Over the past several years, we have found a consistent trend where customers can find better prices by booking their airfare separately on-line, & just purchase the cruise or land tour portion of their trip.
In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.
When you book airfare with the cruise line or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.
Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is “guaranteed” to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours so it should not be a problem to find a date that works within your schedule.
If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel package, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?
If you book airfare with a cruise line and miss your flight, they will assist you in flying to the first port to meet up with the ship. If you book your own airfare, you are on your own trying to get to the first island, or miss the boat altogether.
Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.
Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance. This may make the airfare price the same or cheaper than booking online.
The bottom line is, on many occasions we do advise (& encourage,) travelers to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with a travel agent to ensure you are receiving the best value and have factored in all of the pros and cons.
