Expert: Linda - 11/3/2006

Question
hey linda......i probably already know your answer to this question.  but, a bunch of people and I are going on a cruise jan.7th - 14th.  we will be arriving a day early, but I am having a huge problem with finding an affordable flight back home.  last year our flight was at 1 pm and we had a couple of hours to spare also.  but, would a 10:35 am flight be cutting it way too close or do you think we can make it?  also, this is NOT booking it through the cruise line.  thanks.

Answer
Kyler, I'd say 10:35 would be fine....IF you booked thru Carnival.  Since you're not, that's really cutting it close considering you don't know what the security requirements will be by then....if there is a threat anytime soon = longer time to clear security.  Have you thought about maybe staying over another night and balance that cost against the cost of the more expensive flight?  Maybe your flight might be less expensive then.  I don't know where you're from, but I"ve also talked to people on cruises that rented a large van and drove home.  Although it took longer they said the guys split the driving and they saved big bucks.  That's also a thought, though not if you're from California :)

Some others have found flying out of Orlando was less expensive and rented a car, drove there (3 hrs), dropped the car off and picked up their flight in Orlando.

I wish I could tell you "go for it"...but we both know that's not the smart thing to do.  WAY too much stress after a great vacation!

Linda