Noordam Air/Transfer

[gentlemancruiser]

Please help. We are planning on booking Feb 28th cruise from NYC. HAL's Airfare is $569.00(cdn) vs $355.00 on expedia. We are flying from Toronto and I am travelling with 2 elderly and somewhat disabled passengers. Should I book HAL's air & transfer or is it worth going with expedia and find my own transfers? I will be handling all of the luggage and check in's.
I was also wondering if anyone has booked at SY category. It's a bit more then the VA.
Thanks for your help.

[dakrewser]

You can:

1) book air & transfers with HAL
2) book your own air and HAL's transfers
3) book your own air & transfers

In this case, I'd suggest #2. Alternatively, I'd suggest coming in the day before the cruise and overnighting in NYC.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Agree -- book your own air. Fly in a day early -- Feb - could have bad weather and flight delays both i9n Toronto and/or New York.

And buy HAL transfers.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Agree -- book your own air. Fly in a day early -- Feb - could have bad weather and flight delays both i9n Toronto and/or New York.

And buy HAL transfers.

[rkacruiser]

I agree with the other posters. Flying in a day early is always a good idea and your travel agent can help you purchase a hotel package from HAL which will include transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to pier as well as on the return, pier to airport.

I did have a SY on the Noordam and found it to be a delightful, roomy stateroom. Previously on Vista Class ships, I had one of the VF staterooms, which is like a VA. For 3 people in a stateroom, you will be much more comfortable in the SY and will have a veranda where all three people will be able to comfortably sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea.

[hammybee]

I agree. Door #2 is the best option. Buy your own air and use HAL transfers and, if at all possible, fly in a day early. The potential for weather related delays is too risky ,at this time of year. And always, get Trip Insurance that covers weather related delays and other unforeseen events, including medical emergencies.

[hammybee]

I agree. Door #2 is the best option. Buy your own air and use HAL transfers and, if at all possible, fly in a day early. The potential for weather related delays is too risky ,at this time of year. And always, get Trip Insurance that covers weather related delays and other unforeseen events, including medical emergencies.

[Wilbo]

Check Air Canada Web site. I got a lower fare from Toronto to New York via the web site.
Others are cottrct use Ha transfer service.

[Wilbo]

Check Air Canada Web site. I got a lower fare from Toronto to New York via the web site.
Others are cottrct use Ha transfer service.

[gentlemancruiser]

Thanks, I will definetly use HAL transfers.
What time should I book my rtn flight? I think we are going to skip the pre cruise night in NYC and use the money to go for the SY cabin.

I checked HAL's pre-cruise package with transfer is 589.00 per person per night.

[rkacruiser]

My return flight was out of Newark on Continental and we departed at 2:40 P. M. That was plenty of time to allow for transfer from the pier to the airport and allowed for some time to have a bite of lunch. I would not book any flight that departed prior to Noon. If the ship would happen to arrive in New York late, you might find it to be too tight of a connection.

[gentlemancruiser]

rkacruiser, thank you sooo much.
I'll make sure the flight is after 12pm. We were thinking about flying Air Canada into Newark and returning on the 1:30 from LaGuardia. The only other option is Contential but the return flights aren't until 4:45pm.