Paranoid Husband--Night Before the Cruise

[Allabouthemouse]

We have always stayed in Ponce Inlet (just south of Daytona Beach) before each cruise and have never run into significant traffic going south. It's a nice, easy drive.

 

[teacher5]

I have been in that situation where we almost missed a cruise due to unexpected circumstances. The morning of our cruise, three of us ran the Disney Half Marathon. It was our first race and we underestimated the large crowds involved. We don't run the same speeds so we all ended at different times. No one had a cell phone and we didn't think to discuss where to find each other afterwards. It took many hours later before we found each other. Then we showered and listened to directions from dh about how to get to the port (he was not on that cruise). Looking back, we should have used the GPS because we forgot a step and went way out of our way. When we put our destination into the GPS, we knew we were in trouble! We still had to drop off a rental car near the port. We called the cruise line (Carnival) and the car rental company to let them know of our predicament. We were driving like maniacs! The car rental company had the shuttle ready to go despite it being after hours for them, thank goodness! We arrived just in the nick of time, almost 4:00 when the lifeboat drills were being done! It was extremely stressful! Please learn from our mistakes, you can never be too organized!

 

[dyson0715]

I think you could walk there in that amount of time. .leave at 6am if you're both so worried. I don't see how a 90 minute drive could become a 5.5 hour drive and I live near NYC, so I know about traffic. <--- you could also drive this scooter and be early....just chill and everything will be fine.

 

[persimmondeb]

We went ahead and booked Daytona. We'd both have been more than willing to compromise, but we couldn't find much between the two. There'll be a certain amount of yelling as he hustles us out that morning, but it's a chunk of change in our pockets and we're right on the beach, so it should work well.

I think you could walk there in that amount of time. .leave at 6am if you're both so worried. I don't see how a 90 minute drive could become a 5.5 hour drive and I live near NYC, so I know about traffic. <--- you could also drive this scooter and be early....just chill and everything will be fine.

I'm hoping we won't leave at 6am. I'm sure we'll be up. We definitely won't be running a half-marathon, either. If all was equal, I'd have been on board with being closer, but it just didn't seem to make sense.

 

[babypinkbunny]

We live about 15 miles south of Port Canaveral and hardly ever have issues with traffic driving around the port area. There is some construction on I95 around Daytona / Port Orange when we were up there last month. I would imagine it is still there. No construction below that so it should be smooth sailing. If you are cruising this weekend the Daytona race is going on. Also they will be having a big country music festival at the Daytona track May 27-May 29. Unless there is an accident it should not take more than an hour and half. You can always leave early in the morning and check out the port. There is a nice observation center that you can walk throug. I think it's $6 a person or something like that.

 

[Hotdogdance]

Daytona will leave you plenty of time to get to port. Even in a worst case scenario handbook- you should still fare well. As others have posted- plotting alternate routes etc etc will help alleviate the anxiety.

We have a 9 hour drive and stay in Brunswick, Ga since it is halfway. The adults in our party always fret a bit about making it on time or delays. We plan around Jacksonville rush hour and get to port around 1030 -1045. It makes us less stressed upon arrival and gets us on the boat quick.

 

[richkaryn]

We drove from TN (9 hours), left around 4pm the day before the cruise...stayed overnight in Tifton, GA, got up and left hotel around 6:30am, stopped in St. Augustine at Walmart for a couple last minute items, and still made it to port and had boarded ship by 1:30pm, so I'd definitely say you could do it.

 

[insureman]

We are driving to the cruise port from the north, and will spend at least one, and probably two nights locally before the cruise. I like the idea of staying in Daytona, at least partly because the prices are much better for our dates. Husband is very worried about traffic and getting to the port on time. We're efficient at getting out in the mornings, and Google Maps has the drive at around an hour and twenty minutes. I really don't see how it can be a problem, but he's very concerned and his paranoia is contagious (he has asked me so many time if DS's passport card is enough to get him onto the ship that I'm starting to question it myself).

Are his concerns about traffic on I-95 realistic?

I would be more concerned about your son's passport card since it isn't valid if you need to fly out of the Caribbean in an emergency.

 

[KristiMc]

We drive down from Ohio and have stayed the night before in St. Augustine and had no problem the next morning.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

If you need somewhere cheap to stay in cocoa beach, I highly recommend Wakulla, especially if you have a family. Theyou are little 2 BR condos, short walk from beach, beautiful, lush landscaping, and usually around $100/night. Clean, safe, and friendly. It's our go-to.

 

[NHDisneyFan]

I would be more concerned about your son's passport card since it isn't valid if you need to fly out of the Caribbean in an emergency.

Yes, this family needs more things to worry over.

 

[persimmondeb]

I'm happy to report that we made it, and with such good time that my husband was actually persuaded to stop for breakfast. And the passport card was fine.

I would be more concerned about your son's passport card since it isn't valid if you need to fly out of the Caribbean in an emergency.

Yes, this family needs more things to worry over.

Fortunately he's an adult (sort of) so while we were aware that he wouldn't be able to fly, we figured in an emergency he could either be left in the Bahamas while the consulate arranged for a real passport or trusted to make his way back to the U.S. by ferry. He's timid and a little young for his age, so we might prefer NOT to have to do that, but either would be possible.

 

[Quellman]

My inlaws usually stay in Ocala (which is on the West coast of Florida the night before the cruise due to where they drive from. They haven't had problems yet. One thing I would mention is that mechanical problems can occur to even the best vehicles. So make sure you have a back up plan or a rental company on dial. Traffic is easy enough to avoid.

 

[DizneyNutz]

We are driving to the cruise port from the north, and will spend at least one, and probably two nights locally before the cruise. I like the idea of staying in Daytona, at least partly because the prices are much better for our dates. Husband is very worried about traffic and getting to the port on time. We're efficient at getting out in the mornings, and Google Maps has the drive at around an hour and twenty minutes. I really don't see how it can be a problem, but he's very concerned and his paranoia is contagious (he has asked me so many time if DS's passport card is enough to get him onto the ship that I'm starting to question it myself).

Are his concerns about traffic on I-95 realistic?

We just cruised last week from Port Canaveral. We also used I-95 down to the Port. We drove down the day prior to our Embarkation. We were passing through the Daytona area around 9pm. There is a Long Stretch south of Jacksonville where they are doing highway construction. As best as I could tell the majority of the work is being done between 10pm and 6am. They were setting out a long stretch of traffic cones when we were passing through the area. Not sure how it is in the morning hours. We stayed at Port Canaveral at the Residence Inn. This was the second time using this hotel and we have been pleased both times. Hope this helps. Have a Magical Cruise!