Opinions needed....Flying in morning of cruise

[jennapens]

We are taking our first Disney cruise in May, but haven't decided on which departure yet. We really want to take the the Magic on 5/16, but because of school schedules, we could not fly out from PIT to MCO until that morning. Has anyone done this? Are we crazy for even considering this? Thanks so much!!

 

[andigomeep]

I'm sure some people do it without any issue but I wouldn't. What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? It's too risky to me. Could you fly in late the night before and stay at the airport hotel?

 

[summerrluvv]

I wouldn't risk it!

 

[rwdavis2]

We did it 5 years ago from BWI to Miami. Never having even considered about getting in too late. Next time we'll probably go the day before.

But that time of year there should be no serious weather in Pittsburgh.

 

[JanaDee]

We are taking our first Disney cruise in May, but haven't decided on which departure yet. We really want to take the the Magic on 5/16, but because of school schedules, we could not fly out from PIT to MCO until that morning. Has anyone done this? Are we crazy for even considering this? Thanks so much!!

Fly out the night before.

 

[Lewisc]

Is there a morning N/S flight? Flying in the day of the cruise is never a good idea. Booking a flight which requires a connection the day of the cruise is looking for trouble. It's a good hour from MCO to the port.

Fly the night before.

You feel you must fly the day of your cruise. Carry on luggage only. Your luggage could miss the connecting flight. Your flight might be delayed to the extent your choice is waiting for your luggage or making the cruise. Assume you won't have time to rent a car. Book a car service. Alternately book DCL transfers. The cruise ship might wait a few minutes for delayed passengers taking cruise line transfers but is less likely to wait for other passengers. Book the first flight of the day. Make sure there is at least one later flight which works.

Trip insurance. Shop policies. Make sure your flight times give you enough time to qualify for coverage.

 

[disneygrandma]

We're doing our 1st cruise in early June, and will be at WDW for 4 days before. I don't even want to risk driving the distance from WDW to the port the day of, so we're driving over the night before. I'd be too worried about car troubles, accidents on the highway, or any other incidents that would cause us to miss our 1st cruise. I don't want to be rushed, or stressed out about it. Also, I want to board early & spend that time on board the ship, instead of on the road.

There's no way I would fly in the day of the cruise departure.

 

[Lizard Valley]

I'm a flight attendant, and I've met too many distressed passengers onboard who are missing their cruises, or trying to catch up to them, to ever consider flying the same day. In fact, I've actually booked my flight out 2 days before for my cruise next month.

I'd just have the kids miss a day of school and fly early the day before. That way you have lots of options if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed.

 

[MillauFr]

I didn't even consider flying in the day before the cruise. I scheduled our flights two days in advance.

 

[aubriee]

No way! Fly in the day before. I've had too many flight times changed. More than once I've scheduled the first flight out at 6:00am, so we'd arrive at MCO at 9:30am, only to have the time moved back making us arrive in the afternoon.

 

[Three cats]

I'd definitely fly in the day before. I wouldn't chance it!

 

[ain0004]

We have tried to fly on the day of the cruise. Never again. They had to hold the ship. All the airports were closed for 4 hours for thunderstorms in florida

 

[Flight]

I have a great deal of experience in this area.

Never fly the day of your cruise. Weather, mechanical, or airline issues can doom your ability to arrive at the port. The cruise line may well depart without you. Also, flying in the night before leaves little room for error. My recommendation is to leave the day before on an early morning flight. Gives you more room to maneuver.

 

[JessM]

I've done both, fly the day of the cruise and fly in the day before. It's much less stressful to go in the day before, plus you can get on the ship early and basically have an "extra" day of vacation.

I'd book the late flight the night before and stay at the Hyatt at MCO or a hotel near the port. With kids I wouldn't want to risk flying the day of. If it's just two of you its easier to move your flights around if something gets delayed but more that's gets more difficult.

 

[richmo]

Agree with all of the above: Get to MCO the day or night before.

 

[goofy4tink]

We always get to Orlando at least a day prior to the cruise. I book flights that are two days prior. Why? If something happens to the flight, I can always hop in the car and drive if I have to!
Too many things can go wrong when flying.

 

[sam_gordon]

We did it 5 years ago from BWI to Miami. Never having even considered about getting in too late. Next time we'll probably go the day before.

But that time of year there should be no serious weather in Pittsburgh.

It doesn't have to be weather related. Two years ago we were taking a flight in June to Mexico. Our original flight pushed back from the gate on time, but we sat and sat and sat. They had some kind of mechanical problem and we returned to the gate and sat some more. We ended up taking off 2 hours late which meant we missed our connection.

OP, I would see if there's an evening flight you can take after the kids get out of school.

 

[Lewisc]

I think flying in the day of your cruise is a mistake.

The other side....I've read the majority of cruisers fly in the day of their cruise. That includes most of the cruisers who book cruise air. The vast majority of those cruisers don't miss their cruise. It's done all the time.

I'd prefer a "margin for error". Some people have very limited vacation days and have to either fly in the day of the cruise or not take the cruise.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think flying in the day of your cruise is a mistake.

The other side....I've read the majority of cruisers fly in the day of their cruise. That includes most of the cruisers who book cruise air. The vast majority of those cruisers don't miss their cruise. It's done all the time.

I'd prefer a "margin for error". Some people have very limited vacation days and have to either fly in the day of the cruise or not take the cruise.

I think those who use "cruise air" would be able to catch up to the ship at no cost to them, as the cruise line is responsible for getting them to the ship on time. Of course, you'd miss a day or two of the cruise, but there is a safety net there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think those who use "cruise air" would be able to catch up to the ship at no cost to them, as the cruise line is responsible for getting them to the ship on time. Of course, you'd miss a day or two of the cruise, but there is a safety net there.

Of course then those passports are going to be needed as they fly you to a port...