norway/iceland airport question

[jaex mom]

Hi, we are going on this cruise next year and according to dcl, the earliest departure flight we should book out of London is at 1:15. We disembark in Dover. I'm wondering if anyone has flown out earlier. There is a 12:30 flight that would save us over $1000, so I'm wondering if the 45 minute difference is worth taking a chance. Does anyone know how long it takes to get to Heathrow from the port? Thanks

 

[Ray4Fun]

What time does she port in Dover. From West side London out to Dover can take up to 3 hours at times. But took me maybe 1.5 during normal time. If the ship lets you out by 7:30 your totally fine. Ok, I haven't been thru Heathrow security in a few years so that is an item to find.On a Saturday or Sunday I'd do it. Esp. Sunday,, no one on road until 10 or so. Good Luck!

 

[jaex mom]

Ok, sounds good. We dock at 7 am and it is on a Sunday, so I think I should be fine with a 12:30 flight. Thanks!

 

[cmwade77]

Personally, I would never fly in the day the cruise goes out or fly out the day the cruise comes back. There are just too many variables that can go wrong. Heck, we live in Long Beach, CA and going on a cruise out of San Diego and are going down a day early and I am taking the day after off just in case there are any issues.

 

[Marc D]

It depends on which day of the week you are disembarking. On a weekend, you should have no problem with trafic and going to your plane in LHR, especially in T5, is quick and painless. If during a week day, you can get heavy trafic both coming out of Dover, with its one and only winding exit road up the hill, on the highway between Dover and London, and on the roads around LHR. That 45 minute difference might be invaluable in those circumstances.

 

[Mil leech]

I would make sure you have your own transportation booked directly to Heathrow. We took the train and then the underground. It was about 2.5 hours from Dover. Also if you plan to reclaim any VAT taxes at the airport that took us almost an hour at Heathrow once we got there. Security was relatively easy at Heathrow, but if you are checking bags, that line took an additional 30 minutes. I would look into a private transfer that meets you at the ship. Also I have heard Dover can get fog that delays port arrival. We didn't not experience that this year and it was an easy debarkation, but the baggage terminal was small and kind of crazy finding luggage and getting out of the terminal.