champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I thought I would do some research for our 2019 cruise. I have been on the computer since 7am looking at cruises...all ships and itineraries. NOTHING appeals to me. I know we need to fan out with our itineraries, but my greatest fear is "airfare". We have been to just about every Caribbean Island, Bermuda and Hawaii.....so time to move on. That leaves Alaska, which we do not want to do until we retire. (two or three years). That leaves a possible transatlantic, which we are highly interested in...BUT.....I am afraid of the cost of airfare going or coming back. Can't even check prices, because it would be for next year. Is there a "secret" that I don't know about for this? Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniChunks Posted January 4, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I have airline miles from work that I use. I signed my wife up for the Delta AMEX during a promotion where you spend $3000 in the first 4 months and you get 60,000 miles. That paid for her flight from NY to San Juan then Rome to NY. $95 in fees and the rest was free. Paid for the cruise with the credit card, paid off the credit card and boom, free flights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatour Posted January 4, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 4, 2018 For airfare, check the airfare for this year during the same time you are expecting to go next year. For example if you are thinking of doing the trip during July 2019, check for airfare for July 2018. It won't be hundreds percent but it should give you a general idea of what to expect for next year. BTW, I did this type of trip a few years ago. Took the QM2 from New York to Southampton England. Spent a week in England and then flew back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) I have airline miles from work that I use. I signed my wife up for the Delta AMEX during a promotion where you spend $3000 in the first 4 months and you get 60,000 miles. That paid for her flight from NY to San Juan then Rome to NY. $95 in fees and the rest was free. Paid for the cruise with the credit card, paid off the credit card and boom, free flights! Thank you for the advice. This however would never work for me. There is no way I would be able to charge $3000 worth of merchandise and then pay it back. I do thank you though. Edited January 4, 2018 by champagne123 ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted January 4, 2018 For airfare, check the airfare for this year during the same time you are expecting to go next year. For example if you are thinking of doing the trip during July 2019, check for airfare for July 2018. It won't be hundreds percent but it should give you a general idea of what to expect for next year. BTW, I did this type of trip a few years ago. Took the QM2 from New York to Southampton England. Spent a week in England and then flew back. Mmmm....okay, I will try your advice. Hopefully, the prices won't be "that" different. BTW, The QM2 is one of the ships I was researching. Did you enjoy this cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvscruising2007 Posted January 4, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 4, 2018 When we did a transatlantic we used cruise air from RC and saved quite a bit of money. Because with a TA you are only flying one way, Cruise Air often has better prices. Another option, if you haven't done it already, is a New England/Canada cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robtulipe Posted January 4, 2018 #7 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thank you for the advice. This however would never work for me. There is no way I would be able to charge $3000 worth of merchandise and then pay it back. I do thank you though. As MiniChunks said charge the cruise you want to do to the credit card with the promotion as it doesn't have to be just merchandise. Also charge other expenses such as car, groceries, eat out meal, insurance, etc. Just the cruise alone should provide a good chunk of the $3000 billing needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobal Posted January 4, 2018 #8 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Mmmm....okay, I will try your advice. Hopefully, the prices won't be "that" different. BTW, The QM2 is one of the ships I was researching. Did you enjoy this cruise? Just be careful of avoiding holiday dates in Europe if you decide on a TA - the price this year could be significantly different to next year if it falls at Easter, which varies each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genteelarts Posted January 4, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 4, 2018 We've used Cruise Air for one-way flights for all of our transatlantic cruises and gotten prices that were much less than what was available online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted January 4, 2018 When we did a transatlantic we used cruise air from RC and saved quite a bit of money. Because with a TA you are only flying one way, Cruise Air often has better prices. Another option, if you haven't done it already, is a New England/Canada cruise. Yes, completely forgot. We did do the New England/Canada cruise. (probably our least favorite). Sorry to anyone that loves this cruise. Thanks for the tip for Cruise Air.....just a quick question though....don't they fly you in on the day of your cruise? That would make me so nervous. We always fly the day before a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Just be careful of avoiding holiday dates in Europe if you decide on a TA - the price this year could be significantly different to next year if it falls at Easter, which varies each year. (y) Good point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swoopy2110 Posted January 4, 2018 #12 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Asia ? Australia ? Europe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_cruisers Posted January 4, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I recently found Norwegian airlines. They have very low fares to Europe from the East Coast, as low as $200pp one way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseKeeper Posted January 4, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 4, 2018 As MiniChunks said charge the cruise you want to do to the credit card with the promotion as it doesn't have to be just merchandise. Also charge other expenses such as car, groceries, eat out meal, insurance, etc.Just the cruise alone should provide a good chunk of the $3000 billing needed. When we wanted to qualify for the 2k promo for the first 3 months spending, we bought gift cards with the new credit card for 1k for our grocery store that also sells gas. We will surely spend that money eventually. I was able to pay Comcast, ATT, car and homeowners insurance and that about ate up the whole 2k. We paid that bill in full at the end of the billing period...having to pay interest to get a few airline points would just be stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted January 4, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Have you thought about Hawaii? Would be nice. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Have you thought about Hawaii? Would be nice. Keith[/qu Pay attention Keith....rotflmao. Been there...done that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 4, 2018 #17 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I thought I would do some research for our 2019 cruise. I have been on the computer since 7am looking at cruises...all ships and itineraries. NOTHING appeals to me. I know we need to fan out with our itineraries, but my greatest fear is "airfare". We have been to just about every Caribbean Island, Bermuda and Hawaii.....so time to move on. That leaves Alaska, which we do not want to do until we retire. (two or three years). That leaves a possible transatlantic, which we are highly interested in...BUT.....I am afraid of the cost of airfare going or coming back. Can't even check prices, because it would be for next year. Is there a "secret" that I don't know about for this? Any advice? Use Royal's Air2Sea for air, very good one-way prices to Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I recently found Norwegian airlines. They have very low fares to Europe from the East Coast, as low as $200pp one way. Mmmmm....checking it out! Such great advice from EVERYONE (EXCEPT KEITH....LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #19 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Use Royal's Air2Sea for air, very good one-way prices to Europe. YAY!!!!!! All the great tips and advice!!! (except Keith):'):'):'):'):'):') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted January 4, 2018 #20 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Have you thought about Hawaii? Would be nice. Keith[/qu Pay attention Keith....rotflmao. Been there...done that. I'm trying but even where I live it's been cold so I'm not as alert as usual. :cool: Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #21 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I'm trying but even where I live it's been cold so I'm not as alert as usual. :cool: Keith A hot toddy does wonders.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookish Angel Posted January 4, 2018 #22 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Depending on your budget, you might consider the Galapagos Islands. It is very unlike any other islands to which I have been and the wildlife is spectacular. We did the Galapagos via Celebrity's Xpedition and from flights, to hotels, transfers, etc., it was a near flawless trip and Ecuador is a beautiful country. It is a pricey trip but is in my top 3 fave places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted January 4, 2018 #23 Share Posted January 4, 2018 It’s summer in Australia. Very hot and perfect cruising weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted January 4, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) Depending on your budget, you might consider the Galapagos Islands. Unlike any other islands to which I have been and the wildlife is spectacular. We did the Galapagos via Celebrity's Xpedition and from flights, to hotels, transfers, etc., it was a near flawless trip and Ecuador is a beautiful country. Interesting. No, never even considered it. Sounds amazing...and hubby LOVES wild life. I have no idea of the cost, but will check it out. Thank you! YIKES! Great idea. WAAAAAYYYYYYY out of my budget...but thank you Edited January 4, 2018 by champagne123 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted January 4, 2018 #25 Share Posted January 4, 2018 A hot toddy does wonders.. Good recommendation. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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