International Open Jaw, LAX > VCE, ATH > LAX

[Crown Prince]

Hello, Flyers,

I am a Cruiser and know a lot about cruisin'.

However, I am really "Flyer-Stupid."

I need advice to book an open jaw - International flight - to get to and from my cruise on the Pacific Princess, sailing from VCE and disembarking in ATH. I live at LAX (yes, a Valley Girl). I like John Wayne and Bob Hope A/P also.

I wish to fly in early to stay in Venice 3 nights (or so) and stay 2 nights after in Athens.

Ship departs VCE on 24 September 2010 at 9 PM.

Ship arrives ATH on 6 October.

Now that I am retired, my schedule is flexible (although budget-limited).

The cruise air is $1583 USD (incl. taxes & deviation fee of $75).

I searched Kayak and found B.A. for $1172.

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU VERY-SMART FLYERS:

1. Am I too early?

2. How can I do better?

 

Thanks, IA, for your Help

:confused::confused::D:confused::confused:

[scottbee]

Hello, Flyers,

I am a Cruiser and know a lot about cruisin'.

However, I am really "Flyer-Stupid."

I need advice to book an open jaw - International flight - to get to and from my cruise on the Pacific Princess, sailing from VCE and disembarking in ATH. I live at LAX (yes, a Valley Girl). I like John Wayne and Bob Hope A/P also.

I wish to fly in early to stay in Venice 3 nights (or so) and stay 2 nights after in Athens.

Ship departs VCE on 24 September 2010 at 9 PM.

Ship arrives ATH on 6 October.

Now that I am retired, my schedule is flexible (although budget-limited).

The cruise air is $1583 USD (incl. taxes & deviation fee of $75).

I searched Kayak and found B.A. for $1172.

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU VERY-SMART FLYERS:

1. Am I too early?

2. How can I do better?

 

Thanks, IA, for your Help

 

Actually I think that's a decent price for a good airline.

 

While you like BUR/Burbank and SNA/John Wayne-Orange Cty airports as well, you need to ask yourself "Is the added niceness of going out of there, worth an additional change", as you wont get a flight to Europe out f either of them, and will require a change of plane elsewhere in the USA before you cross the Atlantic

[Sargent_Schultz]

I don't know why cruise air can't come closer to the price you found on Kayak. Did you ask them to quote the BA flights or is the $1538 the standard air cost before the deviation.

 

They might be a little more, since cruise air will include transfers which may not be of use to you, but could be.

 

When I have gotten deviations, the new price has been less than the standard air that people without a deviation have paid. When done far enough in advance, they have also forgotten the deviation fee. This was on Carnival - not sure about Princess.

[Crown Prince]

Thank you, Sargent, for your reply.

"When done far enough in advance, they have also forgotten the deviation fee."

I am not sure what you mean by this. The deviation fee for Princess Air is their charge ($75 for International and $50 pp. for Domestic) for the Air Specialist to search for, book, and take payment.

 

I have not called Princess yet.

In the Princess Cruise Personalizer, I am able to view what the airfare would be. I add $75 for the deviation fee to be able to select airline and flight number of my choice. However, Princess does not have Contracts with all airlines (negotiated once a year).

Yes, you would think that Princess Contract Air could come closer to Consolidators fares.

Corporate fares used to be available to me, but no more.

 

Princess Air never includes transfers. They are always extra.

 

SCOTT:

I know - right? One connection (LHR) [ugg] is quite enough. I know Venice will be worth it though. Tough flights to and from VCE. I do use John Wayne to fly JetBlue domestically.

I think that $1200 is about the best I can do, since you also concur. Thanks, both of you, for your help.

 

:D:D:cool::D:D

[Sargent_Schultz]

OK, you're welcome.

 

What I meant by the deviation fee reference is that I have never been charged one, even though the cruise lines could have.

 

If you know what flights you want and what it would cost you to book on your own - other than a few minutes of your time, what is the cost of calling Princess to see if they can do the same or better?

 

Carnival charges nothing for deviation requests - you can accept or not. Execution may or may not cost. I assume Princess is the same, but perhaps a bad assumption.

 

Cruise air is usually not a great play, however, I found out sometimes it is. Shocking, I know.

[AZjohn]

I searched Kayak and found B.A. for $1172.

 

I see your $1172 fare on BA (good airline) BUT I only see some really bad routing. I know your retired but a 16 hour layover in LHR does not sound fun at all. I don't see anything else on BA for that price but hopefully you found a better routing (there is better routing but at a higher price).

Good luck,

John

[Globaliser]

I see your $1172 fare on BA (good airline) BUT I only see some really bad routing. I know your retired but a 16 hour layover in LHR does not sound fun at all. I don't see anything else on BA for that price but hopefully you found a better routing (there is better routing but at a higher price).

The main problem is that the BA flights from LAX get to Heathrow too late to connect directly to Venice on the same day.

 

It is possible to make a same-day connection by changing airports and flying from Gatwick to Venice. The price is actually slightly cheaper, although the inter-airport transfer is at passenger's expense. (But so would the overnight stay at Heathrow.)

[maryann2]

The main problem is that the BA flights from LAX get to Heathrow too late to connect directly to Venice on the same day.

 

It is possible to make a same-day connection by changing airports and flying from Gatwick to Venice. The price is actually slightly cheaper, although the inter-airport transfer is at passenger's expense. (But so would the overnight stay at Heathrow.)

 

Changing airports Heathrow to Gatwick would be a pain. IMHO staying overnight at Heathrow and getting a cheap Priceline hotel and a good sleep would work. Would also mean not being so exhausted arriving in Venice. Could get a 3/4 star Priceline/Hotwire hotel for $50-60.

[6rugrats]

Changing airports Heathrow to Gatwick would be a pain. IMHO staying overnight at Heathrow and getting a cheap Priceline hotel and a good sleep would work. Would also mean not being so exhausted arriving in Venice. Could get a 3/4 star Priceline/Hotwire hotel for $50-60.

 

I agree; have gotten some great airport hotels at LHR on PL for about that price. Much better to get a good night's sleep. Transportation to and from hotels is easy. To save that much money, I'd choose this route.

[Globaliser]

IMHO staying overnight at Heathrow and getting a cheap Priceline hotel and a good sleep would work. Would also mean not being so exhausted arriving in Venice.

Much better to get a good night's sleep.

It'll be for everyone to decide which of these options they'd prefer, but I would point out that for someone arriving from LAX it won't be "a good night's sleep".

 

The Heathrow-Venice flight leaves at about 9 am or 10 am (depending on season). Obviously, you'd have to be awake by about 6 am or 7 am in order to get packed, get out of the hotel, and get transport to the airport (unless you stay at the Sofitel, which isn't cheap).

 

Now, that might be fine for someone who's already here. But someone who's just got in from LAX will have been trying to sleep through their body clock's afternoon, and then be getting up at 10 pm or 11 pm body clock time in order to catch a flight that leaves at 1 am or 2 am body clock time.

 

Some people manage this better than others. I know (from much bitter experience) that this would be dreadfully hard work for me. The mere fact that the Heathrow-Venice flight leaves the "next day" by London local time doesn't guarantee that you'll have had a good sleep or that you'll arrive in Venice feeling any better than if you'd carried straight on on the same day. (If you did that, you'd go to bed exhausted, but you could wake up in Venice the next morning whenever you pleased, and get going whenever you felt like it.)

 

The inter-airport transfer is an extra layer of hassle. Neither of these solutions is perfect (and it may well be one reason why the BA fares on this route are a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the AF or LH fares). I offer these thoughts so that the OP can have a fuller picture of what the advantages and disadvantages are of the alternatives.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Don't forget that Transatlantic flights usually have more generous luggage allowance than flights within Europe. If your luggage isn't checked all the way to Venice, you could get eaten alive on luggage fees.

[lettienets]

Changing airports Heathrow to Gatwick would be a pain. IMHO staying overnight at Heathrow and getting a cheap Priceline hotel and a good sleep would work. Would also mean not being so exhausted arriving in Venice. Could get a 3/4 star Priceline/Hotwire hotel for $50-60.

Not a pain to me. I have done it. There are busses that feed to all airports from Heathrow if you have to change to Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.

 

Are you flying BA? Doesn't matter. Time matters.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/airpflcnxlhrlgw/public/en_gb

 

Just ask when you arrive where to catch the interairport busses, somebody will know. One thing I like at Heathrow is there are actually people to ask something (unlike Toronto :() I was amazed doing it to Gatwick and Stansted how efficient it was. If you have a good am't of time. I am usually revved up anyway so making a long day is not that bad. If you are over 60 you will get a concession rate too. There are more expensive services too. But the bus is great.

 

National Express Bus http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/index.cfm

[maryann2]

Don't forget that Transatlantic flights usually have more generous luggage allowance than flights within Europe. If your luggage isn't checked all the way to Venice, you could get eaten alive on luggage fees.

 

Because it is all one ticket LAX /LHR-LGW/VCE the international baggage allowance would apply for the whole trip. The luggage wouldn't be checked through but would have to be collected and rechecked in LGW.

[maryann2]

Not a pain to me. I have done it. There are busses that feed to all airports from Heathrow if you have to change to Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.

 

Are you flying BA? Doesn't matter. Time matters.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/airpflcnxlhrlgw/public/en_gb

 

Just ask when you arrive where to catch the interairport busses, somebody will know. One thing I like at Heathrow is there are actually people to ask something (unlike Toronto :() I was amazed doing it to Gatwick and Stansted how efficient it was. If you have a good am't of time. I am usually revved up anyway so making a long day is not that bad. If you are over 60 you will get a concession rate too. There are more expensive services too. But the bus is great.

 

National Express Bus http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/index.cfm

 

Just because you're a night owl LOL !

 

I did it once changing to Ryanair flying to Knock in Ireland but as the direct flights from Vancouver don't arrive until 1130 am, I took the Vancouver / Toronto route which got in at 6.30am so that I would have more time. So I was really shattered by the time we got to Knock.

 

Also, to get back to the Venice destination, it would arrive about 7.30 pm and dark,and not sure if the OP is familiar with Venice. A water taxi to the hotel is expensive. Travelling in daylight, fairly refreshed, it would be easy to use the vaporetto. JMHO

[Sargent_Schultz]

Because it is all one ticket LAX /LHR-LGW/VCE the international baggage allowance would apply for the whole trip. The luggage wouldn't be checked through but would have to be collected and rechecked in LGW.

 

That works. But if they break the trip into two bookings - they could be in for a big luggage surprise.

[FlyerTalker]

Deleted....

[Crown Prince]

Thank you all, so much. You guys are so great!

Yes, I did notice the 19-hour connection; however, the change of airports did escape me. The airport website link helps with that. I just had an idea. I should call B.A. and just quiz them on their different routings & connection times.

Just the other day, while surfing, I found this interesting website:

 

https://www.yotel.com/find_out.aspx?open=cabin_guide

 

Has anyone heard of this Yotel at both Heathrow and Gatwick? Have you stayed there or know anyone who has stayed there?

$41 to $65 USD for 4 hours in a cabin with toilet, shower, closet, TV, and room service. Each extra hour is $11 USD. I looked at the 360-degree photos and they are quite interesting. Take a look.

I just sent them an e-mail to enquire about the costs of room service food and drinks and movie prices. Probably would not use that - have my protein bars with me.

This guy made his fortune with Sushi restaurants in London and now has 35 of these raw-fish places around the world.

There is one other Yotel at Amsterdam airport and more costly. On the website, he solicits for real estate at other airports.

I may try it just for the adventure. Perhaps too small for 2 pax but probably quite adequate for one. What do you think?

I am a very good sleeper aboard aircraft on the return trip. However, outbound I am way too excited about my trip to sleep. I've tried drinking but that only seems to make me even more hyper.

Lots to think about. I really, really do appreciate all the help from you Flyers-Cruisers. I like your ideas and suggestions.

 

:D:D;):D:D

[Crown Prince]

Mister FlyerTalk:

 

You know, you look an awfully lot like that detective that was on TV for a long run many years ago [what's his name - Joe?]

 

BTW, do you have a website link where I can find airport maps? I did not see maps on that BA website.

 

Thanks again.

 

:cool::cool::D:cool::cool:

[FlyerTalker]

Try the Heathrow website. Most times, the airport site gives better info/maps than the airline site (which tends to only focus on their operations).

 

LINK

 

And yes, the name is in the sig. Maybe I'm a cop, maybe just a seeker (and sharer) of facts. FWIW, my former photo and quote were of Jack Nicholson and the famous "You can't handle the truth". Which applies to some around here.

[Crown Prince]

Thanks again, F-T.

I found all the maps and other stuff. Good website.

I, too, like detective pursuits. You have a great sense of humour.

 

;);):D;);)

[Globaliser]

I just sent them an e-mail to enquire about the costs of room service food and drinks and movie prices.

I'm not sure that Yotel will do any of that. But at the Heathrow location (ie at Terminal 4), it's on the same level as the big landside food and beverage outlets so it won't be hard to sort yourself out. They are literally right by the front door of the hotel, on the mezzanine level of the terminal.

[Globaliser]

Sorry, having looked at the website I found to my surprise that they do!

[AZjohn]

$41 to $65 USD for 4 hours in a cabin with toilet, shower, closet, TV, and room service. Each extra hour is $11 USD...

 

 

LOL... Sounds exactly like my last cruise:D

 

 

Mister FlyerTalk:

 

You know, you look an awfully lot like that detective that was on TV for a long run many years ago [what's his name - Joe?]

 

 

So much for anonymity...lol

[Sargent_Schultz]

...

[new salt]

I haved used Yotel at Gatwick and it is perfectly fine, though rather different for an old f$rt like me. I had a crack of sparrow's departure after setting up a family funeral and it was perfect; clean, efficient and right in the terminal. Would I use them again? Yes. Would I base a holiday there? How odd do you think I am????