Anyone drive a long way to the cruise on day of embarking?

[snowball22]

Our cruise will set sail on a Sunday. We will be driving from 17 and a half hours a way. We plan on staying the night Saturday night somewhere either in Georgia or Florida. My question is for anyone who has driven a long distance , were you tired and worn out by the time you embarked on the cruise? Should we drive at least 12 hours the first day so we only have 5 and a half hours left to drive before the cruise or should we commando drive all the way down to the cruise and then spend the night at the Raddison near the ship? Any thoughts. All opinions are appreciated.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We are driving a few hours less than you will be. I wouldn't dream of driving it all in one day... Maybe not even the 12hrs - 5hrs. that you are mentioning. Although we have considered that.... This amount of time on the road, (especially with kids???) can really drag me out! And, you would want to leave plenty to room for any delays..

DH wants to drive half- half, then spend the night not too far from Canaveral... We could then sleep in, repack our carryons, have breakfast, stop at a store to pick up a few things, and still be at the port before 12:00. I figure the party starts the moment we board!!!

 

[alexandrew]

Maybe try leaving Saturday at 3 or 4 am, driving throughout the day, and stay at a hotel overnight close to the port. That way, you can get a good nights sleep Saturday night, and be rested for your big day on Sunday. There are quite a few close, convenient hotels near the port

 

[Michelemouse]

We live in CT and have about a 20 hour drive to Port Canaveral (or WDW). We've been making this drive since our kids were 5 & 2 (there are now 10 & 7) and we always do it in one straight shot.

We used to drive overnight but found that we'd be really tired and want to sleep when we got there while the kids, who had slept in the car, were ready to go. Now we leave home at about 2:00am and drive straight through...getting there around 10:00pm. That way it is bedtime when we get there. We all get a good night's sleep and are raring to go the next day.

I prefer getting there the night before. For me it is about peace of mind and not having to worry about unexpected delays on the day of the trip. I also like to get to the port early. That's just me. I think you would be fine to do the 12/5 plan you mentioned.

Have fun planning.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by Michelemouse
I prefer getting there the night before. For me it is about peace of mind and not having to worry about unexpected delays on the day of the trip. I also like to get to the port early. That's just me. I think you would be fine to do the 12/5 plan you mentioned.

Have fun planning.

I want to echo the importance of peace of mind. While we didin't drive all the way to the ship, we sort of did. We took the autotrain leaving Lorton and arriving in Sanford Saturday morning of the 7-day. We had to do it this way, so as not to miss Thanksgiving with the family. The train was very late getting in and we made it to the ship at 3:00. Teh stress of wondering how late we would be took some of the initial excitement out of the trip. Of course, we got over that the moment we stepped on board

If you can do it, I would strongly recomment gettig to port the night before and being much more relaxed.

 

[Karista]

We drive to Florida every year from Michigan, and every time there is a major accident somewhere along I-75. (I hate to be doom-and-gloom, but that's a sad fact). Sometimes, we have sat on the expressway for HOURS before moving again - very frustrating even when you don't have to be somewhere at a designated time.

We split the trip in half - the first night stay outside of Atlanta (probably 12-14 hours for us) and then finish to Orlando the 2nd day (an additional 10 hours +/- depending on traffic). If I were you, I would leave on Friday, split the trip into 2 days, and then arrive rested and on time for your cruise this Sunday.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

We have done exactly as you are planning. It's about 16 - 17 hours for us. We leave very early, about 4 or 5 am. We will travel to at least Macon GA. We get there by 10 pm at the latest. The next day is not too bad, if you start by 7 or so. You can have time for breakfast too.

I wasn't too tired after that. It could have just been the excitement too.

Good luck.

 

[MelissaE1]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
We could then sleep in, repack our carryons, have breakfast...

Wishing, when I was skimming over this I thought it said "repack our crayons! You can tell I have kids. lol.

 

[rae519]

MelissaE1 - that was sooo funny!
All someone has to do is look in our purses to know we have a child/children!!!!!

We fly in from Indianapolis the day of embarkation. The most we drive is the two hours from our home to the airport hotel the night before. I hate flying, but at our age, I am not about to attempt to sit in the car anymore than I have to!!!!! I think that's called the "dead bottom" syndrome!

Rae

 

[Univfire]

I also vote for getting to Port Canaveral the night before, staying at a hotel, and waking up rested and refreshed for your cruise.

My first cruise, my family drove to Miami, stayed the night, then cruised. This time we will fly to Orlando, spend the night at a friends house then cruise the next morning. It's just so much less of a hassle and rush, IMO.

 

[KimDisFan]

We drive from Cincy. We will leave the day before and drive to St. Augstine. We will then visit the outlet center either that night or the next morning. In June we purchased CC T-Shirts for $7.50, the same shirt on CC was about $20. Then we will make the drive to the port, getting there by 11:30 am. It is about a 2 hour drive.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I would recommend making it at least as far as Jacksonville before stopping the night before. St. Augustine or Daytona would be even better.

 

[fletcher21]

We've done it both ways... driving 18 hours straight through and getting to the port at 11:00am, and arriving the day before.

I have to say working all day, driving all night, then trying to be ready to have fun for another 12 hours makes for a very long day!

My suggestion is to get there a day ahead of your departure date so you can enjoy your entire cruise.

 

[westjones]

We leave when DH gets off work and drive through the night. We get there late afternoon the day before the cruise and stay in a hotel by port so we get a good night's sleep before sailing. Not the greatest way to travel, but we have done it twice and it turned out fine!
DJ

 

[logan1_2000]

This thread is an example of the best part of these boards--real life practical advice on issues not addressed in the brochures. I have a 500 mile trip to Port Canveral from Atlanta, and I even split that up on the way down. Wait until Traffic dies down on Friday evening (for those passing through Atlanta on I-75 or I-85 or I-20, be advised that our rush hour begins at 3:30 or so and lasts for nearly 4 hours!) and then drive to Jacksonville, 350 miles. I could push it through to the Port but then it becomes seriously late.

The next day is Embarkation day, and it is a 150 mile straight shot down I-95 to the Port, so we will be there when boarding begins. Did the same drive last May for the 4 day Wonder, and it worked very well. The tough part is the full day 500 mile drive back home on disembarkation day. About 8 hours unless you time it awful with respect to Traffic. I know others are driving farther in one day, but Oy! I'm gettin' too old for that.

Message to Connecticut--I grew up in CT, and can't believe you drive that straight through. Wow.

Just remember that unanticpated things happen on the highway--like the car I saw get damaged on I-75 last night when a piece of debris fell off the 18 wheeler in front of the car. So most everyone here is giving the right advice--dont leave yourself too far on Cruise day.

To all fellow drivers--arrive safe & sound, and not too tired to enjoy.

 

[fortierv]

On our first cruise we took a red-eye from the west coast and got into Orlando about 6 am. By the time we got on the ship the excitement had us up and running but the kids crashed in the middle of dinner. Last cruise we were at WDW first so it wasn't an issue but I'll surely fly in the day before and get a room if we cruise only again.