Delayed flight may result in missed cruise

[dacsmom]

I am really not sure what I would do. The past two times Sunwing had flight delays the flew the passengers to Jamaica and put them up in a very nice resort. Some reported that they would like to stay for the week. They missed a day of the cruise, but did not have the hassle of embarkation day and spent a lovely day at a resort in Jamaica.

[gambit57]

I am really not sure what I would do. The past two times Sunwing had flight delays the flew the passengers to Jamaica and put them up in a very nice resort. Some reported that they would like to stay for the week. They missed a day of the cruise, but did not have the hassle of embarkation day and spent a lovely day at a resort in Jamaica.

 

I would have just booked that then. All inclusives can be very inexpensive as well when compared to a cruise.

 

The whole point of a cruise for me is that it travels to a new destination while I sleep. I want the multiple stops. If I wanted only one location, that's what I'd have booked.

[fastpitchdad]

I have flown about 2M miles over the past 12 years so this is my advice for the flight part...

 

Have everything prepared but hope for the best.

 

Have all the phone numbers you might need to call handy. If you know you will have to rebook call immediately don't just get in a customer service line (call from the plane when it is on the ground). At the very least be on the phone while you are standing in line. This won't work with Sunwing but if you are flying an airline that has a lounge at the airport pay for a day pass and work with the lounge agents to rebook. They tend to do a better job and the line will be much shorter than the regular CS reps....and once you are all set you can grab some food and a couple of free drinks :).

 

Know ahead of time which flights you want and tell the agent (don't rely on the agent to search around for you).

 

Try to be nice or at least cordial to the CS agent with whom you are working...they can often go the extra mile for you but probably not if you are yelling at them and demanding that they make things right.

 

If the flight is delayed because of something under the airlines control ask for compensation and hotel accommodations wherever you overnight.

 

If you have a tight connect on a flight you want go to the gate while on the phone with CS...same goes for a misconnect. Even if you are convinced you have no chance to make the flight still go to the gate while on the phone.

 

If you are being rebooked and it was the airline's fault don't be afraid to ask for an upgrade (at least to Economy Plus if you didn't previously have it).

[The Other Tom]

Back to the OP's question....the port is not far from FLL. Maybe even with a 3pm arrival at FLL you could still make it ?

[myfuzzy]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Simply call the Boston Globe, tell them that you missed the ship, and I'm sure they can whip something up to not only get you a complete refund, but a free future cruise to boot.

 

Easy peasy.

 

:'):'):'):')

[CI66774]

Flying in a day or two early makes a lot of sense but the cost of accommodation near the cruise ports is ridiculous. Fort Lauderdale hotel operators in paricular are gouging cruisers with atrocious rates. I've seen awful properties listed for more than $350.00 on a Friday night. If you want the security of flying in early, and really you have no choice, it adds a considerable sum to your overall budget. I'd rather spend the money on a cruise upgrade than padding the pockets of greedy hoteliers.

 

Never paid anywhere near that for a lovely hotel on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale.

[myfuzzy]

Flying in a day or two early makes a lot of sense but the cost of accommodation near the cruise ports is ridiculous. Fort Lauderdale hotel operators in paricular are gouging cruisers with atrocious rates. I've seen awful properties listed for more than $350.00 on a Friday night. If you want the security of flying in early, and really you have no choice, it adds a considerable sum to your overall budget. I'd rather spend the money on a cruise upgrade than padding the pockets of greedy hoteliers.

 

$350? I don't know what website you are looking at, but if you just go through one of the online brokers and put in Ft Lauderdale and start the list from Low to High, you would be surprised how many hotels are under $100, but then if you want the Ritz....there is one there too and everything in between. However, there are a lot of weekends with high(er) rates because of large events going on, but if you know far enough in advance you still can get a good rate, before the availability of the rooms drop and prices go up

Edited January 31, 2018 by myfuzzy