Cunard to New York

[kikki21]

Thinking of booking a transatlantic to NYC but happy to consider the other way round too!

It's a big birthday for my husband in August this year & initially what I'm looking at was an inside room but there's not much price difference between an inside to a balcony.

 

I presume that if you book on the Cunard website which includes flights that you can pick the flight that you come back on as we'd like a few days in NYC too.

 

Any tips?

[Brindlebury]

Crossing westbound to New York, you will gain an hour every day, which is especially luxurious. 25 hour days can become a very pleasant habit.

Also, there are few experiences equal to sailing into New York harbor after a week at sea.

A balcony will give you extra space, more light through the full length glass door, and your own private world shared only with the North Atlantic. If you choose one on the port side (for a westward crossing), you'll have the sun the whole trip.

[moinmoin]

We have been booking the complete program with Cunard (through a TA) and also adding days in NYC. We could either choose from their city packages they are offering (at least this is how it is handled in Germany) or you could also choose a hotel on your own. The flights will be adjusted according to your plans. It might be that there is maximum period between disembarking and flights out of NYC. You would need to check this. Advantage to got through Cunard is that all transfers have been included. They usually work together with certain airlines from which you may select a flight. Our next journey in December e.g. was with Air Berlin or United in the beginning only. We did not want to go with none of them. I was waiting a while until also Lufthansa was included/available and then immediately decided on those flights. Once booked and re-confimed you can not change without costs. This you need to consider. Referring WB and ship side.... we had a balcony cabin on deck 11 on the "dark side" in June last year.... :-) and it was perfectly fine and would not stop me from booking it again! You anyhow never know how the weather is during a TA ;-) And for sure it always will be a glass balcony cabin again!

[kikki21]

Thank you both, that's really useful info to know.

 

We are not certain to book it but it's the favourite option at the moment! :)

[laktex]

Thinking of booking a transatlantic to NYC but happy to consider the other way round too!

It's a big birthday for my husband in August this year & initially what I'm looking at was an inside room but there's not much price difference between an inside to a balcony.

 

I presume that if you book on the Cunard website which includes flights that you can pick the flight that you come back on as we'd like a few days in NYC too.

 

Any tips?

 

I have always found Cunard totally flexible on flights. They have done daytime flights, several days stay in NY and often quite attractive rates on upgrades. However I find Cunard's hotel rates quite poor. Since you are thinking of staying in NY for a few days I suggest you try a Travel Agents (cruise specialist) for prices - they can often do very favourable packages.

 

Trevor

[rsquare]

I totally agree with Trevor. In fact, I've been able to specify an airline, although they have arrangements with only certain carriers.

[babs135]

Thinking of booking a transatlantic to NYC but happy to consider the other way round too!

It's a big birthday for my husband in August this year & initially what I'm looking at was an inside room but there's not much price difference between an inside to a balcony.

 

I presume that if you book on the Cunard website which includes flights that you can pick the flight that you come back on as we'd like a few days in NYC too.

 

Any tips?

 

Done both east and west crossings and they are brilliant! One advantage of flying out to New York and sailing home is that New York is tiring (no matter how much you try and pace yourself) and after 3 or 4 days of running here, there and everywhere the thought of 7/8 days sailing home is wonderful.

 

You can also shop until you drop with no luggage restrictions on your way home!! Last trip involved having to buy another suitcase :eek: but at least we were not worried about the cost of excess baggage on a plane.:D

[john watson]

I am of the opinion that it is better to fly out to New York and sail home for the simple reason is that you can purchase an unlimited weight of shopping and transport it home on the ship as babs advises. If you fly home this is a problem to get under the airline's baggage restriction.

 

Integrated into the cruise fare is an element for the flight and in this respect Cunard will book your flight on any day you want which will allow travel and a stay in New York. They will also book hotel accommodation for the days you need to stay there as appropriate. These hotels tend to be quality hotels at a reasonable rate.

 

My choice would be booking the voyage "cruise only" and booking my own flight and hotels. This gives you much more flexibility. They will give you much higher OBC in lieu of not using their flight. Booking is much easier now with the internet and you can price different combinations up and compare exactly what you are getting before committing yourself. I even look into airline and aircraft type plus looking at http://www.seatguru.com as a specific seat guide too. Manhattan hotels are expensive so I stayed opposite Manhattan and got the skyline as a view at the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City, absolutely amazing views at breakfast. If you are doing the Statue of Liberty "Crown Passes" are a must but sell out months ahead, see government website.

 

Regards John

Edited April 21, 2016 by john watson

[ged1967]

Thinking of booking a transatlantic to NYC but happy to consider the other way round too!

It's a big birthday for my husband in August this year & initially what I'm looking at was an inside room but there's not much price difference between an inside to a balcony.

 

I presume that if you book on the Cunard website which includes flights that you can pick the flight that you come back on as we'd like a few days in NYC too.

 

Any tips?

 

My biggest tip is SHOP AROUND!

For out W/B TA last December I found a 7 day crossing + 4 night stay in NYC for less than the price Cunard were for crossing ONLY!

 

We booked an inside with a window looking out onto Atrium. We don't like insists as they are pitch black & we find it difficult to wake up. We thought the light from atrium would help (it did) We didn't consider a balcony when we booked as it was mid winter. However onboard we paid £150/cabin to upgrade to an aft balcony cabin on deck 4

 

I find a cruise I want, departure date I want, cabin category I want along with UK airport & US hotel. Then do a mock booking on Cunard website to get a costing, then I call as many UK travel agents (shops & internet only) I usually only call freefone numbers. Then play one off the next knocking maybe £100 off the lowest price until I find the lowest price. Don't just look at different websites are most are the same or maybe £5 difference (eg £xx99pp Vs £xx94pp)

 

I've done this with my 2017 cruise & saved around £700 total.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Grant x

[babs135]

Grant, are you talking Cunard or Early Saver Fares? How do you pitch your conversation with the ta? Do you tell them what price another firm has offered you and ask if it can be bettered? I'm really curious as we have been monitoring a couple of cruises for later this year and the price is virtually the same across all travel agents.

 

Nearest I can compare is a couple of years ago when I saw a fantastic offer on an on-line website for a crossing and 3 nights in New York. Silly price at the time but I knew a local ta was holding a 'cruise show' so checked price first thing in the morning and armed with that went and asked straight out if they could better it, which they did.

[Ray66]

Grant, are you talking Cunard or Early Saver Fares? How do you pitch your conversation with the ta? Do you tell them what price another firm has offered you and ask if it can be bettered? I'm really curious as we have been monitoring a couple of cruises for later this year and the price is virtually the same across all travel agents.

 

 

Have you tried clicking on the "Deals" tab above? It usually shows three travel agents who may have differing prices.

[babs135]

Have tried that in the past, not lately. There seems very little movement in price at the moment, but then we are looking at December which is still a long way out.

[jimmybean]

When going east it can be difficult to get up in the morning, after losing an hour of sleep (night after night). Going west, it can be difficult to stay up and see the shows, when gaining an extra hour (night after night).

 

Both directions have advantages and disadvantages.

 

We've sailed four times east and twice west and loved each crossing!

 

Unless you have particular difficulties with either waking up early (earlier) or staying awake late (later), I think choosing a direction is a toss up.

 

Although, if you are a shopper, it does make sense to take the ship home.

 

Either way, have a wonderful voyage and great celebration!

[ged1967]

Kiki21 & others.

 

The fare is the full fare where we can select cabin etc.

 

As for shopping around I just call first one up and ask for a price. I give them all the details as mentioned before date port itinary cabin grade airport etc etc.

 

They will give me a price, usually less than the ships own website. Then onto the next TA again ask for a price. Sometimes they'll ask straight away if you've had a price quoted. Say yes & knock something off the price I did £75pp as a start. Every time you get it cheaper knock some more off the next time you call a TA.

 

You will get to a point where no one can beat it. Some may price match. Even then go back to the cheapest one and say you've been quoted it a bit cheaper. Maybe £25/£30pp.

 

If you've not had a price match or the cheapest won't go lower just say you'll speak to your husband/wife/cat and see what they say. You can always call back the cheapest later and book with them. Just tell them that you didn't like the person at the other company so for the sake of £xx you chose to deal with someone you liked.

 

I do believe that you need a package to get a good deal (cruise, flights, maybe hotel too) I don't think there is much leeway in cruise only. However it's been a while since I last did that. Our last cruise only was round trip Southampton to Med to Southampton. 15 nights total on RCI and I only got £99 total off by shopping around.