Is the High Cost of Flights Curtailing your Cruising Plan's

[ducklite]

I've never been on a cruise that was cheaper than the air fare, and I don't find current airfares to be particularly high.

[tdiazfarmer]

We are flying from KC to Seattle for an Alaska cruise! 1st class on Alaska was cheaper than Southwest, by the time I figured baggage fees...1st class won!

 

 

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[tortoisegirl]

It is cheaper for us to pay the premium for a Pacific Coastal or even an Alaskan cruise than to pay for airfare from Seattle to Florida for a Caribbean cruise. Plus, I just really dislike flying coach across the country and that it basically takes a day on each end of the vacation. Thankfully we have the option to cruise out of Seattle (or Vancouver I guess), although that is seasonal and limited.

[fbgd]

While planning a cruise out of Miami area the costs of flight's are as much as the cruise itself.

 

Book a more expensive cruise. Problem solved.

[GeezerCouple]

Book a more expensive cruise. Problem solved.

 

:D

 

Perfect!

[Bo1953]

Our solution is, usually, book the next cruise when we are on the current cruise then figure out the airfare cost when we get home.

 

Since we only cruise once yearly, airfare is not going to be an issue. We usually fly FC anyway or full fare on Frontier for the choices to not worry about how much luggage can we bring, food, etc.. from our local airport or out of PHL.

 

We have found that having a nice, comfortable flight to the ship gets us ready for a great sailing and having a nice, comfortable flight home prolongs the great relaxation having just leaving a great sailing.... our definition of having a great vacation...

 

bon voyage

[Cruise Junky]

The opposite actually. We were able to do three trips this year because of finding really good air prices. No complaints from me.

[Bo1953]

The opposite actually. We were able to do three trips this year because of finding really good air prices. No complaints from me.

 

cj - I Am jealous of you! :')

 

I Am sure you have fun regardless and happy for that too...

 

bon voyage

[Gardyloo]

News flash... people are different and have different attitudes about how they spend their money.

 

For some people, the hassle and discomfort of flying packed like sardines into a tube for several hours is quite acceptable if it saves them $50 that they can then spend in the casino on the ship two nights later. For others, the extra $500 to fly in business or first class is equally acceptable if it means they don't board the ship feeling like they've just escaped from prison. Different. Strokes.

 

The "total cost of travel" is the way to go, but I'll go further. Why not do a 2- or even a 3-year "master plan" covering your travel? Then budget for it the same way you'd budget for any other major expenditure. (I'm constantly amazed that people will gripe and moan about a $500 plane ticket when they've done less comparative shopping and research than they would buying a $200 vacuum cleaner.)

 

Is your home airport only served by a couple of airlines who know they've got a captive market that will pay whatever they charge? Why not get a credit card that awards miles with that airline, and figure out how to turn your monthly spending plan into miles that you can then use (maybe two years from now) for flights that would otherwise cost a small fortune?

 

Do a plan. Use the internet to price-shop the "what if" itineraries just to see where the high-cost parts of the plan might be, then take the time to see if there are "work-arounds" you could come up with.

 

This is not rocket science, folks. Treat travel the same way you'd plan for other big investments - a new roof, maybe, or a new car. Make a plan, make a budget, and put them on the calendar.

[Alaskanb]

News flash... people are different and have different attitudes about how they spend their money.

 

For some people, the hassle and discomfort of flying packed like sardines into a tube for several hours is quite acceptable if it saves them $50 that they can then spend in the casino on the ship two nights later. For others, the extra $500 to fly in business or first class is equally acceptable if it means they don't board the ship feeling like they've just escaped from prison. Different. Strokes.

 

The "total cost of travel" is the way to go, but I'll go further. Why not do a 2- or even a 3-year "master plan" covering your travel? Then budget for it the same way you'd budget for any other major expenditure. (I'm constantly amazed that people will gripe and moan about a $500 plane ticket when they've done less comparative shopping and research than they would buying a $200 vacuum cleaner.)

 

Is your home airport only served by a couple of airlines who know they've got a captive market that will pay whatever they charge? Why not get a credit card that awards miles with that airline, and figure out how to turn your monthly spending plan into miles that you can then use (maybe two years from now) for flights that would otherwise cost a small fortune?

 

Do a plan. Use the internet to price-shop the "what if" itineraries just to see where the high-cost parts of the plan might be, then take the time to see if there are "work-arounds" you could come up with.

 

This is not rocket science, folks. Treat travel the same way you'd plan for other big investments - a new roof, maybe, or a new car. Make a plan, make a budget, and put them on the calendar.

Well said!

[iancal]

The view from our location is that cross border/international airfares are actually decreasing in price and cruise fares are increasing.

 

We have been doing fewer cruises in favour of more independent travel and AI's.

[6rugrats]

No, my "Cruising Plan's [sic]" remain the same. Prices seem to be about the same, or a little less than they have been over the past few years.

[fbgd]

The view from our location is that cross border/international airfares are actually decreasing in price

 

Even in actual dollar numbers the cost of flying is down long term, that's before factoring inflation into it.

 

People who whinge about the cost of airfares going up are, for the most part, delusional.

 

No, my "Cruising Plan's [sic]"

 

Ha! Glad I'm not the only one who cringed at the awful grasp of the apostrophe.

[sverigecruiser]

In the early 90's a plane ticket from Sweden to the US costed more than now but my salary has almost tripled so I think that flying is very cheap!

 

If we fly in economy we can get two tickets to Miami for close to $1000 and a cruise cost us at least $5000 so the cost for plane tickets isn't too bad.

[slidergirl]

I'd never be taking a vacation if I worried about airfare being the most expensive component. I'm talking about cruises AND land vacations. Airfare a necessary part of any vacation more than 3 hours away from home for me (I hate driving). It's just one more part of the puzzle and I have never stopped from planning and taking a vacation because the airfare may be the biggest chunk of the price. It may just take me a little longer to do certain vacations, but that's OK.

[goldgirl2]

We fly out of DTW always on Delta. Their airfare prices are the highest I have ever seen! We have a timeshare on Long Boat Key we go to in September and the airfare is $100 more then we normally pay and the plane is empty! We are cruising in February and the ticket to FLL are ridiculous! Up over $200 more then normal and I need 4 tickets. I've looked at other airlines and they are all running high. I'm really frustrated with the whole thing

[cruisinfanatic]

We fly out of DTW always on Delta. Their airfare prices are the highest I have ever seen! We have a timeshare on Long Boat Key we go to in September and the airfare is $100 more then we normally pay and the plane is empty! We are cruising in February and the ticket to FLL are ridiculous! Up over $200 more then normal and I need 4 tickets. I've looked at other airlines and they are all running high. I'm really frustrated with the whole thing

I guess everyone is supposed to know where that is?

[6rugrats]

I guess everyone is supposed to know where that is?

It's Detroit.

 

I would add to this poster who has a timeshare, you can't tell how many seats have been sold on a flight looking at a seat map. And, February is beginning of spring break and mid-winter break, depending on your school and what part of the country you live in, so airfare prices to Florida are usually high then.

[ducklite]

United has some sale fares right now. They have a new policy about IDB, but it comes with a ton of loopholes if you analyze the wording, and read the Points Guy's blog about his less than stellar experience on their flagship product this week. You get what you pay for.

 

 

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[Jasalth]

I can honestly say I am one of those "look at every option" people.

 

When we were sailing with 2 kids, in cost vs. time, we chose the 19 hour drives to Florida from Pittsburgh, PA. Flights were about $300pp with to and from port 2 years ago.

 

Looking at Airfare from Pittsburgh or NYC for just 3 of us was... well stupid and that was a year ago. I could pay $300pp round trip with a layover in Chicago or Atlanta and it would take 8 hours (SW), I could fly direct at about $500pp including bags... or I could drive and pay for parking/hotel for about $400 total amd 6 hours of time. Another no brainer IMO.

 

Needing to get away is like a must for me right now! Was looking at booking something short (4-5 days) with just DH and I. Total cost to fly for a cruise leaving on odd days (Thursday - Monday) would be $350pp just for the flight. Add on another $80 for the shuttle to and from port, and a cab to and from the airport here for $40 the cost would be $410pp.

 

The budget airlines don't fly on a reasonable time schedule here to make anything. If I could afford an extra day there and 2 days back sure... but I work full time, am a full time student, and a full time care giver to my grandmother. If I could afford those extra 3 days, I would be looking at a 7 day cruise!

 

Airfare depends a TON on where you live!! A good example is doing basic price looking for our Med cruise. Sure this is really far out so basing it on this November but flying from Pittsburgh would be $900pp for the cheapest flight and be almost 19 hours. Compare that to us flying out of Newark, a 5 hour drive (flight leaves late enough we could do it the same day) and it becomes $680pp with parking the whole time we are gone.

 

In going back to domestic airfare, Newark to Miami on the same dates as it was from Pittsburgh, would be $270 a person instead of $410. Same if I would take a 4 hour drive to Baltimore or Washington. Considering it would raise the cost to $250 with gas and parking.

 

But I totally agree with having a "master plan" like Gardyloo said!! I have budgeted $2500 in airfare after basic checks for our Med cruise. Sure it seems like a ton to me, the girl who drives everywhere and if it is less than that go me!!

 

Back to the basic point though, instead of doing a "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!" cruise that I need, me and DH will be taking a short 4 day land trip. Sure it's one of those cheesy Poconos hotels, but going there with an open mind about the rooms and their needing updated from the 70s. We will still get away, planing on hikes and nature stuff and just 1 day at an adventure course and it would come out about $700 cheaper than if we flew out for a 4 day cruise.

[waterbug123]

We fly out of DTW always on Delta. Their airfare prices are the highest I have ever seen! We have a timeshare on Long Boat Key we go to in September and the airfare is $100 more then we normally pay and the plane is empty!

 

Are you looking at the seat map? Purchased tickets don't always come with advance seat selection, so the seat map doesn't indicate how many seats have been sold.

 

 

Airfare depends a TON on where you live!! A good example is doing basic price looking for our Med cruise..... from Pittsburgh would be.... almost 19 hours.

 

I assume you're looking at total travel time, including layover, early arrival to airport, etc.? Because the actual flight time from the east coast to the typical Med locations shouldn't be 19 hours.

[dd likes to cruise]

Flights from the northeast to Florida in Jan and Feb are getting higher and higher every day. I booked a flight for Feb 2018 to Miami recently and it was $125 pp less a month ago.

Fort Lauderdale flights were not much better.

 

 

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From my experience, you've booked way too early to get a decent price for Feb 2018. Flights are a game you have to play and watch. Too early and you pay too much - yes you get better options and choices.

 

Just as a FYI - Southwest for instance doesn't even have their flights listed that far out.

[dd likes to cruise]

We are flying from KC to Seattle for an Alaska cruise! 1st class on Alaska was cheaper than Southwest, by the time I figured baggage fees...1st class won!

 

 

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You either took way too much luggage to Alaska, or you have your airlines confussed. With Southwest everyone gets 2 free suitcases checked, and you can also take on carryon! ;p

[pinotlover]

Recently bought our tickets to HKG and back from BKK for our next Feb cruise. For those long hauls, we only do Business Class now. Ouch!! Prices are about 50% higher than our last trip a year ago. Glad I bought we I did, because ticket prices have increased since I bought them!

 

If these prices are the new norm, this may well be our last Far East venture. A few more cruises I'm interested in, but these prices make them a no go.

[waterbug123]

We are flying from KC to Seattle for an Alaska cruise! 1st class on Alaska was cheaper than Southwest, by the time I figured baggage fees...1st class won!

 

You either took way too much luggage to Alaska, or you have your airlines confussed. With Southwest everyone gets 2 free suitcases checked, and you can also take on carryon! ;p

 

The poster above apparently flew first class on Alaska, which also entitles them to 2 free checked bags, and isn't an option on Southwest. Perhaps they meant that after they considered the price of coach with bag fees on Alaska, the price of coach without bag fees on Southwest, and the price of first class on Alaska, the best option was 1st class on Alaska with free bags, better seats, better service, etc. ;)