Air Transportation Options for a Cruise

Air/Sea Programs

Most cruise lines offer an option to book, for an extra fee, your air transportation to and from your home city to the port of embarcation for your cruise. This includes transfers to and from the airport to the port of embarcation. On some transcontinetal (flights departing from one coast and flying to the other), you may fly in one day early. If so your purchased air/sea program will include an overnight hotel accommodation that will be convenient to your port of embarcation. This is a very convenient way to book your air travel but their are drawbacks.

They include:
• The inability to select what air carrier you will be flying on, which is not helpful if you do not have a frequent flier account with them
• You won't receive your booking arrangements until a week to a few weeks before the cruise
• Some flights will be same day flights as your cruise and may cause you stress if schedules change or if you get bumped from your flight
• Many of these flights are not non-stop or direct flights so there is a chance that you will have to change planes or carriers enroute to your embarcation destination city. This can make for a long day of flying and possible delays.

Booking Your Own Air Transportation

You have the option of you or your Travel Agent booking your Air Transportation. When booking your own Air Transportation GaySailAway highly suggests that you fly in to your port of embarcation at least one day early. You ask.."Why spend the extra time and money?"

They include:
• If your flight is delayed or oversold you will have more time to arrive at your cruise without fear that you've missed the boat
• If there are weather delays you will have more options and time to get to your cruise
• Flights on weekends,which are the most common days of cruise departures, may be oversold to many cities where ships depart to and from. This can increase your risk of being bumped from your flight and missing the boat

The advantages for booking your own Air Transportation are many. They include:
• More options for carriers and routes (non-stop and direct flights through cities of your choosing)
• Options to find lower cost flights
• You're able to use your frequent flier miles
• You're able to fly on flights that fit into your frequent flier programs
• You're Able to choose HRC and IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association) endorsed/certified "Gay-friendly" carriers (Why not spend your dollars on Carriers who are supportive of our community?)

Remember when you book your own flights to and from your port of embarcation it is important to know that you will also have to arrange ground transportation to and from the airport to the port (taxi, bus, towncar, limo). Most cities with large ports will have transfer services (Airporter Bus or Van) to and from the airport and port. Check with your travel agent or contact the cruise line for recommendations.

Whenever you travel GaySailAway suggests that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance that includes coverage for flight delays, cancellations and changes that could effect whether you arrive to your ship on time for sailing.

To see if your Air Carrier is considered a gay-friendly carrier you can visit the following links
• HRC (Human Rights Campaign) The watch dog for the LGBT Community
• IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association)