Another reason to fly in a day before the Cruise...

[Quirky Cruiser]

As I was up watching the news this morning (I live in MA), all I kept thinking was - I hope nobody is sitting in the airport who was supposed to be on the MAGIC today....UGH! Logan began cancelling and delaying flights early this morning and by 11am, all flights had been cxld except for those going over the Atlantic! (to Europe).

They showed all the poor people sitting in airport lounges and watching the status screens...I felt bad for those who were leaving on vacation. I sure hope nobody missed the cruise due to this big storm. All I know is that I won't be risking it in February...we're flying down early....

 

[SeaSpray]

I was thinking the same thing today. I hope everyone made it to wherever they were going and didn't miss the ship!

We're cruising in August and are still flying in the day before, just to be on the safe side, and to have a relaxing night and morning before boarding the Magic

 

[aprilgail2]

It wouldn't have helped here if they flew in the evening before, they started canceling flights early yesterday afternoon here....I think if I was to fly in the winter I would go a few days early and do a day or 2 of Disney before the cruise!

 

[MrsPete]

I agree 100%. Sooo many things can happen while you're traveling -- it doesn't pay to cut things too close.

Here's another example: When we drove to Florida last month for our cruise (only about 8 hours for us), we had a huge problem. Just past Jacksonville we ran into a HUGE traffic jam and we literally sat still for an hour and a half. People were getting out and walking around on the freeway. People who kept their air conditioners running were overheating. It was miserable! Once we were able to move again we realized that a tractor trailer truck had wrecked and burned. From the looks of the trees to the side of the road, it was a big fire. We talked and talked about how glad we were that we were driving down a day early.

 

[Jeanny]

I know, I was thinking the same thing and hoping everyone made it OK. We're flying down the night before too, just in case of bad weather... but looking at the Farmers' Almanac makes me a tad bit nervous, as the first week of January is all snow up here..hopefully it will be off by a few days as usual...I need to go on this cruise wicked bad!!!

 

[jlawall]

We had a different problem in '02. My DD17 lost her luggage on the flight down. Fortunately we arrived the day before so we waited at the airport until her piece arrived. It's another reason why we fly down early!

 

[cindy21494]

I will fly down early too anymore. On our last trip our plane was delayed and we got to the ship at 4:25. It was not the best way to start our vacation. I was almost crying when they told us the plane would not take of until 12:00. It is a two and a half hour flight for us.

To top it off, someone on our flight left their backpack on the airplane and went back for it, so we sat on the bus for about 20-25 minutes. A CM told the wife and children they had to get off the bus so that we could go and they would get them there as soon as the husband returned and the wife was arguing and trying to stall. Just as they got off the husband got back (with no backpack) and we left.

I was worried that we missed the drill (I heard that you get a nasty letter if you miss it) but nothing was ever said.

All this happened in June, so I would definately leave a day early in the winter. Better safe than sorry.

I did wonder though, want happens if you miss the ship through no fault of your own. Would the airline be responsible, would Disney, or would the insurance take care of it and you would rebook?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

When flying from the northeast during winter............it is worth flying in the day before.

 

[AnnMorin]

And I am SO glad we are going a day early.. The storm has played with us all day.. not too much maybe six inches for most of the day but boy it is blizzarding out now.. I would never fly in the morning of ever again!! At least we have 24 hours to get there as of Friday...

 

[lbgraves]

When we were getting off the ship in St. Maarten, they were bringing luggage on the ship..several pieces. Guess someone missed the sailing at PC.

 

[ivanova]

We flew in 2 days before our cruise ... figured missing a day or two at WDW was nothing compared to missing our cruise

 

[HooKooDooKu]

When we drove to Florida last month for our cruise (only about 8 hours for us), we had a huge problem. Just past Jacksonville we ran into a HUGE traffic jam and we literally sat still for an hour and a half.

These are the sort of things that keep me second guessing how we'll get to Port Canaveral for our next cruise.

Out of necessity, we didn't leave home until 6pm the night before a cruise for a 12 hour drive. We drove through the night, and at a certain level, I loved it. There was never any traffic, the sun never got in my eyes, and the son never got in my ears (the little one slept through the trip). We also saved the cost of a motel room. We were a little tired that first day on the ship, but then the purpose of that first day seems to alwasy be just get on the ship, unpack, and get settled in. So after turning in early (something we needed to do anyway because we were getting sick from that first night out with rough seas or something), we were fine for the rest of the trip.

I'm wanting to do it again when take our next trip, but what really worries me isn't the possibility of a traffic jam (after all, since you've got til after 3 o'clock to get on board, this plan has a 9 hour safty built into it), but the possibility of a vehical breakdown in the middle of the night far from any major town. If that happened, it might not be until the morning that a tow truck could get your vehical to a garage somewhere, and then you're still stuck trying to figure out how to make it to the port in time.

 

[kcashner]

We usually drive, but I try to schedule a park day or 2 before the cruise. That way, if something happens (traffic, car breakdown, etc.) the worst thing we lose is a park day. Yes, it does add the cost of a motel room, but that's small compared to the risk of missing the cruise!

We are fortunate to have a direct flight, but even then, I feel better being in Orlando the night before...even late the night before! I've been known to fly out Friday after work just to get there. Fortunately, we've never had a problem on travelling TO the cruise. getting home has sometimes been "creative" in terms of delays, lost luggage (not Disney's fault), etc.
Kathryn

 

[shirley 38]

We were on two cruises. One in April of 2002 We made it but our luggage almost didn't.
They were pulling in with our luggage at the last minute. They has said if it did not make it on the ship that day they would foy it into St Maartin.
This was all due to a change in the Airplane we were taking. It was changed. So we went on one Airplane and our luggage on another.
In Feb. 2003. Some place must have had some bad weather .
Thye actually held the ship at the Dock until 6.00pm until the people arrived
I thought this was very nice of them
I do agree from now on we will be in WDW a couple days before.

 

[Mary Anne]

I too have been thinking of those people who may have been flying out of NYCity airports yesterday morning for the 7 day Magic cruise. No way did they make it.

Like SeaSpray, we too go in August and will be Flying way in advance of the Saturday cruise. I plan on spending the day before by the Radisson pool, sipping a non alc

 

[Mary Anne]

I too have been thinking of those people who may have been flying out of NYCity airports yesterday morning for the 7 day Magic cruise. No way did they make it.

Like SeaSpray, we too go in August and will be Flying way in advance of the Saturday cruise. I plan on spending the day before by the Radisson pool, sipping a non alcoholic beer and enjoying my day not stressed out worrying about my flight.

My big choice now is if I should get a normal room for that night or splurge and get the 1 bedroom suite

 

[jgalecpa]

On Saturday March 13 1993, we were supposed to fly down to Miami from Baltimore for an RCCL cruise.

That day the "storm of the century" snowed in every airport from Atlanta to Canada.

On friday 3/12 I paid for a one-way same day flight down to Miami to beat the storm. Had to scrable for a hotel room.

Talk about anxiety! Espeically since I would feel like a fool if we woke up the next day and found the storm hadn't been so bad.

When we woke up, every airport on the east coast was closed or closing. BWI never even opened. All our scheduled flights were cancelled.

One-third of the paid passengers never made the ship! About 1/4 of the ones who did, arrived without luggage as the pilots were trying to get out so fast they didn't wait for the luggage trains.

It did make for a wonderful experience on the ship. At dinner the first night, we had a couple who arrived with literally the clothes on their backs.

Within minutes we were all exchanging clothes, stories and friendship.


I will NEVER fly in the last day again.

Jim

PS: I eventually got reimbursed from USAIR for the flight that never took off, and we got two $100s six weeks later from RCCL because the weather interfered with "our enjoyment"!

 

[inkkognito]

Prior to 9/11, we always used to fly in the morning of our cruises. It always worried me a little, especially in the winter since Chicago weather is unpredictable, but we were very lucky.
After 9/11, when airports seemed to be shutting down frequently for security breaches, which switched to flying out the night before. We discovered it was much nicer than getting up at sunrise or spending the night near the airport beforehand. Instead, we would get a good night's sleep near MCO and be rested up for our cruise the next morning. Now, I can't imagine doing it any other way.
We've never experienced a bad delay going to Orlando, but on the way home we've had delays ranging from 6 to 12 hours. All of them were caused by weather (we've had a couple of mechanical delays, but those were resolved in an hour or two). If those delays had happened on the way out, I know I would be VERY glad for the extra time cushion!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[cjsmith]

Even though I don't have to worry about flying to the port as we only live about 4 hours away, I still head up the night prior as you never know what problems can occur the next day with traffic. There have been incidents where Alligator Alley has a bad accident and you're tied up for hours on end.
Besides, I love being one of the first at port!

 

[rae519]

For the past 6 cruises, we have played Russian Roulette and arrived the day of departure. This past cruise, we came down early and really enjoyed ourselves before cruising. It made for a more relaxed vacation. Can't believe I ever did it any other way!!!

Rae