Advise pls ~ can we make 9:50am flight???

[4nana]

I am so excited that SW has just released their Dec/Jan prices!
However need your help please. Can our group have eaten, be off the ship by 7am, meet 'yourride' w/1 hr to airport for 9:50 am flight???
Thanx bunches

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I would say probably not. I've never been able to get off the ship by 7:00am, and I wouldn't count on being able to do it. When the ship clears is up to Customs and Immigration, not DCL, so they won't even be able to help with that.

I think they usually clear the ship between 7:30 and 8:00. If you were to be the first off at 7:30, find your luggage with a minimum of hassle, and get out of the terminal right away, you might be able to make it. I just wouldn't count on it, as missing the flight would be a very real possibility, and that would put a damper on the last day of your vacation with the hassle of re-booking.

In addition, the ship is occaisionally late getting into port, which would definitely make you miss your flight.

DCL suggests that you allow for four hours between port and airport, which is probably a bit much. I personally wouldn't book a flight any earlier than 11:00am, and even that might be pushing it.

 

[MFan]

I second what Señor Ferrari stated above. The earliest flight we've had was around noon. Although we had plenty of time to spare then, but that was before the added security delay since 9/11.

The last thing you'd want after a fantastic week of vacation is to miss your flight home. It'll ruin all the relaxed feelings built up from the fun cruise.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

That's cutting it <b><i>way</i></b> too close. Go ahead and book a later flight. Then, if you <b><i>do</i></b> get to the airport on time, you can try to get on the early flight on a stand-by basis.

 

[wovenwonder]

I certainly would not take a flight any earlier than noon. I would opt for later in the day (and spend some time at cocoa beach area) rather than early in the day.

Don't rush your vacation to be over any earlier than it has to be!

 

[mcnuss]

Not to mention that if you're flying SW and you miss your flight, they are NOT flexible. I would book the later flight and if you happened to get to the airport early enough, wait-list for the earlier departure. Don't stress yourself out like that. Not worth it.

ABN

 

[4nana]

Thank you so much Dis friends! I also talked to Rabbit w/Yourride and he agreed it would really be pushing our luck. SW was offering a special promo for that flight, but I see now it would not be worth taking the chance. We decided on the 11:30 non stop.
This was the last thing on agenda to organize and it is a relief to have it settled!!!!

 

[prymsu]

I would be a nervous wreck trying to meet those times for a departing flight if it were me. Good luck in making arrangements.

 

[castawayfan]

I hate to weigh in, but we have made a 9:50 flight two times in a row. But, I was pretty stressed out that we would not make it in time. Both times, we have made it with time to spare, including time to shop at the airport.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

That's really interesting that you've been able to make it more than once. My biggest reservation with doing this is that there are so many variables over which you have no control (ship late in port, Immigration taking forever to clear the ship, traffic, backups at security and airport check-in, etc.) that I wouldn't want to risk it. Maybe on a business trip, but I would hate to end a vaction by missing the flight home.

Also, you must have really had to hustle to make such an early flight. I'd vote for a leisurely exit any day.

 

[atigeg]

Here I was worried about making an 11:30 a.m. flight...9:50 would be waaaay too stressful for me! You never know if the ship might be delayed for some reason coming in to Port Canaveral, if there could be an accident on the expressway, etc. In 23 cruises, we have had uncanny luck, but you never know...it always seems like something happens the one time you need it to go smoothly. Our only delay was when my kneecap popped off on the Magic...in addition to being in a wheelchair, we had a big delay as someone else had mistakenly taken our luggage and Disney would not file a report until everyone else had taken theirs. That's only one time out of almost two dozen trips, but it shows that it CAN happen.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[jlima]

I wouldn't make flight arrangement until noon . . . on our cruise we didn't leave on our bus until 11:15am due to a medical emergency. Anyone with earlier flights was SOL. IMOH anything before noon is too early.

 

[floridaminnie]

We didn't get off the boat today, for example, until 8:30. That was after clearing customs and everything. We ate at 6:45 and then waited and waited some more in line until customs would allow us to leave.

 

[4nana]

Thanx for all the advise....I really appreciate it!

We decided to take the next flight @11:30 which gives us a little breathing room. Rabbit @'Yourride' will be waiting for us to help load and says he makes this run quite often for 11:30 flight w/no problem. So, hopefully all will go as scheduled.
Thanx bunches