Should I book my own airfare when planning a cruise or buy airfare through the cruise line?

Question

$499 per person is the airfare price through the cruise line I'm finding no matter what website I check or travel agent I talk to and it seems high.

Answer 1

There are certain advantages with booking with the cruise lines..
But there are also certain advantages with booking air on your own.

1. If you are traveling in the winter I suggest the cruise line air. If flights get delayed or cancelled due to weather, it is the cruise line responsibility to get you to the ship, or the next port of call.

2. If you are traveling in the spring or summer and you are departing from miami...or tampa...it is ok to get separate air...if the prices buying it separate are less than the cruiseline air, the 30.00 a person transfer is not worth it...you are about 10 minutes from the cruise port and a cab is more than sufficient. Plus, you will be at the cruiseship while the others taking the transfers are waiting to load and unload.

3. If you are departing from Port Canaveral or Jacksonville, I would do the cruiseline air, they include the transfers and the cab ride will cost more than the transfers that are provided....

4. Keep in mind though, that WHEN you do use the cruise line air in any circumstance, it is alittle comforting to know that they are somewhat responsible for you and that can make your trip less stressful...

Hope this helps you...

Answer 2

There are usually benefits if you book the air with the cruise line. For example, it will usually include your transfers as well. While it doesn't make up for all of the extra costs, it is something. It also depends on where you are coming from and where you are going to, comparatively, it might be about the same as buying it on your own.

The main benefit to booking air with the cruise line is if there are delays. First of all, the airlines knows the best times to have the flights, if the airline changes the flight or something, the cruise line has to get your flight switched (if you will no longer arrive in time for the cruise) If you book it on your own, this is something you will have to try and do, sometimes the airlines are willing to help, other times they may charge fees and such. But more importantly is if your flight leaves late and you arrive late to the port. If you book your own air, the cruise is allowed to leave without you. However, if you book the air with the cruise line, they then monitor your flight and if you are still coming in at a decent time (not something like the next day) they will wait for you before they depart. I've been on many cruises where the departure was delayed because of a flight coming in late. Right there is the biggest plus, spending a little extra on the cruise so that you don't lose out on it completely would be very nice. (Even so, it is still very important to get travel protection, especially on a cruise)

You will probably find that no matter what agent you go with, the air is going to be about the same. Most agencies only offer the air that the cruiseline sells. Since all the financial problems the airlines have been facing, they don't give agents commission. So, for an agent to sell you air, they will either sell you air from their suppliers, or air that they find on their own, but there will be extra fees. So, you are going to find that most agents have the same flights and prices. Still, I think that an agent is well worth it, whether or not their is a price difference, either in your favor or not, you could find that the agent is priceless later on. I would never travel, especially on a cruise, without using an agent.

Back to your air, I would first check to make sure transfers are included and see if there is anything else. If so, I would definitely consider the air, it is just a lot safe for you than booking it on your own. While saving money sounds great now, it would be bad to find yourself in a situation later where you wish you paid the extra money.

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Generally, a good travel agent can find you a better deal than a cruise line. For instance, we were just looking at a cruise and airfare from STL to NYC. Published fares were as low as $128. The cruise line had a "special" for $199. Hmm. Airfares are up an average of 15% compared to this time last year. Fuel costs have skyrocketed. Where is the $499 trip you're considering? That might be the going rate. The longer you wait to buy, the more it's going to cost. If you want help, visit www.magiccarpet.travel and contact Rob thru the website.

Answer 4

Normally cruise companies have a deal with airlines and they offer the package depending on the deal they have . It is supposed to be cheaper but you can find a cheaper airline or even a promotion in the same airline. If you find a cheaper airticket you can buy it on your own and save some money.

Just make sure to ask if 1. Is just the airfare? sometimes the "package" includes any insurance in case you can not take the flight (because of an airline problem) and loose the cruise, if you buy the airticket on your own and you loose the flight you may loose the cruise and have not refund. Also may include a hotel night, taxi etc etc.
2. Verify the date and Hour of the flight you are buying yourself to make sure it fits with the cruise schedule and are cheaper (maybe in the same day you may find a cheaper one but not at the time you need it) 3 make sure that the cruise and the airticket you buy are cheaper than the package (some times ithe package is the airticket, a night at a hotel so you are on time for the cruise and the cruise).

If after making sure everything fits and is cheaper go a head and save some money buy the airticket on your own.

Answer 5

Depends on how long till you leave. If it is 6 weeks or less, I would go ahead and go with the cruise line, just for simplicity. If it is more than 6 weeks, stop searching it for a week or two and go back (for some reason prices tend to go up based on queries and your own queries can affect prices in the short term). The biggest tip I can give you is leave the night before you cruise and get a hotel, so your life is easy the day of your cruise. This will take a ton of stress out of your trip and it will most likely eliminate the need for insurance (in case you flight is delayed significantly). Make sure you try using www.kayak.com. searches all the sites and direct sites for flights.

Answer 6

Consider instead driving to the port, especially if you are on the east coast. I usually drive and break the drive up into 2 or 3 days and do a visit on the way so its not too tedious. Then drive about 100 to 150 miles from the port city the day before the cruise and the remainder the day of the cruise. There is plenty of parking at the ports for about $12 or $13 a day.

Answer 7

Check the prices going on your own. If the difference is only a few dollars (for me, I'd say $25 per person), it's probably easier to go through the cruise line. They will pick you up and get your bags at the airport and deliver them to your stateroom, so you don't have to worry about getting a cab and dragging bags around etc.

If you can get a much better deal by booking yourself, then by all means, do it that way. Just make sure you book a flight that will get you to the port city early enough to catch the boat. Transferring may take longer if you are doing it on your own.

Enjoy your cruise, it's a great way to vacation!

Answer 8

The price with the cruise line is generally higher than what you could get on your own. However, if you plan to fly in the day of the cruise departure, it's still a good idea because you're protected if the flight is delayed. We always book our own air, fly in the day before, relax in the hotel, and get on the ship early (you can always get on before the time the cruise line tells you). This way, we are relaxed and aren't missing the whole first day of the cruise because we're tired and stressed.

Answer 9

A principal advantage to booking air with the cruise line is their cancellation policy. Most cruise lines will refund the deposit 60-90 days prior to sail date when the final payment is due. If you book air as part of the cruise package, you can cancel the air when you cancel the cruise, as necessary. If you book a non-refundable air ticket on your own and have to bail out on the cruise, you can get stuck for the air.

In general, I have found (after 24 cruises) that cruise air or on your own air is pretty competitive. Sometime the cruise line can do better, sometime not. Regardless, the difference is not huge.

Answer 10

I like to book through the cruise line so I don't have to deal with all the crap. I was told that if you book through the cruise line, any additional charges due to delays (ie. you can't get off the ship in time to catch your plane) is absorbed by them. I think of it as a less headache insurance policy.