Robert Peel Posted October 13, 2019 #1 Share Posted October 13, 2019 We are three couples flying in a day earlier for our Epic Cruise from San Juan at the end of February. Leaving Toronto on the Saturday for our Sunday cruise departure Has anyone taken this route before and if so how were the connections? We see that there are a few direct flights however several also with connections and are wondering if anyone can share past experiences on their connections and flights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrlg Posted October 14, 2019 #2 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) We don’t have the free air promo, but we’re taking direct flights from Detroit to San Juan and returning to Detroit for our cruise in December. When I was looking, I did not see many direct flights. Direct flights from Toronto could be possible, though. If not, hopefully they connect you on to the direct flight to and from Detroit. Oops, forgot the airline...direct flights on Delta. Edited October 14, 2019 by mrsrlg Add info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcell Posted October 14, 2019 #3 Share Posted October 14, 2019 And remember, they will pick the cheapest flight which is usually the one with more stops and longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted October 14, 2019 #4 Share Posted October 14, 2019 9 hours ago, Robert Peel said: We are three couples flying in a day earlier for our Epic Cruise from San Juan at the end of February. Leaving Toronto on the Saturday for our Sunday cruise departure Has anyone taken this route before and if so how were the connections? We see that there are a few direct flights however several also with connections and are wondering if anyone can share past experiences on their connections and flights? Speculating - do a dummy booking on the most likely airline(s) to service that route/itinerary. Best that you go with an airline that has more than one flight frequency daily - An airline with one flight a day is not the best choice Delta would be one with frequent non-stops flight out of Atlanta - San Juan American would be a likely Miami - San Juan There are also connections via NYC and Chicago United may have something to offer I think that Jet Blue is a recent entry in that SJU market Plot your origin flights to those connection points. I highly recommend what you are planning - arriving a day early for your cruise You are going to have a 5+ hour flight non-stop questionable and if connecting flights 2-3 hours to the connection point and then again another 2-4 hours for the final leg to San Juan In planning those connections allow reasonable time - 30 minutes to an hour really not the best idea ! Look for 2 hours to have an edge for both you and your baggage to be on the same plane Leaving the origin in the 8-9 am range arriving San Juan after 4 pm (time zone change) Factor February weather in your travels - - - best to have a cushion in your travel plans Did this in February '09 traveling on Delta from MSP - ATL - SJU - Southern Caribbean Carnival Victory Arrived SJU a day early in the late afternoon - if catching the ship same day it would have been hectic. This should give you some ideas and get you started with your plans - - - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted October 14, 2019 #5 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) I’m from Puerto Rico. During the last few years, San Juan has gone from zero nonstop flights to Canada to 3 airlines (Air Canada, Westjet, and Air Transat) all flying nonstop to Toronto, and two of them now flying nonstop to Montreal as well. Keep in mind that these routes are seasonal and only operate on the weekends, possibly with cruisers in mind. With that said, that these routes exist doesn’t mean that Norwegian will book you on one of these nonstop flights. As previously mentioned, Norwegian will put you on whatever it’s most affordable to them, which will most likely include a connection. Whatever you end up with, have an excellent cruise! Edited October 14, 2019 by Tapi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted October 14, 2019 #6 Share Posted October 14, 2019 You might want to read this current thread: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Peel Posted October 14, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted October 14, 2019 3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said: Speculating - do a dummy booking on the most likely airline(s) to service that route/itinerary. Best that you go with an airline that has more than one flight frequency daily - An airline with one flight a day is not the best choice Delta would be one with frequent non-stops flight out of Atlanta - San Juan American would be a likely Miami - San Juan There are also connections via NYC and Chicago United may have something to offer I think that Jet Blue is a recent entry in that SJU market Plot your origin flights to those connection points. I highly recommend what you are planning - arriving a day early for your cruise You are going to have a 5+ hour flight non-stop questionable and if connecting flights 2-3 hours to the connection point and then again another 2-4 hours for the final leg to San Juan In planning those connections allow reasonable time - 30 minutes to an hour really not the best idea ! Look for 2 hours to have an edge for both you and your baggage to be on the same plane Leaving the origin in the 8-9 am range arriving San Juan after 4 pm (time zone change) Factor February weather in your travels - - - best to have a cushion in your travel plans Did this in February '09 traveling on Delta from MSP - ATL - SJU - Southern Caribbean Carnival Victory Arrived SJU a day early in the late afternoon - if catching the ship same day it would have been hectic. This should give you some ideas and get you started with your plans - - - Thank you for the comments and research, we have also looked at the various connections at play in this and we know it can be anywhere from a direct flight to seeing the eastern seaboard with a number of connections Eventually we will arrive...., and it will much warmer in San Juan than Toronto. I was hoping to hear from someone who has done this flight in the past with NCL, we know it may not be the same flight/connections this February, depending on costs and available flights but wanted to see what they have done for clients in the past Thank you for the time you took to review that for me and your suggestions , much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Peel Posted October 14, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted October 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Tapi said: I’m from Puerto Rico. During the last few years, San Juan has gone from zero nonstop flights to Canada to 3 airlines (Air Canada, Westjet, and Air Transat) all flying nonstop to Toronto, and two of them now flying nonstop to Montreal as well. Keep in mind that these routes are seasonal and only operate on the weekends, possibly with cruisers in mind. With that said, that these routes exist doesn’t mean that Norwegian will book you on one of these nonstop flights. As previously mentioned, Norwegian will put you on whatever it’s most affordable to them, which will most likely include a connection. Whatever you end up with, have an excellent cruise! Thank you Tapi, yes we actually changed our flight from Montreal to Toronto as it provided more options and direct flights into San Juan for us Its nice to see Canadian airlines making it easier for we Canadians to visit your island 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Peel Posted October 14, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted October 14, 2019 2 hours ago, Turtles06 said: You might want to read this current thread: Thank you Turtles06, I read that thread earlier and from my read on it and a few other threads it seems for every 5 sad tales of woe there are just as many positive experiences For us the price to fly with NCL’s promo was nowhere what we could have booked ourselves and we looked at many different alternatives We are hoping for clear skies and hopefully a smooth direct flight but also prepared to see a few airports along the way if that occurs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted October 14, 2019 #10 Share Posted October 14, 2019 22 minutes ago, Robert Peel said: Thank you Turtles06, I read that thread earlier and from my read on it and a few other threads it seems for every 5 sad tales of woe there are just as many positive experiences For us the price to fly with NCL’s promo was nowhere what we could have booked ourselves and we looked at many different alternatives We are hoping for clear skies and hopefully a smooth direct flight but also prepared to see a few airports along the way if that occurs Glad you are doing your research, and know what to expect. Good luck with your flights, and enjoy your cruise! (BTW, we love your country. Just returned from another great visit.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Peel Posted October 14, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Yes and with the current exchange rate it makes it that much more appealing 😀 Glad to hear that you have been able to visit your northern cousins, it is a great country to see coast to coast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Peel Posted November 10, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted November 10, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 6:47 PM, Robert Peel said: We are three couples flying in a day earlier for our Epic Cruise from San Juan at the end of February. Leaving Toronto on the Saturday for our Sunday cruise departure Has anyone taken this route before and if so how were the connections? We see that there are a few direct flights however several also with connections and are wondering if anyone can share past experiences on their connections and flights? Just bumping this thread up to see if there has been anyone who as taken this route with the NCL Free Air Promo recently or has received their flight itenerary for a pending trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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