There are a few causes you need to by no means fly to your cruise port on the day of the cruise. Even should you discover a low-cost flight on the identical day, don’t e-book it.
A narrative just lately went viral on social media after a lady tells of being denied boarding and lacking embarkation day totally.
Not solely is that this a cautionary story for anybody contemplating flying into their cruise port on cruise day, nevertheless it additionally sheds mild on overbooked flights within the airline trade.
Similar day flight booked with Spirit
The story, shared by Fb consumer Mercedes Jones, all started when the girl booked a flight with Spirit Airways.
Jones was flying with a household of eight, together with seven youngsters below the age of 16, from New Orleans to Miami. The group was certain for PortMiami for a cruise to the Bahamas, or so that they thought.
In line with her submit, hassle started even earlier than arriving on the airport. She writes, “They had been providing bids to be rebooked [the day before]” hinting at potential overbooking on the flight.
Issues went from unhealthy to worse after arriving on the airport. Regardless of checking in on-line the day earlier than, Jones and her household had been denied boarding as a result of they “didn’t board after they known as for household boarding.”
The lady’s frustration was evident when in her submit she identified the impracticality of anticipating a big household with younger youngsters to take a seat in “uncomfortable seats for two hours earlier than the airplane leaves.”
A later flight can be too late
The airline’s resolution? Bumping the household to a later flight that wouldn’t arrive till after the cruise ship that they had booked had already set sail.
When Jones contested this, she was apparently hit with a $99 per particular person rebooking price, though they had been denied boarding on the unique flight. “How are we no confirmed now and I owe YOUUUU MONEY?” she requested in disbelief.
The viral submit highlights a number of risks of flying on the day of your cruise. Flight delays, cancellations, and even overbooking can wreak havoc on even a meticulously deliberate itinerary.
On this case, no different airline might accommodate your complete group of eight on a single flight that will get them to the cruise on time.
This was a particular monetary hit. As Jones stated in her submit, “cruise fares are non-refundable the DAY OF the cruise.”
Whereas the price of the cruise itself is probably going a a lot bigger expense, the added stress and price of last-minute flights and rebooking charges can weigh heavy too, particularly for households on a funds.
Key takeaways
Flying to a cruise port on the day of the cruise is an invite for one thing to smash these plans. Whether or not it’s weather-related points, mechanical points with the airplane, or just human error in lacking a flight, too many issues can go flawed.
And whenever you’ve spent a great deal of cash on a cruise trip, the very last thing you need to do is miss out on having fun with it.
Fly into the cruise port space not less than the day earlier than and have a calming embarkation day, freed from stress.
This entire ordeal additionally underscores the significance of cruise journey insurance coverage. Whether or not you get it via the cruise line or a 3rd half, ensure you have a back-up plan if the surprising occurs.
Cancel for any cause insurance coverage provides you probably the most flexibility, nevertheless it additionally carries a better value. Nonetheless, when spending 1000’s of {dollars} on a cruise, it’s a really small quantity that may assist shield that trip funding.
Bear in mind, a cruise is supposed to be a calming and pleasant expertise. Don’t let last-minute journey points flip your dream trip into a giant ball of stress.
Simply studying concerning the stress of flying and taking a cruise with seven youngsters is sufficient to make anybody really feel the necessity for a trip at sea.
Be taught the cruise secrets and techniques most individuals don”t know and cruise like a boss. Take a look at Clever Cruiser right here for a greater cruise trip. (Sponsored)
