When to Arrive and what hotel?

[GinaDice]

Hi

I am seeking the assistance of all the experts!

We are taking the Western route in May - traveling from the Northeast. In all likelyhood weather should not be a huge issue at that time of year - but you never know. My major concern is airline schedules.

We are currently scheduled to leave the morning of our cruise at 6 am from Vermont - scheduled into Orlando at 11:10 going through Washington Dullas.

We are then doing Disney transfers to Port Canaveral. We booked air on our own. So will have no assurance that Disney knows if we are delayed on route.

How many folks have gotten delayed with air travel? Is it best to go a day early?

If you go early - where do you recommed staying? We are not really picky - but would want something clean and not overly expensive for the night.

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance and opinions.

Gina

 

[Señor Ferrari]

If you have purchased the transfers, they will ask for your arriving flight information so that they know when and where to collect your luggage for transport to the ship.

I really don't see a problem with that schedule. If you're getting in to MCO at 11:00, you'll get to the port in plenty of time. We always go a day early, but have to fly from the west coast, which takes most of a day, anyway. We usually stay at the airport Hyatt, which is somewhat expensive, but very convenient. There are many other hotels near the airport which are cheaper. Many have a free shuttle to and from. Others on this board have stayed at these hotels and I'm sure can and will list them for you.

My advice would be to stick with what you have. In December or January, I might try to arrive the day before, but in May, you really shouldn't have any problems.

 

[inkkognito]

Prior to 9/11, we flew in the morning of our cruises and had excellent luck...never a flight delay. That is especially amazing since we fly in from Chicago (home of weather delays) and cruise a lot in the winter. But now we fly in the night before and get a hotel near the airport via Priceline. We usually pay around $28 (for that price, it's normally the Marriott). Then we take Happy Limo to the port the next morning after a good night's sleep. Even though we've never needed the extra time cushion, it's nice to have it.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I plan to fly in the day before and spend the day in and around the Hyatt. We just want to unwind, relax and rest up so we're bright eyed and bushy tailed for our cruise. I'm one that stresses way too easily and having a flight (especially a connecting one) would drive me insane! Do what you are comfortable with. The extra money to go down a day early is well worth my peace of mind!!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Last Nov we flew to Orlando the Fri morn before we were suppose to cruise. It was Thanksgiving wknd so DS didnt have school, we didnt have work.
When recreating this cruise for 11/8 we debated flying down Fri or Sat morn. We decided to take Fri off and have plane tickets for the Fri morn, arriving at noon and staying at the Radisson the night before just as we had planned.

 

[mmouse37]

We always stay at the Radisson by the Port and rent a car from the airport to hotel. Most of the time we fly in day before but this time we are arriving same day. Leaving Newark at 7:30, arriving MCO 10:08. We reserved a van ride with Yourride to take us to the port. Didn't want the hassle of returning the car this time since we are arriving later than usual. For 10 people Yourride only cost $80 one way.

MJ

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi GinaDice.

We are currently scheduled to leave the morning of our cruise at 6 am from Vermont - scheduled into Orlando at 11:10 going through Washington Dullas.

You might want to reconsider leaving Vermont the same day. With a 6am flight you'll be starting your CRUISE day around 3am. By the time the Magic pulls away from port at 5pm, your nerves will be more frayed than an Iraqi flag at the recently liberated Baghdad International Airport!

If you are traveling with children, I question their ability to withstand the day's rigors. Even saints can have a bad day - and there's no need to guarantee it...

Wishing you a most enjoyable cruise.

 

[Grumbo]

I know we flew out from Toronto direct landing at 1:00 pm. By the time we got our car rental, drove to Pt Canaveral etc IF I'd had to get on the ship that day as Buckaroos dad said, I would have been a basket case.
We flew out the day before and both my wife and I were SO glad we had. It gave us a chance to acclimatize, do some shopping and then get to the docks early, get on the ship as soon as possible and we were much more relaxed.
With the way things are in the world today I don't think I want to rely on the airlines to be right on time.
Hope you have a good time but IF you can I'd fly out the day before. We stayed at the Best Western Oceanside. It was clean, close and right on the ocean. We are going to do the Radisson next time though.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Scratch42]

DD and I are heading into FLA for Easter Weekend. She has Thrusday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday Off! (more like Easter Week?) For a long time I had contemplated doing a three day since we were gonna be down anyway! But I rebooked for a seven day so decided we will just do FLA! Thank goodness! The airline changed the flight from a 6:40 AM flight to a 7:45 PM flight!

Boy, we would have been SOL if I had gone ahead with our plans for a cruise!

In these times, there is no telling what will happen. If you can change your flight, do it, and go the day before.

m2cw

Scratch