Booking Air with Celebrity

[PattyMichael]

Hi all, We are booking a cruise for 9/2/06 To Europe. We will be flying out of LAX and doinf a pre and post package. Should we book with the cruise line?

[wrp96]

What you can do is book via Celebrity now, and then continue to look for fares on your own independently, and cancel the cruise air before final payment if you do. Chances are you will be able to find airfare for a lot less on your own than through the cruise line, especially since you are coming from an airport with lots of options on flights. If you do book flights independently, make sure to cancel the cruise air before final payment.

[DEL67]

I agree with wrp96. Go ahead and book through Celebrity so you know you have it, but continue to look for air on your own and cancel the Celebrity air if you find a better deal.

 

For example we initially reserved RCCL air for our recent transatlantic. RCCL wanted $699 for air to Barcelona and back to NJ from Miamiwhich looked good in comparison to the $1000+ that the airlines wanted for one way to from NYC to Barcelona. However, I was able to find a $280 fare on airlineconsoldator.com. Adding a Jetblue flight home from Florida only cost $69. As a result, we not only saved $350 per person, but we also had control over which flights we took.

[PattyMichael]

Is it ture Celebrity will not tell you your fight any sooner than two weeks before the cruise?

[PoohUnderstands]

You usually find out your flights if you don't pay for custom air when you get your final documents about 3 weeks before the cruise. However, I believe your TA can find out about thirty days out and secure you seats at that time. You cannot get a seat assignment until the cruise line gives the airline all the names, etc.

 

Pooh

[greatam]

You will also pay through the nose for the hotel on a cruise package. Cruise booked hotels are PP, NOT for a room. You will NOT have to pay the air deviation fee (usually $50.00pp), BUT the difference in the cruise hotel price and what you can book on your own will usually outweigh the air deviation fee.

 

Since you are booking a package, you will know your flights as soon as the air is booked, which on a package should be almost immediatley. You will also be able to pick your flights, but if the flights you choose are more expensive than what is included in the package, you will have to pay the difference.

 

You can book the transfers independently of air or hotel, so do not worry about the transfers.

 

You will almost definitely save money putting effort into booking air and hotel yourself.

[PattyMichael]

Thank you for the information. I have requested my TA to get on it. TY