THE FAMILY GETAWAY / JANUARY 2027
All aboard
Mardi Gras.
One week in the Caribbean. First, let’s get everyone through Friday at school and onto the ship without the scramble.
VACATION JAN 2027
Cruise map
Explore the five saved stops in sailing order.
The original Google Maps list is also available above.
Saved stops
- Port CanaveralJan 23 & 30
- NassauJan 24
- Half Moon Cay HarborJan 25
- Amber Cove Cruise PortJan 27
- Carnival’s Celebration KeyJan 29
THE WEEK AT A GLANCE
Trip timeline
Port times are from the booking confirmation and can change. Follow Carnival’s onboard instructions.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
School first, then Florida.
Anastasia and Gavin finish the full day. Pack the car Thursday and plan around the later pickup.
Fly Friday evening
Look for a nonstop to Orlando. Start with Richmond (RIC), then compare Reagan (DCA) and Dulles (IAD) if the flight leaves late enough.
Drive Friday after dismissal
Split I‑95 with a hotel near Savannah or Pooler. Leave early Saturday so there’s time for stops, parking and boarding.
THE TRAVEL DECISION
Fly vs. drive
Compare round-trip costs for all four of you from the Fredericksburg area. Both plans start after school Friday.
YOUR ESTIMATES
What each route adds
Fly to Orlando
—
Drive I‑95
—
Starting numbers are editable planning estimates. Airfare, hotels and transfers are unbooked and unquoted. The travel totals exclude excursions and onboard spending. Time covers both directions, including transit and waits, with hotel sleep excluded.
OPTION A · FRIDAY NIGHT FLIGHT
Fly Friday, sleep near MCO.
- Fri, Jan 22 After the later pickup, head to the airport. With a 3:30–4 PM departure from home as a placeholder, start by searching for a RIC nonstop around 7:30 PM or later. For DCA or IAD, start around 8:30 PM or later and check Friday traffic, parking and bag-drop cutoffs.
- Sat, Jan 23 From your Friday-night hotel, take a prebooked ride or shuttle to the port. Confirm the hotel holds the room for late check-in. The port is about 45 minutes from MCO before traffic, waiting and loading.
- Sat, Jan 30 Look for a mid-afternoon MCO flight for extra room after debarkation. Carnival’s published minimum is 12:50 PM if using its MCO return transfer.
Flight times are search filters. Check for an actual nonstop with four seats and a backup before booking.
OPTION B · TWO-LEG DRIVE
Drive Friday, split the trip.
- Fri, Jan 22 Leave around 3:30–4 PM if both pickups allow. Allow roughly 8½–10 hours with stops to the Savannah/Pooler area. Expect midnight or later and confirm the hotel will hold the room.
- Sat, Jan 23 Allow roughly 4½–5 hours with a stop. A 6:30–7 AM start puts the port around 11 AM–noon in normal conditions. Use your actual Carnival arrival window and check the Final Boarding time before committing.
- Sat, Jan 30 Debark, get the car and head north. Allow roughly 13–14 hours with stops. Price a return hotel if you want a shorter day and a Sunday arrival.
A late Friday and early Saturday make this a tight split. Build in time to rest, and check traffic and weather before leaving.
SIDE BY SIDE
The trade-offs
| Factor | Fly | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Friday school | Full day if the flight clears pickup, traffic and airport buffers. | Full day. Leave after the later pickup. |
| School during cruise | Plan for up to five school days away, Jan 25–29, and a Monday, Feb 1 return. Verify both school calendars. | Same dates. A return overnight can still leave Sunday to get home. |
| Parking | RIC economy parking or a ride to the airport. | Official Port Canaveral garage or a quoted off-site shuttle lot. |
| Walking & waits | More transfers, terminals and standing. Ask the airline and hotel about shorter walks and seating. | Drop family and bags at the terminal before parking, if permitted. Schedule stretch breaks. |
| Saturday margin | Already in Orlando after a successful Friday flight. Book the hotel and Saturday transfer separately. | Still several hours from the port. Traffic, rest and the boarding cutoff all matter. |
MAKE IT YOURS
Edit the estimates
Enter full-family amounts unless the label says per person. Add taxes, fees and tips to any real quotes.
Parking defaults checked November 5, 2026. RIC parking · Port Canaveral parking · Carnival transfer times
ONE THING AT A TIME
Family checklist
Get school sorted early, then handle the little things that make travel day easier.
Changes are saved in this browser.
BOOKINGS, NOTES & OPEN ITEMS
Trip details
Keep what’s settled separate from the things you still need to check or book.
Cruise booking
Paid in full- Ship & stateroom
- Carnival Mardi Gras · Balcony
- Travelers
- Rita, Chris, Anastasia & Gavin
- Paid to Carnival
- $1,810, including $476 prepaid gratuities
- Dining
- Unassigned on confirmation. Check your preference in Carnival.
- Online check-in
- Look for it around Sat, Jan 9 (14 days before sailing). Save the arrival appointment, boarding passes and luggage tags.
- Port terminal
- Port schedule lists Terminal 3, 220 Christopher Columbus Dr., Cape Canaveral. Confirm the assignment and Final Boarding time on your pass.
Easier boarding & shorter walks
Assistance to confirm- Start with what would help. Ask Kristina or Carnival Guest Access for a shorter walk, a place to sit while waiting, and the meeting points for boarding and debarkation. Request wheelchair assistance only if you want it.
- Ask about timing for all four. Have Carnival explain what assistance they can arrange, whether the family can stay together and what arrival time to use. Priority boarding is still unconfirmed.
- Check port days separately. Ask about tendering at Half Moon Cay and walking distances or transport at other stops before choosing excursions.
- If driving: ask about passenger drop-off and accessible parking. Review the port’s separate fee-waiver criteria if you have a placard by sailing.
THE FAMILY TRACKER
Confirmed vs. tentative
Change a status when you have the details in hand. A preferred route is a planning choice until you confirm it below.