Air Apparent: Cruise Lines Become Pre-eminent Choice

I don't need to tell you that at the beginning of the 21st Century, things were a lot different.  Smart phones and iPads couldn't be seen on the horizon by most of us, and we couldn't envision desk top computers could be on the verge of becoming passe.  What I'd like to focus on, however, is air travel.

Air lines quit paying commissions to travel agents, and online booking engines soon became the dominant way to reserve flights.  As consumers were now seeing exactly what travel agents saw, they came to realize exactly what a frustrating system it can be.

Cruise lines offered an alternative, with refundable air that could be held along with the cruise deposit, but the premium of a couple hundred dollars was sufficient to push passengers to book their air separately, especially with air itineraries that were not revealed until after final payment.

But times have definitely changed.  Many cruise lines have begun offering much more competitive air rates, with transparent itineraries we can choose at the time of booking.  Those air tickets require payment in full at the time of booking, just like independently booked air, but there are far greater benefits than booking air independently.

First, the cruise line assigns flights that conform to their recommendations, so you won't accidentally book a flight that arrives too late to catch your cruise or departs before your cruise returns.

They also use the names and birth dates from your cruise booking on the air, avoiding a situation where you accidentally book the air with a slight misspelling of your friend's name leading to big problems.

Many have next port protection, meaning that if your flight gets delayed, they will take you to the next stop for the cruise to meet up with the ship.  And, of course, if the cruise line has a lot of people on the same flight, they have the power to hold the ship to wait for you.

You can even fly in a few days early or later without paying an air deviation fee in many cases.

And your cruise line travel insurance will cover your air booked along with the cruise, which can save you a lot of money if you always purchase travel insurance, which you should on a trip that includes a long flight. 

This year, a lot of cruise lines have upped the ante to get your attention for their improved air departments, offering huge discounts on air add-ons, like up to $1000 per couple for Europe cruises with Princess or simply a lower rate, as in the case of Carnival's Europe, which also rolls free transfers into the package.  Some premium cruise lines and river cruises even have "free air."

Obviously, cruise lines have taken it upon themselves to improve the most difficult and stressful part of any cruise: air arrangements.  By stepping up to the plate with better air add-ons, the cruise lines have erased a major objection to booking.  Of course, there's something in it for them.  Once passsengers have locked their air with payment in full, they are far less likely to change their minds.

Where in the world do you want to go?  A cruise is the best way to explore new worlds, and now the air will no longer be a major obstacle.

Better service leads to better trips!