TransAtlantic Cruise

[WISCruiser]

I have a simple question about transatlantic cruises; I know I've read on these boards about how great the cruises are across the Atlantic(relaxing), but when one is flying either to Europe to catch the ship back to the U.S. or vice versa. Which is the BETTER way to go as far as purchasing the airfare? Purchase a One way and pay the high exhorbanent(sp?) one way airfares or buy a RT and throw away the return. I would love to do a Transatlantic, but have'nt seen any information from fellow CCers on how they do it:). Thanks in advance for your great information.

[KSCnCA]

First - check with a travel agent! If you live in the states I don't think you can purchase a R/T from Europe. The airlines are getting smarter. I arrange travel for several of my bosses and if you miss a leg of travel they typically cancel the remaining legs. So, if you are flying to Europe and cruising back, you MIGHT be able to get away with it, but not cruising to Europe and flying back. You wouldn't believe the hassle it is when you are flying one-way, too. They (TSA) usually flag your travel as suspicious and then check and double check your tickets, id, etc. I won't make that mistake again. I heard about it ad nauseam from my boss who missed a connection and ended up flying a one-way home. Also my daughter flew to Germany to study abroad on a one-way, they flagged her luggage to be hand inspected. She was moving there for a year! We could barely carry her luggage. (this was before they reduced the baggage limit: she had over 100 lbs. of checked luggage legally) and a carryon backpack weighing about 40 lbs. So when you fly one-way, allow extra check in time!!!

[RuthC]

On a west-bound cruise you turn your clock back several times---making for longer nights to stay out and play! :)

East-bound you lose sleep about six times. :( Not a good thing.

[cruise freak]

Just check around as we bought a one-way to London from JFK for $245.00 per person on Travelocity. Another good site is 1800flyeurope. Good luck.

[pollux]

I am going oneway to Europe in April with RCC Brilliance Miami to Barcelona. Done that many times on the Noordam. Bought oneway from Long Beach to FFL non stop for $127Jet Blue .Barcelona to Amsterdam 66 Euros.
Coming home from Amsterdam to LA on Aer Lingus oneway for $480 the end of May.
Yes, it is possible to get a oneway ticket from Europe if you carry an US passport.
Luggage is checked real good in all airport for flight to USA.

[Globaliser]

when one is flying either to Europe to catch the ship back to the U.S. or vice versa. Which is the BETTER way to go as far as purchasing the airfare? Purchase a One way and pay the high exhorbanent(sp?) one way airfares or buy a RT and throw away the return.The only real answer is to price the various options for the cruise that you're thinking of and see what works better for you.If you live in the states I don't think you can purchase a R/T from Europe. The airlines are getting smarter.Yes, you can. It should be dead simple to do this. The airlines are actually trying to help you to be able to do this. IATA changed the rules in January specifically to make it easier to access air fares for trips starting in countries other than the one in which you're buying the ticket.

[Ine]

You made a good deal Pollux with the tickets.


Ine

[lipoppop]

For our May cruise from New York to Spain I bought a round trip from Barcelona to JFK and back to Barcelona on Delta airlines. So the person who said you cannot buy a round trip ticket starting in Europe was wrong.


I will "discard" the return ticket. It was much cheaper than buying a one way ticket. The only "resonable" one way price was on Aer Lingus and because of my schedule it would have invoved an overnight stay which I could not do.

Delta has the only non stop flight from Barcelona to JFK.