You may have been hearing about the challenges within the airline industry lately, which has prompted some of you to ask specific questions about the potential advantages or disadvantages of booking your air through the cruise line or land tour operator. So, I thought I would put together a short Q & A on the subject.
Underscoring this whole conversation, it should be well understood that cruise lines do NOT operate their own planes. They have no control (and are every bit as frustrated as you) when the airlines cancel flights or change planes at the last minute. So, with that in mind….
Q: Can I get Premium Economy, or Business/First Class Seats?
A: Yes, but first some definitions. Domestically we have 2 classes of service. Internationally there are three (or more depending on the airline).
- Economy – “Cattle Class”.
- Premium Economy – this compares to Business Class on domestic flights. The seats are wider, with more leg room, and you get priority check-in and priority boarding. It is NOT the same as the domestic airline’s cash grab of charging you an extra $100 for the first four rows in the economy cabin and giving you an extra one inch of legroom.
- Business/First Class – this varies between carriers, but it is usually the lie-flat pods for overseas flights.
Q: Will I get a better price on flights through the cruise line?
A: Maybe. Most of the cruise lines offer flights at market rates, meaning the price on economy air is almost always the same as you can get on your own (although occasionally they have a better price). For Premium Economy and Business Class, it is more likely the cruise line will have better pricing than you can get directly with the airline.
ALSO… some cruise lines offer air buy-downs. Viking is most well-known for this, where you pay a reduced, fixed rate for flights. In this case, it is certainly cheaper to do your air through the cruise line. However, even Viking is slowly adjusting this practice – particularly on the Ocean side of their business.
Q: Do the cruise lines deal with all the airlines?
A: No… and this is what sometimes causes problems. The cruise lines have contracted rates, and sometimes those rates are only with one airline alliance. That might work just fine if you are flying to and from a place well-served by that carrier. However, if your origin and destination are served by a different airline, you may be better off doing your own air.
Q: If I take the cruise line’s air, will they hold the ship for me if I’m late?
A: NO… this is a common myth. On river boats, they often don’t leave on the day of embarkation, so there’s a margin of error built in. On ocean vessels, the captain of the ship often has very little discretion as to when that ship sails. The Harbormaster, or other local authorities get the final say, and there are tidal, naval traffic, or other considerations as well. Undoubtedly, if there is discretion to hold the ship for late guests, they would do so… it’s just not at their call most of the time.
Q: Can I use my airline points to upgrade if I book through the cruise line?
A: Probably not. Presumably this should be easy, but dozens of our clients have attempted this without success. They end up in a circular argument with the airlines who first say that if the ticket is booked through the cruise line, then the cruise line must initiate the upgrade. When the cruise line’s air department calls, the airline tells them that the point-holder must call. It’s extraordinarily frustrating, but unfortunately what we’ve come to expect from our domestic air carriers.
Q: Will there be fewer changes if I book through the cruise lines?
A: No. The cruise lines have no control over the constant changes currently being experienced on domestic air routes. Hopefully in the next few months this situation corrects itself.
Q: So, what should I do… what’s the bottom line?
A: Ten minutes of on-line research will serve you very well when you’re booking air. If you go to google flights, or one of the big on-line websites that sells air, you’ll be able to see everything that a travel agent or the air department at the cruise line can see. Type in the particulars of where and when you’re going and take note of the options. You can filter by the best price and also the shortest duration. Both those things are good to know BEFORE you contact the cruise line or land tour operator for an air quote.
Write down the top three flight routings you would be willing to take, and the associated costs. When you call the cruise line, you are then working from a position of knowledge when they tell you what they can do for. Keep in mind that the price of flights changes from hour to hour, so make sure you don’t let too much time elapse between doing your homework and calling the cruise line’s air department.
REMINDER: If you recently booked a Viking cruise (ocean or river), don’t forget to let me know! I can almost always add extra perks to your existing reservation. Viking makes it VERY easy for you to make a booking online or through their call center, and you might forget to loop me in beforehand. They also might seem to imply that you have to book directly with Viking in order to use a promotion code or get a special price – this is NOT true, and I can get you the same deals or better. No worries if you already booked; just let me know as soon as possible and I’ll add those extra perks for you. As you may know, there is NO fee to work with me, and everything about your original reservation remains exactly the same. Thank you for supporting a hard-working small business owner!
Today’s Travel Opportunities
I mentioned Viking’s Air program above. Viking currently has a GREAT promotion offering Free Air on some 2023 departures (book by June 30th).
Viking’s Capitals of Eastern Europe (NEW!)
This is the perfect trip if you have already spent a lot of time in Western Europe and would like to explore a bit further afield. This trip will up your “country count” and you only have to unpack once!
- Sail between Vienna, Austria to Bucharest, Romania over 17-days.
- Visit Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest, Mohacs (Hungary), Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania.
- Click here for details: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/capitals-of-eastern-europe/2023-vienna-bucharest/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Prices start from $4999 – $5799 per person depending which month you travel.
- Includes return economy flights (upgrades available), transfers, all taxes and fees, shore excursions, beer/wine with meals, and Wi-Fi on the ship.
- Free flights on 2023 departures only (book by June 30th).
Viking’s Cities of Light (Paris to Prague)
This trip will suit you if you want a taste of these two great urban places, while also experiencing some of the small hamlets and townships between them.
- Visit Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg.
- Click here for details: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/cities-light/2023-paris-prague/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- This is a 12-day package with prices starting at $3799 – $4299 depending on month of departure.
- Includes return economy flights (upgrades available), transfers, all taxes and fees, shore excursions, beer/wine with meals, and Wi-Fi on the ship.
- Free flights on 2023 departures only (book by June 30th).
American Queen Voyages – Illinois River
If you’re ready to travel a bit sooner, and stay a bit closer to home, American Queen has extended its companion sale, that makes for a nice summer getaway:
- Chicago to St. Louis or reverse
- Visit Ottawa (Illinois), Peoria, Havana, Hannibal, Grafton.
- 9-day package from $1799 per person (Veranda Room) for departures in August 2022. This price already incorporates the ‘second guest sails free’ promotion.
- Includes one pre-cruise hotel night, unlimited guided shore excursions, open bar, and Wi-Fi on the ship.
- Book by June 30th
Two Warm Weather Cruises for the Winter
I know, I know… I shouldn’t even be talking about this before summer has even arrived LOL! But if you’re already looking ahead for opportunities to escape the winter darkness and cold, here’s a couple of ideas:
Viking’s Classic Panama Canal Passage – Full Transit – 11-days
Most cruises that include a full transit of the Panama Canal are 15-days or longer between Florida and California. This trip goes between Fort Lauderdale and Panama City, so you get the benefit of a full transit on a bit shorter itinerary.
- Visit Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Costa Rica, Colon (Panama)
- Click here for details: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/classic-panama-canal-passage/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Pricing starts at $3799 per person with a $799 pp air add-on for departures in October, November, December, and February (book by June 30th).
Viking’s South America & the Chilean Fjords
This trip offers a real taste of South America, with visits to two vibrant urban spots for embarkation and disembarkation, as well as a bunch of stops in between. Notably you get to do a Glacier viewing in Patagonia, and a sail around Cape Horn.
- 18-days between Santiago and Buenos Aires. Sail right around the cape between Pacific and Atlantic (Patagonia is like Alaska before discovered, and visit Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Amalia Glacier, Puerto Montt.
- Click here for details: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/south-america-chilean-fjords/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Prices start at $6699 per person with $1599 flights for departures in December, January, and February (book by June 30th).
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
