flying in the same day?

[3littlepeas]

I just booked our first Disney cruise for Feb 26th!!!! We will be flying in from Montreal on the same day and should get to MCO at 11:30 AM, which gives us enough time to get to the boat....but now I'm wondering if it wouldn't have been safer to fly in the day before....anybody ever flew in the same day they leave for the cruise?
Neurotic-Julie

 

[Houzer]

We are flying out of Toronto the day of our cruise and we have been battling this one also. However I looked into what it was going to cost if we flew in the day before and was told by DCL that it would be another $462.00 and change american just for the four of us. This was the cheapest resort for rate!!! I couldn't believe my ears!! I know we get the passes with it for the park but honestly I don't think after paying what I have already with the exchange my budget can handle anymore. Have you done any looking into it as of yet? Houzer

 

[TootyJane]

I think I'd fly in the day before no matter where I lived. The possibilities of delays (and the most recent post of luggage that didn't make it on the plane) would be worth the cost to fly in the day before. HTH

 

[JC Butterfly]

Is it possible to change your flight times without penalty?

If it is, the strong consensus on these boards is to fly in the day before. What happens if your plane is delayed or your luggage gets lost? Doesn't happen to everyone but I can't remember the last time I flew where I wasn't delayed (average 4 flights per year).

also if there are any traffic construction or delays you could have a problem. But if you can't change your flights, then hope for the best.

When I cruised we did a WDW stay first. We used Disney transportation and were very late getting to the boat, one of the last ones on. It would have been much much more relaxing to get there earlier.

Houzer- Did you book your flights with DCL? What would cost $462 more? A hotel they are trying to book you at? If so, you may have better luck booking one yourself.

Brenda

 

[PinClubs]

I wouldn't even consider flying in the same day. Flight delays are all to common and it is about a 45 minute drive from MCO.

Some cruisers will try to start boarding by 10 - 10:30 AM. If you are lucky and you're on time you might get to the terminal by a little after 1:00 PM. That time of day is very busy at the terminal.

I even go as far as staying in WDW first for a few days just to guarantee that I am only a car ride away.

Sorry, just my two cents.

Jeff

 

[Houzer]

Jeff thanks for the info I appreciate it because my husband Jeff (also is his name) and I have been battling this out in our heads. We are worried about not making it and he needs to tell them now if he needs more time off. I am very nervous about flying in from Toronto on the same day. I just can't justify the amount that DCL wants. I guess I'm going to have to call them and really try to figure something out even though I was told that is the best they can do. If you have anything else just let me know. Pauline

 

[CRB#33]

I'm the one who's luggage did not make it on the plane with me. Fortunately I came in a day early, but our luggage did not at our hotel until around 8:00 in the evening.

One day later and we would have spent the cruise in one bathing suit and formal wear (the garmet bags mad it.)

And just to solidify how bad this was, 4 out of 7 of our bags for 5 people did not make it. Only two bags and a small suitcase with some toiletries, my beach bag and a collapsable duffel bag for the return trip, plus our carry ons with one bathing suit and sunscreen were all that made it.

Oh and you may do much better booking the air on your own. Disney charges an enormous amount of money for air.

 

[Beechparty]

If you can change your flight to the night before maybe you could stay at the Hyatt at the Airport and then take the disney shuttle the morning of the cruise. you wouldn't have to stay at disney and pay for park tickets.

 

[LarryC]

We've done 3 cruises and flown in the day of the cruise for all of them. No problems. Disney rep meets you in the terminal and takes you right to the buses.

Buy trip insurance and don't worry about it.

 

[3littlepeas]

Good God!!!
Thank you Larry, you're the only positive thread for my question....I don't think I can change my flights unless I pay an enormous fee (there's 5 of us)....let's hope my vibes are good on that day!
Thanks
Even-more-neurotic-Julie
PS I booked air myself and I followed my trusted travel agent to get there the same day, that everything would be OK

 

[WDWLVR]

We've flown in same day on two of our cruises (and the day before on our others). I prefer the day before not just for the insurance of making sure all bags make it etc., but also because flying in same day requires us to be up at 4 am for a 7 am flight. Makes for a long day.

Talk to your airline and see if anything changes can be made. If they can't I wouldn't panic as many, many people fly in same day.

 

[CGC33A]

Yes, get trip insurance that covers the air portion. Watch the weather (do you have connections? if so, where?). Maybe airlines will let you stand by the day before if a big storm is coming (you are traveling in February,, right?). Don't know if it is possible, but sometimes they bend their rules when things like that happen (if they refuse, they will just have to deal with you & everyone else on the day of travel when the flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather, you would think they would be happy to send you on your way early if they had the space)

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Hi Julie! I am also flying in the same day as the cruise! I am leaving out of NY but I am leaving at 7am to allow for delays. I am flying the end of August & there are 8 of us. We did buy trip insurance, but we bought it to cover family emergency (such as death in family). It does cover trip delay & lost luggage, etc. The only other cruise I took was in January & I flew in the same day for that one also. I also had trip insurance for that one too! If you are really worried, book trip insurance that covers flight delays, lost luggage, etc...I booked through insuremytrip.com & decided on Travelex. Rather than make yourself crazy, take out the insurance. It will be cheaper than $462 & will give you peace of mind! JMHO. Kathy

 

[wide awake]

We are flying from CA and wouldn't dream of doing the red eye and flying in the day of cruise. Actually am now stressed that something may happen even flying in the day before...we aren't scheduled to arrive until 11:15 pm Friday. I was stuck in Chicago over Memorial Day, did not get home until about 1 pm on Monday, which was 14 hours later than my scheduled arrival of 11pm on Sunday night. Haven't booked our Orlando hotel yet, but last year had shuttle to and from the airport, a nice room, and breakfast for $35...well worth it for peace of mind.

 

[inkkognito]

We live in Chicago and often cruise in the winter, and we always fly in the day before. We book an MCO area hotel via Priceline for $28 to $33, get a good night's sleep, and have Happy Limo pick us up in the morning to take us to Port Canaveral. We are well rested and get to the port early. No worries about snow, fog, mechanical difficulties, security breaches, or all the other things that could possibly cause a delay.
Barb

 

[Houzer]

I just can't believe the discussion this post has sparked! This is wonderful and it really gives me some ideas to ponder. Thanks to all for their great advise. Pauline

 

[natdencro]

Its worth the extra money to fly the day before, without a doubt. We also stay at the Hyatt overnight and take the Disney Bus to Port Canaveral. At MCO waiting for our return flight home this March, we witnessed a family ARRIVING for their cruise at 3.30PM! By the time their collected their luggage and got to Port, the Magic would have been well on its way to Key West. Its not worth risking your cruise to save a $. Nat

 

[CurtS]

I'm new to DCL cruises, so I can't say much for the cruise, but I can say from many years of flying that there are delays that you wouldn't even think of--especially in today's higher security airports. I've had situations where my arrival was at least 6 hours late, sometimes later. That's why we're going the day before.

 

[sgt. jeff]

We are going on the August 28th western and are flying in the day of also.. We leave out of Myrtle Beach at 6am and get to MCO at 10:04 am. We have a limo taking us to the port so I think I am going to be fine. Got my fingers crossed!

 

[outahere]

After nearly missing a cruise out of Miami a few years ago, I (now) always fly in the day before. We were flying from Rochester, NY to Miami (in February) and had an ice storm the night prior to the flight/cruise. We barely made it......... they literally closed the door behind us after we boarded the ship. I really don't need to start a vacation like that!

From everything I've heard, booking flights through DCL is usually more expensive and you have no control over which flight you get or how many connections. That's why I always make my own flight arrangements.