Flights through DCL into FLL/MIA?

[cymru3]

We will be on an August 2024 cruise out of FLL. Because routes out of there are still very new, there's very little information available and it's stressing me out as I'm a major planner!

I can see that DCL offers the chance to add flights to your booking. A few questions about that option:
1. Does the cost of the flights get added to your total balance, or do you pay off the flights when you book?
2. Are the flights generally the same price as whatever is available on the carrier's website when booking direct?
3. Would booking flights through DCL offer some kind of "protection", for example, if the flights are delayed and we miss the ship, or if the ship is delayed and we miss our flight home?
4. FLL or MIA airport?

 

[auntlynne]

I fly Delta and take care of my own plans. But I also do my own cruise and hotel booking.

There are benefits to using cruise line‘s air programs, most notably their effort to hold a plane for delayed flights or get you to the next possible port.

Ft Lauderdale is and has been a major cruise port. DCL may not be ready to handle flight arrangements? but Disney is a small player in that market - airlines and hotels are already accommodating cruisers year round.

I pick Delta due to my home market. Wherever I go, I am 99% going through ATL. Then it’s less than 2 hours to FLL. The terminal Delta uses was just refurbished, making it a pleasant arrival.

I also prefer FLL airport to MIA when cruising from Port of Miami.

Fort Lauderdale has the airport, hotels, and cruise port within short drives from point to point. No 45 min+ drive, like Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral.

While you don’t always save money buying airfare long in advance, you might save money on your hotel (and have more choice) if you go ahead and book a no-deposit cancelable hotel room. There are plenty of hotels with airport shuttles.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We book our own domestic flights. Overseas we use DCL. They do add the cost of those flights to your cruise. Depending on what type of flight you book-flexible (you can change flights or get them refunded up to a certain point-payment due when you pay off your cruise) or restricted (you pay up front-no refund). You must also purchase DCL insurance with their flights or at the very least they highly recommend you do. If there are certain flights or carriers or schedules you are interested in at a price point, they will work with you. Definitely price shop, do your homework. And call them for all the specifics. I know when our cruise was canceled due to the pandemic, we got a full refund on all our flights-no problems-at all, while others in our cruise group that booked independently, fought with airlines for months or only received vouchers as compensation.

As for FLL v. Miami- I have never cruised out of FLL yet, just Miami. Price point from here, and I usually fly Southwest, as we have a small regional, very convenient airport is super cheap to go to Miami. Once again do your homework a bit on your own and then give them a call.

 

[lanejudy]

Generally speaking, the benefits of booking your flights and ground transportation through DCL is that DCL may hold the ship for a delayed flight, or will work to get you to the next port that will allow you to board.

There may be some caveats to that...I forget the details but there was a poster a few years ago who was delayed arriving for a transatlantic cruise; DCL could not get their party to a port to board the ship so they did end up missing the cruise.