Airlines???Getting there on time to board

[Howasaur]

:confused: It getting hard to book a flight to arrive on the day a cruise is leaving. I checked 3 airlines and the earliest same day flight I would arrive at Ft.
Lauderdale, at 14:45 (02.45PM) not leaving much room for flight delays and such. So it appears a lot of cruises lines are suggesting you arrive a day early to no problems occur on boarding day. I have had no problems in the passed but with the fuel problems and airlines cutting back, it now appears to be a issue. Has anyone else notice this?.

[sapper1]

:confused: It getting hard to book a flight to arrive on the day a cruise is leaving. I checked 3 airlines and the earliest same day flight I would arrive at Ft.
Lauderdale, at 14:45 (02.45PM) not leaving much room for flight delays and such. So it appears a lot of cruises lines are suggesting you arrive a day early to no problems occur on boarding day. I have had no problems in the passed but with the fuel problems and airlines cutting back, it now appears to be a issue. Has anyone else notice this?.
When flying from the Great White North in winter to take a cruise, flying in the day before is almost a necessity. The first thing that comes to mind is airports closed due to blizzards but you also want to allow for mechanical delays or for lost luggage to catch up with you before your cruise. Even if the weather is OK in Calgary, you probably have to connect through TO and that is sometimes closed due to storms.
For our cruise to the Baltic next summer we are flying in two days early to allow time to adjust to the time change and to allow our luggage to catch up with us if it decides to take another route.
Go early and relax!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Very true -- we have already gotten 2 notices about flight schedule changes and it isn't even November yet!!

As the months go by -- schedules will get even worse.

For years we have been flying to embarkation ports 2 and 3 days before a cruise.

[wrp96]

:confused: It getting hard to book a flight to arrive on the day a cruise is leaving. I checked 3 airlines and the earliest same day flight I would arrive at Ft.
Lauderdale, at 14:45 (02.45PM) not leaving much room for flight delays and such. So it appears a lot of cruises lines are suggesting you arrive a day early to no problems occur on boarding day. I have had no problems in the passed but with the fuel problems and airlines cutting back, it now appears to be a issue. Has anyone else notice this?.

A 2:45 arrival is way too late to catch a cruise, especially with the new boarding rules, that's if everything goes right. Even before the cutbacks, coming from so far away you would've had issues finding a flight that leaves day of in Alberta and arrives in time for sailing out of Florida (due to distance and time changes). Coming from the West Coast of the US for example, the only options in the past have usually either been to fly in a day in advance or take a red eye in.

[NetwrkEng]

In the past this would have seemed a gamble, especially from Alberta. We won't even try it coming from TN to FLL.

These days it's playing with a loaded gun. And you could blow the first couple of days right off your cruise. :eek:

Get in a day early and "cruise" around on the water taxi.

[beatriz22]

go a day before if you can, Ive just encountred everything from hours & hours, no joke, of flight delays to 2 hours to clear security, all exhausting dont chance it!

[Typhoon1]

I know this costs extra money. However we always make it point to depart 3-4 days in advance just in case of a weather delay. I am not going to be left at the pier while the ship has sailed.

[ikelmay]

Don't even think of leaving the flight this late - there are too many variable to leave it to fate.

[lorekauf]

:confused: It getting hard to book a flight to arrive on the day a cruise is leaving. I checked 3 airlines and the earliest same day flight I would arrive at Ft.
Lauderdale, at 14:45 (02.45PM) not leaving much room for flight delays and such. So it appears a lot of cruises lines are suggesting you arrive a day early to no problems occur on boarding day. I have had no problems in the passed but with the fuel problems and airlines cutting back, it now appears to be a issue. Has anyone else notice this?.
I'm in the same boat as you being from Calgary. I rolled the dice countless times flying the red eye or coming in the same day. After a while I decided I wasn't going to roll the dice anymore...it's too risky. The last time a flew into Florida it was to be the day before the cruise. I made a flight early from Calgary to Denver....but the Denver to Ft.Lauderdale was delayed due to mechanical problems. It looked like it was going to be cancelled and they could not get me on another flight. That totally freaked me out! They did get the flight off the ground several hours late but it makes me wonder if even 1 day ahead is enough now.

[NancyIL]

I was scheduled to fly out of Anchorage last Saturday night. The plane had a mechanical problem that required a part, and that part didn't arrive until the next day! We left Anchorage almost 24 hours later, and got out just in time - due to volcanic ash cancelling many flights into and out of Alaska's airports! My flight arrived in Dallas more or less on time, but my next flight to Chicago also had mechanical problems! After sitting on the plane for 90 minutes, the pilot declared the plane out of service, and we had to wait until another plane was available to leave - 3.5 hours later. I missed my 3rd flight and had to wait 3.5 hours longer for the next flight. Granted, this happened at the end of my trip - but it could've just as easily been at the beginning. For those folks flying to Anchorage on Monday to begin their cruises - some "missed the boat"!

[DAllenTCY]

It's always wise to arrive a day early for a cruise. These days with airline cutbacks, mechanical problems, air traffic control delays, labor problems, etc.
you just can't count on a flight arriving when it is scheduled any more.
David

[sail7seas]

We always fly in two days prior and start our vacation early. I know that isn't possible for everyone but if you can, it's nice to not have the stress of airline not getting you there on time and the bonus is to be in vacation mode when you board.

[mountainmare]

Back in the early days we always flew in same day if sailing from Fla, Philly is a hub with tons of flights. Then we had extra time and started doing the fly in early routine--the last few cruises were inthe Med so we really enjoyed time to explore.
So yes--I agree that it is safest, less stressful and just best to fly in early.
We just booked an 18 day in March, with a day in Rome at the end and the cost of getting a hotel in Ft Laud during spring break we are once again joining the fly in the same day crowd.
We're booked on a 6:30 flight--knowing that there are 6-8 other flights from that airport that will get us there on time--all non-stops.
I would at least look for a red eye to get in early--and be sure to have trip insurance if you need to play catch up.

[Alexat2]

I always arrive at least 1 day early - you don't want to miss the ship! It just isn't worth the risk, and when leaving from a US port and returing to the same one - you're really in a bad situation because if you miss the ship you have to pay a fine to the US government to board elsewhere and catch up with the ship, not to mention the cost of catching up with the ship (even if you HAVE insurance, you have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed). Why take that chance and spoil part of your vacation?

In Sept. I could very easily fly in to San Diego the day the ship departs, I'm only in Phoenix and there are 20 flights a day and it's less than an hour flight. I'm still flying in a day early - flights can get cancelled, strikes can happen, and bad weather, terrorism, etc.. can shut entire airports. Why take the chance?

A good rule of thumb (for me anyway) - if your flight time is 11 hours or less arrive at least 1 day early - if it's more than 11 hours, make it a minimum of 2 days early.

Lydia

[Sailor Gal]

We left the day of on our cruise last Nov. because we were travelling with a group and most didn't want to take off work the extra day. We flew from VA to San Juan and we were fortunate that all went off on time - HOWEVER - I would not risk it again. I was too stressed out ahead of time worrying about it. Next cruise we leave from Ft. Lauderdale and we have already planned to fly out a day ahead of time. We'll spend the night and be relaxed when we board. If something goes wrong we have a whole day to find an alternative. To me I'd rather spend the extra money than worry.

[Sprocket]

Last week I was in Bellingham Airport (small regional) booked BLI to Seattle then on to Reno. The plane sent from Sea to BLI had maintainance issues, and was late, many people on that flight were booked thru to Milwaukee. Don't know if they made it or not, they were told to make a run for it.......

Second leg, maintainance issues again. This time we were moved to a new gate and a different plane. Arrived at the hotel, and wouldn't you know it........ maintainance issues with my room.. But they upgraded me to a suite:D :D

We always go a day ahead, and after that flight I think I will follow KK's advice and probably go at least 2 days if I'm doing coast to coast.

My flight was on a Tuesday and there many announcements that day about flight delays, and the lines at the Customer Service counter were huge. Go early, you don't need a stressful start to your vacation.

[schoolinmy3]

My husband has to fly from the East Coast to the West Coast probably twice a year. He also travels shorter distances throughout the year. Lately, the flight delays have gotten worse. The rule of thumb he follows is if he can drive there in 8 or even 9 hours it's not worth flying! We have a cruise on the 24th out of Seattle. We are actually leaving tomorrow, driving to Baltimore from near Pittsburgh staying overnight and flying out of BMI. BMI has direct flights to Seattle, Pittsburgh doesn't, and the price was right (under $300 per ticket for 7 of us) so it was worth the extra 3 1/2 hours drive. We won't have to worry about connections and surely getting there a week early we shouldn't have to worry about missing the boat! BTW we are travelling down a week early just to spend extra time sightseeing in Seattle with our friends and children before taking the cruise. Can't wait!

diane

[Williebill]

My DW and I had to fly from Tenn. to Seattle a couple of years ago to catch a ship and I was worried the whole flight that something would go wrong. Never again, we now fly to the cruise port at least the day before.

[Himself]

I usually get in a day early and go off on the Water Taxi. I think it is a good policy to get in a day early. I think there are dangers in flying down on the same day.

[WeLoveCruising]

I fly on business nearly every week, and have done so for the past 15 years or so. I can tell you, things have changed dramatically, even from only a year ago.

There are less and less flights, more last minute changes and delays. To add to that, the planes are always full. That means if something happens to your flight, even if (and that's a big if) there is another flight to get you there reasonably close to your originally scheduled time, chances are there wont be a seat for you available on it.

We've done a lot of cruises, and have somehow always managed with our busy work schedules to make it work, even if it meant in the past flying on embarkation day. Nowadays, that isnt an option, and we consider it mandatory to go in the day before (or sooner if we can).

The other thing thing we do, even when going in a day before, is to never take the last flight of the day. It's just too risky to not leave options open.

[WeLoveCruising]

Sorry, just re-read your post. Arriving at 2:45pm isnt just cutting it close, it's just too late, IMHO. I wouldnt even consider it.

[sail7seas]

NO Way. Not a chance in the world I would take that flight. Much too risky.

[mudscraper]

Another travel problem lurking on the horizon will be the availability of airline seats if your flight to your cruise ship is cancelled.
The layoffs and mothballing of aircraft has barely begun. When it is in full effect, every aircraft to your destination will probably be full.
If a flight is cancelled,there wont be any seats on subsequent flights to get us to our destination for who knows how long.

Rich

[airlink diva]

I work for a regional airline and fly stand by to my cruise ports. I would never fly in the day of departure. Like so many others stated, your aircraft could be stuck or playing catch up in another city. Your crew could be coming in on a late inbound. The aircraft had to reroute due to weather in it's flight path,maintance issues,etc
If you are flying in the winter months and coming from Canada, deicing also plays a big factor.
A few years back my family had a reunion on a cruiseship and everyone purchased the cruise air. The cruiseline had them flying in the day of sailing and had half of my family flying into Fort Lauderdale and the other half into Miami (the ship was sailing out of Miami). My parents were on the Fort Lauderdale flight. There was about 15 to 20 other people with very tight connections which cause them to arrive at the ship when the drill was about to start. Mind you my mother was in a panic because her sister and brothers were already on the boat waiting for them. This year when my parents cruise, they flew in a day ahead.
Just find a nice hotel, arrive a day early and then get up on sailing day stress free!!!
Happy sailing!!

[jhannah]

This year when my parents cruise, they flew in a day ahead.This has always been my practice. It's the only way to go, IMO, and even more so in today's flying environment.

[Crusin Susan]

What I totally fail to understand is WHY anyone would put out all the money for a cruise, take days off, make arrangements for everything from the cat/dog care to mail pick up and want to arrive to your ship the day of embarkation? Why not plan to go a day ahead anyway. You never know what day you will go in your garage and your car will not start. Airlines do not have extra planes just lying around to take you to your destination if a plane has mechinical difficulties. Doesn't it make PLAIN COMMON SENSE to pay that little extra, stay over the night before your cruise departs? I've been on several cruises and I always take time to visit the city I'm flying into the day before and make it a part of my vacation. Just makes plain common sense to me.

[twinkletoes4445]

What I totally fail to understand is WHY anyone would put out all the money for a cruise, take days off, make arrangements for everything from the cat/dog care to mail pick up and want to arrive to your ship the day of embarkation? Why not plan to go a day ahead anyway. You never know what day you will go in your garage and your car will not start. Airlines do not have extra planes just lying around to take you to your destination if a plane has mechinical difficulties. Doesn't it make PLAIN COMMON SENSE to pay that little extra, stay over the night before your cruise departs? I've been on several cruises and I always take time to visit the city I'm flying into the day before and make it a part of my vacation. Just makes plain common sense to me.

While I'd never fly in the day of my cruise, not everyone has that option. When we were first married, I worked for a company that required us to select our vacation days a year in advance (we could only take one week at a time), and we did not have the option of tacking an extra day on before or even after my allotted vacation time. Maybe the OP is in this position. Then the only option for going a day in advance would be to take a late-evening flight...if there is one. I couldn't even get off work 15 minutes early prior to my vacation.

So while I think it's a good idea to fly in a day ahead of time, I do know that not everyone has the luxury of doing this. So what may be plain common sense to you...may not be a viable option for the OP. If the OP can get off a day in advance, then by all means, I'd fly in a day in advance.

[Nutrioso]

We have a story like many of the others. We flew in the day of embarkation ONCE. Learned our lesson. Have not done it since and will never do it again. Will ALWAYS travel to the port at least one day prior to embarkation. It's not worth the stress, for me. By the way, we did make the cruise in question, but were nervous wrecks when we got there. ---- Penny

[Terpnut]

Like many others, we always fly in a day or two early. However, if you are like my parents who often fly in the same day (because they don't want to pay for the hotel or don't have the time off), the following are our family's mandatory requirements when flying in same-day. Make sure:

1. You get a direct flight--no connections. Fewer flight segments=lower risk.
2. To take the first flight out in the morning and arrive at the port by no later than noon.
3. There are at least 3-5 later direct flights that will arrive in the destination city before mid-afternoon the day of the cruise's departure. This way, if your first flight is delayed or cancelled, you have some chance to go standby on a later flight.
4. The port is a short distance from the destination airport (30 minutes or less).

Of course most of the above is generally only possible if you live near a major airport or hub that is less than 1,000 miles from your destination city/port. We're lucky because, in the Washington DC area, there are TONS of regular and direct flights to MCO, FLL or MIA.

[benchmarklearning]

I agree with WeLoveCruisin...I fly every week and it has been horrible the past six months and gets worse every week. In the future I will always allow 2 DAYS prior to a cruise. I would estimate that 60% of my recent flights (last 2 months) were either cancelled or significantly delayed due to mechanicals. I typically get booked on the next flight due to my flying status but most flights are totally full. So, chances of getting out on the next flight are minimal, at best.

And, if you are within 8 or 12 hours; simplify life and drive.

[Howasaur]

I want to start the trip off right flying in the day before even though my best half thinks I'm crazy.

Thanks to all for your input.:) :) :) :)

[rplc882]

Caught the Maasdam out of Ft Lauderdale last November and came in a day early and stayed at the Hampton Inn by the airport and they were great, picked us up, took us out that night to eat and got us to the pier in plenty of time. So far our flight for this years cruise has changed once causing us to stay an extra day, believe me its worth coming in a day early nowadays.

[Crusin Susan]

While I'd never fly in the day of my cruise, not everyone has that option. When we were first married, I worked for a company that required us to select our vacation days a year in advance (we could only take one week at a time), and we did not have the option of tacking an extra day on before or even after my allotted vacation time. Maybe the OP is in this position. Then the only option for going a day in advance would be to take a late-evening flight...if there is one. I couldn't even get off work 15 minutes early prior to my vacation.

So while I think it's a good idea to fly in a day ahead of time, I do know that not everyone has the luxury of doing this. So what may be plain common sense to you...may not be a viable option for the OP. If the OP can get off a day in advance, then by all means, I'd fly in a day in advance.
Did not intend to offend. I work for a major air carrier, and if I had just $1 for every passenger I've dealt with that has missed their embarkation and had to catch up with the ship at the first port of call, I could pay for all of my cruises that I've ever taken. It's sad when you see someone that has saved and paid this money, some people are so distressed, they just turn around and go back home. If one doesn't have an extra day, maybe the cruise could be booked within the frame of time they have off, to include an extra day at the port. I've seen children crying, upset parents, all because of weather delays, air traffic control delays, which both are beyond the air carriers control, then there are those that have mechanical delays, which the airlines do what they can, but sometimes your flight may be cancelled then they are squeezing you onto another carrier or another flight that is already full. There are just so many factors. I wish anyone the very best traveling on cruise day. Many people make it with no problem, I just wouldn't even want to begin my vacation with that type of stress. Wishing all the best..........

[twinkletoes4445]

Did not intend to offend. I work for a major air carrier, and if I had just $1 for every passenger I've dealt with that has missed their embarkation and had to catch up with the ship at the first port of call, I could pay for all of my cruises that I've ever taken. It's sad when you see someone that has saved and paid this money, some people are so distressed, they just turn around and go back home. If one doesn't have an extra day, maybe the cruise could be booked within the frame of time they have off, to include an extra day at the port. I've seen children crying, upset parents, all because of weather delays, air traffic control delays, which both are beyond the air carriers control, then there are those that have mechanical delays, which the airlines do what they can, but sometimes your flight may be cancelled then they are squeezing you onto another carrier or another flight that is already full. There are just so many factors. I wish anyone the very best traveling on cruise day. Many people make it with no problem, I just wouldn't even want to begin my vacation with that type of stress. Wishing all the best..........

You didn't offend me. I'm just saying that not everyone has the flexibility to fly in a day ahead of time. I'm sure you've seen it all ... but that doesn't change the facts that not everyone can make an extra day work. I wouldn't cruise without going in two days ahead of time, but that's me. I can do this, others can't. And I understand that.

Edited to add...

I had to go back and read your post (the I responded to). I think the caps in your post were what I was responding to. "Common sense? Why?" Well, not everyone has flexibility to do this, and saying they don't have common sense is a little much. I wish them all well, and I am sure there are people who could fly in early and don't, but I am also sure there are people who just don't have that option.

You didn't offend me, but you may have offended someone who is in the position I am talking about when you tossed in the "why" and "common sense" part.

What I totally fail to understand is WHY anyone would put out all the money for a cruise, take days off, make arrangements for everything from the cat/dog care to mail pick up and want to arrive to your ship the day of embarkation? Why not plan to go a day ahead anyway. You never know what day you will go in your garage and your car will not start. Airlines do not have extra planes just lying around to take you to your destination if a plane has mechinical difficulties. Doesn't it make PLAIN COMMON SENSE to pay that little extra, stay over the night before your cruise departs? I've been on several cruises and I always take time to visit the city I'm flying into the day before and make it a part of my vacation. Just makes plain common sense to me

[Taxguy77]

We have done it both ways. Two years ago at the airport weather was good, trafic seemed normal, and they announced our plane was overhead but couldn't land for a while!:eek: We made the ship during the drill.:D
Last year we embarked in Lisbon and wanted 2 or 3 days to see the city. We went in 2 days in advance and were so tired we slept almost the whole day. Transocean and other international flights seem to have deteriorated more than domestic.:eek:

[mountainmare]

We did just return from an 18 day transatlantic where because of work had to fly in the same day. The choice for us was fly same day, cancel the cruise or lose the job.
I agree that in the best of all worlds it is better to fly in one (or two) days early, but judging by the number of people who successfully get to the ship when flying in the same day I think that to say that it is completely foolish to fly in same day puts too much fear into people who have no choice.
We flew out of Newark in March--when I was asking questions (about important stuff like Total Wine and Publix) I would always get the comment that only a fool would risk flying in same day.
I wish people would be a little more understanding and offer positive advice and not just the "fly in at least a day early" line.
For the OP--that flight was indeed too late.
For others who MUST fly in early--pick the first flight of the day, pick a non-stop if possible, pick a different airport that has a non-stop if possible.
We are pretty close to Philly--but booking thru HAL (great price compared to DIY) we could not get a non-stop, so we drove a bit further to Newark. The major disadvantage was we were tired and got to the dock very early. We usually don't board until mid-afternoon so we did not like not having the rooms ready.

[twinkletoes4445]

We did just return from an 18 day transatlantic where because of work had to fly in the same day. The choice for us was fly same day, cancel the cruise or lose the job.
I agree that in the best of all worlds it is better to fly in one (or two) days early, but judging by the number of people who successfully get to the ship when flying in the same day I think that to say that it is completely foolish to fly in same day puts too much fear into people who have no choice.
We flew out of Newark in March--when I was asking questions (about important stuff like Total Wine and Publix) I would always get the comment that only a fool would risk flying in same day.
I wish people would be a little more understanding and offer positive advice and not just the "fly in at least a day early" line.
For the OP--that flight was indeed too late.
For others who MUST fly in early--pick the first flight of the day, pick a non-stop if possible, pick a different airport that has a non-stop if possible.
We are pretty close to Philly--but booking thru HAL (great price compared to DIY) we could not get a non-stop, so we drove a bit further to Newark. The major disadvantage was we were tired and got to the dock very early. We usually don't board until mid-afternoon so we did not like not having the rooms ready.

This is exactly what I was talking about in my original post.

I hope you had a wonderful cruise! :)

[Crusin Susan]

Again, no intent to offend ANYONE. Only stating what I've seen, and the tears and upset families I've dealt with. To each his own. I hope everyone makes their cruise and do it in whatever way fits their schedule. Many people do not understand the innerworkings of the airlines and feel if their plane is on mechnical, there is another one just sitting around to take them to their port. Sure, some people can't travel ahead of time, however, I usually find that many people don't think to go ahead.....as the storms come and the planes go on mechanicals and the Air Traffic Control delays flights. Only offering advice from the other side. I hope it works out well for Everyone.

[CDRMark]

Obviously, the question cannot apply to someone who does not have the flexibility, either in time or money.
If one has the option, getting there early is better.
Mark

[kazu]

If I am booking my own air (which I usually do - I prefer to know my schedule & choose my seats) I always go at least one day before. If I am going to a new port (like Venice Italy) then I go at least two days before so I can enjoy the city and explore before we leave. If you are going to Florida, there should be some good deals in hotels. I would definitely go the day before, try to arrive in the late afternoon, evening. Even go on Price line to get a bargain hotel room if you want. We are in a recession so prices should be down. You will be rested and relaxed to enjoy your cruise. why go in panic mode, tired, jet lagged, worn out and hope you make the ship? NOt worth it. part of the trip is the enjoyment of getting on the ship.:p

[ottergal]

Like many others, we always fly in a day or two early. However, if you are like my parents who often fly in the same day (because they don't want to pay for the hotel or don't have the time off), the following are our family's mandatory requirements when flying in same-day. Make sure:

1. You get a direct flight--no connections. Fewer flight segments=lower risk.
2. To take the first flight out in the morning and arrive at the port by no later than noon.
3. There are at least 3-5 later direct flights that will arrive in the destination city before mid-afternoon the day of the cruise's departure. This way, if your first flight is delayed or cancelled, you have some chance to go standby on a later flight.
4. The port is a short distance from the destination airport (30 minutes or less).

Of course most of the above is generally only possible if you live near a major airport or hub that is less than 1,000 miles from your destination city/port. We're lucky because, in the Washington DC area, there are TONS of regular and direct flights to MCO, FLL or MIA.

I completely agree with this approach if you have to fly day of. A couple of years ago I went on a Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA and flew from Seattle the day of. I would have liked to have been on the first flight out that AM, but we were on the second - no layover, landed before noon, about 30 minutes to the port from the airport. There were probably 4-6 flights that left later that would have gotten us there on time as well. Honestly, the most stressful time was in the taxi trying to get our way to our ship!

That being said, I am on a cruise sailing out of Rome this summer... and all of us are getting there at least 2 days early (I've got 3 I think) in order to a) see some of Rome before we leave, b) get over that initial jetlag since we have a pretty port intensive cruise and c) not worry about missing that one trans-Atlantic flight per day. But with a 10 day cruise and the travel time, we're all pretty lucky we can take those extra days I think.

[scopewest]

In Sept. I could very easily fly in to San Diego the day the ship departs, I'm only in Phoenix and there are 20 flights a day and it's less than an hour flight. I'm still flying in a day early - flights can get cancelled, strikes can happen, and bad weather, terrorism, etc.. can shut entire airports. Why take the chance?

Lydia

Not to mention fog !!! actually shutting down the Phoenix airport, no planes leaving/arriving for a couple hours when we flew to San Diego in December. We had a same day early flight out (it's only an hour flight!) and two hours after our original flight time, the fog lifted. We did make the ship, but DH said never again, we'll fly in the day before and enjoy SD before we sail.

[Himself]

I usually fly in the day before so that there are no last minute problems at the airport, like weather or overbooked flights etc.

[Taxguy77]

Not to mention fog !!! actually shutting down the Phoenix airport, no planes leaving/arriving for a couple hours when we flew to San Diego in December. We had a same day early flight out (it's only an hour flight!) and two hours after our original flight time, the fog lifted. We did make the ship, but DH said never again, we'll fly in the day before and enjoy SD before we sail.

Please don't mention fog!:eek:
I have been severely inconvenienced several times in South Texas, and it's nowhere near as foggy as Southern California.:(

[DizzyDallasDi]

Not to mention fog !!! actually shutting down the Phoenix airport, no planes leaving/arriving for a couple hours when we flew to San Diego in December. We had a same day early flight out (it's only an hour flight!) and two hours after our original flight time, the fog lifted. We did make the ship, but DH said never again, we'll fly in the day before and enjoy SD before we sail.

Fog in Phoenix? And, bad enough to shut down Sky Harbor! That must have been a sight to behold. I remember it got to 125 one summer I lived there and they shut the airport down. First heat now fog...next up will be that awful brown haze (I used to call it smaze ;) ) causes flight delays. What are the friendly people in Phoenix to do?

Diane

[Kim Fontaine]

Hubby and I have missed the boat twice flying out of Maine: We now choose to fly the day before: Missing half a cruise even though we were in excellant quarters waiting for our ship to "catch up" with us, isn't my idea of enjoyment: We did learn having our cruise insurance is worth every penny. We always buy through our TA and book through our TA: She was most helpful both times:

[mrsltg]

What I totally fail to understand is WHY anyone would put out all the money for a cruise, take days off, make arrangements for everything from the cat/dog care to mail pick up and want to arrive to your ship the day of embarkation? Why not plan to go a day ahead anyway. You never know what day you will go in your garage and your car will not start. Airlines do not have extra planes just lying around to take you to your destination if a plane has mechinical difficulties. Doesn't it make PLAIN COMMON SENSE to pay that little extra, stay over the night before your cruise departs? I've been on several cruises and I always take time to visit the city I'm flying into the day before and make it a part of my vacation. Just makes plain common sense to me.

Well, my husband is a cop and he's full of "PLAIN COMMON SENSE." What he, and his major metropolitan department, are not so full of is time off. While it sounds great to arrive a day early it's not always feasible. I tend to give people credit for having common sense even when they do something I may not necessarily agree with. There are lots of people who have jobs and lives which don't permit that extra day.

[scopewest]

I've lived in the Phoenix area 30 years and it only hit 125 degrees once. The planes were grounded because the charts they use (for whatever) only went up to 120 degrees. I'm sure they fixed them!

[DizzyDallasDi]

I've lived in the Phoenix area 30 years and it only hit 125 degrees once. The planes were grounded because the charts they use (for whatever) only went up to 120 degrees. I'm sure they fixed them!

I was there, too. I remember they said something about not knowing how the planes would react in 125 degrees. I also remember it getting to 122 a few times, but that didn't close the airport. Isn't it crazy that 118 :eek: isn't an uncommon temp in the summer?!? I also remember listening to the weather and hearing them say the low would be 110 that night. Ahhh...but it's a dry heat...LOL!!! ;):D

Diane

[Crusin Susan]

Well, my husband is a cop and he's full of "PLAIN COMMON SENSE." What he, and his major metropolitan department, are not so full of is time off. While it sounds great to arrive a day early it's not always feasible. I tend to give people credit for having common sense even when they do something I may not necessarily agree with. There are lots of people who have jobs and lives which don't permit that extra day.

Again, there was no intent to offend, to All those offended, and there seem to be quiet a few, that was not the intent of the post.......:(