Flight Delay and Will Miss Transatlantic Cruise

[ironz]

So glad you are in Boston, and I hope your luggage catches up with you! I can't imagine how stressful this must have been.

I couldn't sleep last night and was doing a little bit of investigation-- for those who are surprised that Disney booked this family on a flight arriving so late, under the Air and Ground Transportation for cruises leaving PC to go transatlantic, they have a statement for those arranging their own air travel (yes, I know the OP used Disney for air/ground arrangement) to arrive at MCO no later than 2:00 PM on the day of the sailing! https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/air-ground-transportation/
(all the info for the eastbound TA cruise is in the very last section of the link)

So, I wonder if-- since DCL says other people can arrive to MCO as late as 2, then their own travel agent doing flight/cruise arrangements is also using this guideline? I, like I think almost everyone on this thread, including the OP, think that is really cutting it close.
There is a sentence in the link that suggests that if you don't like your air arrangements if booked by Disney, you can change them, but the way it is worded, and by OP's experience, it doesn't sound like they encourage changes. I don't like that the OP kept getting the "it'll be ok" message from Disney when he/she raised a valid concern about the flight time.

Another question I had (and this is not against OP, who I'm sure was doing everything he/she could to get travel arrangements fixed): when OP's flight was delayed--did he/she contact DCL travel or try to work directly with Delta to try to get on another flight? You know, like we would generally do with irrops? I'm asking, as this can be a good learning experience for all of us on here-- was wondering if OP was calling Disney about the flight instead of dealing directly with the Delta gate agents, when there was a (slim) chance they could have gotten on the next flight out of Louisville, and maybe have made it to MCO? Disney themselves might not have known about seat availability as well as Delta's own people. (although, moving one person to the next flight is easier than moving a family) From what I was looking at last night, they probably were to connect at ATL, so the connection would have been tight. So maybe that wouldn't have worked in the long run anyway.

My guess is that the luggage did make it on the next flight and go on to MCO. Hope it gets to you so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your vacation!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

It is now Monday evening and we are in a hotel in Boston. Delta is putting us up for two nights. The Magic Arrives on Wednesday so hopefully the nightmare will be over and we can begin our cruise. We still don't have our luggage but supposedly it will arrive here at 11:59 PM tonight. We are going to try to make the best of it and do our Boston excursion tomorrow. When everyone else on the ship is on excursions, we will spend the day on the ship and get caught up . I am just going to try to relax and enjoy the cruise with my family. When we get home, I will escalate this fiasco with Disney and Delta. Thanks so much for all the kind remarks.

So glad you are in Boston! Glad you made it and hope your excursion is fun tomorrow!

 

[disny_luvr]

Oh my gosh! I am so sorry to read this but am happy you have made it to Boston. Enjoy the TA! I hope you get some serious pixie dust.

 

[Ofinn]

So glad you are in Boston, and I hope your luggage catches up with you! I can't imagine how stressful this must have been.

I couldn't sleep last night and was doing a little bit of investigation-- for those who are surprised that Disney booked this family on a flight arriving so late, under the Air and Ground Transportation for cruises leaving PC to go transatlantic, they have a statement for those arranging their own air travel (yes, I know the OP used Disney for air/ground arrangement) to arrive at MCO no later than 2:00 PM on the day of the sailing! https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/air-ground-transportation/
(all the info for the eastbound TA cruise is in the very last section of the link)

So, I wonder if-- since DCL says other people can arrive to MCO as late as 2, then their own travel agent doing flight/cruise arrangements is also using this guideline? I, like I think almost everyone on this thread, including the OP, think that is really cutting it close.
There is a sentence in the link that suggests that if you don't like your air arrangements if booked by Disney, you can change them, but the way it is worded, and by OP's experience, it doesn't sound like they encourage changes. I don't like that the OP kept getting the "it'll be ok" message from Disney when he/she raised a valid concern about the flight time.

Another question I had (and this is not against OP, who I'm sure was doing everything he/she could to get travel arrangements fixed): when OP's flight was delayed--did he/she contact DCL travel or try to work directly with Delta to try to get on another flight? You know, like we would generally do with irrops? I'm asking, as this can be a good learning experience for all of us on here-- was wondering if OP was calling Disney about the flight instead of dealing directly with the Delta gate agents, when there was a (slim) chance they could have gotten on the next flight out of Louisville, and maybe have made it to MCO? Disney themselves might not have known about seat availability as well as Delta's own people. (although, moving one person to the next flight is easier than moving a family) From what I was looking at last night, they probably were to connect at ATL, so the connection would have been tight. So maybe that wouldn't have worked in the long run anyway.

My guess is that the luggage did make it on the next flight and go on to MCO. Hope it gets to you so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your vacation!

Most flights are full especially flights into mco on a weekend. Some airlines will let you standby for earlier or later flight. Flying in the day before cruise is the best thing to do.

 

[Vijoge]

I admit there have been times I've been tempted to fly down the day of the cruise but I worry to much about the "what if's" to do it. Maybe. . .if I had the first non-stop flight in the morning. . .just myself and DH. . .really great price. . . maybe.

 

[Ofinn]

I admit there have been times I've been tempted to fly down the day of the cruise but I worry to much about the "what if's" to do it. Maybe. . .if I had the first non-stop flight in the morning. . .just myself and DH. . .really great price. . . maybe.

The kids and I are flying to London three days before our cruise. Due to work my husband will probably fly in the night before arriving the morning of cruise. If something goes wrong his plan is to take the train to Newcastle and board there. If your going to risk it at least have a plan.

 

[Vijoge]

The kids and I are flying to London three days before our cruise. Due to work my husband will probably fly in the night before arriving the morning of cruise. If something goes wrong his plan is to take the train to Newcastle and board there. If your going to risk it at least have a plan.

Definitely! The worst thing is to be sitting there last minute thinking "Now what do i do?"

 

[ludari]

I feel bad for you all and I hope DCL is able to compensate you or make it right somehow. Nevertheless this is why I always fly out three or more days prior to my cruise because I too have experienced flight delays and lost luggage but luckily because I flew out early everything turned out okay.

 

[ldo]

I am just going to try to relax and enjoy the cruise with my family. When we get home, I will escalate this fiasco with Disney and Delta.
Great attitude. I don't know what Delta will do. But, DCL booking you on such a close flight, esp. after you repeatedly questioned it, is just plain reckless, esp. with a transA cruise. But, at least you can salvage your Boston day and then enjoy the TA cruise. So many get wrapped up in how they were "wronged" and then can't have a good time fo rthe rest of the trip. You definitely deserve to have this problem dealt with, but good for you for not letting it ruin your trip. Your boys will take their cue from how you react, so have a great trip. Elaine (ps-I have a feeling that DCL will make it right for you).

 

[squirk]

I'm confused. Is there really such a thing actually called "Disney Air"? I knew DCL would book airfare for you, but always thought it was more as a courtesy (we always drive to PC). I've never heard the airfare booking referred to like it was a distinct department/entity.

 

[Toy Story Fan]

Please enjoy the rest of your holiday...it will be fantastic!!!

My experience a few years ago, we were going on a DCL cruise and did book the airfare with Disney as it was actually cheaper than what I could get. They did have us flying in on the same day as well. Living in Canada and being December, I said there is absolutely no way I am flying out the same day. I had them change my flight to the day before and I had to pay for hotel that night. If I remember correctly, there was only 4.5 hours after landing to get to the port. I couldn't chance a snowstorm or mechanical failure delaying the plane.

 

[MrsScooby]

It is now Monday evening and we are in a hotel in Boston. Delta is putting us up for two nights. The Magic Arrives on Wednesday so hopefully the nightmare will be over and we can begin our cruise. We still don't have our luggage but supposedly it will arrive here at 11:59 PM tonight. We are going to try to make the best of it and do our Boston excursion tomorrow. When everyone else on the ship is on excursions, we will spend the day on the ship and get caught up . I am just going to try to relax and enjoy the cruise with my family. When we get home, I will escalate this fiasco with Disney and Delta. Thanks so much for all the kind remarks.

I've kept coming back to this thread hoping and praying you would make it to Boston in time. So happy to see you are there !! Hope you have a great time from here on in

 

[disneymath]

So glad you made it to Boston! Have a great trip!

 

[belac]

So Happy you all got to Boston and Delta is comping your rooms, the least they can do now. Also I think DCL should do something real nice for the children. They are the ones who seem need the Magic restored, and I am sure it will be but,,,, a little extra Pixie dust would sure help. Say a private Meet with the Mouse and walk on deck 4 (like the actual commercial) or a Princess... A special tea time with someone special like Goofy or ok, a princess, or a pirate brigade up and personal. That would be special and the photo package would be super nice with pics of the special time thrown in.
Perhaps you can ask when you are on the ship. Never hurts to ask

 

[Saamh]

Agree. It was a stupid decision to accept it. We have used Disney Air three previous times and they really offer you no options.

We're veteran cruisers also and I have never done air through Disney because it always seemed more expensive than I could find on my own HOWEVER the point a previous poster mentioned about one way international return cost makes perfect sense. If Disney booked you on those flights and reassured you when you questioned them, it was not a stupid decision to accept it. You did what I would have done. I am surprised they didn't do more to work with you - I thought that was the benefit of going through them for airfare. I hope you have a fantastic time once your vacation starts and hope you are able to work out some compensation. Don't be too hard on yourself. I don't think it was stupid to accept it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I find it surprising that they didn't try to get you on an alternate flight. Very poor service.

Leaving their home city so relatively late gave them no options. If their flight got in at 1:30 and that was delayed, what *later* flights are going to get them into MCO in any sort of possible time?

I ponder to myself how your luggage is randomly floating around somewhere, I didn't know they would put luggage on a plane without the owner flying with it anymore.

If it's the airline's choice then they put it on other flights. Happens often! But you don't get to tell them to do it.

It is now Monday evening and we are in a hotel in Boston. Delta is putting us up for two nights.

Excellent.

I'd bet you a lot of money that Delta is charging Disney for those hotel nights.

We still don't have our luggage but supposedly it will arrive here at 11:59 PM tonight. We are going to try to make the best of it and do our Boston excursion tomorrow. When everyone else on the ship is on excursions, we will spend the day on the ship and get caught up

I'd strongly recommend that you consider stopping into any clothing stores you see during your day out in Boston and picking up some essentials. Just in case.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

It is now Monday evening and we are in a hotel in Boston. Delta is putting us up for two nights. The Magic Arrives on Wednesday so hopefully the nightmare will be over and we can begin our cruise. We still don't have our luggage but supposedly it will arrive here at 11:59 PM tonight. We are going to try to make the best of it and do our Boston excursion tomorrow. When everyone else on the ship is on excursions, we will spend the day on the ship and get caught up . I am just going to try to relax and enjoy the cruise with my family. When we get home, I will escalate this fiasco with Disney and Delta. Thanks so much for all the kind remarks.

So glad to hear you arrived and that Delta is helping a bit too!

Bon Voyage to you and your family!

Heather

 

[LeslieG]

Just curious about the luggage. I didn't think the airlines would allow luggage to fly without the owners. In fact, I think I read something recently about flights being delayed because the airline had to remove the luggage of folks who got caught in security lines and didn't make the flight.

 

[BigredNole]

Glad you made it to Boston and will be with the ship tomorrow. I don't like not being in control (double negative I know). I live much closer and would plan to fly in the day before. That gives us the "this flight is cancelled and will try to rebook everyone tomorrow" solution. We can just jump in our car or rent one, drive all night, and still be there in the morning. It wouldn't be ideal, but it would be a solution I have control over.

If we are going to have our dream vacation next Summer, I am starting to think very hard about doing WDW the first week and the cruise the second week. That puts us only an hour from port, and we can bust out of WDW early.

 

[steves100]

It is now Monday evening and we are in a hotel in Boston. Delta is putting us up for two nights. The Magic Arrives on Wednesday so hopefully the nightmare will be over and we can begin our cruise. We still don't have our luggage but supposedly it will arrive here at 11:59 PM tonight. We are going to try to make the best of it and do our Boston excursion tomorrow. When everyone else on the ship is on excursions, we will spend the day on the ship and get caught up . I am just going to try to relax and enjoy the cruise with my family. When we get home, I will escalate this fiasco with Disney and Delta. Thanks so much for all the kind remarks.

Thats the least Delta could/should do for you....

Glad you made it to Boston. As others have said, We would never even try to fly in same day.....