Which airlines does NCL use for free/reduced air?

[rtkenmore]

On 7/3/2019 at 11:50 AM, zqvol said:

 

I know that you don't like that route, but flying from Birmingham you are not going to get much better. You are going to have to go to ATL and then there is at least one stop between there and YVR. It could be in SLC or SEA but that is about the best you are going to get.

 

The last time we went is was home to ATL to SEA to YVR. Coming home it was ANC to MIN to ATL to home. That is pretty much how it works from the southeast.

 

I'm in Birmingham and this is definitely why I'm willing to drive the two hours to ATL to utilize the free and reduced airfare.  BHM is too risky for the layovers as you could end up in Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, New York, Chicago or any number of other potential places.  ATL is at least most likely to be direct on Delta or a layover in Charlotte on American.

[IRMO12HD]

Thanks for the clarification, farjar!  I was puzzled as to why our (one-way) airfare was an odd amount ($49.50). Now I know -- half of $99 is $49.50!  We'll be flying from Seattle to NYC; right now our summary says we're going to JFK, but it said LGA until I requested/paid for a 2-day deviation.  Guess it could change again -- and again! -- before we depart in April 2020. Right now it looks like our most likely airlines are American, Delta, or Alaska.

[don't-use-real-name]

Airlines used in conjunction with cruises:

Air Canada ?

Alaska +++

American ++++

Delta  +++++

Frontier ???

Hawaiian ++

JetBlue ??

Southwest ?

United +

 

Delta would stand out as having the best airport-pier relationship - except for Miami (American)

Having the most flights and connection hubs is a plus in setting up cruise travel.

In the Pacific Northwest and Pacific coastal cruises - Alaska would be the carrier of choice.

For Hawaii and the POA cruises United and Hawaiian would be the favorites - most flights

Recent problems with the Boeing Max8 airplane has put a glitch in American's ability to offer an alternative.

Southwest is in the same quandary with the Max8 scheduling woes !

Canada fares are expensive and only Canada residents maybe able to utilize the air fare programs ?

 

Fares brokered with the airlines are most apt to be the bottom economy seats - paying for baggage and

other extras. Having a frequent flyer affinity relationship may help to get an upgraded seat(s) in comfort

coach or even business. Seat selection is possible after getting airline confirmation of reserved space.

 

In all cases of using the airline promo travel the flights are scheduled with sufficient allowance to board

the cruise timely and in disembarking to use same day flights although they may be late in the day or

even red-eyes. It appears that NCL is helpful in arranging flights the day before the cruise and a day

later after disembarking. Also it appears that the use of non-stop flights is preferred but for some this
is not possible so 1 stop and connections limited to one is the next best result.

 

A general statement YMMV and experiences may well be different - the fly free or at a discount is

a promo not to be overlooked - but be aware of airport parking or taxi to get to the airport - check-in

times - luggage fees - restricted items in carry-on checked luggage - meals not included.

If what is offered presented to you is not looking good - speak up - ask for a change - look over

schedules for something that works for you and see if it can be approved or changed. Mention to NCL

of any preference or affinity frequent flyer status that you belong to. 

[sharonann24]

We had the free airfare on our recent cruise.  We got our original flights about 45 days out which was a little nerve wracking, but not the only issue.  They booked us on Delta going out from NY to Amsterdam and on the return with the same route.  We had a connection in Boston both ways which was a little ridiculous since we live in CT.  The flight out was a decent 2 hour connection but the return had us arriving In Boston at 6pm and flying to JFK at 5:55am the next morning!  I do work with a TA and she fought for us.  Took three levels of NCL service but they changed the return flight to only a 2 hour connection, but the carrier was now KLM.  Now for the next part—we were on the Pearl, which had the mechanical issues and was forced to suspend the cruise, keeping us in Barcelona.  While others were scrambling to get flights to Rome we were assured by NCL they would re-route us, which they did.  The flight was still KLM.  However, when we did get to the airport our flight was delayed and we would have missed our connection home.  The KLM agent did an AWESOME job finding us a great flight  home on Air France, which was even better than the original plan and actually got us home earlier.  So, lesson learned is that the NCL booked airfare was ultimately the best option!   I would definitely consider it again if it is offered.  

[newmexicoNita]

5 minutes ago, sharonann24 said:

We had the free airfare on our recent cruise.  We got our original flights about 45 days out which was a little nerve wracking, but not the only issue.  They booked us on Delta going out from NY to Amsterdam and on the return with the same route.  We had a connection in Boston both ways which was a little ridiculous since we live in CT.  The flight out was a decent 2 hour connection but the return had us arriving In Boston at 6pm and flying to JFK at 5:55am the next morning!  I do work with a TA and she fought for us.  Took three levels of NCL service but they changed the return flight to only a 2 hour connection, but the carrier was now KLM.  Now for the next part—we were on the Pearl, which had the mechanical issues and was forced to suspend the cruise, keeping us in Barcelona.  While others were scrambling to get flights to Rome we were assured by NCL they would re-route us, which they did.  The flight was still KLM.  However, when we did get to the airport our flight was delayed and we would have missed our connection home.  The KLM agent did an AWESOME job finding us a great flight  home on Air France, which was even better than the original plan and actually got us home earlier.  So, lesson learned is that the NCL booked airfare was ultimately the best option!   I would definitely consider it again if it is offered.  

another reason for using a travel agent. 

[Nola26]

2 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Airlines used in conjunction with cruises:

Air Canada ?

Alaska +++

American ++++

Delta  +++++

Frontier ???

Hawaiian ++

JetBlue ??

Southwest ?

United +

 

Delta would stand out as having the best airport-pier relationship - except for Miami (American)

Having the most flights and connection hubs is a plus in setting up cruise travel.

In the Pacific Northwest and Pacific coastal cruises - Alaska would be the carrier of choice.

For Hawaii and the POA cruises United and Hawaiian would be the favorites - most flights

Recent problems with the Boeing Max8 airplane has put a glitch in American's ability to offer an alternative.

Southwest is in the same quandary with the Max8 scheduling woes !

Canada fares are expensive and only Canada residents maybe able to utilize the air fare programs ?

 

Fares brokered with the airlines are most apt to be the bottom economy seats - paying for baggage and

other extras. Having a frequent flyer affinity relationship may help to get an upgraded seat(s) in comfort

coach or even business. Seat selection is possible after getting airline confirmation of reserved space.

 

In all cases of using the airline promo travel the flights are scheduled with sufficient allowance to board

the cruise timely and in disembarking to use same day flights although they may be late in the day or

even red-eyes. It appears that NCL is helpful in arranging flights the day before the cruise and a day

later after disembarking. Also it appears that the use of non-stop flights is preferred but for some this
is not possible so 1 stop and connections limited to one is the next best result.

 

A general statement YMMV and experiences may well be different - the fly free or at a discount is

a promo not to be overlooked - but be aware of airport parking or taxi to get to the airport - check-in

times - luggage fees - restricted items in carry-on checked luggage - meals not included.

If what is offered presented to you is not looking good - speak up - ask for a change - look over

schedules for something that works for you and see if it can be approved or changed. Mention to NCL

of any preference or affinity frequent flyer status that you belong to. 

The bottom Economy seat is Basic Economy, NCL doesn't book Basic Economy, they book Economy, so not the bottom. 

 

Seat assignments and baggage fees are between travelers and carriers. NCL does not pay or arrange those in the free or reduced offer.

[JenTX4NYC]

35 minutes ago, Nola26 said:

The bottom Economy seat is Basic Economy, NCL doesn't book Basic Economy, they book Economy, so not the bottom. 

 

Seat assignments and baggage fees are between travelers and carriers. NCL does not pay or arrange those in the free or reduced offer.

 

Good to know. Basic Economy sometimes means you can’t bring a bag on board without paying and also get less airline points. Glad it’s Economy instead.