Flying with HAL

[billroddy]

I've booked a Rome cruise from LAX, but am having second thoughts. I'm not too happy with flying and at 85 with a hip replacement, I don't cramp well!
Inquired about business class upgrade and was quoted an additional $2300 one way to the basic fare.
Any ideas? Do you get any choice of seats in Economy?
Thanks,
Bill

[Gsel]

Bill,
I assume you are using a TA, if so have him, or her, book you on a aircraft that has the configuration that has two seats next to the windows, you will have a bit more room. Also, try to get up and move around as much as possible during the flight, not so much that you disturb the other passengers and the service, but enough to keep yourself from getting stiff. Try to get seats that are as far forward in the aircraft as possible, there will be less noise. Also, if you can, make your flight arrangements in the evening. That way, you can sleep thru most of it and arrive ready to go the next day. Please don't give up a wonderful cruise just because of a flight!

[shipmix]

You may want to consider breaking the long flight with a overnightstop enroute. You could stop in NY , DC, Chicago, etc etc and this would allow you not to have to travel so much in one day. I know for some this is a nice solution. You will have some additional cost, but it will be less than the Business Class air price of course.
Good luck;)

[billroddy]

Thank you,
I would prefer to book a flight with HAL because of delays etc.
Bill

Bill,
I assume you are using a TA, if so have him, or her, book you on a aircraft that has the configuration that has two seats next to the windows, you will have a bit more room. Also, try to get up and move around as much as possible during the flight, not so much that you disturb the other passengers and the service, but enough to keep yourself from getting stiff. Try to get seats that are as far forward in the aircraft as possible, there will be less noise. Also, if you can, make your flight arrangements in the evening. That way, you can sleep thru most of it and arrive ready to go the next day. Please don't give up a wonderful cruise just because of a flight!

[grannynurse]

Once you get your airline confirmation number from HAL, you can go to the airline website and choose your seats. Our final payment for our October Rome to Ft. Lauderdale cruise was July 22 but we had our Delta number in May and could choose seats. You will also get a Galileo number and can track your flights that way from a link on the HAL website BUT info is slower than the airline's own website and you can't choose seats from Galileo. We had a time change in flight arrivals/departures and while it showed up on Delta, it didn't show up on Galileo. I might add that HAL's fare was less than anything I could find independently. We have found this is true for international flights with HAL.
GN

[hammybee]

If you have the time, maybe it makes some sense to consider the 35 day RT crossing/sail on the Maasdam, from Boston, leaving on 7/5/08.

I think the intinerary is smashing and it's cool weather sailing all the way.

[jhannah]

You can pay an air deviation fee and have control over the airline, routing and times of your flights. Once you know your flights, visit seatguru (http://www.seatguru.com) and see which seats might give you the most room/comfort.

[billroddy]

Thank everyone for great advice.
Bill

[lorekauf]

You can pay an air deviation fee and have control over the airline, routing and times of your flights. Once you know your flights, visit seatguru (http://www.seatguru.com) and see which seats might give you the most room/comfort.

Good website! Thank you.

[jhannah]

Good website! Thank you. You're welcome. I always have it open in a second window when I'm selecting my airline seats. It really helps avoid getting stuck somewhere I'd prefer not to be.

[kryos]

Bill,
I assume you are using a TA, if so have him, or her, book you on a aircraft that has the configuration that has two seats next to the windows, you will have a bit more room.
I would also advise the OP not to use HAL booked flights. They will have him on the worst possible flights. Also, I can't believe a business class upgrade is gonna cost $2,300. A good TA can do a lot better.

I would advise the OP to cancel the HAL air and have his TA book the air for him. He'll do a lot better and maybe even be able to score a business class upgrade for a far better price than $2,300.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[cdkempton]

We booked our air through HAL because we are flying to one port (Rio) to begin our cruise and flying home from another (Athens). The air portion was so inexpensive compared to what we could find elsewhere. Their total cost was less than the oneway fare to Rio. I used their Air Plus deviation and received the exact airline and times that I wanted. They were very nice to deal with and it was a great experience working with them. The number is 1-800-628-4771. This is the air plus number. Give it a try and see what they might suggest for you. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[Gsel]

Rita,
I agree with you, this has been our experience for years and is why we depend on our TA. A little comparison shopping never hurts.
Barbara

[billroddy]

Here is a copy of HAL's response to my request for upgrades. All airlines were the same as Air France.
Bill
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Please note that the Business upgrade rates shown below are valid thru 31MAR08 and subject to change. Rates are one way, per person in US dollars, and are in addition to the Home City Air Gateway add-on amounts indicated on your invoice. Upgrades may be purchased one way (cruise deposit required).

All upgrades are subject to availability at time of acceptance.

Air France to/from Europe* Rate is $2300 USD one way.

[Big Al B.]

We are flying one way to Copenhagen from Allentown in August and HAL's airfare was the best our TA could find. We had to pay the deviation fee because we are not going to fly home from NYC (cruise is Copenhagen to NY) because it's easier to take the bus :D.

We will be flying United which does have an economy plus section on their flights, however it's not offered by HAL air.

[kryos]

Here is a copy of HAL's response to my request for upgrades. All airlines were the same as Air France.
Bill

All I know is that my travel buddy and I need to fly to Athens in October to meet up with the Prisendam for a TransAtlantic cruise that will take us back to Fort Lauderdale. I have a very, very difficult time flying due to a bad accident I suffered in 1999 which left me with clotting problems in both legs.

We found an all business class service ... MaxJet ... that will get us from New York to London for about $700. Then, of course, we would have to get from London to Athens by regular commercial carrier. Since the London to Athens flight is only about three hours, we can probably make do with a coach seat assignment, but for the TransAtlantic leg, MaxJet would appear to do very nicely.

This is why I can't ... for the life of me ... understand why a simple business class upgrade is gonna cost $2,300?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Cruising Illini]

We are flying business Class round trip FL-Venice and return from Barcelona to FL for about $3,000 total on Delta in June 08. Made all reservations ourselves. I did the original overall price check on Orbitz to get all airlines. We have ended up on Delta because of local service. EC