This will be our second cruise on Carnival in November. I was thinking about booking the flight with the cruise, but when I go to book on line I never saw anything that told me what time the flights are. Is there a way to find out before booking or do I need to call to find out this information?
When I have booked my flight and cruise with Carnival direct together I have not gotten my flight Info untill the Cruise Docs arrived Approx. 2 weeks before sail date. That was ancient history though. I do know they will alter your flights if you need to stay over.
Mandi,
The cruiselines usually do not know the flight schedule until closer to sailing. If you do want particular flights, then after receiving your documents or before they are issued you can call your agent or Carnival (depending on how you booked) and request the air deviation dept. They will try to accomodate you, but there is an air deviation charge usually 35.00-50.00 per passenger.
I would suggest to check the prices between the cruiseline air (which includes the transfers from the airport to port and back) and getting it on your own and flying in a day early ..sometimes the savings of booking on your own will just about pay for the hotel for the extra night. Then you will be refreshed and not rushed when you embark the ship the next day.
Originally posted by Cruise Specialist:
Mandi,
The cruiselines usually do not know the flight schedule until closer to sailing. If you do want particular flights, then after receiving your documents or before they are issued you can call your agent or Carnival (depending on how you booked) and request the air deviation dept. They will try to accomodate you, but there is an air deviation charge usually 35.00-50.00 per passenger.
I would suggest to check the prices between the cruiseline air (which includes the transfers from the airport to port and back) and getting it on your own and flying in a day early ..sometimes the savings of booking on your own will just about pay for the hotel for the extra night. Then you will be refreshed and not rushed when you embark the ship the next day.
The problem I am finding when trying to book on my own is the only return flights I am finding are too early, or 4pm or later and I don't want to have to hang around the airport all afternoon. I have found a couple flights around 11 or noon but I am a little uncomfortalbe about those...any advice?
For my money, book your own air. To tag along with Carol's points, you are pretty much at their mercy when it comes to flights, times, and schedules. Plus having to pay extra $$ to deviate is crazy.
The cruiselines get their rates in "bulk" from the airlines and 9 times out of 10 is more expensive than you will find if you did it on your own. Not to mention if you live in a city that offers non-stop service to your cruise port, you will have to change planes somewhere, if you book your air with the cruiseline. I guarantee it.
As Carol stated, the transfers are included if you book air with the cruiseline, but for me, I would take a cab. You'll be at the port before the bus even leaves the airport. And you probably saved that cab fare booking your own air.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is a fantastic service that allows guests to book air and cruise together, but if you are going to fly in a day or two early, book your own air. Hope I helped!!
You didn't say what port your cruise is at. Noon flights may be perfectly safe, but it depends on what airport you are using. For instance, I have no concerns booking a flight for 11am or noon if am cruising from Port Everglades or Miami and leaving from FLL or MIA.
In many cases, the seats you get if the cruise line books your air will be on those late afternoon or early evening flights. Those flights are usually less desired and therefore the airlines will offer those seats to the cruise line for the bulk pricing.
You didn't say what port your cruise is at. Noon flights may be perfectly safe, but it depends on what airport you are using. For instance, I have no concerns booking a flight for 11am or noon if am cruising from Port Everglades or Miami and leaving from FLL or MIA.
In many cases, the seats you get if the cruise line books your air will be on those late afternoon or early evening flights. Those flights are usually less desired and therefore the airlines will offer those seats to the cruise line for the bulk pricing.
Thanks Dave, we are leaving from Miami so I feel much better about 11am or noon
we booked our air with the cruise two years ago and everything went rally good had nice seats left early from minnesota got there and went right to bus and to the ship worked out great
we are doing the same in oct
We have used the cruiseline air service before nad now try to do it ourselves. We always thought by using their air that they were responsible in case of a delay to get you to the ship. Wrong. Even if you have their insurance you are not exempt from penalties involved if you miss the ship.
The only good thing is if for some reason your plane is delayed chances are so are a lot of other passengeners so the cruiseline will delay sailing to wait for them. This has occured to us a few times.
By arranging your own you can get better flight times, non stop, and save some money. We have found that the money saved will more than pay for a room to go in a day early and be rested and ready to go the next day. Most hotels also have free shuttles from the airpot and to the dock. Some even give a complimentary breakfast.
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