happy2travel

My grandmother and I are planning a trip to Britain this May. Initially, we were just going to fly round trip from New York (I live in New York and she lives in Florida) to London, and then she would go on to Florida.

But recently we have considered taking a transatlantic cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale and ending in Amsterdam. That would mean that we need air from Amsterdam to London, and then we have to return from London to Ft. Lauderdale. (I will book my RT air from NY/FTL.separately.)

The problem is the cost of transportation. It seems that going from Amsterdam to London and then London to Ft. Lauderdale is much more expensive than going R/T NY to FTL.

Does anyone have ideas for less expensive airfare? I have tried Expedia, and Orbitz will not price air originating outside of the US.

Any suggestions for cost saving on airfare (or other transportation) would be most appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Gardyloo

The only major airline that offers reasonable one-way flights from Europe to the US is Aer Lingus. There are several inexpensive airlines that will get you to one of the London airports from Amsterdam, then Aer Lingus will charge around US$500 to New York. Her return to FLL would be extra.

Before that, though, contact the cruise line. Most will offer one-way airfare as an "add-on" to the cruise, usually way cheaper than you can manage on your own.

Patrick

Exactly, this is what cruise lines do -- provide one way flight service. Otherwise they'd never get people to take cruises!

happy2travel

That's what I would normally do, but the cruise ends in Amsterdam so the cruise line offers flights home from there. I need to fly from Amsterdam to Londan, with a stay in Britain for approx. 2 weeks, and then fly back to the east coast.

ira

Hi happy,

The TA through whom you are booking your cruise should be able to do the return trip for you.

Patrick

You're flying Amsterdam to Miami with a stopover in London. I can't imagine why that should be hard for either the travel agent or the cruise line it is booked through. If it is a problem, I'd strongly re-think that cruise line!

qqqsal

You might want to try something like www.cheapseats.com or cheaptickets or others. Don't give up yet. Also, I've been told that prices might come down in February. Good luck.

happy2travel

qqqsal, thanks for the advice on the website. I will certainly look into it.

ira, I am not using a travel agent and would like to do this myself, which is why I am asking for advice. This message board has always been very helpful.

And, of course, lots of things can be done ...but at what price? If money wasn't an issue, I wouldn't even be asking for help.

nytraveler

Can you book a cheap flight - or train or something from Amsterdam to the UK - then a cheap RT from London to FL and back - and throw awy the second half of the ticket? I would think that the airline web sites would allow you to do that - if you use your London hotel as your address.

JoeTro

EasyJet will get you from Amsterdam to London.

Mamamia

Yes, EasyJet will do it for VERY VERY cheap. But then they don't fly into Heathrow, only to a small airport (forgot its name) from which you have to take a bus (or taxi) to Heathrow.

Patrick

I'm still curious, happy2travel, if you've contacted the cruise line company. I'm still trying to imagine they're not being able to find a way for you to do this, or are you saying they have but it is too expensive? Especially with it being a cross Atlantic cruise, I can't imagine that they don't arrange some good airfares to help sell their "package"?

ira

Hi happy,

Cruises are one of the few areas of travel where I would recommend a TA.

My Lady Wife's family has been using Ising's Travel for two generations.

2441 N Federal Hwy
Boca Raton, FL 33431-7713
Phone: (561)734-2202

They are cruise specialists.

ParrotMom

If you have you travel agent deal with the "deviation desk" for a fee they will arrange it. The problem is and I'm in the middle of the same dilemna is one way fares are very expensive..

Spygirl

happy-have you tried www.cruise.com? They are the net's largest cruise specialists, and I know people who have gotten very good deals from them.

janis

I agree the cruise line should be able to work this out for you. IF your problem is that they will only offer you a flight home from Amsterdam - I don't see any problem w/ that.

Go from A'dam to the UK for your two weeks and then take a cheap flight, the train, or even a ferry or back to Holland to fly home.

happy2travel

ira, thanks for the TA suggestion. If I find ir impossible to arrange this on my own, I might try it. I have been booking my cruises on my own for quite a few years, but have never sailed on a transatlantic, so I have never had this dilemma.

Parrotmom, I was thinking about dealing with the deviation desk directly. But, as you said, there are no great airfare deals to be had that way. Sometime, closer to the sailing, the cruiseline runs a special, but I really don't want to bet on that.

Spygirl, I have not tried cruises.com. I have only dealt with cruisequick.com, which I have been very satisfied with. However, they are internet only (no phone contact), and this situation seems a bit too tricky to navigate that way. If cruises.com has a phone number, I might just call them.

Janis, I really didn't think of that. Probably because my grandmother is 87, spry though she is,and I am trying to keep the transportation down to a minimum. Your plan would entail another leg to the journey.

How difficult is it to take the ferry or train, and how long would the travel time be?

Thanks again to everyone! I knew that I could count on you for suggestions!

ira

Hi H,

>How difficult is it to take the ferry or train, and how long would the travel time be?<

Do you mean from Amsterdam to London?

See www.eurostar.com. Also check with www.raileurope.com.

happy2travel

Thanks Ira, I'll look into it this evening.