What happens if we arrive too late to board?

[Posidon]

My family and I are really excited about our Western Caribean cruis on Jan 17.
We booked our flights to Orlando as part of the Disney package. Given that we will be flying from the North East mid morning on departure day, and the potentential for weather related flight delays at this time of year, I wonder what would happen if we arrived in Port Canaveral too late to board? I understand that Disney is supposed to tke care of the situation and get us to the next port to board there.
I would like to hear what has actually happened to others, so that I can stop worrying !!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I think that if you booked everything, the cruise and the air, through Disney they will "take care of you" if there is a problem with your flight....otherwise I think you are on your own. You will have to get to Key West on Sunday on your own and meet the Magic there.....

I would try to get there ASAP, that is why I like to fly in the night before. That way I am sure to be there on time!

 

[S. C.]

WELCOME to the dis.

 

[kcashner]

A lot depends on the situation. If your flight is late...they have been known to hold the ship for a late flight (like an hour). If your flight is cancelled or later than they will hold, they will get you to the first port of call and allow you to board there. Of course, you've missed a day on the ship.

Is there any chance that you could fly in the night before (you could still book it thru DCL, just change the flight?) You can get a 3* hotel in the MCO area for $28-35 per night thru Priceline, and that includes a free shuttle to and from the airport and at some of the hotels, a free breakfast. You might even be able to fly in after work/school on Friday nite. I look at one night in a hotel as pretty cheap "insurance" that I'll be on the ship on time. Alternatively, could you fly out early morning rather than mid-morning? It would give you just a little more buffer time.

 

[The4OfUs]

We're from the Northeast as well, and on the cruise the week following yours - we also booked thru DCL, and they arranged for us to fly in the night before (the 30th) and stay at the Hyatt in the airport that day. We're not going anywhere, to save our $$ for the cruise instead, and we just got our flight arrangements - we fly out of BOS at 6:45am and land at 10am, and then spend a day by the pool in the hotel.

I guess my point is that DCL can arrange for that option... I didnt' want to risk it either!

 

[gometros]

This is a popular topic on this baord and a legitimate fear for cruisers. I echo the sentiment of everyone else here that the best thing to do is to fly in the night before. If nothing else, but to eliminate unnecessary stress. Even if you don't want to take the extra day off (assuming a Saturday departure for the 7-day Magic), catching a late flight still gives you that much-needed buffer in case of flight delays. And it doesn't have to be weather/winter related either. We had an incident coming in on the Auto Train, where we just barely made it to the ship. In our case, we didn't have a choice about our day of arrival, but if you have the choice, give yourself the extra time.

 

[vgaskin]

I would definately buy the insurance as well. Our situation was slightly different from yours. We booked the land/sea package with Disney air. They had us arriving at 10 am which was great, since the package came with unlimited park passes, etc, we planned on going to Animal Kingdom. Our flight was cancelled and we got another one but it didn't arrive until 10pm that night. I called Disney because we lost a full day of park passes and they said I could have been reimbursed for those things lost because of trip delay but I hadn't gotten the insurance so I was out of luck. I assumed since Disney picked my flight and booked it, that they would make good if it went wrong, they didn't because we didn't get insurance.

I would think that they would get you to the next port or hold the ship for alittle while but you won't be reimbursed for the things you missed or any expenses that you incurr while being rerouted unless you get the insurance. Again, this is just my guess. I think they would get you on the ship one way or another but you would be responsible for everything else.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I seem to recall reading on this board that if you miss the Western Caribbean sailing at Port Canaveral, you are not allowed to board on Day 2 in Key West. You have to wait until Day 4 in Grand Cayman. Can anyone confirm this?

As I understand it, Federal law prevents foreign-flagged vessels from transporting passengers between two different US ports, unless they eventually return to their originating US port. The law is the Passenger Services Act of 1886. It's also the reason why foreign-flagged vessels taking on passengers at a US port must stop at a foreign port before returning those passengers to the US -- and only to the same port where the passengers' voyage originated.