Change in flight schedule to go home

[jmcross]

My friend's flight was changed to 10:30 am on the last day of the cruise. Will she and her DH be able to make it off the ship and onto that flight?? She is nervous that she won't make it so I told her I'd post to the experts here.

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[jel0511]

If the ships docks on time, if the ship gets cleared by customs in a timely manner, if all non-US citizens present themselves in a timely manner... She'll make the flight. She'll have to be up and ready to disembark the ship as soon as it's allowed to do, usually 7:30AM. That will give her time to get her luggage and get inta town car at 8AM. She'll then be at the airport probably around 9AM, giving her only 1 1/2 hours to check-in and make it through security, which at MCO isn't a guarantee. If she has DCL transfers, she still won't be able to check-in at the port, since they require your flight to be at least 3 hours away to guarantee your luggage makes your flight. Your friend is going to have to arrange private transport from Port Canaveral to MCO to even attempt to make that flight. If ANYTHING goes wrong with the customs clearing process, or the ship ends up being late arriving to Port Canavaral, she will miss her flight. She should call the airilne and tell them this change is unacceptable to her, and they should move her to a later flight with no penalties. Personally, that's what I would do. We actually were in a similiar situation, our flight was changed to 10:50, and I thought it was a little too close for comfort. I was able to change it to 1:30 and it was much better!! Could I have made the 10:50 flight? Yes, but I didn't want to have to rush around that last morning to rush off the ship, and then have the possibility that even the slightest delay probably would mean I'd miss my flight. I didn't want to deal with that stress during vacation.

 

[mmouse37]

I second that very good advice!!! Have your friend call the airline and explain that DCL's official policy on return flights is after 12:00 pm. They should be able to accomodate her...if not then follow the other advice given above and once you are home write a very forceful letter to the airline, especially if you are delayed and miss your flight. Have them Keep names and times of everyone they speak to at the airline, as well as that person's title. Tell them to ask for a supervisor.

MJ