Now you got me scared

[kevlois]

We purchased air travel for the morning of our cruise. Our TA said this should be fine since it should be good weather. We arrive in Orlando at 9:30am but now I see posts that this might not have been a good idea. Are we making a big mistake? Oh well too late now.

 

[Aisling]

I think many people fly in the day before, but there are also many people who fly in the morning of the cruise and have no problems at all.
A 9:30 arrival time sounds secure to me. Yes, anything can happen. But I'm flying in the night before our cruise in December, and even that's no guarantee we won't be delayed by a snowstorm.

You have statistics on your side! Have faith and don't worry!

 

[kcashner]

Arriving at 9:30 am should be fine. That will get you to the port by about 11, which is plenty early for boarding and getting the ressies you want.

You didn't say where you were flying from or what season of the year....we do like to come down the night before just to be sure that there are no airline problems, but a 9:30 am arrival allows for a lot of problems and still having time to be onboard.

 

[ratfam]

Just make sure you have purchased travel insurance. Our first cruise we landed in Orlando around 9:30 am the day of departure as scheduled, everything went great. Our second, we decided to fly out the night before "just in case", and not to bore anyone because I've posted it previously but our flight was almost cancelled because of weather-related flight delays and crew problems and due to spring break travel we would not have been able to get another flight out in time. In that case, a flight out the morning of probably would have been better. You just never know, so buy the insurance.

 

[Heathercat]

We just got back from the April 2-9th Eastern Magic. We flew into Orlando at 9:30 also on the same day as we cruised.....We were on the shuttle and were on the boat by 12:30. We didnt lose any baggage and everything was smooth as could be.....I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

 

[Realityfreakaholic]

I guess it all depends on luck if the flight is on sked or not. I ran into a family that missed the cruise because of there delayed flight. They stayed in Disney for a couple days and then were flown to St.Maarten to catch the cruise and spend the 2nd half on the cruise. They were disappointed but I thought handled it very well. I would have been crying like a baby.

 

[westjones]

The problem is if there are problems with the flight. The cruise leaves with our without you.

Just yesterday, my DH had to fly to Montreal for a business trip. About 5:00 p.m. he walks in the door of our home! His flight took off, after 15 minutes experienced engine problems, they turned around and landed where they took off. Then they couldn't get him on a new flight until today (24 hours later).

Luckily, he could just come home, and the conference is still there, and he just missed a day of sessions. Had it been the cruise, they would have left without him.

We flew in the day of the cruise our first time because Disney booked our flights and they booked it for the day of the cruise. Since then, we have booked our own and we have flown in the day before. We are more rested and more relaxed by doing this.

Anyway, the problem really gets down to the fact that the ship leaves. If you were just going to WDW and you missed a flight, it would still be there the next day.

Of course, statistically speaking, the odds are in your favor that you will make it alright. On our last cruise, one of the DIS couples that came to our meet had just made it to the ship. They had been stuck on a runway for hours waiting for a problem to be resolved. BUT they DID make it. So all was well.

Good Luck! Hope you have a great trip!
DJ

 

[RickW]

I would consider flying in on the day of the cruise if the following were true:
- I lived on the east coast or in the south
- It was late spring or summer
- I could fly out on one of the first flights of the day
- The flight was non-stop or direct

Otherwise, I would probably come in the day before. Of course it also depends on the specific cruise. For our 14-day cruise, I wasn't even willing to fly in the day before. We planned on flying in on Thurday from the beginning. Then, we decided to come in on Wednesday instead. I feel pretty confident flying in 3 days before.

 

[WDWLVR]

We've flown in the day of the cruise and have been fine. We've also flown in the day before and enjoyed it much more. While we never had airline delays the one drawback for us in flying in the same day is being tired. To catch the first flight of the day (7am to get in at 9:30) meant we got up about 4:30. We were tired after dinner that first day and didn't enjoy it as much as we could have. Now we fly in the day before, wake up rested and get vacation started just a little earlier.

Bottom line - don't worry to much about this time, but next time fly in the day before!

 

[mickeyboat]

We flew in the day of and almost missed the ship. We boarded at 5PM with no luggage. I wouldn't take the chance if I were you, although you will probably be fine.

Edited to add: We were scheduled to arrive at MCO at 1PM. Our flight was delayed due to FOG the night before and our crew needed a mandatory rest. We almost didn't make the connection in Atlanta - we were on stand by and had to run through the airport carrying two small kids, backpacks, etc. We also had to run through MCO to get to the DCL bus. Our luggage was not lost, DCL just didn't have time to collect it before we boarded and the ship left. It made for a very stressful first day, not to mention that we missed the sail away party and had no clothes for the first three days of our cruise.

Do yourself a favor, come in the night before.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[crisi]

Just yesterday, my DH had to fly to Montreal for a business trip. About 5:00 p.m. he walks in the door of our home! His flight took off, after 15 minutes experienced engine problems, they turned around and landed where they took off. Then they couldn't get him on a new flight until today (24 hours later).

Reminds me of a business trip my husband took. He was supposed to fly home from Austin, Texas to Minneapolis and get in mid morning.

I spent the day getting calls from him. First the flight was delayed. Then cancelled. Then he called from Atlanta - they thought they could get him home from there. The next time he called he was in Chicago, he'd made it closer by flying from Atlanta to Chicago (turns out they couldn't get him from Atlanta to Minneapolis), and managed to catch the last 'commuter' flight out of Chicago to MSP to get home - at 2am.

I do agree that the chances of not making it to MCO until 3:00 when you are supposed to arrive at 9:30 are pretty slim - but I would also recommend insurance. Most of the travel I've done has never been more than two or three hours off schedule at most.

 

[Heathercat]

They actually held the boat on the April 2nd cruise, because there was a late flight coming in. We still had the sailaway party at the designated time, but we just didnt go anywhere

 

[burma]

We arrive in Orlando at 9:30am but now I see posts that this might not have been a good idea. Are we making a big mistake?

We arrived at 12:30pm actually I think we got in around 1 and were at the boat by 2:30 and our luggage was the last to come out . We had a limo and the driver had to go get the car to meet us after he helped us with our luggage I would not worry too much if you get in that early even a small delay and you will make the boat .

 

[PPFQP]

I would consider flying in on the day of the cruise if the following were true:
- I lived on the east coast or in the south
- It was late spring or summer
- I could fly out on one of the first flights of the day
- The flight was non-stop or direct

We meet all of those criteria. Our flight was still delayed for over four hours and we didn't get to the ship until after 3pm.

We will not make that mistake again.

 

[JonJehrio]

We all flew in the morning of our Cruise a few months ago, in October, and it worked out perfectly. I am sure there are rare occurances where flights can be delayed or luggage can get lost. Get insurance.