What's the earliest flight home I can schedule after our cruise?

[dtuleya]

A new airline will be flying non-stop Harrisburg, PA to Sanford. They only have one flight a day and their Saturday flights depart Sanford at 11:45 AM. Until we get off the ship and drive to the airport will we have enough time to make our flight? They don't fly Sundays or I'd think about flying then. If that is too early, what do you suggest is the earliest time I should book my flight on another airline?

 

[inkkognito]

In theory, you should be fine for an 11:45 a.m. flight. We've done 11:30 a few times out of MCO. We skip breakfast and have Happy Limo pick us up so we don't have to worry about the buses, and we've made it with plenty of time.
In practice, there is some potential for delay. In 35 cruises, we've only had significant disembarkation delays twice (one caused by security delays due to a change in the terrorist alert level and one caused by someone taking our luggage in error). Other things that can cause delays are fog and ship diversions due to medical emergencies.
We typically fly airlines that have multiple flights going to Chicago, so we know that if we miss one, we can probably get out standby later. With no flight on Sunday, I'd be a bit worried, but you still would probably make it.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I think that your flight time should be fine, especially since you will be driving or having someone drive you. Just curious, what is the new airline that has non-stops from MDT to Sanford? I love MDT but they need some non-stop flights to Orlando! Good luck!!

 

[dtuleya]

Transmeridian will start flying out of MDT 2/26/04 with a limited schedule. They are only flying one flight a day to Sanford and back. Sometime in May they start flying their regular schedule.

A friend of mine said she heard a rumor that Airtran might be coming to MDT too. Wouldn't that be great!

Thanks for all the replies. Now I just have to start watching the fares more closely.