What Time Should You Fly In for Your Cruise?

What Time Should You Fly In for Your Cruise? 

Many people want to fly in the day they board the ship. The thought is the ship leaves at 4 pm so I have plenty of time to get to the port if I arrive at the airport at 8 or 10 am. Nice in theory bad in practice!

 

It is highly recommended that you fly in the day before and get a hotel for the night. You Don’t want to take the extra time off work or from school? Don’t want to waste the money on a hotel for the night? Here is something to think about. Is that extra day off or the money spent on a hotel worth missing the cruise? Is it worth losing the money you spent for the cruise? Consider that earlier flight and the hotel as insurance for you getting to your ship on time. Scroll to the bottom of this article for some statistics on flight delays.

 

About the choice of hotel! Many hotels near the airport have a free/low cost shuttle to/from the airport. You can catch the shuttle from the airport to the hotel when you land at the airport. Then take the Shuttle back to the airport to catch the DCL shuttle to the port the next morning! Some hotels have shuttles to the port as well.

 

With the number of flight delays going on now a days you never know if your flight will be canceled or delayed to the point where you’ll miss your ship. You miss the cruise!! If you do not have travel insurance you lose the money you spent for the cruise!! Even with Trip Insurance you may only get 70% back! This is not said to scare you, it is just simply the facts.

 

When should you fly? According to people in the airline and travel industry it is suggested you take a flight early in the morning the day before you board the ship. Get that hotel for the night and have a relaxing morning before you board the ship!

 

Booking a flight for 5-9am that gets you to your destination the evening before allows time for delays! If your morning flight gets delayed, you still have time to catch a later flight and get to your destination on time. Those on the morning flights are the first Canceled/Rescheduled. They will be the first to be rescheduled for the next flight. Again better chance of getting there on time!

 

The final decision is up to you. Just take a moment to consider these words of wisdom I’ve gotten the following information from Flight Attendants, Pilots, Booking Agents at DCL and guests who booked flights that got them there “just in time” but missed their cruise. Book that Hotel!

 

For flying home after the cruise, the timing depends on the port you are at. If the airport is near the port, you should be ok with a 12:30 pm flight if you do a walk off and do not check your luggage the night before for the crew to carry off the ship. Later is better if you wish to have them take your bags off and be able to make sure you get breakfast. 1:30 pm or later is better. If the port is farther away consider a 2-3 pm flight. You need to make sure you can get to the airport without undue stress. Orlando Airport (MCO) is over an hour drive from the port. Also, you must consider going through TSA and customs.

 

FlightAware.com/live/canceled/today tracks flight delays at many key airports. Here are some of the numbers for a 3 day span of time. I think it speaks for itself.

 

02/06-09/23

Orlando

·        Total flights 4,747

·        Delayed 490

·        Percentage delayed 10.3%

·        Total Departure 2,447

·        Total Delayed 259

·        Percentage Delayed 10.6%

·        Total Arrivals 2,300

·        Total Delayed 231

·        Percentage 10.45

·        Canceled 1

 

Miami

·        Total flights 6,398

·        Delayed 576

·        Percentage delayed 8.9%

·        Total Departure 3,145

·        Total Delayed 323

·        Percentage Delayed 10.2%

·        Total Arrivals 3,253

·        Total Delayed 253

·        Percentages Delayed 7.8

·        Canceled 10

 

Los Angeles

·        Total flights 7,041

·        Delayed 556

·        Percentage delayed 7.8%

·        Total Departure 3,392

·        Total Delayed 306

·        Percentage Delayed 9%

·        Total Arrivals 3,649

·        Total Delayed 250

·        Percentage 5.8%

·        Canceled 15

 

(These number were calculated from daily data. There is a very small margin of error due to the methodology. The complete daily accounting is available upon request. Just send an email to us.)

Carolyn-Tinky@PixieDustedMemoriesTravel.com

Scott-Sparky@PixieDustedMemoriesTravel.com

 

Embarkation and Debarkation days on the Disney Cruise

Embarkation and Debarkation days on the Disney Cruise

Embarkation day is the most exciting day of a Disney Cruise! But what do you do!

 

30-40 days prior to your cruise you should have done your online check-in and gotten your Port Arrival Time (PAT) and your boarding group number. The date you can do it is based on your Castaway Club Membership Level. You arrive at your assigned time and do your check in. This is a simple process of showing your Citizenship Paperwork and going through a security check much the same as airports. You will drop your checked bags off with the porters and take your checked bags with you into the terminal. Once through security you will wait for your boarding group to be called. Once your boarding group is called you will board the ship.

 

You have a choice to choose available times when you do your online check-in. Should you choose a early or later boarding time? Personally I figure I’m paying to be on the ship and want to start my vacation/cruise early so I’ll go as early as possible.

 

Once you board the ship you can grab something to eat, explore the ship, or swim. You will need to keep your carryon items with you until your cabin is available.  Your cabin will not be ready until about 2pm.

 

What do you need to keep in your carryon bags? Make sure you have your Proof of Citizenship Paperwork and PAT Form. Electronics, Valuables, Medication, and any Medical Equipment must be taken on board by you. If you desire to being the allowed wine, beer or water it must be carried on. You can not check it in.

 

Debarkation day also known as the saddest day of a Disney Cruise.

 

The process of debarkation begins the night before. You have the choice of putting all the bags with items you do not need in the morning out for your Stateroom Host by 10pm the last night. The crew will make sure your bags are taken off the ship in the morning and you will find them in the port in the morning after you disembark. You will be given a character tag and your bags will be near the sign with that character.

 

If you choose to send your bags off the night before remember to keep the clothes, ID, other paperwork your need for your travel home, Medication, Medial Equipment and valuables with you. Do NOT pack them in your checked bags! Understand you will not be allowed to disembark until the character on your tag is called. Nobody is allowed to disembark until the ship has been cleared by customs.

 

The morning of debarkation you can have breakfast in the same restaurant you ate at the night before. Your servers will inform you during your last dinner what time you should be at the restaurant. You can also choose to eat at Cabanas or Marcelene Market one last time. There is no assigned time for the buffet, so it is easier if you are running a little late for breakfast.

 

There is a way to disembark quicker. If you keep all you bags with you there is express walk off. As soon as the ship is cleared by customs you can disembark and head off to your next destination. You have all your bags so you will not have to go to the pick up area to get them. I recommend this if you have an early flight.

 

You have a choice of many ways to leave the port. You can rent a car, get a ride share or taxi, or take the DCL bus to the airport or to Walt Disney World if you are in Florida.

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW AND REMEMBER FOR YOUR DISNEY CRUISE

IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW AND REMEMBER FOR YOUR

DISNEY CRUISE

 

 These are important dates you should know.

Some are based on your Castaway Club Level. Some are not.

 

Pay in Full Date:

·        Depending on the length of cruise it could be 120 or 90 days before sailing.

·        This information is on your Cruise Confirmation from Disney.

·        This is the LAST day you can pay without Disney Canceling your cruise reservation.

·        If you are a Castaway Member you must Pay in Full by your booking date to be able to book when your booking date opens.

 

Booking Opening Dates:

This is the date you can book Port Adventures, Adult Dining, Spa, Mixology, Tastings, and other things. You MUST be Paid in Full (PIF) to start booking. Dose not matter if the PIF date has arrived or not. It is important to book as soon as you can because many adventures fill up fast! If port adventures and adult dining are not important to you then wait until the last day if you wish.

 

·        1^st time Cruisers:

o   75 days before sailing.

·        Silver Castaway Club Level  (2-5 DCL Cruises):

o   90 days before sailing.

·        Gold Castaway Club Level (6-10 DCL Cruises):

o   105 days before sailing.

·        Platinum Castaway Club Level (11-25 DCL Cruises):

o   120 days before sailing.

·        Pearl Castaway Club Level (26+ DCL Cruises):

o   123 days before sailing

o   Pearl Castaway Club Level is a NEW club level just announced! Added May 1^st, 2024.

 

Online Check-In:

·        What is Online Check-In?

o   This is the date you do your online check-in. You do NOT need to do it on that date. You can wait until you get to the port to do check-in, but it will delay your boarding.

o   Suggest you do it early to make sure DCL has time to check documents and you can upload it again if needed.

o   This is when you will get your Port Arrival Time (PAT).

o   The earlier you do your Online Check-In the earlier PAT and boarding group you will get.

·        Check in date is now based on your Castaway Club Level

·        Pearl Castaway Club Level

o   40 days before the cruise.

·        Platinum Castaway Club Level

o   38 days before the cruise.

·        Gold Castaway Club Level

o   35 days before the cruise.

·        Silver Castaway Club Level

o   33 days before the cruise.

·        1^st time Cruisers:

o   30 days before the Cruise.

·        3 days before your cruise:

o   Last date to do online check-in.

o   Waiting until the last day means you do not get your pick of PAT. You get left overs.

o   Not doing the online Check-In will slow down boarding and delay you getting onto the ship.

Un-Magical Things Happen

 Un-Magical Things Happen

 

Sometimes we plan a trip to be special. We dream, spend time and money to get it all right. Yet things do not always go as planned.

 

Sometimes a Travel Agent makes a mistake in planning the trip. They forget to inform the destination of a need you have, make a mistake in the type of room or some other item that is important to you. Remember Travel Agents are human and make mistakes. It is what they do AFTER you let them know that counts! A good Travel Agent will take responsibility and try to fix the issue.

 

Things happen on vacation. Airlines lose luggage. A  bad experience at with transportation or the staff makes you uncomfortable, the service is not good. The Hotel is not up to your standards. Things are not as shown in pictures. Not a clean as you like or the service is not friendly. You talk to Guest Services and things are not resolved to your satisfaction or they seem to blame shift or have to go to someone else to solve the issue. Long run the problem is not resolved.

 

When one thing goes wrong early in the trip it is easy to see every little problem as bigger. It becomes overwhelming and takes the joy out of your vacation. Is it wrong for you to feel this way?? NO!! Should you give up on that vacation spot for good? That depends on what other people have had happen. Does it seem to be a pattern of poor service? Look closely at your heart and the location. It could be a onetime issue.

 

Another thing to consider is the power of a letter. The destination may not know there is a problem if you do not write a letter and tell them about the problem how can they fix it? There is power in letting the destination know there is a problem. Maybe they can solve it for the next guest. Maybe the destination will give you some compensation. If you used a Travel Agent, tell your Travel Agent about the problems! Your Travel Agent may be able to help resolve the issue. At the minimum the Agent may solve the problem for the next guest and possible future trip for you. If the problems are big enough and the destination is not working with you to resolve it tell your Agent! Send them an email, text, or phone call while you are still there if possible! Maybe they can make a difference. Good Travel Agents will try and do the best they can to resolve issues. Just remember Agents are not magic Workers and cannot resolve all issues, just let us try.

What you should NOT be ashamed of when booking with a Travel Agent

There are two things you should never feel ashamed about when planning a vacation with a Travel Agent. These things are too important to feel ashamed about them.

 

1.      Do not be afraid to ask questions. It is the job of the agent to answer questions. Truly it is the job of a good agent to know and give you the answers to the questions you do not know you needed to ask. No question is stupid unless it is the one you do not ask. No question is too basic. It is YOUR vacation, and you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

2.      Needing to cancel or reschedule your vacation after booking. Life happens, schedules change, people get sick, cars break, jobs change, and kids need braces. Yes, the agent spent time getting necessary information and giving you the information needed to book. They take the time to book and even make special requests. BUT!!! That does not mean you need to feel ashamed or guilty for canceling. It is an agents job, and we know a percentage of bookings will get canceled after deposit.

 

If you do not feel comfortable enough with your agent to ask questions and cancel/reschedule your booked trip, consider changing agents/agencies. They are not a good match for you. Remember it is YOUR vacation paid for with your hard-earned money. It should be your way, at your time, with no stress or pressure. Yes, agents only get paid when a client actually travels. Canceling does reduce their income. But that is no reason to feel guilty.  You should never be just a commission to your agent. An agent should understand life happens. Your vacation enjoyment should be the agent’s priority. A great agent thinks your vacation is as important as their own. Honestly, we agents have as much fun booking your trips and thinking about the fun you will have as we do our own trips!

 

Take the time to get to know your agent. Ask questions. Share vacation goals and dreams. Be ready for the agent to ask questions so they can get to know you and find out what you want/need in your trip.

Disney Cruise Line Adds Pearl Castaway Club Level, Makes Changes to Booking Windows and Online Check-In Policy!

Disney Cruise Line Adds Pearl Castaway Club Level, Makes Changes to Booking Windows and Online Check-In Policy!

Fun changes are rewards are here for returning Disney Cruisers!! Let me share some updates to Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club!!

Disney Cruise Line’s Loyalty program for returning cruisers is called the Castaway Club. The program now has 4 levels as of May 1^st, 2023!

Castaway Club Levels:

Silver: You have sailed 1-5 Cruises {Starts on your 2^nd Cruise)

Gold: You have sailed 5-10 Cruises (Starts on your 6^th Cruise}

Platinum: You have sailed 10-25 Cruises {Starts on your 11^th Cruise)

Pearl: You have sailed 25+ Cruises (Starts on your 26^th Cruise)

Here are the most important things to know about Castaway Club Benefits!

At Home Castaway Club Benefits:

Booking New Cruises:

Silver: 1 day before general public

Gold: 2 days before general public

Platinum: 3 days before general public

Pearl: 4 days before general public

Booking Window Opens for Port and Shipboard Adventures:

If your cruise is Paid in Full you can start booking the extra fun things to do!

First Time Cruisers: 75 days before sailing

Silver: 90 days before sailing

Gold: 105 days before sailing

Platinum: 120 days before sailing

Pearl: 123 days before sailing

Online Check-In Dates:

When can you do your Online Check-In to get your Port Arrival Time!

First Time Cruisers: 30 days before sailing

Silver: 33 days before sailing

Gold: 35 days before sailing

Platinum: 38 days before sailing

Pearl: 40 days before sailing

All Castaway Club Members have:

There is also Castaway Club Communications to keep you up to date on things happening with the Disney Cruise Line.

Dedicated Castaway Club Phone Number – 1-800-449-3380.

Welcome Back Aboard Gift. This will be in your cabin when you board. It does change with your Castaway Level.

Pearl, Platinum and Gold Members also get Onboard Discounts and an Onboard Reception on 8 night or longer cruises.

Platinum and Pearl Members also get free Brunch or Dinner at Palo.

Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences Bringing the Imaginative Worlds of “Encanto” and “Soul to the Disney Magic

Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences Bringing the Imaginative Worlds of “Encanto” and “Soul to the Disney Magic

By: Disney Destinations May 5^th, 2023

From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. In addition to “Encanto” themed entertainment and a “Soul” – inspired lounge, the ship’s concierge accommodations were enhanced with new theming and spacious refurbishments during a three-week dock project in Freeport, The Bahamas.

“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time

Guests can join the fantastical family Madrigal during an all-new immersive experience, “An Encanto Celebration,” designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling. The interactive experience gives guests an opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about Bruno, during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Families can also join a spirited sing-along of beloved “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, Guests can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas along with film-inspired mocktails.

New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment

The heartfelt story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music sport from the film, the Half Note Lounge. The space, located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, instantly transports guests to a classic New York jazz club appointed with decorative details like bricks walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around the stage set for live music, so guests can grab their partner and head to the dance floor for a swinging good time each evening.

The Soul Cat Lounge is adorned with custom artwork from Pixar featuring nods to the film including record labels, concert posters and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates, thoughtful “Soul” – inspired details are subtly layered throughout the design including record players, instruments and Joy’s hat.

Adults can enhance their big city experience with table-side Manhattans and martinis or choose from a selection of native brews and cocktails made with New York spirits. A fun collection of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas are also on the menu. In addition to new drink options, guests can take a bite of Little Italy with an order of zeppoles, the classic Italian pastry similar to a fried doughnut, while enjoying the live music.

Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience

For guests seeking the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.

Shore power technology was also installed as part of the ship’s dry dock project, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s longtime dedication to minimizing its impact on the environment. When available at the port, this will allow the Disney Magic to “plug in” to the port’s electrical grid, reducing the ships emissions.