Hi, it is my experience, that the airfares should go down in late Jan/Feb, maybe into March. The current flight prices are insane, and if they don't come down we may not be able to go!!!!
Also, I would highly recommend flying in at least one day early. Too much can happen on an international flight.
We are flying out of NY/NJ as well, so if I see anything I will post it! But last summer we did pay close to $1k per person to fly into mainland Europe.
Kristen
We just returned from a week on the Fantasy in the Caribbean and I cannot wait for the next cruise. I am sitting here, in our house, wearing a hat, sweatshirt, light weight jacket and dreaming of warm St. Thomas...We are also coming from NJ, close to Phila... hence the chill.
Since I cannot go back to the ship right now, I will do the next best thing...plan the next cruise with intensity! I spent hours working on this yesterday, on the phone with Disney and with Costco, our TA. Here are our conclusions....
We have not yet purchased air fare, but will soon. I think we will go US Air, direct from Philly to Barcelona, but coming home on US Air we are routed through one of the Carolinas because the only other US Air flight leaves too early the morning we return to Barcelona.
We plan to fly in, arriving the morning of the 21st, stay at the Renaissance so we can use the Disney transfers from Airport to Hotel, Hotel to port and Port to airport...that is fairly reasonable at $360 for a family of 4 including luggage handling. The price at the Renaissance was much lower through Disney than if we booked the same rooms independently...and since most hotel rooms have a max occupancy of 2 plus a crib, we have 2 rooms. $1400 through Disney versus over $1800 on our own.
We will likely book air on our own because of 1) using the miles, 2) Disney will not tell you how you will fly, whether you will have layovers or plane changes, until 45 days out and they want $7000 from us just for airfare for 4....wow!
On another note, my sons will be 10 and 13 on the cruise. They are both summer birthdays and we will be "celebrating" on the ship. My younger son was not thrilled with the Oceaneer's Lab last week except when his buddy was there, but my older son was beyond thrilled with Edge...and with having his own wave phone. (note to self. both boys need cargo shorts so they have a place to put their phone.) My younger son made a huge connection with a boy of the same age BEFORE getting on the ship. They face timed and may be life long friends. It made all the difference for him.
I would be more than happy to introduce them to other kids...Facetime opens up the world.
Matthew will be 10. He loves sports, video games, Minecraft and being silly.
Clarke will be 13. He loves to read, listen to music and play music (electric bass and Double Bass), plays video games and Minecraft, etc. He is a little more reserved than his younger brother and seems to do better in smaller groups of peers than larger.
Pamela
thanks, Lauren x
