ships and planes

[mredandchis]

Let me apologize I havent been reading this board long and i just know somewhere in the past this was covered.  Finding it would be another matter.    I have seen comments about flying to the port, but  I live on the east coast and always drive.  Now we are talking alaskan cruise so i will fly the day before and the day after.  I have noticed people saying that they went thru carnival for all this, like planes, hotels and ground transportation.  Is there a benefit to doing this?   And i am hoping that if there is issues with the flight like a hurricane or something and they cant get me to the port on time, that carnival takes the hit on the chin.  And I am talking something that is not my fault like sitting in the airport and they say " sir we are sorry but we cant....."  And do i get a choice of airline and flight?  Or it there some sort of pardership i got to worry about.  I could do this all on my own of course , just looking for what happens when the best plans of mice and men go to ............

 

[Cruiser_1977]

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3110/~/carnivals-fly2fun-air-program

 

What are the benefits of booking Carnivals new Fly2Fun Air Program?
There are several benefits to booking Carnival's Fly2Fun Program. Our new air program allows you to select flights from most major U.S, Canadian, Caribbean, Mexico and Central/South America airports.  We also provide flight protection in the event of airline flight cancellations or delays resulting from mechanicals or severe weather conditions.  Flight Protection provides security and reassurance to our guests who are traveling.

Another benefit is with our Flexible Fares, guests can defer payment of their airline ticket until cruise final payment and they can make changes to their reservation prior to 60 days of cruise departure without penalty.  This provides our guests extra flexibility to make changes* to their reservations and allows our guests additional time to pay off their remaining vacation balances.

* Note: Flexible or Restricted Fares do not allow name change.
       
Why do I need to call to make an air reservation?
At this time, online booking is not available. We did not want to delay the opportunity to offer our guests a competitive air product, which is why we are offering it via our contact center - call your travel agent or 1-800-CARNIVAL.
       
What are the differences between the Fly2Fun Air Program options: Restricted and Flexible?
The difference between Restricted Fares and Flexible Fares is that with Restricted Fares, airline ticket payment is required once the air reservation is made and tickets are non-refundable. Payment of Flexible Fares is due at time of cruise final payment and changes may be made prior to 60 days of cruise departure without penalty. Within 60 days of cruise departure, a $200 change fee will be applied plus any additional air costs.  Both air programs provide Flight Protection at no cost to you.  Name changes are not permitted on Flexible or Restricted Fares.
       
What is the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time?
Flight times vary based on sailing itinerary. Fly2Fun takes sailing information into consideration during the booking process.
     
Do I need to purchase a seat for my infant?
Fly2Fun guests who are travelling with an infant under 2 years of age must purchase a ticket if he/she will be occupying a seat. An infant traveling on the guest's lap may be subject to taxes and fees imposed by the government and airline.
       
Do all guests have to book the same fare type?
No. Fare types are at a guest level. One guest can purchase Flexible Fares while the other can purchase Restricted Fares.
       
Does Carnival provide transportation from the airport to the port?
Yes, Carnival offers transportation service between the airport and the port on embarkation and debarkation days. Transfers can be purchased on our website or by calling your travel agent or 1-800-CARNIVAL.
       
Can I get one-way air transportation?
One-way air transportation is only provided for guests who live in the city where the ship departs or arrives such as our Journey sailings or one-way sailings.
       
When is the latest that I can purchase air?
Fly2Fun can be purchased until 4 days prior to sailing.
        
Can I fly in days before and or leave days after my cruise date?
Absolutely!  You get to choose the date before and after your cruise.
       
Can I select my own preferred airline?
Absolutely! You can select your preferred airline, travel dates, time and fare.
       
Can I book air for a back-to-back cruise?
Yes. We will gladly assist our guests with scheduling air on a back-to-back cruise. 
     
Can I reserve my seats or make special requests?
Seat assignments can be made for most airlines. For Jet Blue, Southwest, Airtran and Frontier, you will need to do this on their airline website or by calling them directly. Additional items that can be requested include Special Service Requests, Meals and Frequent Flyer options. Please note that although Carnival Cruise Line can pass requests for seat assignments, special meals and special assistance to the airlines, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be honored. For the best travel experience, we recommend that travel agents/guests contact the airline directly to confirm these requests.  
     
What if I want to purchase business or first class?
We would be happy to help you select from economy to first class.  Please let us know when inquiring about air so we can review what is available for your travel dates.
       
Since Carnival is no longer offering complimentary hotel stays, will one night pre hotels be available for purchase in North America?
Not at this time. In the future, we may consider offering pre and post hotel packages for our cruise departures out of North America. We do offer hotel packages for our Mediterranean sailings.
    
Can guests decline the air protection coverage offered when purchasing Fly2Fun?
Air protection is automatically included with our air program. It cannot be declined. This is a great bonus that we offer our guests.

Post Booking Questions

Can I change from Restricted to Flexible and vice versa?
Our Flexible Fares allow you to make changes prior to 60 days of cruise departure without penalty.  Changes made 60 days or less from the cruise departure, changes from Flexible to Restricted will be subject to a $200 change fee plus additional airfare cost. Restricted Fares are non-refundable.  Therefore, switching from Restricted Fares to Flexible Fares would be subject to a full penalty.
       
Who should I contact if I need to change my flights?
You may call your travel agent or 1-800-321-6666 to change your flights.  However, change fees and additional air cost may apply.
       
Can I change my Fly2Fun flights after they have been booked?
Our Flexible Fares allow you to make changes prior to 60 days from cruise departure without penalty.  Changes made 60 days or less from cruise departure will be subject to a $200 change fee as well as any additional air cost. Restricted Fares are non-refundable.  Therefore, switching flights on Restricted Fares can only be done within the same day of reservation, without penalty.  If an unforeseen situation comes up after the initial day, airline change fees and additional air cost will apply.

If I have purchased Carnival Vacation Protection and have to cancel, will our air be covered?
For specifics on protection, please call 1-800-331-2796.
       
What if my flights are cancelled or delayed?
Our Fly2Fun Air Program provides Flight Protection in the event of airline flight cancellations or delays resulting from mechanicals or severe weather conditions.  Guests affected by these situations should contact our Travel Hotline at 1-877-885-4856 and our travel professional will ensure they meet their ship.  Air, hotel and ground transportation costs for guest to meet the ships will be at Carnival's expense.  
      
If I purchase Fly2Fun and missed my flights, would Carnival refund my air or re-accommodate us?
We will not refund air for guests who miss their flights.  Guests who are unable to meet the ship due to airline flight cancellations or delays resulting from mechanicals or severe weather conditions will be protected on other flights to meet the ship at no cost to the guests.   

Where can I see my flight schedule?
An air confirmation will be automatically sent to the e-mail address appearing in the cruise reservation system, which may be your travel agent's e-mail.  The flight schedule can also be retrieved via carnival.com, manage my cruise.
             
How would I be notified of an airline itinerary change (i.e. time change, flight number, airport, etc.)?
We will automatically resend an air confirmation reflecting airline schedule changes to the email address on the booking.
       
Can I cancel my air without a penalty if I change my mind the same day of air confirmation?
Usually the airlines are willing to work with us if the cancellation happens the same day. Please contact your travel agent or 1-800-CARNIVAL to see if a penalty applies.
       
Will the air confirmation sent at the time of the booking indicate the air program selected (i.e Restricted or Flexible)?
Yes.  The confirmation will indicate Flexible fare or Restricted fare.  The confirmation for Flexible Fares and Restricted Fares will be sent when the air is booked or modified.  
      
If I have Vacation Protection Plan and I use the "cancel for any reason" is the air covered under the 75% Future Cruise Cancel?
Yes.  Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for 75% of the value of the air cancellation fee applies to both Flexible Fares and Restricted Fares.

Will Flexible Fares and Restricted Fares include price protection?
We will not be offering air price protection. Only cruise price protection is offered.

If we have paid for Restricted Fares and then decide later to add a pre or post package, would we incur a penalty or just pay prevailing rates?
An administration fee will not be applied.  Only the charge for the airline change fees and the incremental air cost will apply.  

Will my flights automatically be loaded into the travel information section in Online Check-in?
Yes.  Your flights will be populated in Online Check-in.  You will not have to reenter them in the travel information section.
       
What is considered a name change? What is considered a name correction?
A name change is considered a new guest replacing an existing guest.  The original guest will be cancelled and the new guest will be added.  The new guest would need to shop for air at the prevailing rates.  

A name correction is considered to be the same guest with the incorrect spelling or wrong name, where the date of birth does not change.  Guests may incur fees from the airlines for the correction.
       
What if I want to upgrade to a different cabin class (first or business) once my ticket has been issued?
You can upgrade your ticket by contacting your airline directly and paying for the additional cost.

[1lizette1]

We recently used the Fly2Fun program. I liked most of it, especially the part about how Carnival booked everything (insurance as well). Therefore if there was any problem I can call them.

But, the thing I really didn't like was that the flight was not finalized until after the cruise final payment due date (60 days before sailing) plus I couldn't access anything to do with my flight until 11 days after that! So I had to wait until 48 days before our cruise before I could go onto airline website (in our case it was Delta) and choose seats etc. 

I found this waiting made me very anxious. I like to be in the know about everything right from the start. If I chose to use Fly2Fun again at least I know what to expect.

Lastly, no Carnival reps (that I spoke to) know much of anything about Fly2Fun. Even the friendly folks at the Fly2Fun extension don't know a ton about it. Not sure I'd ever book using it again.

And that first post talks about upgrading to a different class in the flight, you need to call the airline with your ticket number. What it fails to mention is that you won't get a ticket number until 48 days before sailing.

Edited November 14, 2018 by 1lizette1

[mredandchis]

Thank you for the response.  Lot more info than i expected, and that you for the insight into the program.  What i see here is pay it off as early as possible.  I have 10 of us going so just trying to sort it out for them.  

[RWolver672]

Before you book with the cruise line, check to see what it costs to book your flights on your own.  It use to be and maybe still is that you can save a lot of money by booking flights on your own either through one of dot com sites or directly through the airline.

[Wave61]

We used fly2fun for our upcoming cruise the end of March.  We are flying with Delta and we're able to select our seats at the time of booking.  I was surprised that the price was lower than what I was seeing on Delta.  As well, flexible fare was cheaper than restricted.