because it was too soon after 9/11 and none of us really wanted to fly. It isn't a horrible drive at all really. We did it in 15 hours straight through and will probably just go straight through again. (Halloween gets in the way of leaving early enough to stop over) It seems like a long time but when compared to all that is involved with flying and then getting to the port we probably are only a few hours behind and saved alot of money. Just something to consider if it is an option for you.

 

["Ginger"]

If flying in the night before you may want to check out other means of transportation. I have read where alot of people have rented a car cheaper than using Disney Transportation. The Radisson which is very close to the port has an Avis rental car agency right next door. Radisson offers a free shuttle serve, starting I believe at 10:30am to and from the ship. You can purchase transfers back to the airport with Disney or again check in to renting or a towncar serve.
We flew once the day of and yes you missed that flight. U. S. Air had changed our departing times and didn't notify us. Thank goodness Delta had a flight leaving but much later we were place on stand-by for 3 hours hoping and praying we could board. When we did it was to longest flight. We called Disney and they had people waiting for us at the gate when we got off the plane. They ran us through the airport so we could board the last bus, it was waiting for us. We made our cruise but it was a true nightmare till we got there. We never did that again.

 

[macbasset]

this dec. 28th will be our first cruise in the winter and we were concerned about snow, etc. here in the northeast and decided to not take any chances, so we are flying in the day before and staying in the airport hyatt regency(internet rate) and will take DCL ground transfers (bus) next morning. we just want peace of mind. if it was summer like last time we went, we wouldn't worry so much about it. but we do book 6-8 a.m. flights just to be sure. we also try always to get non-stop. barb

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by macbasset
but we do book 6-8 a.m. flights just to be sure.

That's another reason to fly in on the day before.

To make it to the airport 2 hours before departure time for an early morning flight, you have to get up in the wee hours of the morning. You haven't had enough sleep. By the time you get on the ship, you've already driven to airport, gone through the mess of parking, check-in, security and waiting for departure; you've flown for several hours and traveled from MCO to the port -- all while stressed about the possibility of a multitude of possible delays that might make you miss the ship. In the evening, you're too tired to enjoy the show -- especially your cranky, tired children.

Fly in the day before, and you can get a good night of sleep at a hotel in Orlando or at Orlando Airport or in Cocoa Beach. Sleep in a bit. Have a good breakfast. Maybe go for a walk on Cocoa Beach. And get to the ship when they start boarding, well rested. Then enjoy the ship and all it offers.

 

[sjm]

It is better to fly in the day before, but not everyone can. We are sailing on the Magic the end of Jan and are flying in the day we sail. We have a 9:30 flight out of Philadelphia and we should arrive at about noon. This will be our 11th cruise (1st on disney) and we have never had a problem. Hubby can't take the day before off, so we just have to hope all goes OK. We will be at the airport early and check our flights ahead of time.

sue

 

[DisneyKids]

We always fly in the night before, rent a car from Avis and head out to Cocoa Beach. We stay right down the road from the port (Holiday Inn Express - plently of other selections, as well) and do the car drop/shuttle at the Radisson in the morning. It's not Disney transportation but it's much cheaper, we are able to sleep in (somewhat) and not be stressed that next morning and the whole process goes VERY smoothly even with young kids and late arriving flights.

HAVE FUN!

 

[albiats]

If you have to fly in on the same day that the ship is sailing and you're taking the DCL Bus Transfer to the Port, you should notify DCL Reservations of your flight schedule even if you made your own arrangements.

I was told that DCL will monitor your flight schedule and as long as it falls within their time guidelines for making the DCL Transfer Bus, they'll wait for you and help you get to the ship, even if slightly late.

On our first cruise, I boarded the ship at 4:35pm, but it was very noisy because my DW was explaining to me how I should plan better in the future, etc

The Key is to purchase the DCL Transfers from the airport to Port Canaveral and to inform them of your flight plans. This will increase your chances of making it to the ship.

hope that helps

 

[megan69487]

I could be wrong, but I've heard that one of the main reasons to buy cruise line insurance vs. other vacation insurance is that if your flight is delayed or cancelled...the cruise line will either wait or make other arrangements for you, IF you've purchased their insurance. If you don't get the cruise line insurance, you're on your own.

 

[mareka]

What time is your flight? - We're flying down in the morning. Early morning flight.

We want to be on board as soon as they board to get the most of the day - Check in - Spa - Oceaneer Lab etc. - Lunch - Swim

The ship doesn't sail til 5:00 pm so unless you have an afternoon flight I wouldn't think you would have to worry.

Though I guess they want you there by 4:00 for the drill.

3 weeks to go - Whoopeeee!

 

[Rootee]

Something else to keep in mind about missing the ship, boarding at first port, etc., is that boarding for 7 day Western in Key West can NOT be done per Disney documents. The first port that this would be possible is Grand Cayman - on TUESDAY!

Our flight down in August was delayed 1 1/2 hours due to weather, holding patterns, who knew? (the pilot said even his Delta traffic coordinator was getting conflicting reports). Thank GOODNESS this was the day before. We were stuck on the plane on the tarmac so even changing carriers was out of the question. We were also stuck on the tarmac in Orlando for almost the same amount of time on the way back, but at least it didn't matter.

I would do anything in my power not to fly in the morning of the cruise.

Ruth

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Rootee
Something else to keep in mind about missing the ship, boarding at first port, etc., is that boarding for 7 day Western in Key West can NOT be done per Disney documents. The first port that this would be possible is Grand Cayman - on TUESDAY!

Yes. You'd miss half the cruise.

The reason that you can't board at Key West is due to restrictions imposed by a Federal law enacted in 1886, the Passenger Services Act. This law prevents foreign passenger vessels from carrying passengers between two different US ports. The Disney ships are foreign-built (Italy), foreign-flagged (Bahamas), foreign-crewed (international) vessels. If DCL allowed someone to start their cruise in Key West and finish their cruise at Port Canaveral, DCL would be in violation.

To anyone who hasn't booked their flights yet, all I can say is fly in at least one day before your cruise.

 

[sluggo]

It does happen that guests miss the ship. It happens on the average of about once every other cruise. That is a scary thought but with an average of about 200 families flying in on the day on the cruise, that means your chances of missing the ship are about 400 to 1. But, that is an average and the most likely times for delays is the winter.

If you are coming in on the day of the cruise and you purchased transfers, please let DCL know of your flight arrangements and be sure to tag your luggage.

If it does happen that your flight is delayed, please let DCL know if at all possible. If the flight arrives even as late as 4:00PM there is still a chance that you might make it to the ship. You will probably have to run through the airport but once you get off the tram and past security, there will be a DCL representative to meet you and run you to the Motor Coach area. If you tagged your bags, your bags might even make on the ship too.

That does not mean that you should schedule your flight that late because then you sure trusting on luck. A lot of luck. If possible, try to arrive in the morning.

What happens if you miss the ship? If you purchased your Air through DCL then they will get you to the next port of call. If however, you booked your own flight then it will be up to you pay and arrange for your flights and lodging. Even if you booked your own flight, contact DCL anyway. If there are still CM's in the airport, they will try to assist you in getting transportation and lodging.

Sluggo

 

[my3kids]

meghan....I'm not sure that is true. The trick, I think, is if you purchased the cruise line airfare. If you booked flights through them, then they are likely a bit more willing to wait a couple of minutes. If you are driving and late, or if you fly in on your own, I don't think the insurance would really matter. Yes, insurance would pay the claim for covered reasons, but I don't think DCL would hold the boat for someone arriving on their own just because of the insurance. They really have no way to know, unless they know one of their flights is late, as to why you aren't there....covered reason or just a no show.

Anyone have first hand knowlege of this??????