Hello,

This is our first cruise ( 3-22-09) and my concern is flying,  with leaving the port on the same day .

We were to book our flight  with Carnival, for better air fare prices. (they did have better rates) Thye only let you fly in the sameday that you leave the port.

 Also when you book the flight with the cruise line, if for some reason you don't make it to the ship because of a delay, they will get you to the next port to pick up the ship.

 So we did. My concern is making the flight ( 5 )hrs from the connecting flight, to the port and making it to the ship before it leaves.

Also because we did book thru Carnival, we don't have our flight schedule at this time. Apparently, they came out four/ six weeks before you cruise.

I am just worried about this.........

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

L

Hello Loralee,

   I have booked with my TA last summer 07, and again this year 8/30/08. My flights have been landing within a few hours of leaving port and I made it last year with time to spare, and I'm confident about this year. I fly out of Detroit,MI. and I will arrive in Tampa at 1pm the day we sail. If you are booked for CCL transfer from airport to ship they will be sure you make your sail time. I hope this calms some of your fears.

Happy Sailing

Phil

Most agree that these days it's a bad idea to fly the same day as a cruise, particularly if you have connecting flights and particularly if you're flying from the snow belt. Carnival will let you book a pre-cruise package where you fly previous day and stay at local hotel - look at their pre and post-cruise packages.  ken

I have to agree - I have never flew in the same as sail day.  I have heard too many stories plus I know from traveling that flights get delayed, cancelled and luggage get lost.  I always fly in the day before, to some sight-seeing and get a good night sleep.  I never want to miss the sail time.  And yes, they will fly you into your first port but why waste all that time missing out on the fun on the boat.  For a few bucks more, fly the day before - better safe than sorry!!

We have our 6th cruise coming up.  We have only flew in the day of departure the first time.  Going in the day before allows the first day on the cruise to be a relaxing day without all the tiredness that occurs with a day of traveling .

Consider calling Carnival and asking to book a pre-cruise overnite from your departure port; that's the easiest albeit probably more expensive approach. The other is to cancel the flights with Carnival and bookthem yourself, preferably to arrive the day before.  If none of these work for you, consolidate and re-pack to use Airline carry-on luggage so that you don't have to wait in the baggage line, and take a cab to the cruise terminal so you don't have to wait for vans and such to fill.  Ken

HELLO LORALEE,MY NAME IS TONY.ME AND MY WIFE WILL BE TAKING OUR 10th CRUISE,LEAVING ON AUG. 31st FOR THE MEXICAN RIVIERA.WE ALWAYS FLY THE SAME DAY OUR CRUISE LEAVES.MOST AIRPORTS ARE USUALLY 1 HR. OR LESS TO THE PORT.WE TRY TO BE ON THE SHIP BY 12-1P.M.MOST SHIPS LEAVE 4 OR 5 P.M.WE ALSO HAVE RETURNING FLIGHTS HOME BOOKED 1 -2 P.M. NOW DAYS THEY GET YOU OFF THE SHIP MUCH FASTER THAN IN YEARS PAST.I WOULDN'T LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER THIS.I DO ALWAYS HANDLE MY OWN FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS.GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT CRUISE. TONY

Thank You Everyone with your thoughts on this.

I know that it is months away, but I like to have things planned.

I did email our travel agent  today about trying to get down the day before. We will see what she says. I hope that they are able to let us fly out the day before.

Thanks again everyone!

You never know if we were to have a late spring snow storm and be stranded....

I have ALWAYS flown the day of the cruise and never had any trouble... BUT, I will say that I'm in Atlanta and the flight is only one hour and 20 minutes and it's a direct flight so I'm not taking to big a risk. If I was flying with a connecting flight, I would most likely fly the night before and just be safe. Enjoy your cruise!

Loralee,

I have to tell you; Your always taking a change when your flying and Cruising on the same day. Like most other post there are to many thing that can just go Wrong. With the cost of the Cruise and the Flight. Your taking a big risk of  missing out on a lot of our cruise if the ship was to leave. and What if your  Luggage is lost at the airport?  And you'll be sent next port of Call, with the Cloths on your Back and you missed two days of your Cruise and if your taking a 5 day cruise thats 3 days left. I personaly can not take that risk. 

I like knowing whats going on, and to pre plan out my Flight. And the one thing you said that Carnival has not done for me in Michigan is get me a Better Flight out, for a better Price.  The Quotes I have gotten From Carnival From my location puts me two always but me to close to Cruising time, and it cost alot more. I don't like being rushed. and want to relax, not be overstressed. But this is in my Opinion.

But there have been 1000's of Crusiers who have used it, and will and were happy using it, and 1000's that say they will never fly on the same day again.  So your the person who has to make the final Choice.

I booked my flight with Carnival and it will be same day.  I am really concerned about that myself, being this is my first cruise and I am flying from Pittsburgh to Miami on March 1, which can be really bad weather-wise around here.  I called my TA to ask about flying in a day early and she said that we can do it a few different ways.  She was going to look up some pricing for me and get back to me on it.  I would feel much better getting there on Feb. 28th not only to ease my fears about getting there on time, but I think that I would be much more relaxed and much less tired to begin my cruise after a good night's sleep instead of catching flights all morning.

I would strongly suggest flying in the day before myself.  We had a bad experience last year and missed two days of our cruise because of our flight.  Long story but go the day ahead and be safe!!