Booking Air Through NCL

[Hopperhop]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me of their experiences when they have booked the air arrangements through NCL.  There are a couple of cruises that we are looking at now now and one has free air and the other is incredibly cheap.  Just wondering if it is worth pursuing since it is at such a good price.  We are in the Chicago area so I would think the chances for a direct flight would be fairly good but I don't know if that is the way they arrange things.  We always try to book direct flights if possible but I could see us booking through NCL if folks have had good experiences doing that.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice or experiences that you can share with me!  

[Hopperhop]

On 5/14/2019 at 8:48 AM, Hopperhop said:

I was wondering if anyone can tell me of their experiences when they have booked the air arrangements through NCL.  There are a couple of cruises that we are looking at now now and one has free air and the other is incredibly cheap.  Just wondering if it is worth pursuing since it is at such a good price.  We are in the Chicago area so I would think the chances for a direct flight would be fairly good but I don't know if that is the way they arrange things.  We always try to book direct flights if possible but I could see us booking through NCL if folks have had good experiences doing that.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice or experiences that you can share with me!  

 

Just checking in to see if anyone can help me with the question that I had regarding booking air travel arrangements through NCL.  Thank you!

[Suite Heart]

I can only speak to my experience from/to Denver. The only time I've NOT had a direct flight is flying to/from Europe. One other thing, though. It used to be that flying into Miami from Denver,  NCL would put you up at a hotel (no extra charge) overnight, and take you to port the next day for your cruise. Now you just get put on an earlier flight. My last cruise went out of New Orleans and my flight from Denver took off at 6:15 a.m.

[* Angela *]

I haven't a cruise with air in forever; however, with a free air add on, I decided to take the plunge and do it for my upcoming cruise in October.  With the price of airfare now, you can't beat it.  We also paid an extra $25 pp so we could fly in a day early (deviation fee).  

[Kingkonig]

4 minutes ago, * Angela * said:

I haven't a cruise with air in forever; however, with a free air add on, I decided to take the plunge and do it for my upcoming cruise in October.  With the price of airfare now, you can't beat it.  We also paid an extra $25 pp so we could fly in a day early (deviation fee).  

 

This is our plan as well - don’t want to risk missing the ship, but paying $50 (plus hotel I guess, probably gonna book that for $125 through NCL too) to fly to the port and have peace of mind isn’t bad

[allyfrizzle]

I booked a cruise w/free air through them. Originally they had my flight landing just 2.5 hours before the ship was set to take off. I called and begged and they finally changed my arrival flight to a few hours before we embarked. Other than that snafu, I got a direct flight to NY from Detroit and direct from NY back to Detroit.

[Nola26]

7 hours ago, Suite Heart said:

I can only speak to my experience from/to Denver. The only time I've NOT had a direct flight is flying to/from Europe. One other thing, though. It used to be that flying into Miami from Denver,  NCL would put you up at a hotel (no extra charge) overnight, and take you to port the next day for your cruise. Now you just get put on an earlier flight. My last cruise went out of New Orleans and my flight from Denver took off at 6:15 a.m.

You're experienced with NCL airfare, so hope you'll answer a few questions, thanks

1. Was there a direct flight offered from you Denver to your departure port in Europe?
2. United has one to from Newark to Barcelona, so wondering if that's likely for our trip
3. Is the flight information shown on the Vacation Summary, either online or the NCL app?
   1. I've read people indicate email, eDocs but I would hope it shows on my reservation just like dining and entertainment

[geneticfreak]

Used it twice from Newark to Miami, both times $0 and on the ship eating lunch by 12:30 at the latest. 

[C cruise]

I have 6 friends that booked with Norwegian Air for a cruise that started in Rome this week - their flight went out of Orlando -- when they got to the airport they found out their flight was canceled! They could not get another flight and had to cancel the cruise - 6 very disappointed people... so be careful.

[Nola26]

5 hours ago, C cruise said:

I have 6 friends that booked with Norwegian Air for a cruise that started in Rome this week - their flight went out of Orlando -- when they got to the airport they found out their flight was canceled! They could not get another flight and had to cancel the cruise - 6 very disappointed people... so be careful.

This thread is for booking airfare through NCL with your  cruise. 

 

Your friends likely had tickets with Norwegian Airlines, totally different.

[larry_s_taco]

We flew in April from Louisville, KY to New Orleans for a Breakaway cruise due to the free airfare. Everything went smoothly. When we arrived in New Orleans there was a NCL rep. there that met us in the baggage area, and escorted us to our transfer bus, explained what to do when we got to the hotel, and where to meet our bus for the transfer to the port. (all transfers and hotel was arranged by NCL) They did a great job. 

[NRWPA]

I am booked Miami to Rome in September. I can't help with the original question since I haven't gotten my flight info yet and don't expect it until July. I am taking a chance but at least am aware of the policies. I booked because I got an excellent price. I will be buying travel insurance. Some people seem to think either the ship will wait for you or NCL will get you to your next port if there is a delay or other problem. This is not true according to the website (I had to really look to find this info):

NCL will not be responsible for any expenses or other consequences resulting from inclement weather, strikes, flight cancellations, changes/delays in the ship's schedule or a change/delay in schedule or routing made by a passenger, travel agent or airline. If, due to any cause beyond NCL's control, NCL is unable to arrange air travel (including, for example, because of capacity controls placed upon us by airlines due to types of fares under which NCL books) or the air travel NCL arranges is unavailable or otherwise fails to materialize, NCL's sole liability will be limited to refunding the air add-on amount paid to NCL.

 

[Nola26]

1 hour ago, NRWPA said:

I am booked Miami to Rome in September. I can't help with the original question since I haven't gotten my flight info yet and don't expect it until July. I am taking a chance but at least am aware of the policies. I booked because I got an excellent price. I will be buying travel insurance. Some people seem to think either the ship will wait for you or NCL will get you to your next port if there is a delay or other problem. This is not true according to the website (I had to really look to find this info):

NCL will not be responsible for any expenses or other consequences resulting from inclement weather, strikes, flight cancellations, changes/delays in the ship's schedule or a change/delay in schedule or routing made by a passenger, travel agent or airline. If, due to any cause beyond NCL's control, NCL is unable to arrange air travel (including, for example, because of capacity controls placed upon us by airlines due to types of fares under which NCL books) or the air travel NCL arranges is unavailable or otherwise fails to materialize, NCL's sole liability will be limited to refunding the air add-on amount paid to NCL.

 

The NCL's protection comes with their travel insurance. We are booked from Newark to Barcelona with the NCL insurance. 

[NRWPA]

1 minute ago, Nola26 said:

The NCL's protection comes with their travel insurance. We are booked from Newark to Barcelona with the NCL insurance. 

I do have the NCL insurance. Hopefully the coverage - $500 is enough to pay for a last minute flight to ship's next destination along with hotel accommodations if needed. I wonder how many people do not purchase the NCL insurance (or other company's) when they buy these flights assuming NCL takes some responsibility for them.  I am surprised that NCL doesn't  guarantee anything much at all regarding the flight - or at least that's what I read in their statement. Not complaining, like I said at least I know what the airfare policy is. I will say I like Princess' airfare better...you know your flights when you book or before final payment. Of course, the price I received from NCL for the cruise, extras and flight was VERY good and I love the Jade. I will think positive thoughts until I get my flight assignment 🙂

[LouieT]

Only did it once a fews ago. Newark to Fort Lauderdale. We had a direct flight and didn't have any issues.

[Boston Mom]

Following with interest as we booked air (Boston to Miami) through NCL for our September 2019 cruise.  We did opt to fly into Miami the day before ($25 per person up charge).  I have had too many cancelled and delayed flights in my lifetime to be comfortable with flying in on the day of my cruise.

[HippoSail]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from a cruise and booked our next one for this October. We passed on the free air last time but this time are considering it and paying the $25 to arrive day before since we have family near the port. They told are TA we have till 5/21 to decide.

There are a couple of things that are holding me back from doing it besides the lack of control.

1) We usually fly Southwest and direct. Not sure I want to do a flight from St. Louis to Orlando and have layovers. I see some have had directs but is it almost always with layover?

2) What about baggage? Southwest has free checked. Is this something they add?

 

In the end, it would be either $350-400 roundtrip with earned miles and peace of mind or $124.  Am I over thinking this?

[Boston Mom]

30 minutes ago, HippoSail said:

We just got back 2 weeks ago from a cruise and booked our next one for this October. We passed on the free air last time but this time are considering it and paying the $25 to arrive day before since we have family near the port. They told are TA we have till 5/21 to decide.

There are a couple of things that are holding me back from doing it besides the lack of control.

1) We usually fly Southwest and direct. Not sure I want to do a flight from St. Louis to Orlando and have layovers. I see some have had directs but is it almost always with layover?

2) What about baggage? Southwest has free checked. Is this something they add?

 

In the end, it would be either $350-400 roundtrip with earned miles and peace of mind or $124.  Am I over thinking this?

I totally get why you're thinking of those things, we did as well.  We live just outside of Boston and for us the airfare for same-day would be totally free, so it is just costing us $50 total to fly in the day before.  That $50 also includes transfer back to the airport from the cruise port, which we would have to pay ourselves if we booked our own air.

 

Having family near the port definitely helps.  We don't have anyone in Miami but I have enough Marriott points for a free night, and also have a lot of hotel points on my credit card that can be used anywhere.  

 

That left me with the issues of baggage fees, and control over my flight times/itineraries.  I checked into the travel partners NCL is likely to use, and they all have several direct flights from Boston to Miami the days we are traveling.  So we decided to give up that control and go for it - since we are going a day early we will just deal if we end up with a night flight.  And I am sure I will wind up with the baggage fees, but DH and I are both pretty light travelers that will try to do one checked bag for the two of us, and then the maximum size carry-on each.

[croozer2B]

I've been following this post as we try to determine if we should give control of our air itinerary over to NCL. We'll be flying Seattle to Venice next June.At this point we're going for it, flying in two days early, and leaving two days after. Even with the double deviation fees, the fare is less than half of what Kayak is showing currently for that RT, even in the off-season. In the very, very fine print on the email promotion notice I received notifying me of the deal, I found a terms and conditions link. https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions?cheetahid=5000007937246&cid=EM_MKD_NA_PRO_EML_tac1_EML_TAKEALLAIR0519_CNTAKEALL051519A

This was the relevant information for me: 

All guests booked within a singular reservation will be booked on the same flight.
Norwegian Cruise Line will book guests' airfare with a maximum of one connection when possible; air schedules permitting.
Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to select an alternate airport within 60 miles based on itinerary, choose the air carrier,
routing and city airport from each gateway city and reserves the right to substitute commuter service and/or charter air service for scheduled air carriers without prior notice. 
 Even with this information from the NCL website, I'm interested to hear about real life experiences.  

[tokidoki]

Just got back yesterday from the Sky😀. JFK/MIA was free.  6:29 to Miami, got transfer bus and with platinum status, boarded right away😍.  2:06 home and both flights were non stop and AA upgraded us going home.  No complaints.  

[Boston Mom]

11 hours ago, tokidoki said:

ust got back yesterday from the Sky😀. JFK/MIA was free.  6:29 to Miami, got transfer bus and with platinum status, boarded right away😍.  2:06 home and both flights were non stop and AA upgraded us going home.  No complaints.  

Glad to hear that all went smoothly; we are also free Boston Logan to MIA so we're giving it a try for the first time.

[javierbjj]

On 5/16/2019 at 6:35 AM, geneticfreak said:

Used it twice from Newark to Miami, both times $0 and on the ship eating lunch by 12:30 at the latest. 

Which airline did you get?

I'm curious because I'm doing Newark to Miami in August.

[RoobyDoo]

20 hours ago, javierbjj said:

Which airline did you get?

I'm curious because I'm doing Newark to Miami in August.

 

I'm sailing this Sunday on the Breakaway. I had taken the "free" airfare as one of my package options. I'm flying also from Newark to Miami. They booked me on United, non-stop, regular Economy (not Basic Economy), with assigned seats. Flight leaves EWR at 9:45am and arrives in MIA at 12:50pm. Sailing departure is scheduled for 4pm, so I was very concerned about the tight timeline. However when I called Norwegian's air transport department, they assured me the MIA arrival time was within their cut-off time, and there *should* be no problem. Guess I'll have to wait and see whether this was a bad decision or not.

 

If I had paid the airfare myself, it probably would have been about $450pp round-trip. It appears that American Airlines has the only other non-stop flights from EWR to MIA.

 

Also, after receiving the flight details, I was able to go to the United website, and upon entering the confirmation number, I had the option of changing my seats to any available ones.

[javierbjj]

On 5/21/2019 at 1:16 PM, RoobyDoo said:

 

I'm sailing this Sunday on the Breakaway. I had taken the "free" airfare as one of my package options. I'm flying also from Newark to Miami. They booked me on United, non-stop, regular Economy (not Basic Economy), with assigned seats. Flight leaves EWR at 9:45am and arrives in MIA at 12:50pm. Sailing departure is scheduled for 4pm, so I was very concerned about the tight timeline. However when I called Norwegian's air transport department, they assured me the MIA arrival time was within their cut-off time, and there *should* be no problem. Guess I'll have to wait and see whether this was a bad decision or not.

 

If I had paid the airfare myself, it probably would have been about $450pp round-trip. It appears that American Airlines has the only other non-stop flights from EWR to MIA.

 

Also, after receiving the flight details, I was able to go to the United website, and upon entering the confirmation number, I had the option of changing my seats to any available ones.

Thanks for the info!

[Tutone56]

I just booked a cruise today to Hawaii for next March for my wife and i.  We got the free airfare out of SFO.  This is our first time not booking our own flights so I'm hoping all goes well.  We plan on staying a couple of extra days so we will be paying the extra $50.