One way cruise flights? What is generally less expensive?

Question

I am researching a one way cruise, specifically Carnival Splendors' sailing from Chile to San Francisco. I live close to San Francisco and am trying to figure out whether it would be more cost effective to book a flight to Chile directly with Carnival or to search for a flight on my own. I'm looking for answers from people who have either researched this or encountered this situation themselves. Thanks!

Answer 1

This might be one of those times when it's a better deal to go with the cruise line air arrangements.  If you get a "bad" flight time or connection, you may be able to change it by using the deviation fee, although there probably aren't that many alternatives.

Or, you may want to look into buying a round-trip [if it's cheaper than one-way] and just not using the return.  You may be able to get a credit for a future flight for that leg - it's worth it to ask.

Answer 2

General speaking it is better to book cruise air for the following reasons:

1.  If flight is late ship will not sail until your on board.

2. With Carnival transfers are included with the air.

If you use cruise air be advised that the air price is not guaranteed until the cruise is paid in full.  In other words if you book air with the cruise and only pay a deposit the air can go up or down.. well we know which way it will go.

Hope this information helps.

Answer 3

search urself many diff sites such as orbitz

Answer 4

We just completed a cruise in South America this past March/April and our cruise started in Chile so I did look for my own air fares.  Our cruise started in Chile and ended in Brazil so I had to buy what is called an "open jaw"  airline ticket.  Not exactly the same as a one-way but like two one-way tickets.  I booked my own air for three reasons. First, the cruise line did not have a flight option leaving from my closest airport here in Raleigh.  They offered a flight from Charlotte which is 3 hours away.  Second, I asked what the "air add-on" was and so then had a figure to compare ticket prices.  I don't know that I saved a big amount by booking my own fare but I did book as soon as I could and got flights that were more too my liking, one plane change going and coming back and at reasonable times since I picked the flights.  Your flight to Chile will more than likely be overnight and its a long flight too.   While I normally fly to the cruise departure port a day early and spend the night, on this trip I did not because our scheduled arrival time was 8:00 AM and that gave plenty of leeway for a delay to still get to the port by 4:00 PM.   Third, I booked with American Airlines since they are the airline that I get the most frequent flier miles with.  So I could add to my account.

A couple other things you need to know about going to Chile.  First, they have a Tourist Visa requirement but you pay for it on arrival at the airport customs and immigration station.  The fee for us in March was (for US citizen) $132.00 per person, cash or credit card.  Second, the flight arrives in Santiago and the port is in Valparasio, about 80 to 90 miles away (about an hour by bus).  So also look at booking transfers with the cruise line.  Because of the distance a bus is likely much less expensive than a taxi would be, plus a much more comfortable ride in a bus.

Answer 5

I think you can usually get a better price on the airfare booking it yourself, and if you check the the booking engines like TraVerus, Expedia, Orbitz, etc. that compare the airline prices and also check the prices at the individual airline websites.  Often a one-way fare is only about half of a round trip fare.  (I recently booked a trip that was actually cheaper to buy 2 one-way tickets than a round trip!)

As someone else already mentioned there is some convenience and security to having it booked through the cruise line.

If you book the air yourself, I'd be sure to get a flight scheduled to arrive the day before the cruise ship departs and spend the night in a hotel near the cruise ship terminal.  I would think you can find something with a free shuttle or reliable inexpensive transportation to take you to the cruise ship from the hotel.

Sounds like a great trip!

Answer 6

one WAY FLIGHTS ARE PRETTY EXPENSIVE,  BUT WHEN YOU BUY YOUR FLIGHT THROUGH THE CRUISE SHIP COMPANY, THEY USUALLY GET YOU GREAT DEALS AS THEY BUY THESE IN BULK, SO I WOULD CHECK THE PRICE WITH CARNIVAL FIRST, THEN DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. i USUALLY BOOK THROUGH THE CRUISE COMPANY, BUT MY NEXT CRUISE, I BOOKED THE FLIGHT MYSELF BECAUSE I COULD GET AN AIRPORT CLOSER TO MY HOME THEN THE CRUISE COMPANY CAN.