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We scoured cruise line air policies and stacked up the pros and cons to help you make the decision that works best for you. Ready to take advantage of world-class itineraries and cruise packages? With flights reserved using Princess EZair®, you’ll benefit from even greater convenience and cost savings. Start your journey with simplified booking and affordable flight options that best complement your cruise by considering where and when you set sail. Whether you’re traveling solo or looking for the best group cruise deals, let Princess help create your best vacation yet.
Low Fares on Flights
What makes this easier than searching on your own is that it eliminates the headache of figuring out timing the flights to match your cruise schedule -- both coming and going. Seat AssignmentsSeat assignments are controlled by the airlines but may be requested for most flights in the Flight Ease® system based on the availability in the airline’s reservation system at the time of booking. We recommend that guests contact the airline(s) directly once you receive your air confirmation if you require assistance to request specific seats. Seat assignments are not guaranteed and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline without notice due to schedule changes, equipment changes or other unforeseen circumstances.
Cobranded Cards
After the cruise final payment due date, fees up to the full cost of the ticket may apply. If you are that person who flinches at handing over the details of your trip to someone else, air packages are probably not for you -- especially if your travel plan has complications. Group travel, small children, special seating needs or special dietary requests are best handled independently, in most cases. Booking independently is also wise if you prefer a specific airline or airline group. If you have status or air miles accumulated, booking independently allows you to manage your own upgrades without the restrictions caused by the cruise line's low fare deal with the airline.
If you book through a cruise line, you won't get to choose the flight.
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Some flights and fares are not displayed due to the limitations of the system, available airline tariffs, and cruise requirements and parameters. Another value that cruise lines sometimes offer involves arrival support. If you book the flight through the cruise line and then experience a travel delay, the cruise company might help you rework travel arrangements or meet up with the ship at the next port city.
*FLIGHT EASE® OFFERS TWO BOOKING OPTIONS:
Royal Caribbean claims that its airfares are so competitive that it will refund you 110% of the difference in onboard credit if you can find a cheaper flight. It makes sense that cruise lines' in-house travel agencies can get access to the lowest rates or bulk fares not available to the general public. TransfersSeabourn’s Flight Ease® program includes group transfers between the airport and the pier on the day of embarkation/disembarkation. For deviations in air arrival/departure schedule, group transfers will be forfeited; private transfers may be purchased through Seabourn if desired. Seabourn land/hotel programs include appropriate transfers between the airport, hotel, and pier. Government-Issued IdentificationFor security reasons, first and last names on an air booking must match the government-issued identification used for boarding.
Factors affecting optimum cruise speed and altitude include payload, center of gravity, air temperature, and humidity. Cruise altitude is usually where the higher ground speed is balanced against the decrease in engine thrust and efficiency at higher altitudes. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported its highest flight cancellation rate in a decade in 2022.
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For instance, the cruise line might offer to help make sure you meet up with the ship, even if your flight gets delayed due to weather. Or it could help you rebook flights if plans change, due to mechanical or weather issues, during the cruise. And while itinerary-altering problems are rare midcruise, they do happen, and you might prefer the peace of mind afforded by cruise line air. For some cruises, you may have little say in the flight times, or number of connections in a trip. Other cruise lines, however, offer a program that gives you more flexibility. For instance, during a set time period before a cruise, you might be able to search for a flight and select the one that best fits your schedule.
Specials
For guests with Seabourn’s Flight Ease plan, name spelling corrections may result in a higher air rate, loss of space and/or change fees. A travel agent is also a great choice when getting to your cruise requires multiple flight connections. Your agent will handle the reservations to ensure you get where you're going easily and successfully. They can adjust itineraries on your behalf to make sure you have plenty of time between flights to reach your next gate and are available to contact should problems arise.
Cons of Air Packages
Other cruise lines seemed a bit vague regarding what assistance would be provided. Should you or shouldn't you relinquish control (and the headaches) of booking your pre-cruise flights? The deals and the simplicity of booking your cruise and flight together via cruise line air packages certainly look tempting, but there's always that nagging question of whether one-stop shopping is the right way to go.
After a cruise, you might opt to remain for several days in the disembarkation port city before or after your cruise, which will allow you a bit more time to explore and relax. Cruise lines make this easy with pre- and post-cruise tour packages and hotel stays, often bundled with your air/sea arrangements. You don't need to research hotels, arrange transportation or put together an itinerary, as the cruise line will handle the arrangements for you.
A long layover in one place or complicated travel plans might make you tired and stressed before you even start to sail. A higher-priced ticket that is a direct flight could mean fewer meals at the airport, resulting in a better overall deal. If you fly frequently and have status with a particular airline, booking an air package is almost a guarantee of the lowest fare class ticket, which moves you down the upgrade list, not up. In addition, your ticket might not be upgradeable even with miles or money. Cruise lines bargain for low airfares by accepting what are essentially no-frills group tickets that make your status almost worthless.
Cancel flexible airfare up to 45 days prior to departure with no fees. Plus, book flights now with no amount due until cruise final payment. That's what makes booking flights and a cruise together through the cruise line so reassuring. Booking airfare and cruises together is also a refreshingly simple process. Passengers just need to call up a cruise line representative directly to make their cruise reservations and receive flight options that suit their plans.
Cruise lines will not charge you service or convenience fees to book your flights through their air departments. You only have to pay the airfare and the applicable airline taxes and fees. The cruise line's travel department has the back of all cruisers who purchased flights through them. If your flight is delayed due to weather or a mechanical problem, agents will assist you with rebooking. Should the flight issues lead to you missing your ship, the line will make arrangements to get you to the next port of call.
If you are interested in greater flexibility when booking an air schedule, our Flexible Fares may be the option you are seeking. If you are sure of your plans and are looking for potentially lower air rates, our Restricted Fares may work best for your travel schedule. Available exclusively to booked Seabourn guests, Flight Ease® allows you to choose the best flight options from a variety of comfort levels for your flight, including Business Class, at extraordinary values. Whether you buy plane tickets on your own or enlist the help of a cruise line's air department, it can be useful to take some time to look at commonly overlooked or misunderstood points. Read along as we decipher frequent misconceptions about flights for cruises and reveal the best ways to plan for smooth travel.
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