Pbob20

Thank you for all the responses. @CDNPolar & @SelectSys @FlyerTalker A few new questions based on your response (and thank you for the detailed response): 1) (Clarifying) If we let Viking assign us tickets, is there a possibility that they would assign tickets AND request an additional fee because Viking can't get the tickets at the cost that they wanted, or do they owe me (reasonable - 1 stop) tickets at whatever their cost? 2) Is Viking generally very good about allowing changes of flights after they are assigned assuming there is room on flights/at a similar cost? Or is any change at a fee to get us all on the same flight after they are assigned? 3) Can we modify/upgrade those ticket seat selections in any way directly with the airlines after they are "assigned"? 4) Based on your statements, and the timing (~90 days prior to sail date) which Viking picks to buy/assign the tickets, is it generally best to wait until that approximate time period to use Airplus versus 6 months prior to get best value for airfare to Europe (I know this subjective and has many factors, but in general: y/n)?

A group of us purchased the Viking Grand European Tour cruise in September. The documents say the Airfare portion is $1,999, discounted $900, to $1,099 as a result of their special. I'd assume we have a $1,999 budget, purchased for $1,099 We called to book air using Airplus because all three couples want to be on the same flights and for the flexibility. Checking air fares online for direct flight to Amsterdam and a 1 connection return from Budapest are about $1,600. And the cheapest regular flight (excluding Turkish Air via Istanbul) is an unfavorable 1 connection flight to AMS landing in the late afternoon (Aerlingus) flight is about $1,250. Viking Air Travel stated if we want the direct flight its an extra $650 per person. If we want to book the cheapest available flight with 1 connection both ways we will have to pay the $100 Airplus, plus $165 for the Aerlingus flight! We obviously did not like that, and they said to wait 3 weeks to book and check again. At end of February we owe the balance of our trip and likely wont have flights booked. I would think any flight below $1,999 is in budget, or at a minimum Viking owes us a reasonable flight itinerary for free, plus Airplus if we do that. Is it really possible that if we use Airplus or come June if we don't use Airplus, that we may be paying a large up fee if Viking can't find a flight below $1,099? What the heck does flight included mean?