early flight home question

[sandee]

We can save a lot of money if we catch an 11:30 a.m. flight home after our cruise. Has anyone caught a flight this early? How long does it take to drive to MCO from the port? Thanks for help. We were thinking about taking limo round trip from the airport.

 

[mac_tlc]

sandee,

We sailed on 11/24, returning to Port Canaveral on 12/1. We were off the ship about 8:30 (They want everybody off by 9:00).
We took the Disney transportation to MCO and were checked in and sitting in the airport by 10:00. The bus ride was about 55 minutes. Some clients of ours were booked on a 1:30 Delta flight but were able to get stand-by on a 10:45 flight.

So.... You can make an 11:30 flight if everything goes as planned. I would plan to get off the ship as early as possible to same some more time...

mac_tlc

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I'd agree with what mac_tlc said. On both of our cruises, we were through security at MCO by 9:45-10:00am. We took the DCL buses both times. We usually got off the ship at about 7:45.
(by the way mac_tlc, we probably passed you between port and airport, as we sailed 12/1...)

BUT.....

On occasion, the ship is late getting back into Port Canaveral. Once due to a medical emergency, the ship didn't leave Castaway Cay until about 9:00pm, and thus was about 3 hours late getting back into port. I think recently one of the ships stayed with a small craft in distress until the Coast Guard arrived. If something like this happens, you'll most likely miss your flight. It's very unlikely, maybe a 1 in 10 chance, but keep in mind that it is a possibility. You have to weigh the savings you'd get vs. the potential hassle you'll have if the ship is late and you miss your flight.

This is one of the reasons I book air through the cruise line. If the ship is late, they will take care of re-booking your flight, and it doesn't cost you anything. If you booked your own air, then you're on your own. I just think of the extra cost as being spent on peace of mind.

 

[mac_tlc]

Senor,

We were the ones in the airport with the long, sad faces.. You probably had the wide, wide smiles!!!!! We did see some of those!!!

mac_tlc