Flying in Bad weather

[NorthernON_MOM]

In trying to decide when we will cruise, I was wondering has anyone ever flown in a snowstorm, or worse still missed a flight, or been delayed because of it? Did you still get to your cruise on time? Since I'm in Northern Ontario we get a lot of snow and while it would be a wonderful break in the winter to cruise then I'm worried that we'd miss our cruise. At least with our trip in March to Disney if we miss a flight we just get there a day late, we don't miss the whole ship. thanks.

 

[DisneyKids]

There is always that chance, unfortunately. But, what we, and a lot of people do, is fly down at least one day ahead so you have time to reschedule the travel if there is an issue. Also, this could be a good reason to get the travel insurance, if you were not sure about that. Good luck!

 

[Scratch42]

Always travel in the day before!

Always buy medical and travel insurance!

The only way they would hold the ship is if you made your travel arrangements thru Disney and then they would not hold for to long! If need be they would fly you into the first Port!

Scratch

 

[LoveMickey]

We flew in the day before our cruise just for this reason.

On an earlier trip to WDW the December before our cruise, there was a delay in our incoming plane (due to bad weather in Baltimore), we did not land until 5 pm (originally schedule to land at 11) and our luggage did not arrive til midnight.

And by flying in the day before, your on vacation one day earlier.

 

[hydster]

Since for us flying to Florida same day isnt an option because most flights dont get us in early enough to catch the ship we fly down at least 1-2 days early.

The stress of sitting in a weather delay ON the day of departure would be way too much for me. You could always go the day before and get a cheap room on priceline or something near the airport that way you would be there and rested up ready to get to the ship the next day. Also if flight delays happen you'd have a little extra cushion. For us that is the main reason we fly down 2 days before however is because if the 1st day is cancelled due to weather we do have hope for the next day. We also buy trip insurance (MOST of the time) especially if we are traveling in the winter months because of storms. If we travel spring, summer or early fall we sometimes get insurance and sometimes dont get it. We still always fly in at least 1 day ahead and I think you would be wise to do the same since winter weather is always a gamble.

Heidi

 

[CAMICKEY]

We normally fly in the day before so we can be rested from traveling on the flight from California. Cruise day we are raring to go. We stay at the Hyatt MCO to make thing less hectic for us the next day as well. A lot of people traveling a far distance normally stay at the airport or at the Port the night before. Arriving the day before not only leaves us rested but ensures that if there are any travel snags, we will still make our cruise. We do not book airline reservations thru DCL as they are sometimes twice as expensive as booking them yourself. - Mike

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Snow is only one issue. Even in the summer, there are delays due mechanical problems, waiting for replacement crew (due to illness of a crew member), air traffic flow problems (due to busy airports like Chicago-O'Hare), and late aircraft arrivals by previous flights.

Any problems in one major U.S. airport can ripple throughout North American flights, including those that never touch the city with the problem. Yesterday afternoon and evening, flights were a mess because of high winds in Dallas and rain in Chicago.

And if you're connecting rather than flying nonstop, watch out! If your first segment is just an hour late (which is common), but your second segment is on time, you might have to wait four hours or so for the next flight to your final destination -- if that flight even has seats available.

Even if somebody could guarentee that a same-day flight would get me to the ship on time, I'd still rather fly the day before. It's a much more relaxed way to start the cruise.