Airfare: with or without? Your thoughts, please

[newbycruiser]

Purchase a cruise with or without airfare?

I can save $400 if I do it myself, or if I can get Frequent Flier seats on the flights I need, I will only have to pay for one! (Any hints on Frequent Flier mile awards-USAIR-if the'yre still around...)

Is it true if you purchased airfare with the cruise, and the plane is delayed and you miss boarding the ship, they have to get you there regardless?

If you purchase it on your own (or are there travel agencies that work like expedia or travelocity to get you the best deal on airfare?) and your flight is delayed, could you take a puddle jumper to Key West and hook up with your cruisin buddies?
(7 Day Western)

DH would have to take Delta (different FF airline than ours), and they don't get in till 10:18AM...

your thoughts?

 

[prymsu]

1. Yes you will save a lot of money by purchasing your own airfare! If you purchase airfare through DCL, they will be responsible to get you to the ship on time, or to the next port. Whichever is most likely I believe...I have always purchased my air separately. We fly in the day before, because there is no way that i want to worry about flight delays and so on. In iowa the weather is also not predictable either...

 

[mcnuss]

I used my USAir FF miles for our trip in November. I have every confidence they will still be around then. We are flying in the night before and I used Hyatt points to get us a room at the airport Hyatt. I'd feel confident booking on your own if you came in the night before; arriving on the am of the cruise would make me a wreck.

 

[SingingMom]

Another reason we purchased air separately was that DCL could not guarantee a "non-stop" flight. I hate to fly to begin with, so I really needed to know that I would be up and down once! Our travel agent said it was pretty safe to book your own air, as long as it wasn't the middle of winter. We took the first flight, but next time I would fly in the day before, just to be extra safe!

 

[MrsG]

We booked through DCL for our air. The flight down on US air was great and a rep meets you right at the terminal and your luggage is brought directly from the airport to your room. The downside was going home to NY were had a connecting flight in Pittsburgh. Our first flight was at 1PM and we didn't get to NY until 5:30 (a 2-1/2 hr flight if direct). We also did not sit next to eachother on the flight from Orlando to Pittsburgh and the plane was full so nothing could be done. I do have to say, however, that the connection was painless and the flights were on-time. You might want to consider booking through DCL one-way down (to insure that you make the departure) and doing the return on your own (I'm not sure if this is possible)

 

[ZebraStripes]

We purchase our air separately. It allows us more flexibility in schedules and departing airport (we are between two major airports). I also shop around quite a bit finding the best bargain. We fly out the day before the cruise as a precaution against unpredictable New England weather and fly back a day or two afterwards. We also rented from Avis which allowed us to hit the local Super Wal-mart to stock up on a few things before the cruise.

 

[Whiskers]

Where is the Super Walmart? That sounds like a really good idea.

 

[Irishmom23]

because of all the reasons above. Direct flight, MUCH cheaper as you can look for bargains, and the flexibility. DCL does not guarantee a direct flight, and when flying with children I rather be on a flight right to Orlando. I also fly down the night before as it gives us time to sleep a little later on cruise day (once we were up at 3 AM for a 4AM pick up for our flight from Boston on the same day as the cruise. Makes for a VERY long day!!) We stay at the Hyatt, and are able to use the DCL transportation. Also as stated, there is no worrying about getting there in time if there are any unexpected delays. On the cruise we flew in on the same day as the cruise,we had purchased DCL transfers even though we booked our own airfare, and were met at the terminal by the DCL reps and taken to the bus. Our luggage was retrieved from baggage by DCL, so we never had to worry about it until it got to the room! We like the convenience of the DCL transfers so we ususally opt to purchase it for the cruises, though others have stated there are cheaper alternatives

 

[bennett]

We booked air ourselves also-I searched for good fares-I like to know when I am flying and that we will all sit together ahead of time-DCL doesn't let you know what flights you have until way too late--in my opinion--we also went the night before just to be safe-We had Yourride pick us up at airport and at ship so we could just go-we didn't want to wait until the bus was "full" for it to head to the ship or upon returning, to head to the airport---we arrived at the ship early and was about 25th in line-sure we had to wait for them to board but it was so nice to get on the ship and explore before the crowd came---

 

[DisneySlave]

Originally posted by Whiskers
Where is the Super Walmart? That sounds like a really good idea.

I cant believe I'm doing this not being a Walmart fan but anything to help my fellow Dissers.

http://www.walmart.com/cservice/ca_storefinder_detail_directions.gsp?edit_object_id=771&serviceName=

 

[jwolfe]

I agree with most everyone on purchasing your flight separate from DCL. When I and my TA researched it, it was way cheaper to book that way. That being said, we are driving in because my dh has a "fear" of flying. Not because of Sept.11 or anything, we flew to Hawaii in '93 and he said he wouldn't fly again, didn't sit to well with him, I think . Also, my aunt went on DCL Magic 2 years ago and they just about missed the ship (arrived 1 hr before ship leaving). Their flight was delayed (due to connections) and from what she told me it was pretty hectic trying to get there. So.......definitely try to fly in the night before, this will alleviate any of those problems.