Latest incoming flight to make port

[TexasGirl]

What is the latest flight time to arrive at Orlando and comfortably make it to the ship. What would be an ideal time?

What about the flip side of this question.

What is the earliest flight we could make after disembarking the last day? Thinking of a 12:40

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by TexasGirl
What is the latest flight time to arrive at Orlando and comfortably make it to the ship. What would be an ideal time?

Comfortably? That's the question. For me, comfortably would be approximately 24 hours prior to boarding. In a pinch I'd say 12. But stuff happens, airplanes are held up on runways, weather turns bad. Is it worth risking missing the ship? Not for me! But of course, everyone's comfort level differs.

 

[Rence]

The overwhelming consensus is ALWAYS fly in the day before. Don't risk your cruise on a flight delay.

 

[webray]

With flight times these days/airport delays..I would definately come the day before. Especially if you are not booking your air through DCL...the ship won't be held for you, you will have to catch up..which means purchasing air to another port the ship is docked at.

 

[Hygiene99]

How ever if it is that u have to fly in the Day of the Cruise I would suggest an arrivial time of No later than 2:00 pm as every one is to be on board by 4m and the ship leaves at 5pm...

Boston Pétér

 

[TexasGirl]

Thanks. I think we will fly in the night before like everyone is suggesting. What about flying back... is 12:45 too early?

Thank you to all who gave suggestions!!

 

[pediatric-rnp]

We had a 11:58 AM return flight and made it with hours to spare - we arrived at MCO by 8:40 AM!! We made sure we were one of the first to leave the ship, retrieve our luggage and go thru customs, etc with the porter - he was the best and we tipped him well - he got us thru everything in lightening fast time! We were flying Delta, which has a station set up outside the cruise terminal, so we were able to check our bags and get our boarding pass there. We boarded the DCL bus and were fortunate enough to have no highway delays on the way to the airport.
That being said, do you have DCL transfers and are you flying on one of the airlines who set up a station outside the DCL terminal? (I believe they are Delta, US Air, American and Continental - not sure if there are any others.) It was these things which I believe made our arrival at the airport so smooth and timely. Also the fact there were no accidents on the highway to delay us.