A Cruise Vacation That Can Include Airline Reservations

An air-sea cruise is when your travel holiday has been reserved with airline reservations to obtain you to the ship's port and go home again. The cruise line buys its tickets in large quantities from the airlines. They find out where you are coming from for your cruise travel and book you passage from a nearby airport to one close to the cruise ship's home port. Each cruise line has its own rule on how they deal with the sale of airline tickets, so here are some cruise guidelines in that area.

What is the charge of the tickets if I book them with my journey?
The amount will be quotation when you book and will be shown on your bill.

If I need to cancel, are the refund strategies different for the plane tickets than for the cruise?
No, providing you cancel before the penalty phase begins.

Is there a service fee payment to have the Cruise Line issue my Airline reservations?
Only if you use their air departures plan. The fee is about $50.00 each.

Do I have any choice in which Airline is used?
Yes, if you use there air deviation plan.

Can I get credit for my frequent flyer mileage if the cruise lines books my airline reservations?
No. You can use your frequent flyers if you book on your own.

Can I fly continuously or have any control over the route that is taken, or do I just get what ever they find?
Here again, use the air departure plan.

How do I get from the Airport to the ship's pier?
If you have booked an air/sea cruise vacation the cruise lines will supply you with a voucher for a shuttle bus. If you booked your own airline reservations it will be up to you to get to the port.

Is there a transport service obtainable from the airport where you will be arriving? Is there a charge for this service or is it included? Is the service included if you do not book your flight through the Cruise Line?
If you reserve your flights through the cruise lines, there will be a shuttle and you use your transfer.

How and when do I gather with Cruise Line personnel?
They will be standing in the baggage claim area and will hold a sign with the name of the ship. They will direct you to the shuttle.

How is my baggage handled, do I have to receive it from the airport or is it automatically sent to the ship?
You will have to receive it from airport and then the shuttle will take it to the ship with you.

Somewhere to stay, if any, are made if the Airline they use causes me to miss the ship?
If you have reserved with the cruise lines they will accommodate you by receiving a hotel room for the night and a flight to the next port.

There is much compensation to booking an air-sea package for your cruise travel. The cruise line takes care of the airline reservation. Since cruise lines buy in large quantities and typically provide a concession package rate, the ticket price is generally lower than what can be found in the general market. The transfer of baggage is easier, and a free shuttle will take you from the airport to the docks for your journey vacation.

The cruise line will have your flight information and will be able to track your flight because of a delay. Others on the cruise could be on the same flight and they may just hold the ship waiting for you to board. The main advantage is that if anything be a failure to delay you, the cruise line will generally become more concerned in receiving you to the ship.

There, of course, are disadvantages as well to booking an air-sea package. You may be able to find a best deal by yourself, or you might have to fly an airline you do not akin to. You will not obtain credit for frequent flyer miles by going through the cruise line, and you might not be able to fly continuously. Lastly, you might end up flying a longer route than you'd choose for yourself.

You can reserve your own airline tickets, but simply do so if you can find a better deal. The strongest thought should be how certain you are in being able to make it to the ship for your cruise vacation by yourself. If you are already flying in a few days early, know you will be there on time and you can save over the air-sea on plane tickets and shuttle costs, then you might just consider going it alone. But, remember you are going it alone. In many travel reviews it is suggested that you book your airline reservation with the cruise line.

The cruise lines will be more likely to make lodging and work with the airline if their booking did not get you to the ship in time. They will be able to track your late flight and might even delay the ship if they know you will only be slightly late. There have been lots of cruise vacations that have late the departure from port in particular if there is a large group of cruise travelers on a behind schedule plane.

Depending on the situation, they might even refund some of your cruise or give you a discount toward your next cruise vacation with them. However, the airlines are self-determining contractors. Most cruise conditions of carriage state that since the airlines are independent contractors the cruise line makes no warranty and suppose no responsibility for any failure or delay in their contractor's services. This is one more reason to purchase a strong trip insurance package.

When you reserve your own airline tickets for your cruise vacation, if the route you selected to make it to the ship fails, you are by yourself. Do not risk missing your cruise travel over a few frequent flyer miles. Despite how you get to your cruise vacation, try to avoid this situation by booking a flight that leaves you plenty of time to get you to and from the pier to the airport. It is suggested that your go on the internet and read the many cruise reviews on this subject.