| An air-sea cruise is when your cruise vacation has | | | | bulk and usually provide a discount package rate, the |
| been booked with airline reservations to get you to the | | | | ticket price is generally lower than what can be found |
| ship's port and back home again. The cruise line buys | | | | in the general market. The transfer of luggage is |
| its tickets in bulk from the airlines. They find out where | | | | easier, and a free shuttle will take you from the airport |
| you are coming from for your cruise travel and book | | | | to the docks for your cruise vacation. |
| you passage from a nearby airport to one close to | | | | The cruise line will have your flight information and will |
| the cruise ship's home port. Each cruise line has its | | | | be able to track your flight in case of a delay. Others |
| own policy on how they deal with the sale of airline | | | | on the cruise might be on the same flight and they |
| tickets, so here are some cruise tips in that area. | | | | might just hold the ship waiting for you to board. The |
| What is the cost of the tickets if I book them with my | | | | biggest advantage is that if anything goes wrong to |
| cruise? | | | | delay you, the cruise line will generally become more |
| The amount will be quoted when you book and will be | | | | involved in getting you to the ship. |
| shown on your bill. | | | | There, of course, are disadvantages as well to |
| If I need to cancel, are the refund policies different for | | | | booking an air-sea package. You might be able to find |
| the plane tickets than for the cruise? | | | | a better deal on your own, or you may have to fly an |
| No, as long as you cancel before the penalty phase | | | | airline you don't like. You will not get credit for frequent |
| begins. | | | | flyer miles by going through the cruise line, and you |
| Is there a service fee charged to have the Cruise Line | | | | might not be able to fly non-stop. Finally, you might end |
| issue my Airline reservations? | | | | up flying a longer route than you'd pick for yourself. |
| Only if you use their air deviations plan. The fee is | | | | You could book your own airline tickets, but only do so |
| around $50.00 each. | | | | if you can get a better deal. The strongest |
| Do I have any choice in which Airline is used? | | | | consideration should be how confident you are in being |
| Yes, if you use there air deviation plan. | | | | able to make it to the ship for your cruise vacation on |
| Can I get credit for my frequent flyer mileage if the | | | | your own. If you are already flying in a few days early, |
| cruise lines books my airline reservations? | | | | know you'll be there on time and you can save over |
| No. You can use your frequent flyers if you book on | | | | the air-sea on plane tickets and shuttle costs, then you |
| your own. | | | | might just consider going it alone. But, remember you |
| Can I fly nonstop or have any control over the route | | | | are going it alone. In many cruise reviews it is |
| that is taken, or do I just get what ever they find? | | | | recommended that you book your airline reservation |
| Here again, use the air deviation plan. | | | | with the cruise line. |
| How do I get from the Airport to the ship's pier? | | | | The cruise lines will be more likely to make |
| If you have booked an air/sea cruise vacation the | | | | accommodations and work with the airline if their |
| cruise lines will supply you with a voucher for a shuttle | | | | booking didn't get you to the ship on time. They will be |
| bus. If you booked your own airline reservations it will | | | | better able to track your late flight and might even |
| be up to you to get to the port. | | | | delay the ship if they know you'll only be slightly late. |
| Is there a shuttle service available from the airport | | | | There have been many cruise vacations that have |
| where you'll be arriving? Is there a charge for this | | | | delayed the departure from port especially if there is a |
| service or is it included? Is the service included if you | | | | large group of cruise travelers on a late plane. |
| don't book your flight through the Cruise Line? | | | | Depending on the circumstances, they might even |
| If you book your flights through the cruise lines, there | | | | rebate some of your cruise or give you a discount |
| will be a shuttle and youuse your transfer. | | | | toward your next cruise vacation with them. However, |
| How and when do I meet up with Cruise Line | | | | the airlines are independent contractors. Most cruise |
| personnel? | | | | conditions of carriage state that since the airlines are |
| They will be standing in the baggage claim area and | | | | independent contractors the cruise line makes no |
| will hold a sign with the name of the ship. They will | | | | warranty and assumes no responsibility for any failure |
| direct you to the shuttle. | | | | or delay in their contractor's services. This is another |
| How is my luggage handled, do I have to pick it up at | | | | reason to purchase a strong trip insurance package. |
| the airport or is it automatically sent to the ship? | | | | When you book your own airline tickets for your cruise |
| You will have to pick it up at the airport and then the | | | | vacation, if the route you picked to make it to the ship |
| shuttle will take it to the ship with you. | | | | fails, you are on your own. Don't risk missing your |
| What accommodations, if any, are made if the Airline | | | | cruise travel over a few frequent flyer miles. No |
| they use causes me to miss the ship? | | | | matter how you get to your cruise vacation, try to |
| If you have booked with the cruise lines they will | | | | avoid this situation by booking a flight that leaves you |
| accommodate you by getting a hotel room for the | | | | plenty of time to get you to and from the pier to the |
| night and a flight to the next port. | | | | airport. It is recommended that your go on the internet |
| There are many advantages to booking an air-sea | | | | and read the many cruise reviews on this subject. |
| package for your cruise travel. The cruise line takes | | | | Happy Cruising! |
| care of the airline reservation. Since cruise lines buy in | | | | Copyright |