Weather!

[gscott8075]

Hello - This is our 12th DCL cruise and our first since 2015. We are on the NYE cruise on the Fantasy leaving 12/31. Since it is just my wife and I, we decided to fly in early Saturday 12/31 from BWI and jump on the DCL shuttle. We've done it before - no issues. We have also gone from WDW and also stayed at the Port the night before.

Southwest appears to be having a disastrous week - today many flights are canceled and delayed. The entire system went offline a few hours ago so right now, you can't book or change flights. This is too close for comfort for us. We can easily book United out of Dulles on Friday - the day prior - and they seem to be back to normal.

- There are no car rentals available Friday from MCO dropping off at the Port (we use National and Enterprise) so that's out

- We can stay at the Swan Friday and walk over to the Boardwalk to pick up the DCL shuttle Saturday AM.

- We can pray Southwest is back to normal by Saturday and wing it.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!
Scott

 

[princesscinderella]

I would change the plans to come in the day before with how unpredictable the flights and weather have been. You could always shuttle to port canaveral on Friday and stay at a hotel there that has a morning shuttle to the port for your Saturday departure.

 

[Dug720]

Unless it has changed, you have to be staying at the WDW Resort you're being picked up from. It's not like shuttles to the park. So you'd probably have to go back to MCO for the bus from there. Have you looked at the Hyatt at the airport for the overnight?

 

[gscott8075]

Unless it has changed, you have to be staying at the WDW Resort you're being picked up from. It's not like shuttles to the park. So you'd probably have to go back to MCO for the bus from there. Have you looked at the Hyatt at the airport for the overnight?

We did and its $500! DCL confirmed folks who stay at the Swan are p/u at the Boardwalk.

 

[lklgoodman]

I just saw on the news that it may be next week before all air travel gets back to normal. There were over 10,000 flight cancelations/delays. Do you have the SW seats that you can cancel and get credit for future flight? If so, I would get tickets on United to fly the day before, but I'd keep the SW reservation. Once you have made it to Orlando cancel the SW flight. This way if something should happen and the United flight gets canceled and they can't get you there in time, you still have the SW flight to get you there. This time of year, you never know what could happen. We've flown for cruises in Jan a lot. Luckily only time we've had weather problems were after our cruises. Best of luck.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We leave on New Year's Day to fly to San Diego for our cruise. We don't even have any weather and SWA flights are cancelled out of PHX to SAN today. We are expecting a lot of rain later this week (by our standards). Here's hoping SWA can get back on track before Sunday. Worse comes to worse, it is only a 6 hour drive to San Diego.

 

[Cheburashka]

I would not count on Southwest. They have such limited alternative flights from most airports. Another poster had to cancel the family's Christmas trip this past weekend because of Southwest's last-minute cancellations & lack of other options.

Book that United flight. Btw, did you ask DCL about their MCO Hyatt pricing? It's usually a lot more reasonable than what you just quoted.

 

[holula]

I would definitely book that United flight.

 

[dcassetta]

Did you consider avoiding the airlines altogether and driving to Port Canaveral? I know it would be a long drive on both ends of your trip, but it would also eliminate the uncertainty about flights this week

 

[gscott8075]

Thanks for the input - we booked on United for Friday AM and kept the Southwest tickets. Costco Travel and DCL easily changed our DCL bus ride from MCO to the Boardwalk. We booked a room at the Swan. Now, we can enjoy the afternoon doing Disney things outside of the parks, go to Jellyrolls and then head out on the Fantasy on Saturday!

We did check on the Hyatt MCO price - DCL had no additional rooms and they were $500.

Phew! Back to packing!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Ya... Just saw the news this morning. SW is having a huge meltdown. You made the right choice. Enjoy your cruise

 

[gscott8075]

Here is a local news station photo of baggage at BWI - some posters have said they can't get flights until 1/3!

Some good news - as reported, we booked Dulles to MCO on Friday and found out we were upgraded to first class. Heading to the Dolphin for Friday night and the room upgrade just came through. (I have been traveling for business for years - nice to see some of the status levels actually mean something!)

The last time we were on a New Years Cruise it was on the Wonder and President Carter was on board with his family. That was over 20 years ago!

Looking forward to a great trip on the Fantasy! Appreciate everyone's input.

 

[lklgoodman]

View attachment 727893
Here is a local news station photo of baggage at BWI - some posters have said they can't get flights until 1/3!

Some good news - as reported, we booked Dulles to MCO on Friday and found out we were upgraded to first class. Heading to the Dolphin for Friday night and the room upgrade just came through. (I have been traveling for business for years - nice to see some of the status levels actually mean something!)

The last time we were on a New Years Cruise it was on the Wonder and President Carter was on board with his family. That was over 20 years ago!

Looking forward to a great trip on the Fantasy! Appreciate everyone's input.

Glad you got tickets on another line. We have SW booked for June for an Alaska cruise. They were suppose to upgrade their entire booking/employee scheduling system after last summer's problems but didn't do it. I'll be looking for back up flights if they continue to have these issues.

 

[Dug720]

if they continue to have these issues.

Assuming they even survive the DOT investigation - and the compensation the government is saying they owe all affected customers.

 

[Flying Fish]

Assuming they even survive the DOT investigation - and the compensation the government is saying they owe all affected customers.

There are certainly some dark days ahead for SWA. You did the right thing switching to United out of IAD. Better airport and certainly more reliable airline right now. I think we have all done that day of hustle but nothing beats starting your vacation a day early. Pretty great way to end the year and start the new one. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lklgoodman]

Assuming they even survive the DOT investigation - and the compensation the government is saying they owe all affected customers.

Good point! I'm glad we still have over 5 months until our flights.

 

[DCLMP]

I would not count on Southwest. They have such limited alternative flights from most airports. Another poster had to cancel the family's Christmas trip this past weekend because of Southwest's last-minute cancellations & lack of other options.

Book that United flight. Btw, did you ask DCL about their MCO Hyatt pricing? It's usually a lot more reasonable than what you just quoted.

I agree with this. I don't think their point to point model works well at all during bad weather. We live at an AA hub and I would never fly SW. With the hub and spoke model that most airlines use there is going to be more alternative flights.

 

[DCLMP]

Assuming they even survive the DOT investigation - and the compensation the government is saying they owe all affected customers.

They may have a bad flight operation system, but financially they are better off than most airlines. They don't carry as much debt.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Glad you got tickets on another line. We have SW booked for June for an Alaska cruise. They were suppose to upgrade their entire booking/employee scheduling system after last summer's problems but didn't do it. I'll be looking for back up flights if they continue to have these issues.

Same here- my cruise is in May and I am watching this closely

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We had tickets with SWA on points for our cruise next week out of San Diego. Even if our flight isn't cancelled, the airport and baggage check are just going to be a nightmare! We decided to drive!