Book own air on international itinerary?

[VT Hokie Cruiser]

We are focusing on a cruise departing from Rome. Is it adviseable to use the cruise line's "cruise air" from the U.S.? I'm concerned that being assigned to their flights could require extra legs of flights that will take more travel time (and risk lost luggage). Am I better off booking my own air directly with the airlines? Thanks.

[Captain Canuck]

2 big things on booking your own

1. control over your itinerary
2. cost

never done it through the cruise myself but from reading these boards you get what the cruise company gives you...least cost to them is controlling factor

I normally go on points to Europe so has always been cheaper for me to book my own..but in finding itineary for points and comparing to cruise air included prices I have never seen the cruise air to be cheaper. like excursions they count on people being worried of doing stuff on their own

..For Rome you should go at least a few days ahead of time. Rome is a major airport so you should be able to get decent fares there. When flying out do not forget to check major airports near your home base not just your home airport

[CruiserBruce]

Your concerns are valid. Cruises will book the cheapest fares possible, which may involve inconvinent routing, many stops and other issues.

If you see that there are very few options going to a given location, I might consider booking thru the cruise lines. But Rome is served by all major US airlines, so you can control your schedule much better. Thru the cruise line, you may find yourself going the scenic route.

We have booked our SFO-FCO flights ourselves, as have the others in our group. We are very happy with our schedules. We allowed the cruiseline to book us our first two cruises. While the schedule worked out, we won't do it again.

The only plus to cruise booking of airfares- they take more responsibility if you somehow miss the ship. But, if you are sailing out of Rome, I would strongly suggest getting in at least 1 day- if not more- in advance, get over the jet lag, and see Rome!!

[cruisemom42]

After one bad experience with the cruise line booking my air, I've always done it myself. You can choose your preferred routing (often I can get a nonstop from my city, the cruiselines almost NEVER offer one) and it is less expensive most of the time.

Don't be fooled by people who tell you that booking thru the cruiseline is somehow more of a "safeguard" against missing the ship. If you book thru the cruiseline, they are -- more or less -- just selling you the flight. There is no guarantee that the ship will wait for you or any such.

Do go in to Rome at LEAST a day in advance (preferably more so you can see this wonderful city) and DO buy travel insurance to cover the unpredictable -- missed flights, lost luggage, etc.

[cruisin'tex]

Originally Posted by VT Hokie Cruiser

We are focusing on a cruise departing from Rome. Is it adviseable to use the cruise line's "cruise air" from the U.S.? I'm concerned that being assigned to their flights could require extra legs of flights that will take more travel time (and risk lost luggage). Am I better off booking my own air directly with the airlines? Thanks.

Booked air through Princess two years ago. The Princess consultant said that by doing this, we were guaranteed to get to the ship on time. And if not, it wouldn't sail w/o us or they'd get us to the next port. We were flying Houston to Rome (via plane change in London).

When we did 24 hour advance check-in, we found out out our flight from Houston had been canceled. First call was to Princess and we were told that was between us and our airline. So we spent quite a bit of time scrambling (on our own) trying to get on another flight. We ended up taking an earlier flight from Houston to Dallas with a several hour layover there. And from Dallas to London and eventually Rome.

Have never booked air through a cruise line since then.

[euro cruiser]

We did a cost comparison between buying airfare through NCL to Barcelona this summer and buying it ourselves. Although we know that selling airfare is a profit center for the cruise line, we assumed that they had sufficient buying power that the sum of their cost for the airfare plus their profit might still be less than what we would pay on our own.

That wasn't the case; we saved more than $200 per person (times eleven) by buying directly from the airline.

I generally check fares on line at www.itasoftware.com (log in as a guest). There you can see every option possible, then you can go either to the airline directly or to a intermediary (e.g. Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, etc.) for purchase.

[strobellayjam]

Book on your own for greater flexibility and control over your travel itinerary. I'd recommend flying in a few days early to spend time in Rome to: a) adjust to the time change (esp important if you have an intensive cruise itinerary) and b) explore the city! So much to see and do in Rome.

[Ashland]

I think pretty much everyone on CC board would advise you to always do your own air...Easy to do on airline websites ...if any questions about seat choices go to...www.seatguru.com....Keep Control and Enjoy

[kenish]

OP- The sticky FAQ at the top of this forum will answer your questions. Combined with the experiences in this thread, the choice will be clear.

[VT Hokie Cruiser]

Thanks for your advice, everyone. It confirms what I thought, that booking on my own is the thing to do. When I looked at possible connections I could see a lot of three-legged flights from U.S. to Rome and I think the cruise lines would stick you on those. There are more direct options. I wasn't sure if there was more "protection" going with the cruiselines, but apparently not. I'll just make sure about trip insurance.

[scottbee]

Originally Posted by VT Hokie Cruiser

Thanks for your advice, everyone. It confirms what I thought, that booking on my own is the thing to do. When I looked at possible connections I could see a lot of three-legged flights from U.S. to Rome and I think the cruise lines would stick you on those. There are more direct options. I wasn't sure if there was more "protection" going with the cruiselines, but apparently not. I'll just make sure about trip insurance.

If you're doing a Transatlantic, I will say is that the cruise lines have access to one-way fares that airlines do not sell directly to end customers.

Still, I would book my own, as I can almost always improve on the cruise line offerring..

[Budget Queen]

Compare, bottom line. BUT, it is a MYTH, that the cruise booked air will get you on a ship, by them holding it. NOT TRUE. The cruiselines are a booking agent only, and have no control over the flights. They "may" wait", but just as likely, they won't. So no guarantee, despite what keeps going around on the subject.

Cruise air does include transfers, so factor in cab fares/shuttles.

It is simple to book a round trip Rome flight, frankly.

[Atomica]

I'd always book air on my own, especially to an international destination. It pays to have control over your flights, in particular the airline you fly on, departure times, connecting cities, etc.

I'd never, ever rely on the cruise air packages offered.

[globetrecker]

Originally Posted by VT Hokie Cruiser

We are focusing on a cruise departing from Rome. Is it adviseable to use the cruise line's "cruise air" from the U.S.? I'm concerned that being assigned to their flights could require extra legs of flights that will take more travel time (and risk lost luggage). Am I better off booking my own air directly with the airlines? Thanks.

First do a cost analysis and if there are any layovers, and airline. I haven't booked through a cruise line's "cruise air" but I suppose if they offer a better overall deal it would make sense to go through them.

[Desert Cruizers]

In our 4 Cruises, 2 have required flights, both out of FL. The latter was for our 17 day Panama to Seattle, Wa out of FLL. We have our own Intl Airport yet they direct all So Calif flights out of Los Angelas. We chose to go Custom air, Home city to FLL thru Dallas, then a direct flight out of Seattle back to our home city, the cost to change out the tickets was $198, well we would have spent $200 to drive to Los angelas, overnight Hotel, gas, & food for the night and delt with a 2 1/2 hr drive each way.
I have checked prices for a TA out of Rome for 2011 with air and it shows $1900, but have received better prices thru http://www.bt-store.com/.
eurocruiser I will check out the site you displayed.

[iancal]

There is another issue that people who are considering cruise air need to be aware of...besides the fact that if there is a problem you are really on you own and do not expect much help.

Cruise lines buy as many consolidator class tickets as possible. These tickets are very inflexible and can seldom be used on interline. They are at the bottomof the fare class barrel so to speak. In both cases, if flights are cancelled, delayed, re re routed, the unfortunate passenger with these tickets will be the last to be accomodated on a different flight and will probably be stuck with one choice of airline...the airline on the consolidator ticket. Given a choice between paying for a new ticket to get you on another airline or having you arrive a day late by re routing you on your existing airline even if you miss a day....the cruise line will always pick the least expensive of the two options.