Today must be my lucky day...but...

[FoxyTerrier]

On a lark I checked to see if any 3 person cabins have opened up on the Zuiderdam for the March 26 sailing and 1 cat. S cabin opened up and to top it off it is an aft cabin 4180.

Called the TA right away and have it on a 24 hour hold, but the issue now is getting to Ft. Lauderdale on short notice.

If I use HAL's air to get from DC to FLL does that price also include the transfers? I was under the impression from the last cruise that some times HAL might fly you into Miami or West Palm depending on which is cheaper for them, but do they then get you to the cruise terminal at their cost?

We have always booked air ourselves, but I think this time it might be cheaper to use HAL.

Any help quickly would be creatly appreciated!!!!!

I'm so excited - haven't done any work all morning.

[Sailboater]

Everytime we have used HAL air the transfers were included. Check with your TA but I am almost certain that they are.

[localady]

Transfers are part of the air package offered by HAL. What a great thing to find a Suite so late in the game...:)

Have a great cruise!!!:D

[JaniceB]

I would be online checking the airlines. I doubt you will find anything cheap or less expensive than HAL. We are cruising on the Zaandam the same week. We leave out of Cape Canaveral. I tried Orlando, West Palm and FLL. I could not find flights with times we could use. I was trying BWI and Reagan, we live in Southern Maryland. We decided to drive and visit family after the cruise.

[FoxyTerrier]

I would be online checking the airlines. I doubt you will find anything cheap or less expensive than HAL. We are cruising on the Zaandam the same week. We leave out of Cape Canaveral. I tried Orlando, West Palm and FLL. I could not find flights with times we could use. I was trying BWI and Reagan, we live in Southern Maryland. We decided to drive and visit family after the cruise.

I have been checking on line and the only cheap flights leave early in the morning the day the ship gets back.

The prices quoted by HAL are:
$408 BWI
$420 DCA
$428 IAD

All 3 are equally easy to get to for us.

Thanks again for all the quick replies.

[Johanna7]

We had cabin 4180 (sorry, suite 4180) November 2003 and LOVED it. It was a great location with an enormous balcany on 2 sides and you could see from the back and one side.

We had a fantastic cabin steward (Gunther) and it was just a great cruise. You will be thrilled. The only problem was getting my dh off the balcony and go into the ports.

[kryos]

If I use HAL's air to get from DC to FLL does that price also include the transfers? I was under the impression from the last cruise that some times HAL might fly you into Miami or West Palm depending on which is cheaper for them, but do they then get you to the cruise terminal at their cost?

Yes, transfers are included in the price of HAL air.

I used HAL air once. Never again. Yes, they will fly you into alternate airports and then bus you to the port. They will also book you on the most inconvenient flights if it will save them a buck. On the outbound flight, they booked me on a 6:30 a.m. flight leaving Philadelphia and bound for Miami. Yes, Miami ... not Fort Lauderdale. Although, the HAL rep was right there in baggage claim to meet me when I arrived, they assisted me in gathering my luggage and then provided a secure place to store it while I bummed for 3.5 hours waiting for them to bus me to the pier, which was about a 45 minute trip.

On the return trip, I had a nice six hour wait at the Miami airport for my flight home, and no ... the airline they booked me on had no earlier flights leaving that day.

I just book my own air now and use cruiseline transfers (you can also buy them separately) to the pier if the pier is a good distance from the airport.

Blue skies and enjoy your cruise!

--rita

[jhannah]

Foxy, good for you! You may be "stuck" with HAL air this time as airfares tend to be pricey this late in the game. I hope their schedule for you is reasonably convenient. Enjoy your cruise.

[Oceanwench]

With Easter vacations and all the spring breaks, prices are really high if you try to book your own.
I've had friends/family from up north trying to get down to Fla. during that time and they couldn't find much available and nothing affordable!

[Tennchick]

Just out of curiousty I checked Southwest Airlines from Baltimore to FLL for 3/26 and return 4/2 and ALL the flights were sold out. I continued to put in 3/25, 3/24 and 4/3,4/4 and 4/5 for return flights and they were ALL sold out. Looks like you will have LOTS of company in south Florida trying to get in and out at the airport. I have never seen ALL of Southwest flight completely sold out like that. Have fun with all the other folks!

[FoxyTerrier]

Yes, transfers are included in the price of HAL air.

I used HAL air once. Never again. Yes, they will fly you into alternate airports and then bus you to the port. They will also book you on the most inconvenient flights if it will save them a buck. On the outbound flight, they booked me on a 6:30 a.m. flight leaving Philadelphia and bound for Miami. Yes, Miami ... not Fort Lauderdale. Although, the HAL rep was right there in baggage claim to meet me when I arrived, they assisted me in gathering my luggage and then provided a secure place to store it while I bummed for 3.5 hours waiting for them to bus me to the pier, which was about a 45 minute trip.

On the return trip, I had a nice six hour wait at the Miami airport for my flight home, and no ... the airline they booked me on had no earlier flights leaving that day.

I just book my own air now and use cruiseline transfers (you can also buy them separately) to the pier if the pier is a good distance from the airport.

Blue skies and enjoy your cruise!

--rita

Rita and all,

Well we did it - paid for the cruise and took the HAL flight from BWI to FLL.
I searched for a couple of hours before giving. I tried West Palm and Miami too and came up with flight for $550 plus. The only cheaper flights left BWI for an evening arrival to FLL and left FLL before 9am. There was just no other way around it.

The cheapest thing I found was fly from Washington Dulles to JFK on Independance air then collect luggage and check w/in Jet Blue to get to FLL. This save about $100 over HALs price but if anything went wrong would get be in trouble.

Thanks again for all the help. This is our first Vista class ship too.
My son could hardly believe that we are going after me telling him over and over again no cruse this year.

On a side note. I did try and book this very Suite (4180) a couple of weeks ago, but at that time they would only let 2 people stay in this suite or in any cabin. A TA told me they said too many kids and spring breakers - I didn't believe that and called HAL directly and they told me they the started limiting 3rd and 4ths because they were afraid the dining room could not accomodate all the PAX. I still was checking every day to see if anything changed regarding this 2 pax limit. This weekend no more Suites (there had been 2 all along) and still only 2 people. On a whim I checked this morning and one opened up and could accomodate 3 people.

Maybe I should by a lottery ticket today too....

Joni

[JaniceB]

I am glad that everything worked out for you. Did you buy the lottery ticket?

[viennacruiser]

On a lark I checked to see if any 3 person cabins have opened up on the Zuiderdam for the March 26 sailing and 1 cat. S cabin opened up and to top it off it is an aft cabin 4180.

.
Joni,
I will be that suite the week before you:D I will take good care of it for you,:D :D

[MaryTiller]

Have you checked AirTran and Southwest out of BWI???? Also Jet Blue out of Dulles??
I have booked many a last minute cruise and used the discounted air carriers out of the three airports around DC and Baltimore. If you fly into Fort Lauderdale, you can take a cab for almost nothing. Also if you have to go a day early, usually the hotel will take you free from the airport and then take you to the pier the next. Good Luck.

[FoxyTerrier]

Have you checked AirTran and Southwest out of BWI???? Also Jet Blue out of Dulles??
I have booked many a last minute cruise and used the discounted air carriers out of the three airports around DC and Baltimore. If you fly into Fort Lauderdale, you can take a cab for almost nothing. Also if you have to go a day early, usually the hotel will take you free from the airport and then take you to the pier the next. Good Luck.

Mary,
I checked those and everything else. SW out of BWI could me there, but had nothing for the return or even the next day. Jet Blue out of Dulles was $250 each way - this was more than HALs air. And AirTran was even more like $600 r/t - you could get a $309 fare is you leave FLL around 7am, but that wouldn't work.

I checked flying into Miami - nothing cheaper than HAL and also West Palm - samething.

I will be very curious how HAL will route us out of BWI - the HAL price was $408 including the transfers.

For those that have used HAL's air is it possible they will send us a day early and put us up in a hotel - I wouldn't really mind that except it is an extra vacation day and my son will miss a school day.

How far away can they fly you in and bus you? Orlando? Tampa? Tallahassee? Atlanta? Richmond? DC?

It's going to be an adventure, but I don't care cause we are cruising when I didn't think it was possible this year.

[FoxyTerrier]

Mary,
I checked those and everything else. SW out of BWI could me there, but had nothing for the return or even the next day. Jet Blue out of Dulles was $250 each way - this was more than HALs air. And AirTran was even more like $600 r/t - you could get a $309 fare is you leave FLL around 7am, but that wouldn't work.

I checked flying into Miami - nothing cheaper than HAL and also West Palm - samething.

I will be very curious how HAL will route us out of BWI - the HAL price was $408 including the transfers.

For those that have used HAL's air is it possible they will send us a day early and put us up in a hotel - I wouldn't really mind that except it is an extra vacation day and my son will miss a school day.

How far away can they fly you in and bus you? Orlando? Tampa? Tallahassee? Atlanta? Richmond? DC?

It's going to be an adventure, but I don't care cause we are cruising when I didn't think it was possible this year.

I hate to quote myself but we just got our HAL air arrangements.

We go right from BWI to FLL - no bussing no fuss no muss and
on the return FIRST CLASS FLL to BWI - perfect ending to a wonderful
cruise. Thank you Holland America!!!

[dakrewser]

We go right from BWI to FLL - no bussing no fuss no muss and on the return FIRST CLASS FLL to BWI - perfect ending to a wonderful cruise. Thank you Holland America!!!

Fantastic! Have a great cruise!!!