Why recommended flight departure times so late from MIA?

[Cheburashka]

I was looking at booking a departure flight for my cruise out of Miami, and noticed DCL recommends no departures earlier than 12pm for Dream cruises.

That's 30 minutes later than their recommendation for departure times for Port Canaveral cruises, and PC is almost an hour further from the airport than Miami.

Any idea why DCL is recommending a later time for Miami than PC? I cruised out of MIA this past October, as well as pre-Covid, and always found the return to the airport quick.

Are they holding the transfer bus until later in the morning now?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was looking at booking a departure flight for my cruise out of Miami, and noticed DCL recommends no departures earlier than 12pm for Dream cruises.

That's 30 minutes later than their recommendation for departure times for Port Canaveral cruises, and PC is almost an hour further from the airport than Miami.

Any idea why DCL is recommending a later time for Miami than PC? I cruised out of MIA this past October, as well as pre-Covid, and always found the return to the airport quick.

Are they holding the transfer bus until later in the morning now?

I can't answer that but I know they used to recommend flights for noon or later for PC. We once had an 11:30 am flight and when I tried to sign up for Onboard Airline check in, they hemmed and hawed a little and finally let us.

We sailed out of MIA in Nov/Dec and had a 10am flight and still sat around a while at the gate. We also have TSA PreCheck and used private transfers so that helps. We plan to do that again in Sept. The next non-stop flight is at 2 pm so the thought of sitting around for another 4 hours is not very appealing. We'll be home before that flight takes off.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I can't answer that but I know they used to recommend flights for noon or later for PC. We once had an 11:30 am flight and when I tried to sign up for Onboard Airline check in, they hemmed and hawed a little and finally let us.

We sailed out of MIA in Nov/Dec and had a 10am flight and still sat around a while at the gate. We also have TSA PreCheck and used private transfers so that helps. We plan to do that again in Sept. The next non-stop flight is at 2 pm so the thought of sitting around for another 4 hours is not very appealing. We'll be home before that flight takes off.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/air-ground-transportation/

It’s been 11:25am or later for years for Port Canaveral. I wonder why they were hesitant.

 

[DLgal]

Maybe customs is slower in MIA (the process of clearing the ship)?

 

[Melissa518]

I thought security at the Miami airport was absolutely atrocious. It could have been the day but we easily stood in that line for an hour or a bit longer. I've been to many airports and the Miami one was probably one of the worst.

 

[Cheburashka]

We sailed out of MIA in Nov/Dec and had a 10am flight and still sat around a while at the gate. We also have TSA PreCheck and used private transfers so that helps. We plan to do that again in Sept. The next non-stop flight is at 2 pm so the thought of sitting around for another 4 hours is not very appealing. We'll be home before that flight takes off.

Yes, the flight I want leaves a little after 10 and that's the one I want as it gets me home before the others even depart. Have never had issues getting out of the Miami port or airport, including since Covid, so just wondered what the deal is. Still think it's weird to recommend later there than for PC. I'm flying solo with Pre-Check & carry-on only so feel fine about it. Flown out of both & MCO has slower security imo. Might take a taxi to the airport rather than using transfers.

 

[holula]

I thought security at the Miami airport was absolutely atrocious. It could have been the day but we easily stood in that line for an hour or a bit longer. I've been to many airports and the Miami one was probably one of the worst.

This. Miami has been awful every time I’ve flown from there.

 

[Intr3pid]

It's more the port than the airport.

DCL has its own terminal in PC. Lets it control overnight arrivals, docking, clearance, etc. very closely.

The terminal in Miami is shared - and there is a bit of cushion built into everything. For instance, earlier this year, we saw the COVID testing setup outgrow it. Lines were extending out every time.

Miami the port - and the two airports - can be awfully busy in the winter when 70% of the cruise ships are sailing out of Florida!

 

[auntlynne]

Yes, the flight I want leaves a little after 10 and that's the one I want as it gets me home before the others even depart. Have never had issues getting out of the Miami port or airport, including since Covid, so just wondered what the deal is. Still think it's weird to recommend later there than for PC. I'm flying solo with Pre-Check & carry-on only so feel fine about it. Flown out of both & MCO has slower security imo. Might take a taxi to the airport rather than using transfers.

Taxi to MIA is $27, flat rate. And lined up at the ship when you disembark.

 

[DCLMP]

Yes, the flight I want leaves a little after 10 and that's the one I want as it gets me home before the others even depart. Have never had issues getting out of the Miami port or airport, including since Covid, so just wondered what the deal is. Still think it's weird to recommend later there than for PC. I'm flying solo with Pre-Check & carry-on only so feel fine about it. Flown out of both & MCO has slower security imo. Might take a taxi to the airport rather than using transfers.

You should be fine with pre-check and carry-on, and probably even without. Just grab a taxi or uber. We're planning on a 10 am flight same scenario. Nothing is worse than MCO security it's what motivated me to get pre-check. I've never had an issue in Miami either.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/air-ground-transportation/

It’s been 11:25am or later for years for Port Canaveral. I wonder why they were hesitant.

How many years? This was a long time ago. Our kids are adults now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes, the flight I want leaves a little after 10 and that's the one I want as it gets me home before the others even depart. Have never had issues getting out of the Miami port or airport, including since Covid, so just wondered what the deal is. Still think it's weird to recommend later there than for PC. I'm flying solo with Pre-Check & carry-on only so feel fine about it. Flown out of both & MCO has slower security imo. Might take a taxi to the airport rather than using transfers.

Private is always faster, in our experience. If you use DCL transfers, you’ll have to wait while the driver unloads all the bags.

We checked bags in Nov so you not needing to deal with baggage check will save you time.