Help-Did I goof?
Jun 14th, 2001, 02:12 AM
#1
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Help-Did I goof?
I booked a cruise for April 2002 without air because I wanted to choose my own times. I was watching air fares and "poof" the day I need was gone except for the worst times and fares. Has anyone seen this before? I called TA used to book cruise and he was kind of baffled also. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated as I'm trying to decide if maybe to fall back and add air to cruise (which I don't want to do)
Jun 14th, 2001, 04:45 AM
#2
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Lillian, <BR> <BR>It may be helpful for readers if we knew where you were flying. Will your flights be 'open jaw' or are you flying in/out of same city? With diligence, you could possibly find inexpensive air by reading different websites and phoning airlines daily (rates fluctuate 3x/day - at least). More info from you would be helpful to Forum readers.
Jun 14th, 2001, 05:42 AM
#3
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I guess location might be helpful -(don't know where my brain is today). We're flying out of Charlotte, NC into Ft Lauderdale, Fl. We are second in the nation for high fares but over $400 to Fl is a bit much. Have checked surrounding cities without much luck.
Jun 14th, 2001, 05:53 AM
#4
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If you are not flying until April of 2002 your agent should have suggested that you might want to block the air with the cruise line and then if you aren't able to find a decent fare on your own you are covered. If you don't need the cruise lines air you can cancel then. As a general rule you can hold the air until your final payment is due. That is NOT always the case so be sure of your options. The other option is to get a "deviation" which will usually cost an additional fee of about $35 per person and the cruise line will get you the times you want if they are available.
Jun 15th, 2001, 01:53 AM
#5
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<BR>Here's another tidbit Lillian. If you book with the cruise line you will pay more but if you have a problem with the airline such as a strike, walkout, mechanical problems or delay you have the backup of the cruise line. <BR> <BR>April is a terrible time for air travel and this year we all experienced many problems. <BR> <BR>Think of the extra cost as insurance. It is not pleasant to miss your cruise. <BR> <BR>You also receive paper tickets and not electronic. Paper tickets are your contract with the airline. <BR> <BR>Think about this for peace-of-mind. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>
Jun 15th, 2001, 04:01 AM
#6
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Lillian, <BR> <BR>After using f/f miles (first class, no less!) to secure airfare to Ft. Lauderdale from the east coast last March (for a cruise), I learned a very good lesson (the cruiseline air was more pricey than Europe and in addition return flights were not available last Oct. for our March cruise). <BR>I booked airfare for a March '02 cruise one month ago (to Ft. Lauderdale). Price for airfare is $187 p/p...this is on USAir (there was not a sale and there was not a deadline to purchase the tickets). I also requested and received paper tickets.Our departure city is Phila., a USAir hub, as is Charolotte. If you are getting a good value for your April cruise, you may want to keep watching and phoning airlines flying out of Charlotte. Another suggestion is to book your cruise on a different date. If this is not possible, I would still rather book my own air (have you checked for flights one day prior to sailing and one day after debarkation?). In years past, we were pleased with cruise/air - think this has changed dramatically in the past few years. If you want direct flights and a choice in your flight time, I would not rely on any cruiseline. Our t/a totally agrees with this approach! <BR>Try phoning airlines at 12:01 am - the fares fluctuate and rates may be less pricey during this time period. <BR>
