Flight/Shuttle/Port Arrival/Boarding Question

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, dbrucern said:

To be honest we took the shuttle once, had to load and unload our own suitcases and then stopped at every terminal to pick up other passengers, we won't be doing that again.  However since the bus company contracts with Carnival I am sure they would allow you on the ship just like they hold the ship for excursions that are late but personally I would fly in the night before, stay at a hotel near the airport and uber or taxi to the port the next morning

You loaded your own luggage on a Carnival shuttle?  Never seen that.  Bus drivers are particular on loading luggage and don't let people off at port until luggage is unloaded. The MCO  to PC shuttle always has a second person on the bus to load and unload.  

[Pyxie]

9 hours ago, mz-s said:

Not every ship has a final boarding at 2:30 I guess. Some that cruise out of Canaveral may leave later maybe.

 

If everything is on time and you're not checking any luggage you may be able to make it on time. But if the flight is delayed or if you're checking bags or anything goes wrong at all (like a crash on the highway on the hour long bus ride from MCO to Canaveral), you better make sure your camera is charged. The views of the ship sailing away from the pier are breathtaking.

 

If he makes it on the shuttle, he's ok. It's a Carnival shuttle and they will wait for it just like they wait for excursions.

 

Making it to the shuttle is what I'd be concerned about.

[mz-s]

50 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

 

If he makes it on the shuttle, he's ok. It's a Carnival shuttle and they will wait for it just like they wait for excursions.

 

Making it to the shuttle is what I'd be concerned about.

 

The shuttle leaves at 1. No way he's making it - it takes 15 minutes to get deplaned so 12:45 arrival time is far too late. But yes, if the shuttle gets in a wreck on the highway the ship will wait. I shouldn't have said that.

Edited March 14 by mz-s

[kennystwin]

From Carnival's "Orlando Transfers" in the FAQ:

Airport-to-pier transportation

To purchase Carnival's transportation service, your flight must arrive at:
  • Orlando International Airport: No later than 1:00 PM on the day of your cruise.
  • Melbourne International Airport: No later than 1:00 PM on the day of your cruise.

Transportation service will be provided from:
  • Orlando International Airport between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
  • Melbourne International Airport between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

A couple of  points:

"The flight must arrive no later than 1:00" not just be scheduled to arrive. Big difference. I occasionally fly in same day, but I always have a Plan B, and Plan C, and Plan D (including multiple airlines and airports) or I go in the day before. It doesn't take much for that 15 minute window to slip.

The Orlando airport is big and getting to baggage claim requires a train. Plan on at least 15 minutes from the plane to baggage claim. This assumes you can get off the plane quickly. And you will likely have to navigate around lots of sugared up kids wearing mouse ears.

Check in with the Carnival rep ASAP in baggage claim. If the last bus (1:30?) hasn't left, you're fine. They'll get you on the bus and make sure it makes the ship.

Note that baggage check at the pier stops 2 hours prior the sailing.so expect to carry all your luggage onto the ship.

The 2:30 "Final Boarding Time" is to allow Carnival to prepare the final manifest which MUST be submitted to US authorities 1 hour before sailing. With online check-in, you will be on the manifest, but last minute changes can delay filing and sailing. They want you on!

I hope you purchased your airfare through "Fly2Fun". Carnival will at least be on the hook if delays happen. Keep their number handy.

Lastly, enjoy your cruise! And Good Luck in the Casino! (You are obviously a gambler.)

 

[Butterbean1000]

At the risk of piling on, even if the plane lands on time, remember, it takes a good 15 to 20 minutes or more to just deplane.

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, Butterbean1000 said:

At the risk of piling on, even if the plane lands on time, remember, it takes a good 15 to 20 minutes or more to just deplane.

Especially this time of year in Florida, it can take 20 minutes to deplane, without ANY ISSUES.  Lots of seniors, take lots of time.  MCO you then have to go to the tram that takes you from the gate area to the terminal.  Down two escalators to baggage claim wait 10 minutes (minimum), gather bags, find the Carnival rep go to bus and board.  Way to close.  Hope for an early flight arrival.  Good luck

[Yanicka24]

The last time we did shuttle from MCO to Canaveral even though we booked a time there were so many people and we waited probably an hour before they put us on a bus. There were a lot of crew coming to the airport that day so maybe that made the busses late. We stayed in Orlando the night before and went back to the airport for the Carnival shuttle. Our check in was at like noon at the ship and I know it was after 1 when we got there.  Do NOT cut it that close. 

[asalligo]

I fly often and to be late 15 minutes is nothing these days, I would say near a quarter of my flights land over an hour after the planned arrival. Flying is just not what it used to be, and extra time must be factored in to make a cruise. 

[jimbo5544]

OP, I would love to hear how it goes, your decision on timing and hopefully a happy ending.  Please let us know.

[dbrucern]

20 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

You loaded your own luggage on a Carnival shuttle?  Never seen that.  Bus drivers are particular on loading luggage and don't let people off at port until luggage is unloaded. The MCO  to PC shuttle always has a second person on the bus to load and unload.  

Believe me, we were just as surprised by this as well there was no additional personnel just the driver. It took place at the Ft Lauderdale airport for a cruise out of Miami so we did not take the Carnival shuttle back that we had booked for the end of the cruise

[dbrucern]

23 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

I don’t think this is the same as an excursion, if the shuttle was delayed yes, but if the shuttle departed on time but without the OP the ship isn’t waiting. The shuttle wasn’t delayed.

I was speaking too if he made the shuttle

[Elaine5715]

14 minutes ago, dbrucern said:

Believe me, we were just as surprised by this as well there was no additional personnel just the driver. It took place at the Ft Lauderdale airport for a cruise out of Miami so we did not take the Carnival shuttle back that we had booked for the end of the cruise

The extra loader is only on the MCO-PC PC-MCO shuttles which is a different company than FLL-POM/POM-FLL.  I also have never seen the FLL-POM bus drivers (taken over 20 times) let anyone including Carnival terminal guest wranglers load bags.  You must have gotten an oddity.  

[DukeASUGirl]

On 3/13/2024 at 4:44 PM, Elaine5715 said:

Your flight may or may not land at 12:45 pm but more importantly, you must be at the shuttle pick up area before 1 pm.

If you are on the Carnival shuttle, you will make the ship.  They do wait for the Carnival shuttle.  Your issue will be getting on that shuttle.  It will be at least 20 minutes from gate arrival to getting your luggage.  

Bingo!

 

Will you even make a 1 pm Carnival shuttle if you land at 12:45? Maybe, maybe not. If you are seated right at the front of the plane, aren't checking luggage, and you don't stop to use the restroom in the airport, then maybe. But that assumes you actually land at 12:45 and are allowed to immediately deplane.

[marshalltp]

I assume from the shuttle schedule, that it means.....1 PM departure from MCO and 2 PM arrival at Port Canaveral.  I could be wrong, it happened once before.