Long post but HELP NEEDED! SFB ->hotel ->Wish -> SFB

[JOY K]

I am planning to fly to Orlando for the first time November of 2023. I have been using the same week this year to get an idea of what to try to plan for next year. A flight from any airport within 3 hours from me to MCO is about $500-700 per person round trip. A flight to SFB is less than $300 round trip with upgrades for luggage and seat selection. It would also more likely be a much quicker flight. There are lots of factors that I need to consider but can find little info about.

With November weather and the number of flight cancelations I see for all airlines, I am reluctant to book a flight on the day of my cruise. Alegent seems to only fly from my nearby airport to SFB on Mondays and Fridays, but the same week I plan to go next year seems to have Sunday available in this years callendar which would be great if the same is true next year!
2- If I fly the day before, I will need to have a shuttle to a hotel that also shuttles to the port. The shuttle I found that goes from SFB does go to hotels near the port but doesn't list which ones.Does anyone know how to find out what hotels you can get to from SFB by shuttle? Do any of them shuttle to Port Canaveral?
3-After the cruise, what is the soonest we can make a flight from SFB? In looking at similar dates for this year, most seem to be aroud 12:45. Can we make that? The same shuttle service advertises shuttle from the port to the airport, but how does that work and how do I know if the shuttle can get me to the airport in time?
I am not used to flying and don't want to miss my cruise or flights. I also don't want to spend more getting to and from my cruise than I spend on the cruise itself. If you are still with me, I can use all the pro tips I can get!!!

 

[The Mayor]

Have you considered flying into MCO? All the cruise lines have transportation from MCO to the port. You could fly into MCO the day before and stay at the Hyatt in the airport. If it’s a Disney cruise you can set up transportation through DCL to the port From the Hyatt. If another cruise line you can still stay at the Hyatt and go meet your cruise lines transportation back at the airport on Level 1 in the morning.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Flying into MCO might be easier, but Allegiant doesn’t fly into MCO. I don’t think Southwest does either.

If I were you, I wouldn’t rely on Allegiant. If your flight is canceled, there is usually not another flight to rebook you on.

We had a cruise sailing out of Miami for a Monday. Our Sunday Morning flight from Cincinnati to Fort Lauderdale was canceled less than 12 hours before scheduled take-off. Since Allegiant only have one flight a day, the earliest they could fly us into FLL was Thursday. We scrambled and booked an Allegiant flight into Sanford for Sunday Night and drove the remaining 200 miles to Miami. Didn’t get into Miami until after 1 AM Monday Morning. But we made the ship.

That said, if you still want to fly into Sanford, I’d look into Go Port Canaveral for lodging and transportation.

Edited to add: 12:45 should be enough time to catch a plane out of either Sanford or MCO. Especially Sanford, since it’s smaller. Off the ship by 9, about an hour to the airport and you’ll have between 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours in the airport.

However, if you’re flying out of MCO, I might think about disembarking no later than 8. Especially if you’re traveling around Thanksgiving or Jersey Week (usually the first full week of November). Due to the crowds, they suggest getting to the airport about 3 hours before your flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

Flying into MCO might be easier, but Allegiant doesn’t fly into MCO. I don’t think Southwest does either.

Southwest absolutely flies in/out of MCO.

 

[tobikaye]

I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself right now for a November 2023 cruise. I understand you trying to plan a budget, but instead of trying to get a set price now, try for estimating.

Flights: Best deals tend to be either when the airline releases flights for the days you are looking to travel or about 4-6 weeks out. I have a September flight that I bought my seats in January or February, the current price is about $250 more than I paid, but 2 months ago, it was $400 more. This will give you a bunch more options on finding a flight/price, but still watch once you book as there may be flight changes. I have been lucky and most of mine only change about 1-2 hours in time. Also, instead of a round trip flight, consider 2 one-way flights. This also means you could fly into one airport, but fly out of a different one.

• After Cruise Flight: Check your cruise line for information on what they suggest is the earliest flight after a cruise you should book. I believe for Disney cruises their websites say about 11:30 am. It can very by line though.

Hotels: If you want to be proactive, look at hotels near both airports to see which offer a free shuttle to/from the airport and keep a list. I would also suggest checking out hotels near Port Canaveral to see which ones offer free shuttles to the cruise terminals. This would take care of at least one portion of your trip. As the others said, if you do stay near MCO, then you could shuttle back to MCO the morning of your cruise and use the cruise line shuttles. Even if you fly into SFB, you could see about hiring a shuttle/taxi/lyft/car service to take you to a MCO area hotel.

Transportation: There are so many shuttles and car services in the Orlando/Canaveral area to handle all the tourists. Many people even do one way car rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral for cruises. Once you have your flight set, then I would figure out hotel/local transportation. I would just start searching. I honestly haven't looked, but someone else can probably help with figuring out a reputable shuttle company. I will say that if possible, I would try to fly back out of MCO and just take the airport shuttle offered by the cruise line because I think some of those will check you luggage so you do not see it until you arrive back at your home airport. Granted, I do not know if that is still offered or not and on which lines.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Flying into MCO might be easier, but Allegiant doesn’t fly into MCO. I don’t think Southwest does either.

Southwest occupies the largest number of gates at MCO.
Allegiant is pretty much the only airline at Sanford.

 

[MelRavenswood]

I fly Allegiant the into SFB all of the time. If the difference in price for you is what you have listed above, you would be better off flying into MCO. Car service from SFB to Disney Resorts or MCO runs about $300 round trip. Then you would also have to secure transport to the ship.

ETA: I did just check rates for direct round trip from SFB to Port Canaveral. A sedan was about $262, a SUV $300

 

[sponica]

I do think you're putting the cart before the horse here (we're talking November 2023).

Once the flight schedules open up, price out both sanford and MCO. If Sanford is substantially cheaper, price out transportation from Sanford to a Port Canaveral area hotel (like the homewood suites). Look at that total and compare it to airfare to MCO, the port transfer and the airport Hyatt. If the MCO costs are the same or a hundred or so dollars more, fly in and out of MCO. It'll give you more piece of mind if there is a disruption on the way in.

 

[JOY K]

Have you considered flying into MCO? All the cruise lines have transportation from MCO to the port. You could fly into MCO the day before and stay at the Hyatt in the airport. If it’s a Disney cruise you can set up transportation through DCL to the port From the Hyatt. If another cruise line you can still stay at the Hyatt and go meet your cruise lines transportation back at the airport on Level 1 in the morning.

No, MCO is a last resort. Flying into MCO and staying at the Hyatt, then paying for the shuttle to and from the airport would literally cost more than half the price of our 4 night DCL cruise. We may have no choice and MCO is definatly the easiest option, but SFB is still hundreds of dollars less even if I have to pay 3 times as much to get from the airport to a hotel with a shuttle to the terminal. I just don't know if logistically I can make it work.

 

[JOY K]

I fly Allegiant the into SFB all of the time. If the difference in price for you is what you have listed above, you would be better off flying into MCO. Car service from SFB to Disney Resorts or MCO runs about $300 round trip. Then you would also have to secure transport to the ship.

ETA: I did just check rates for direct round trip from SFB to Port Canaveral. A sedan was about $262, a SUV $300

Thanks I appriciate that. Price wise even with an SUV, the flight and transportation would cost for both of us what 1 round trip ticket may cost into MCO from any airport within 3 hours of me. Price wise, it would be hard for flying in and out of MCO and come out cheaper than SFB even with the other added costs, but logistically I may have no choice. It is WAY WAY cheaper (even with current gas prices) and less stressful to drive the 12 hours. We may drive 1/2 way and stay. If SFB won't work, driving would be the next best choice I think.

 

[rwdavis2]

Given the iffy nature of air travel these days I would only fly on the day before with an airline that has multiple flights to the area every day. I would think that eliminates Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier.

I just noticed the 2023 date. I wouldn't sweat it too much yet but keep in mind my take as to multiple flights.

 

[JOY K]

I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself right now for a November 2023 cruise. I understand you trying to plan a budget, but instead of trying to get a set price now, try for estimating.

Flights: Best deals tend to be either when the airline releases flights for the days you are looking to travel or about 4-6 weeks out. I have a September flight that I bought my seats in January or February, the current price is about $250 more than I paid, but 2 months ago, it was $400 more. This will give you a bunch more options on finding a flight/price, but still watch once you book as there may be flight changes. I have been lucky and most of mine only change about 1-2 hours in time. Also, instead of a round trip flight, consider 2 one-way flights. This also means you could fly into one airport, but fly out of a different one.

• After Cruise Flight: Check your cruise line for information on what they suggest is the earliest flight after a cruise you should book. I believe for Disney cruises their websites say about 11:30 am. It can very by line though.

Hotels: If you want to be proactive, look at hotels near both airports to see which offer a free shuttle to/from the airport and keep a list. I would also suggest checking out hotels near Port Canaveral to see which ones offer free shuttles to the cruise terminals. This would take care of at least one portion of your trip. As the others said, if you do stay near MCO, then you could shuttle back to MCO the morning of your cruise and use the cruise line shuttles. Even if you fly into SFB, you could see about hiring a shuttle/taxi/lyft/car service to take you to a MCO area hotel.

Transportation: There are so many shuttles and car services in the Orlando/Canaveral area to handle all the tourists. Many people even do one way car rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral for cruises. Once you have your flight set, then I would figure out hotel/local transportation. I would just start searching. I honestly haven't looked, but someone else can probably help with figuring out a reputable shuttle company. I will say that if possible, I would try to fly back out of MCO and just take the airport shuttle offered by the cruise line because I think some of those will check you luggage so you do not see it until you arrive back at your home airport. Granted, I do not know if that is still offered or not and on which lines.

You are absolutly right. I don't fly so I am trying to get a handle on when flights are released and get a general estimate. Im sure I can't get down to the penny, but I also don't have thousands of dollars laying around so I will need to get an idea of how much I need to save. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[sponica]

Out of curiosity, what's your "home" airport?

 

[csjordan]

No, MCO is a last resort. Flying into MCO and staying at the Hyatt, then paying for the shuttle to and from the airport would literally cost more than half the price of our 4 night DCL cruise. We may have no choice and MCO is definatly the easiest option, but SFB is still hundreds of dollars less even if I have to pay 3 times as much to get from the airport to a hotel with a shuttle to the terminal. I just don't know if logistically I can make it work.

We are flying from SFB Labor Day. I priced an Uber from Universal to SFB for around $40.

 

[Ross Kratter]

We are flying from SFB Labor Day. I priced an Uber from Universal to SFB for around $40.

The problem there is that while drivers wait at Sanford to pick up riders, drivers in the greater Orlando area don’t always want to go to Sanford, since there are so few flights a day there.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I have been on a shuttle and witnessed a family that just missed their cruise because they did not fly in the day before!
It is not a pleasant thing to witness .
Please budget to arrive the day before .

 

[csjordan]

The problem there is that while drivers wait at Sanford to pick up riders, drivers in the greater Orlando area don’t always want to go to Sanford, since there are so few flights a day there.

We have scheduled the ride ahead of time. Hopefully, they will show up to pick us up!