Many of us must book flights to get to our cruise departure port. 

Here are a few tips to consider before booking your flights:

Many of us prefer to book our own flights when cruising. We know our schedule and preferences for airlines. Many cruisers have flight miles available for booking. They can get better deals by using mileage programs through credit cards or airline rewards.

Booking through the cruise lines is more expensive unless you book with a special offer. With some cruise lines “you get what you get” and won’t have options to choose from. They often book overnight flights so you arrive the morning of your cruise. Carefully consider your options when booking through the cruise line. If you want to fly in days before your cruise, inform your travel agent. They need to know this to make the changes. If you book through the cruise line, they typically include transfers from the airport to the cruise port.

When I’m booking my flights I research on websites like Priceline, Expedia, Booking, and check all of the airlines. I then set fare alerts to track pricing. I typically find pricing is best around three months before our cruise. US airlines generally do not pay commissions to travel agents for booking domestic flights. Instead, travel agents often charge a service fee for their services. 

Because the airlines are so unpredictable these days, try to fly in a day early. I know this incurs extra costs to get a hotel, but it’s better than missing your cruise. Rent a car and do some exploring. We had a flight canceled a couple of hours before we were supposed to leave. Luckily I was able to reschedule another flight but it wasn’t fun! This is when you need travel insurance as it will usually cover additional costs incurred.

If you must fly on the day of your cruise, make sure you arrive very early. This will help in case you have a delay. If you are using a cruise line transfer they usually run the shuttles from around 10:00 am to 12:00.

Most cruises leave around 4:00 pm so you MUST be onboard by 3:00. They shut down the terminal and you can’t board after that. Always check the website and your boarding pass for actual times. 

RETURN FLIGHTS

Never book your return flights earlier than 1:00 at most ports. Even then you could have a hard time making your fight. There are many conditions that can delay you from getting to the airport. Ships can delayed by weather conditions or slow traffic. Airports can also be slowed down with large crowds. I usually schedule our return flights for 4:00 or later. I hate the feeling of rushing to be on time. 

Planning ahead and being aware of possible delays will give you peace of mind and less stress while traveling!

I always ask my clients to check with me before they purchase airline tickets. This ensures that the connections will give them plenty of time to make their flights.

HERE’S A GROUP FOR NEW CRUISERS AND OTHERS! NO JUDGMENT WITH CORRECT ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS. LOTS OF IN-DEPTH INFORMATION, TIPS AND PERSONAL ADVICE! 

Carnival Cruising for First Timers & Seasoned Sailors