Trying to coordinate cruise flights...

[Redmic]

Here in Maine there are not that many daily flights from Orlando. The flight I would like to take departs MCO at 11:25 a.m. on the last day of the cruise. Will we have time to disembark, return to the airport, and make our flight ? We plan on using Tiffany Town car.

If this scenario won't work, what is the earliest flight I could safely take? We have never done the cruise, but would like to try it this fall. Thanks.

 

[PWDMom]

I don't think there's any way you're going to disembark - even tho it's very early (8AM, I think), get on the shuttle bus, get to the airport 90 minutes later, get your luggage and do the airport security thing in time for a flight check in 30 minutes prior to departure. It'd be less stressful for all to simply go back to the airport, pick up a free shuttle to a nearby hotel and return the next morning. Why blow your relaxed, cruise state of mind on a rush to the airport?!?!? Personally, I don't think you're going to have a choice since you're timeframe is too tight. Perhaps someone else is more optimistic?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I would think that you would have a pretty good chance of making your flight. If the ship is on time, you should be allowed to disembark at around 7:30am. The latest I've ever been to the airport and through security (taking the DCL buses) was 10:15am, and that was just after Sept. 11, when security took forever. We were physically there by around 9:00am and through security and to our gate by 10:15.

The drive to the airport is not 90 minutes, its more like 45 minutes to an hour.

I think you could most likely do this. Bear in mind that the ship is, on rare occasions, late getting into Port Canaveral. It doesn't happen very often, but it is a possibility. At that point, there's not really much you can do, but I think that this happens fewer than 10% of the time.

If you decide to take the 11:35 flight, make sure not to dally when the ship is ready to debark. If you're among the first off the ship, you should be fine.

 

[rugrat]

I have the same situation-We will have to stay overnight. What hotels would recommend near the airport? Is there anything to do in or around that area?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

There's a little place called Walt Disney World nearby that might be worth a look.....

 

[Michelle]

You most definitely can make it if you are willing to disembark as soon as the ship clears customs (eat as early as you can) and have Tiffany waiting for you. It's about a 50-minute ride to the airport and you can easily be there by 9:45 or 10:00 am, plenty of time for your 11:25 flight.

But again, if the ship is delayed for some reason you might be cutting it tight.

I'd go for the 11:25 flight and hope for the best, especially if there are later flights available on your airline.

Enjoy!

 

[castawayfan]

We just came back and made a 10AM flight with an hour to spare. We got off the boat at 7:30 and had our rental car turned in and were checked in and through security by 9:00. We did not feel rushed at all. Your flight time sounds perfect.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by rugrat

We will have to stay overnight. What hotels would recommend near the airport? Is there anything to do in or around that area?

The Hyatt Regency inside the airport is the most convenient, but it can be a bit pricey. There are over a dozen other hotels within a mile of the airport and they all offer complimentary shuttle service. Just check Expedia or Travelocity or some site such as that.

Originally posted by Señor Ferrari

There's a little place called Walt Disney World nearby that might be worth a look.

Cute, Señor. Although if you're at an airport hotel for an overnight before your cruise, and you're not renting a car, a quick trip to Disney would cost a LOT of money. Disney is about 20 miles from the airport and cab fare is expensive.