TheShag

I have noticed a lot of references to using Kayak. In the past, ITA Matrix was suggested. When using ITA, i see a more fulsome [but less desirable] selection of available flights. I am looking to go RSW-SYD on 15/12/24 and returning AKL-RSW on 3/1/25. As I do my homework in anticipation for the 210 booking date, is it wrong to only use Kayak? Thanks folks.

Add on question, if you are taking a pre-cruise excursion through Regent, is it 210 days before the cruise or prior to the excursion date?

Really?! I thought the value proposition of booking at 210 days is that you pay a fee and have the assurance that you are all nicely booked. Granted, you might have a less than optimal itinerary but at least you are booked. Not true?

General question about the 210 vs 75 day pre-cruise. I applaud OP about checking later. Without trying to be 'smart', is there some 'magic' with the 75 day pre-cruise booking date? More specifically, is there more flight availability 75 days out? I read a lot about how soon airlines release their schedules [seems to be around ~300 days from departure] but am not aware of how additional flights/seats are 'posted' for sale. I also realize that changes can and will be made according to crew and aircraft availability, booking patterns, etc. etc. Thanks!

Good perspectives - thanks. One ITA Matrix 'weird' routing was Ft.Meyers to Atlanta to Charlotte to Denver to Seattle to LAX to Sydney. Obviously, I would pay an upcharge to NOT fly that routing. There is still some time before the 210 day mark and I see a fair number of changes week by week on the website so I will continue my homework. Also [in my homework assignment] wanting to avoid Air New Zealand's totally weird 'feet-pointing-into-the-aisle' seating on their J class 787s!

Great insight. Thanks. Trying to figure out whether they will put me a a flight with 12 hr layovers, weird multiple routing, etc just because it is the cheapest way to get me from A to B! Need to potentially prepare DW for the possible ‘sticker shock’ of an up charge!

I wonder if this has been asked before but is there no way that we can find which airlines RSSC has a contract with? It would make more sense in 'doing our homework' prior to the call with the Air Dept. at RSSC.

I always thought it was 210 days from departure regardless of room status.

Thanks very much for the clarifications. I really appreciate all your efforts. Happy sailing!

I reviewed that thanks. It seems to imply these are for true “out of pocket” charges and perhaps not the OBC value. Given the lack of distinction, then I guess one can assume that 36 hrs before ship departure, not excursion, is the rule.

Looking forward to our upcoming first cruise on the Explorer and I have not been able to find the answer to this topic. How far in advance of a booked shore excursion (that utilizes on board credits) is one able to cancel and use the value to be applied elsewhere such as the spa? Does the answer change if the excursion has been cancelled by RSSC? Thanks experts!

Variation on the question. Looking to fly domestic USA to KIAH and then on to Australia [business class] on Dec 15th [before Christmas rush!?]. Both legs are United and from ITA Matrix, it looks like a terminal change. As it stands now, the layover is 2 hrs. Having never been to KIAH, plus flight tracking info on the domestic leg does not show any history, plus the understanding that I can take an elevated shuttle and negate the need for security screening on the Australia leg, will we have enough time? Flights times are 16:45 to 18:25 and then departure at 20:25. Thanks kindly for the counsel.

Thanks. Great article!

From what I can glean, flying the captioned carrier's business class seats on their B787 and A350 is less than desirable. I also understand that the carrier is in the process of revamping its aircraft business class seats 'throughout 2024'. I will be booking travel in 2024 and want to avoid choosing this airlines if they still have the existing 'herringbone' seating configuration. Wondering if anyone can direct me to a resource that will [hopefully] definitively state what cabin configuration will look like for the date that I will be flying. Many thanks!

I have flown Rouge several times. It is beyond horrid unless you are upgraded. I believe they have some of the worst seat dimensions in Economy in North America!

I am familiar with RSW as our winter home is there. Given the relatively small size of RSW, unless you are able to fly the same airline through to your end destination, its unlikely you will get the domestic portion as business/first class.

At the bottom of the thread there is a “following” box. Click on the box and select the option that you want.

I would love to know the definitive answer. To my knowledge, its not a parameter that you can enter when doing 'what if' bookings. Rather, when you select 'business', you will get back different letter coded descriptions to the selected route. I have always thought that the specific 'refundability' is unique to the airline booked and not accessible to me.

Well, I have booked it so I guess time will tell [and I have a back-up plan!]. In addition, I think I might have answered my own question. It appears that when I exit customs and the luggage hall, I proceed to an Emirates 'desk' to get details on where to get the ride. During the booking session the app did not ask me to state a time for pick-up. It knows what flight I am on so I guess it figures all the timing stuff out in the background with flight status, customs wait times, luggage timelines, etc.

Good day experts! Will be flying back to Toronto from Bali via Dubai on Emirates in biz class. Having never flown them before I am curious as to how the airport pick up process works. On their site, they advise that the "driver will wait for a maximum of 15 minutes after your scheduled pick‑up time". Practically, given flight delays, customs clearance, luggage, how can/does this work?

We are flying from YYZ to Bangkok on Turkish and returning on Emirates from Bali. My sister in Ohio did extensive research and found the best flights to middle east were from YYZ vs ORD, Cleveland, or DET.

Thanks very much papa. Its clear as day as you outlined - can't believe I missed that! Again, I appreciate your thoroughness in your explanation. Cheers!

I was not aware of requesting a table for 2 when I booked our 3 specialty restaurants. Does this mean that we will be seated with 2 other people? Not aware how to check after the fact. Thanks 🙏

Basically, box lunch meal. Served cold. I would not waste my money for their “premium” product. No lounge. Certainly NOT a business class type experience.

Just to be sure, have you confirmed that she can’t put in into a travel bank account (thinkin’ FCC 😁)