SW into FLL for Cruise?

[Dancemom03]

SIL is getting really antsy for flights for her mid-Aug cruise on Freedom. I keep telling her to wait for a DING but haven't seen any going past 7/31 yet.
Current SW internet rates are at $134 > BWI-FLL .

Does anybody know if that's normal lately? We're trying to decide whether to book it tonight or hold out another few days...

Also wondered if anybody might know about the transfers from FLL to Freedom's Miami Port. We're told $56 pp from RCCL. I wondered if a town car might be comparable? Does anybody have any experience with the transport issues involved by chance?

TIA

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I'd definitely book at $134. If the fare drops, you can rebook and get a credit.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I'd definitely book at $134. If the fare drops, you can rebook and get a credit.

ITA

I'm actually cruising on Freedom 8/19. I booked the first leg the day they went on sale for $150 pp ISP-FLL. A few weeks ago the price dropped to $89 so I rebooked and got the credit. Now I'm just waiting for it to open up past 8/24 and I'll use the credit towards our return leg.

As far as transfers, did you check cruisecritic? I got the name of a towncar service that I plan on using but I can't remember the name at the moment.

 

[Dancemom03]

Thanks, it looks like you'll be getting on board right after we get off. I hope your trip is wonderful!

We have a wdw trip planned 6/27 until 7/15-ish. I say 7/15-ish because, like you, I am still waiting on return air for that trip. No big deal as long as I GET there. It's not like I'm in that big a hurry to come home anyway.

The FLL SW fare sounded high to me but I'm more used to our $29-$49 DINGS into MCO. Like my kids, I guess I've become a bit spoiled by SW and WDW trips.

I booked their air at the $134 each way this morning but even after all these years, yesterday was a real eye opener regarding how different people look at travel.
They're really anxious and bothered and need to have everything locked in up front with no changes or decisions. By contrast, I tend to wait until I see a good deal open up and don't mind switching airports or dates if neccessary.

SIL said no way would her family go in Saturday night to even save $300-$600 and no way would they use a SW credit to fly again in the next year - it's every 3-5 yrs for them.
I told her it would be a dirty job but I didn't mind using that nasty ol' credit for her in that case...

They're really tense about the whole transfers thing and not flying into MIA like they did last time. That glass is definitely half empty cause they're instantly imagining the worst. It really was sort of comical listening as SIL and her hubby discussed it. After just 10 minutes they both had headaches and money became no object for them Now I know why they can't do it more often.

I guess I should feel sort of guilty though - for me, the planning and getting good values are part of the fun so I guess I gave them too many options when they asked me...

 

[dcgrumpy]

I hear ya about the prices, it killed me booking the flight for $150 one way. LOL. The last few years we've been able to fly our family of five to MCO for less than $600 roundtrip. At least this trip is only myself and DH .I'm still hoping for a DING!

We're flying in Saturday afternnon, so we can have a good nights rest before we board. I was able to book the Intercontinetal for $125.

I still ahve to buy tickets for our October WDW trip. I hope those aren't $150pp each way when they go on sale. I don't want to spend $1500 on airfare.

 

[MAH4546]

Southwest does a great job of making people believe they always have the lowest fares.

I don't know if going out of Regan or Dulles will be a substitute, but right now American's fares for non-stop flights out of Regan/Dulles to Miami (much easier to use than Ft. Lauderdale if you are going to the Port of Miami) is $180 round-tip in mid-August (I used the dates 10 August outbound/20 August inbound).

EDIT: Didn't notice the flights were booked and they wanted to avoid MIA (which would have saved them significant hassles, because not only is it a quick cab ride to the port, but FLL has become a mess due to runway congestion and overcrowding).

None the less, a future thing to remember: Southwest isn't always the cheapest. They've made a name for themselves convincing consumers they are. It is often the case they aren't.