Forgot to mention that hip is supposed to dock at 7:30 AM and that even in traffic, it takes about an hour form Port Canaveral to Orlando airport.

Thanks!

I apologize for all of the glaring typos-was trying to accomplish this before work, typing quickly is not the way to go apparently.

I suppose one option would be to book a private transfer, that would give you more control. With the numbers of pax that Disney has to process off the ship that morning, and given that their transfer involves many others besides you and your husband, they probably do know what they are saying when they tell you not to book flights before a certain time.

All the cruise lines suggest flights after 12N. They do that in case of docking or delays with immigration/customs at the port. Transfers with the cruise line take longer, because it will probably be a large coach (bus) and they wait for the bus to fill and the luggage to be loaded on the bus before leaving.

Personally, I would book the earlier flight, make sure I was first off the ship, book a private transfer and pay the extra $10 per person for early bird check in with Southwest.

More specific information regarding disembarkation and the transfer to Orlando can probably be found at www.cruisecritic.com under the Disney Cruise Line forum (go to Boards, then Disney Cruise Line and do a search or start a new thread).

While the ship may dock at 7:30AM it doesn't mean that's when you are able to leave. My admittedly limited experience cruising (been n only 4) indicates you won't be able to leave the ship for at least 90 minutes after docking and it could take longer. That means around you'll get off the around 9:00AM at the earliest. Assuming about 1 hour from the port to the airport you'd be cutting it close to check in for your flight, clear security, get to your departure gate and board the plane - remember boarding usually begins 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

The cruise line (who deal with this situation week in and week out) has already told you not to book a flight until 12:30PM. Do you want to rely on them or get answers from "unknown" contributors on a travel forum? The point being you'll get anecdotal information from people telling you they book flights at even earlier times with no problems and others will tell you they barely made a 12:30 flight. You have to remember Murphy's Law of Airports will come into play here - it clearly states "The less time you have to catch your flight the more problems you will encounter". Remember delays can and do happen and most are beyond your control.

Two more things to consider: 1) Since you've already booked the later flight you'll probably be charged a rebooking fee when you change to the earlier flight; 2) Will the airline still be able to accommodate you on the later flight if you miss the earlier one (remember it would be "your fault" you missed the flight)?

So the question you have to ask yourself is how comfortable are you with the odds. Only you can decide what's right.

I was more annoyed that their own recently printed literature we received said one thing (a 11:30 AM time), and then was told another thing by a customer service representative (a 12:30 PM time).

I had already contacted Southwest regarding the possibility of changing flights and we wouldn't incur fees. But I do realize that it all comes down to chancing the odds & fate and what one is comfortable with. We'll most likely keep the flights, I just wanted to "air" the situation.

Thank you though for all your responses.

People book flights that are stretching the limits of what the cruise considers safe all the time. You just have to be ready to accept the risk in case something goes wrong. Travel insurance might or might not help cover the change fee (and possible overnight hotel room) in case you miss the flight. I'd certainly check on that as a possibility.

I think the key here is that you request an early dismebarkation. I'm not sure if Disney offers this, but many cruise lines do. You normally ask on embarkation, and you register with the purser's desk that you have an early flight and need to disembark early. If you are arranging your own transportation to Orlando, this shouldn't be a big deal. If you are relying on Disney's official transportation, you might not make it. It's a lot harder to fill up a big bus and get it moving than to pack up one family.

I really like the cruise lines such as NCL that allow you to carry your own bags off the ship. If Disney allows this, then you are much more likely to be able to get off quickly and make your flight.

Just remember that while the ship may dock at 7:30, it still has to clear customs and immigration, and then you have to as well.

What is the driving distance from Port Canaveral to the Orlando airport? How about traffic? Even if you can walk off the ship at 7:30 am, it would be a rush to get to the airport on time plus security etc.

If it is me, I woudl ask gfor teh latest disembarkation time. Take your time to get off the ship, find a palce to ahev a leisure liunch, take a lesiure drive to the Orlando. Do some last minute shopping at an outlet mall, teh head to the airport by 5:30 or so. You don't have to sit and wait in the airpiort all day.

It's about 45 to 50 miles from Port canaveral to Orlando airport so figure about 50 to 60 minutes drive time.

We have reserved one way rental cars for the MCO - Port Canaveral - they are very reasonable since so many come and go all the time. With the late flight, why not get a car and enjoy a leisurely trip to MCO instead of a big rush. See if you can cancel your Disney transfer and put it toward a car.

I just wanted to report back that we arrived at the Orlando Airport at 8:30 AM, so we even had a couple of more hours to kill. And it wasn't even as if we rushed off the ship as soon as disembarkation began, we took our time. I know that it easily could have gone the other way in terms of unexpected delays, traffic issues, etc but was "mildly annoying" at the time. We did stay at the airport Hyatt's hotel using a day rate which was quite nice and a decent alternative to all that time we had to kill.
Thanks again!

Arrived at the Orlando airport by 8:30 am? Wow! You must be one of the earlier group that disembarked.

We were the first dining so our breakfast on embarkation day was at 6:45. It was a Sunday when we returned so I'm sure that contributed to our rapid drive to the Orlando Airport.

Just returned from a cruise out of Istanbul. My flight was at 11:20 which is earlier then their recommendation of no earlier then noon. I don't know what Disneys policy is, but I just carried my own luggage off when they said we could start departing the ship and it all worked out fine. Even with a population of 15 million + and Monday morning traffic, I was there with almost 3 hours to spare, and that was an international flight!