Since most of you do not live within driving distance to popular embarkation ports, one of the most important decisions to make when booking a cruise is whether or not to purchase the air package offered by the cruise line.
As with everything else, there are pros and cons.
Following are some of the PROS of booking your air through the cruise line.
--No hassles with trying to book your own air and making sure air arrival and departure times will coordinate with the ship's itinerary.
The cruise lines will make sure your flight coincides with the ship's itinerary.
--No worries about transfers from airport to port.
Most cruise lines include this wonderful perk when purchasing their cruise/air package.
Depending on how far the airport is to the port, it may be worth it (money-wise).
--Additionally, the cruise line will pick up your luggage and transport it to the port.
However, if this is the only reason you are purchasing the cruise/air packages, "transfers" can be purchased separately.
--No stresses if the flight is delayed (that never happens, right?) and you miss the ship.
The cruise line will bend over backwards to make sure you board at the next port or even delay the ship's departure time.
--No out of pocket fees if you decide to cancel the cruise prior to the cruise line's penalty phase.
Most cruise lines will reimburse both your cruise fare and air fare in full.
Following are some of the CONS of booking your air through the cruise line --Most of the time, the air package offered by the cruise line is considerably more expensive than booking one's own air.
Even with the transfers included, it may not be worth it.
This is not always the case and a good travel agent will always research both options.
Surely you have stopped reading by now.
All you needed was the "considerably more expensive" statement and the decision was made to book your own air.
If I haven't scared you off yet, read on..
..
--The flight schedule will not be available until just a few weeks prior to sailing.
The cruise line will decide who the carrier will be as well as the flight times.
Additionally, if airlines have overbooked the day of sailing, the cruise line may have client depart the day before the sailing date.
If this happens, the cruise line will pay for your hotel stay as well as other incurred expenses.
There is a way to get around this (if you want to pay).
Paying a deviation fee (normally $50.
00) plus any difference in air fare (if any) will give the traveler some control, but at what price? Any deviation also requires, at minimum, 90 days notice.
--Frequent flyer miles cannot be used when booking your cruise/air package, even if you pay a deviation fee.
--When traveling as a group, the cruise line will not guarantee that your group will be on the same flight.
The only guarantee given is that all passengers within the same cabin will travel together.
Have you heard enough to make a decision? ALWAYS ask your travel agent to research both options so that an informed decision can be made.
Happy Sailing!!! ADDITIONAL TIPS --If booking your own air, it is best to arrive a day early.
Travel agents may have great deals on air/hotel packages.
If that's not an option, to be safe, try to book flights which arrive in the port city before 1:00 PM and depart the port city after 1:00 PM --Ask your travel agent how far the airport is to the port and how much a cab ride costs to make an informed decision about transfers.
--Always purchase travel insurance through your travel agent to avoid losing your vacation investment due to unforeseen setbacks.