Monday, March 25, 2024

Which Cruise Lines Include Airfare

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Arranging Air Travel Separately

Which Cruise Lines Include Alcohol In The Fare?

Cruise passengers are always free to arrange their own air travel to the departure port, but the cruise line will offer very little assistance should any problems arise. Nevertheless, passengers should inform the cruise line of their travel plans , including airline names and flight numbers. If the flight is on the day of departure and it is delayed, passengers can approach the airline desk and explain the situation, as well as call emergency numbers provided by the cruise line. While there are no guarantees, both the airline and the cruise line will work to resolve the problem to the best of their ability. Naturally, the passenger will be responsible for any additional fees resulting from changing airlines or adjusting flights at the last minute.

To safeguard travel plans, it is best to arrange independent airfare well in advance of the cruise departure: flying in a day or two early, for example. That way, delays do not threaten your arrival on the ship, and you have the opportunity to enjoy a bit more of the departure city before leaving on the cruise. Many upscale hotels will offer transportation to and from the airport or cruise terminal if they are situated nearby, or passengers can buy transfers from the airport to the ship directly through the cruise line.

Cons To Booking Flights Through Cruise Lines

You have far less flexibilityFor standard air transportation bookings, the cruise line’s agent will pick your flights, and you wont have a choice when it comes to which airline youll fly, when youll fly, and whether or not youll fly direct or with a layover.

Also, you won’t likely be able to make a longer trip out of it. If youre booking airfare through a cruise, some cruise lines, like Oceania and Viking, mandate that you arrive the day of your ships departure for certain sailings, unless youre willing to pay a deviation fee to get in a day or more early. Other lines, like, Celebrity, Carnival, and Uniworld, do offer their guests more flexibility from the get-go, such as arriving at the departure port a few days early to explore that city sans an additional fee. Its crucial to speak with a booking agent directly to find out the precise terms of your cruises air transportation program. And if you move forward with the package, be ready to pay for flexibility.

Youll still have to deal with the airline directly to manage your reservationWant to pick a specific seat on your flight, or opt for the vegetarian meal? Youll have to contact the airline directly to manage those aspects of your reservation if you book your airfare through a cruise line. Youll also have to handle checked luggageand the associated feesyourself.

Why Do Some Cruise Lines Not Include Gratuities

The cruise lines know that the majority of cruisers will leave the automatic gratuities on. I personally always do this as I worry about the behind the scenes staff who may be losing out if I remove the gratuities and tip directly the crew members that I see.

When cruising there are often other additional costs, to find out what is included in a typical cruise fare, check out this post: Are Cruises All Inclusive? Your Guide To What Is Included.

To learn more about gratuities, including how they also affect drinks and spa treatments, check out this post so that you dont have any nasty surprises on your cruise:

Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers

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Adding Airfare Through The Cruise Line

The most convenient option if you cannot drive to the departure port is to add airfare through the cruise line itself. All major cruise lines offer these types of arrangements, often with different catchy names: Holland America calls it their “fly cruise plan,” with Royal Caribbean it’s the “air / sea package,” Disney prefers the term “air program,” and Carnival uses the phrase “fly aweigh program.” Regardless of what the airfare arrangements are called, the cruise lines offer several basic amenities to passengers adding airfare to a cruise.

  • Escorted transportation between the airport and the cruise ship is included.
  • Hotel stays for guests sufficiently far from the departure port may be included.
  • Customization of travel dates and specific airlines may be included for an additional fee.
  • Baggage transportation is included between the airport and the cruise ship.
  • Assistance for delayed or cancelled flights will be provided as much as possible.

Depending on your cabin selection, additional amenities may also be available, such as priority boarding privileges or airline upgrades, though these are far more unusual. By booking airfare directly through the cruise line, passengers eliminate the worry associated with possible delays or unexpected problems. This may be a more expensive option, but the convenience of making arrangements for the entire vacation through a single entity is often worth the added cost.

What Is A No

These Cruises Come With Airfare Included

A no-fly cruise is simply a cruise that departs from and arrives back at a UK port. You can pick from many UK cruise ports including Southampton, Portsmouth, London Tilbury, Dover, Newcastle and Liverpool.

There are many reasons to pick a no-fly cruise. A convenient way of travelling, no fly-cruises cancel out all the stress and anxiety that may come from spending time flying whether that be arriving at the airport hours before your flight or worrying about finding the right terminal.

A stress-free way of exploring the world, a no-fly cruise eradicates flying altogether. It is estimated that a quarter of the UK population has a fear of flying but that fear doesnt need to stop you from travelling. You can visit over 450 destinations around the world, without flying.

Want to head off on a world cruise but worried about how much luggage you can take? Fear the moment you place your suitcase on the scales and the numbers it blinks back confirms youve overpacked? With a no-fly cruise from the UK, there are no restrictions on baggage allowance, meaning you can pack as much or as little as you require!

Also Check: What Cruise Lines Go To Hawaii From California

Which Cruise Lines Offer No

Due to the popularity of no-fly cruises, many cruise lines offer itineraries from ports around the UK. Opt for a more intimate cruising experience with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, enjoy traditional cruising with Cunard or choose from family-friendly activities with P& O Cruises and Princess.

Cruise Line

Is Air Included In My River Cruise

September 23, 2015 By Aaron Saunders

More and more river cruise lines are advertising their products as all-inclusive and its obvious to see why. As travellers grapple with fluctuating exchange rates and a litany of additional expenses, river cruisings inclusive nature is as much a draw as the beautiful destinations that these journeys operate in.

But with the term all inclusive comes a great deal of confusion, especially for first-time cruisers or vacationers who might be used to all-inclusive resorts. And the big question that often arises is this: Is my airfare included in the cost of my cruise?

Generally speaking, no.

Now, from time to time river cruise lines or individual travel agencies may do something to sweeten the pot, from discounted airfare to inclusive airfare rolled into a larger package deal. But by and large, airfare for river cruises is still a separate purchase. However, there are three ways you can go about handling air.

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Food On Your Cruise Ship

As mentioned previously, you could happily go a whole cruise without spending anything on food. All the main companies are going to offer you three meals a day in their dining rooms and that is something that you dont have to worry about.

Aside from that, specialty restaurants and snack bars can be charged depending on the liner. This can depend on the demand of the restaurant, location and if it has any famous branding. Food bought from the stores will understandably be chargeable.

Msc Cruises Include Gratuities In The Cruise Fare

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE IN 2021 | WHAT”S INCLUDED IN ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE FARE!

In April 2019 MSC decided to include their gratuities in the cruise fare for people booking from the UK and Ireland. Cruisers booking from the USA may still have to pay gratuities.

SERVICE CHARGES / GRATUITIESService Charge / Gratuities are included in the cruise fare.

TipsMSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

MSC used to charge $12.50 per person per night which was pretty standard within the industry.

MSC Cruises dont include gratuities when booking from all destinations. To learn more about this check out this post:

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Think About What Youll Do If You Miss The Sailing

It’s not a fun scenario to plan for, but if you choose to fly in the same day, missing the ship is a very real possibliity. – Photo by Steve Mason / Thinkstock.com

Cruise lines sell as many airfares as they do by dangling a safety carrot. Most of these programs promise to get you to the ship at their expense if your flight is late or canceled, and they’ll rebook your return flight automatically if, say, the ship arrives late in port because of engine problems or a weather delay. Royal Caribbean International calls its program ChoiceAir, Holland America Line calls its Flight Ease , and Carnival Cruise Lines’ is called Fly Aweigh.

If youre not booking through the cruise line, your best insurance is to arrive at least one but preferably two days before sailing. Also, your travel insurance policy might provide some compensation if there’s a flight delay, but read the fine print before you leave home to evaluate the exclusions.

The Balance Of Cruise Fare And What Is Included In Your Cruise

The clearest piece of advice here is quite evident in that you cant judge whether a cruise is good value for money or not just based solely on the cruise fare. The minimum expectation is that all cruise ships include port-to-port travel, accommodation and food but beyond that, you simply dont know.

There is plenty to consider before your ship sets sail and a company offering a higher fare than another for a similar cruise might actually end up being more value for money. This is where it is worth doing your homework to see what is going to be right for you.

Taking your personal preferences into account is going to be vital. You may prefer to skip excursions and explore on your own, you might not drink alcohol or it could be that you have no interest in going to any specialty restaurants.

Its good to plan out how much each person per day will spend to get the right deal for you and which liner is going to best match your circumstances. Once you do that, you are not only going to have a great cruise vacation but you will also save a lot of money too.

Check out these articles for more information on the costs of cruising:

Also Check: How Much Cost Disney Cruise

Drinks While Cruising The High Seas

This is probably going to be your biggest expense while you are on a cruise, especially if you drink a lot of alcohol. Only a few cruise companies will offer alcohol as part of the cruise price and if they do, the more premium drinks that you can get will incur a charger.

On most ships, all alcohol is charged. Soft drinks can be a little different and vary hugely from ship to ship. All non-alcoholic drinks can be offered, some specific drinks, breakfast drinks or no free drinks of any kind, depending on the ship. Some can offer drink packages that can help to make it cheaper.

Norwegian Cruise Line Flight Assistance Hotline

What

Let’s face it, sometimes unforeseen things happen bad weather, delayed flights and even cancellations. If your flight is changed or a weather-related delay leaves you stuck while you’re travelling to one of our Freestyle Cruises®, don’t panic. The first thing you should do is immediately advise an airline representative at the airport that you are a guest of Norwegian Cruise Line, and you are on your way to join our cruise ship. Usually, they can arrange alternative flights at the airline counter, so you can get to your ship or hotel package destination.

After you learn your new flight arrangements, please contact our “Flight Assistance Hotline” at 1.800.456.7179, as soon as possible, with your new flight. The call is toll-free and our representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please note: This special number is operational only in the United States and Canada. Outside of the U.S. and Canada you may reach us at 1.305.468.2029 and we accept collect calls.

Important: The above numbers are for emergency use only for unforeseen delays. If you have any other questions, please contact your travel professional. NCL is not responsible for any airline delays.

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Laundry / Spa / Gym Services Involving Cruise Staff

Its easy to group these three together as they generally follow the same rule that if a member of staff is involved, then there is going to be a charge. Self-service laundry, the sauna/steam room and gym equipment are usually free of charge.

Using a laundry service, having spa treatments or getting a gym class will often incur a charge though but there are some exceptions to this. Other services, such as using a salon costs extra.

Why Do Some Cruise Lines Include Gratuities

Luxury cruise lines tend to include gratuities more frequently than budget or mainstream lines. This is because of the higher initial price. That said, more mainstream cruise lines than ever are including gratuities in the cruise fare. Gratuities included is often sold as a perk or a benefit of booking with a certain cruise line.

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Cost Of Adding Airfare To A Cruise

Because of airlines’ financial instability in recent years, cruise lines are not being given the volume discounts they once were. For passengers interested in adding airfare to their cruise directly through the cruise line, this means that the cost may be more expensive than if they’d arranged flights separately. Early cruise reservations may offer slightly lower airfare prices if booking through the cruise line, and experienced travelers know that the earlier independent flight arrangements are made, the less expensive they will be.

Airfare costs vary depending on the initial departure city for the airline as well as the final destination in the departure port city. Passengers can expect airline fees of several hundred dollars no matter which city they are departing from, and those fees are higher in busier travel seasons . When booking through a cruise line, standard fees are not included in the price quote and will be added to the airfare at the time of purchase.

How To Cruise For Less

The Hidden Cost of Cruising Whats NOT included in Your Cruise Fare?

While cruising can seem expensive, you should know that its possible to save at least 60% on advertised cruise prices by implementing a series of tips, tricks and hacks.

The fastest and easiest way to learn how to do this is to watch the series of how to videos from award-winning blogger and YouTuber Emma Cruises.

As well as simple video guides Emmas How to Cruise for Less course comes complete with cheat sheets, tools and guides which show you how to save money at every stage of your cruise.

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Find Top Deals On Cheap Flight And Hotel All

Furthermore, cruise vacations may have hair salons. Even more, there might be swimming pools, nightclubs. And there may be yoga, illusionarium, music shows. Other activities include live concerts, youth, and kids programs. The total package price could be even with a fitness club with personal trainers. Or there will be dancing lessons and movies in the cinemas. And it will also include golf, scuba diving. So you receive value for your money with many entertainments.

Expect Less Control When Buying From The Cruise Line

Not all package deals let you choose the airline you fly on. –

When you purchase airfare from the cruise line, you may not be able to choose airlines, flight times, or connecting times unless you pay extra for the privilege. For example, you might find yourself arriving on the morning of departure which is never a good idea rather than a day or two ahead of sailing. In addition, cruise lines sometimes book using “bulk” airfares that may not qualify for frequent flyer miles. If miles and schedule are important to you, booking airfare on your own gives you more control.

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Which Cruise Line Is The Best For European Cruises

  • #1. Seven Seas Explorer. Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • #2. Viking Sun. Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • #2. Seabourn Odyssey. Seabourn Cruise Line.
  • #4. Celebrity Reflection. Celebrity Cruises.
  • #4. Silver Spirit. Silversea Cruises.
  • #4. Viking Sea. Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • #4. Viking Star. Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • #4. Viking Sky. Viking Ocean Cruises.

Viking World Horizons Cruises

$2049 for a 14

Best for: Retirees

Do you have a third of the year to explore the globeand a sizable pension and retirement nest egg to pay for an adventure like this? If so, book this all-inclusive cruise. Theres a lot to love about Viking Cruise Lines: a contemporary, Scandinavian style smaller ships that can get into ports larger ocean liners ships cant reach no casinos and no kids under 18. You also wont find umbrella drinks or intrusive photographers roaming the decks, or any interior stateroomseveryone gets a room with a view and a veranda to sail the world for more than 100 days.

Whats included: On its all-inclusive 136-day World Cruises and 119-day World Horizons sailing tours in 2022, Viking offers free round-trip, business-class airfare and transfers to and from port, visa services, and a $2,000 shore excursion credit. Youll also get 48 guided tours during the stops in 22 countries, a $1,000 onboard credit, 24-hour room service, one shore excursion in each port, and a culture curriculum. After seeing the world, you may be ready to dial things down with an intimate romantic cruise.

Where you can cruise: The Viking World cruise will take you to 27 countries, and World Horizons visits 22, leaving Los Angeles and arriving in London 119 later. Along the way, you will experience just about half of the globe, including New Zealand, India, Jordan, and Greece.

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