The Pros And Cons Of Booking Cruise And Flight Packages
When you buy a cruise, the cruise line will typically offer you the opportunity to have them also book your flights for you, and they will typically do so at a price that is lower than what you would pay on your own. When it comes to planning air travel, many people find that purchasing a package that includes both a cruise and flights is a more convenient option than doing so on their own. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a lot of fine print to read and that policies can vary greatly from company to company. When it comes down to it, selecting cruise vacation packages that include flights can come with a number of different benefits as well as drawbacks, and we’re going to break them all down for you here.
The advantages of making airplane reservations through cruise lines
It requires less labor right off the bat.
The long and the short of it is that if someone else is buying your travel, you won’t have to go through the effort of trying to discover flights that are compatible with the departure and return times of your cruise.
The prices of cruises are often lower than the prices of other vacation options since cruise lines have access to bulk fares.
Every major cruise line has connections with major airlines that allow them to provide specially negotiated bargains known as bulk tickets. These deals can be far cheaper than the prices you would see if you booked your trip on your own. However, this does not mean that they are always less expensive; therefore, it is essential to carry out some independent research before making a purchase. It is important to note that Royal Caribbean has a policy under its Air2Sea program that assures that you will pay for the lowest ticket available. Additionally, if you find a lower price, you will receive a refund equal to 110 percent of the difference in shipboard credit rather than cash.
There is a possibility that you will fly in business class.
If the cost of your flight is included in the total price of your cruise cabin, there is a good chance that you will be assigned one of the best seats possible on your flight. For example, Regent Seven Seas Cruises provides free business-class airfare for certain long-haul flights to all passengers booked in suites. This benefit is especially useful if you are flying to your destination for your cruise from a city such as New York to Sydney in order to begin your vacation there. There are a number of other cruise lines, like Seabourn, that will also provide enhanced travel options, such as premium economy. You should be aware that the price of your cabin may be higher to compensate for these packages. Because of this, it is recommended that you study airfare on your own in order to get an accurate sense of the worth of the package.
In the event that your flights are delayed or cancelled, the cruise company will assist you in finding alternative transportation.
There is no getting around the fact that if you miss the departure of your ship, it will leave without you. In the same vein, if your ship is delayed in arriving at its last port, your airplane will not wait for you. However, cruise lines often have hotlines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist guests with these types of travel concerns, such as the practicalities of catching up to the ship at the subsequent port or staying in a hotel overnight to wait for the subsequent aircraft back home. What’s the catch? It is vital that you understand the ship’s policy about these types of scenarios before you book a reservation because you can be responsible for covering the additional travel costs.
Be aware that some cruise companies, such as Carnival, may pay for your additional travel expenses even if you miss your departure. This policy is conditional on the reason for the delayed departure. However, if you truly want to guarantee that you will make it to your ship on time, you should plan to arrive at least one day before the ship is scheduled to depart. Additionally, when you return, you should plan to spend an additional night or two in your final port in order to make it to your flight home. Do not overlook the fact that you can reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes by purchasing travel insurance.
Negative aspects of making airplane reservations through cruise lines
You have significantly less freedom
When you make a conventional air transportation reservation, the cruise line’s agent will choose your flights. You will not have a say in the matter of which airline you will travel, when you will fly, or whether you will fly directly or with a layover.
In addition to this, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to extend your journey using this method. If you book your airfare in conjunction with your cruise, certain cruise lines, such as Oceania and Viking, require that you arrive on the day that your ship is scheduled to depart for certain sailings. If you wish to arrive a day or more early, you will be required to pay a deviation fee in order to do so. Other cruise lines, such as Celebrity, Carnival, and Uniworld, do provide their passengers more flexibility from the very beginning of their vacations. For example, visitors can arrive at the departure port a few days early to avoid paying extra to explore the city before the cruise begins. It is essential to chat with a booking representative directly in order to find out the specific parameters of the air transportation package that is included with your trip. Be prepared to pay extra money for additional flexibility if you decide to go ahead with the package.
It’s possible that frequent fliers will be let down.
Because of the flexibility difficulties that were noted before, frequent travelers who choose a specific alliance will not always be able to fly on the airline of their choice even if that alliance is available. In addition, given that cruises utilize bulk pricing, frequent travelers either do not receive award miles, qualifying miles, and qualifying dollars on their flights, or they earn a significant amount less than they would have if they had booked their own flights independently. In a similar vein, even travelers with higher-tier status with an airline might not be eligible for complimentary upgrades. Both scenarios are determined by the fare class that your ticket belongs to, which differs depending on the airline and cruise company that you choose to travel with.
There are frequently hidden costs involved.
If you book your ticket through the cruise line, you may believe that the transfers between the airport and the ship are included in the price of your vacation; however, this is not always the case. Even though every cruise company can organize a transfer for their passengers, the cost of the service is typically an additional fee. (Both Viking and Uniworld will cover the cost of your transfer if you book your flight for the same day that you embark or depart.) In a similar vein, if you are interested in upgrading to business class, you should be aware that the cruise company may require you to pay an additional fee in addition to the price difference in order to do so. If you decide to alter your itinerary in the days leading up to your sailing, you may be subject to penalties levied by both the cruise line and the airline (as opposed to just the airline if you booked on your own).
You will still be required to manage your reservation through direct communication with the airline.
Do you want to select a certain seat on the plane or go for the vegetarian option for your meal? If you book your flight through a cruise line, you will need to get in touch with the airline directly in order to handle the aforementioned components of your reservation. You will also be responsible for checking in your own luggage and paying any expenses that are involved with doing so.
The Crux of the Matter
When compared to finding your own flights, booking airfare through your cruise line can be more convenient and may give a better value. However, if you require flexibility and want to tailor your travel plans, you should do some research before making any decisions. If you want to know for sure whether or not the air transportation that comes with your cruise is the best option for you, it is important to read the small print.
