Cruise from southampton which airport?

[Partyatsea]

We have booked our first transatlantic (on the Epic). I am wondering what the most convienent airport to fly into is. We are not into sightseeing, just the most convienent spot to get to the ship. Thanks!:)

[time2cruise1]

Southampton would be most convenient but since we are flying from the states not an option without a connection. Two real choices Heathrow or Gatwick. From Heathrow you can catch an express coach to Southampton. From Gatwick you can catch a direct train from the airport station.

I happen to prefer the train ride but the best fare will dictate which airport I fly in to.

[sandancer]

Check out a budget airline called FlyBe. Southampton is their base and they have regular services to European airports. You could fly TA with for instance Air France or Lufthansa and connect to Southampton that way. Then you could avoid the London airports. We use the airport often. It is really small and very easy to negotiate.

[sverigecruiser]

Check out a budget airline called FlyBe. Southampton is their base and they have regular services to European airports. You could fly TA with for instance Air France or Lufthansa and connect to Southampton that way. Then you could avoid the London airports. We use the airport often. It is really small and very easy to negotiate.

 

The problem with that is that if your first flight is delayed and you miss your connection, FlyBe will probably not help you at all! (I'm not sure about FlyBe but most budget airlines help you as little as they can, another airlines delay is not their problem.)

 

There is no reason to avoid the London airports.

[sandancer]

I agree but had assumed the OP would fly in the day before. Even using one of the major airlines I would not risk flying the same day as the ship departs. They asked which airport is the most convenient and Southampton is the one.

[sverigecruiser]

The OP will probably fly from JFK and with all connections to Heathrow, that must be their best choice. Since they will arrive in the morning, they might arrive to England the same day as the cruise arrives.

 

If they could take a direct flight to Southampton, that would be the most convenient airport but not if they have to change somewhere to get there!

[Partyatsea]

Thank you for all your help, just an FYI, we just reserved air thru NCL for $520 pp from JFK to Heathrow including transportation for the airport to the port. The price seems pretty good compared with what we have been finding and it can be cancelled up to final payment date. Anyone ever used the NCL air option? Thanks again.

[time2cruise1]

Check out a budget airline called FlyBe. Southampton is their base and they have regular services to European airports. You could fly TA with for instance Air France or Lufthansa and connect to Southampton that way. Then you could avoid the London airports. We use the airport often. It is really small and very easy to negotiate.

 

Thank you for all your help, just an FYI, we just reserved air thru NCL for $520 pp from JFK to Heathrow including transportation for the airport to the port. The price seems pretty good compared with what we have been finding and it can be cancelled up to final payment date. Anyone ever used the NCL air option? Thanks again.

 

Not a bad deal with transfers from NCL at $85 pp. The problem is coming in a couple days in advance rather then the day of the cruise.

[Partyatsea]

Time2 we thought so also. We haven't posted on the roll call yet, as we have 2 reservations, one for the Dawn in March and the Epic TA. We can really only go on one as they are close together in time. We are hoping to make it the Epic but the cost difference is pretty big. We figure we have until the final payment due date for Dawn to get it all figured out. Tryin to get a true estimate of how much the TA will cost. We also are booked on the Epic for Dec. 2010, a cruise we will definitely be on.