Uh-oh, should I have booked a later flight?

[Peggytc]

Hi everyone, I booked our (non-refundable) flights from Miami home to Canada after our Cruise ends beginning of October.
Per DCL web site, it recommends booking your flights from 11:30 on, to allow time to get from the port to airport. So we booked 12:15. Now, I'm having a little panic (ok a big panic...) wondering if this suggested time line is only if you're flying within US?! Disney doesn't specify but I realize that most of the things on their web site are written assuming their clientele is US based. Will I have time to check in for my "international" flight? Any experience or knowledge you can share would be great! I've booked 3 flights I can't move or change so fingers and toes are crossed... (And mental note, next time take the flight insurance!)

Note also, I can take an Internet package to do online checkin the night before, which should speed things up but not sure by how much....

 

[adamki]

When leaving the US, there really isn't any significant difference between international and domestic flights. Both Air Canada and American Airlines have a cut off time for check-in and baggage drop-off at 60 minutes prior to the flight (vs. 45 minutes for a domestic flight) and a gate arrival cut off of 30 minutes prior to the flight (vs. 10-20 minutes for domestic).

I wouldn't pay for internet on the ship, you can use your phone to do a mobile check-in anytime after the ship docks (unless the ship's internet is cheaper than international data on a Canadian phone, of course). What airline are you flying?

 

[Flossbolna]

Considering that the port of Miami is really close to the airport and they want you off the ship by 9am anyway, I think you will fine. For transatlantic international flights the recommendation is to be at the airport 3 hours before departure, not sure about Canada. But even with late seating breakfast, you sould easily make it to the airport in that timeframe. And if you are worried, you could always opt to do express walk off (carry off your own bags as soon as they let the people off the ship, usually around 7:00 am).

There is a 50B internet package that is free if you sign up for it on embarkation day. I would use that to do online check-in.

 

[Peggytc]

When leaving the US, there really isn't any significant difference between international and domestic flights. Both Air Canada and American Airlines have a cut off time for check-in and baggage drop-off at 60 minutes prior to the flight (vs. 45 minutes for a domestic flight) and a gate arrival cut off of 30 minutes prior to the flight (vs. 10-20 minutes for domestic).

I wouldn't pay for internet on the ship, you can use your phone to do a mobile check-in anytime after the ship docks (unless the ship's internet is cheaper than international data on a Canadian phone, of course). What airline are you flying?

Flying Air Canada! I know when we leave from here to fly to the States or overseas, they ask you to come 3 hours before. You kind of get to know the lines and process at the airports you fly out of most often. So I honestly don't follow 3 hours if I'm flying to US, but have never flown out of Miami before so don't know the airport, or the traffic getting to it, etc!

 

[Peggytc]

Considering that the port of Miami is really close to the airport and they want you off the ship by 9am anyway, I think you will fine. For transatlantic international flights the recommendation is to be at the airport 3 hours before departure, not sure about Canada. But even with late seating breakfast, you sould easily make it to the airport in that timeframe. And if you are worried, you could always opt to do express walk off (carry off your own bags as soon as they let the people off the ship, usually around 7:00 am).

There is a 50B internet package that is free if you sign up for it on embarkation day. I would use that to do online check-in.

Thanks, I didn't know about the express walk off option!

 

[TinkRose]

Yes, the Miami port and the airport are much closer than Port Canaveral and the Orlando airport. You should be good to go.

 

[TACK]

Last time when I was on the Bahamas cruise, being Canadian we had to go through US customs. Because of that, we had to get up even earlier than everyone else and go through the process of re-entering the States. They had Customs set up in one of the theatres and it was painless, but early. Then you can disembark. I always find disembarkation quick since it appears that everyone wants you OFF the ship and not lingering.

 

[mab2012]

Flying Air Canada! I know when we leave from here to fly to the States or overseas, they ask you to come 3 hours before. You kind of get to know the lines and process at the airports you fly out of most often. So I honestly don't follow 3 hours if I'm flying to US, but have never flown out of Miami before so don't know the airport, or the traffic getting to it, etc!

Air Canada's recommended check-in time for US flights is 2 hours. Same for most international flights. Since they started doing online check-in, they don't really give a recommended airport arrival time anymore, they just say that you should arrive "well in advance". I don't think anyone aims to be at an airport three hours in advance of any flight anymore. I usually aim for 90ish minutes. Maybe a little more for US pre-clearance at a busy time of day or season, or if there is a long drive to the airport. Usually closer to an hour for domestic flights. Never more than two hours. We're always at the gate before boarding starts, even with two small kids in tow.

I think you'll have plenty of time. And probably no real need to do advance online check-in unless you want it for early seat selection.

Have a great trip!

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would walk off as soon as ship is cleared and catch a cab. Only about 20 min drive or less unless there is traffic

 

[annacali]

We had a 1:50p flight out of Orlando last month leaving Fantasy. We ate first breakfast and didn't hurry at all and we were still at the airport by 9 using DCL transfers---too early to even be able to check our bags! I totally was wishing for a much earlier flight. I think you will be fine.

 

[AngelDisney]

Last time when I was on the Bahamas cruise, being Canadian we had to go through US customs. Because of that, we had to get up even earlier than everyone else and go through the process of re-entering the States. They had Customs set up in one of the theatres and it was painless, but early. Then you can disembark. I always find disembarkation quick since it appears that everyone wants you OFF the ship and not lingering.

I believe this is what I experienced in 2004, but not in 2011. I just walked off after eating breakfast (second seating).

I would do express walk off just in case. Anything unexpected can happen and it is always good to have some extra time for that. Pixie dust!

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't think anyone aims to be at an airport three hours in advance of any flight anymore.

For international? I do. DH does. Therefore DS does. Hi!

And for domestic we aim to be walking in the door of the airport AT 2 hours before our flight.

Having nearly missed a flight once dur to my mismanagement of time (I tend to "spend" the same chunk of time on multiple things that take that time), and not missing it ONLY because the flight got delayed at some point and hadn't yet boarded (but we didn't know that), and having NOT enjoyed that experience, we would rather be bored out of our skulls at an airport than even come close to missing a flight.

 

[Peggytc]

Last time when I was on the Bahamas cruise, being Canadian we had to go through US customs. Because of that, we had to get up even earlier than everyone else and go through the process of re-entering the States. They had Customs set up in one of the theatres and it was painless, but early. Then you can disembark. I always find disembarkation quick since it appears that everyone wants you OFF the ship and not lingering.

Wow, that's a new one I hadn't heard of that before!

 

[TACK]

I believe this is what I experienced in 2004, but not in 2011. I just walked off after eating breakfast (second seating).

I would do express walk off just in case. Anything unexpected can happen and it is always good to have some extra time for that. Pixie dust!

Well, it was more than a few years back when I was on that cruise. Good to find out if they did change it because it was a pain to get up that early.

 

[mmouse37]

You can also opt not to eat in the dining room and just eat up in the buffet the last morning. It is not always advertised as open but it almost always is. You must be out of your cabin by 8:00 am so we go to the buffet around 7:30, eat, then head back to the cabin before 8:00 to collect our carry ons and then walk off the ship.

MJ

 

[Jcal2021]

We've been on a couple cruises and had 12:30 ish flights both times. One was domestic out of Orlando and one was international out of Vancouver. Both times I sweated getting to the airport on time and both times we wound up sitting around the airport with PLENTY of time to kill. You'll be fine!!

 

[pgroom48]

MIA is about 20 minutes from the port. When I fly Internationally I plan to be at the airport right at two hours before and always have enough time. You should be fine. Even when we have late breakfast we are off by 9. You will also be traveling against morning traffic (in case you disembark on a work day) so traffic shouldn't be bad.