Originally Posted by Often1

Updating; That connection at CLT is within MCT, but way outside SCT (Sensible Connection Time). A minor delay due to a wind shift and you may be sitting at CLT for a good long time waiting for the next flight.

If you are meeting a cruise, I would not under any circumstances book connections or direct (if there are any), but rather stick with a nonstop. Every time you get on and off a flight, the risks of delay increase and delay, in the case of a cruise can mean a lot of heartache. Nowhere is this more true than up and down the East Coast of the US.

It is also unlikely that AA has filed fares permitting multiple connections on the route and thus, once you hit a second connection, your ticket is likely priced end-on-end and the costs will jump quite radically.

Finally, it is not likely worth you while to do any serious flight planning until 45-60 days out. Cancellations and schedule changes may make what is an easy trip, quite hard. Also suggesting that you build at least a solid day into MCO.