One of the most appealing aspects of a cruise is the overall convenience. During your time onboard, you'll be able to visit multiple destinations without having to worry about hauling your luggage through different airports, train stations, etc. Before you can step foot onboard, though, you'll have to arrange transportation to the cruise port.
Those who live a few hours away will probably drive, as it requires minimal planning and is usually more cost-effective. If, however, you're further away, you will likely have to opt for air travel. While flying allows for more efficient long-distance travel, it does involve more expenses when compared to driving.
Most cruise lines don't include airfare in the base price, so you will have to appropriately budget the cost of transportation into your total vacation budget. Some luxury lines, however, offer all-inclusive packages to create a hassle-free experience. You won't have to worry about making your flight arrangements yourself, meaning that you'll have more time to devote to other pre-cruise preparations.
Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, understanding the dynamics of all-inclusive cruise fares can enhance your travel experience and help create a seamless journey, as the majority of cruise lines don't include flights in the cost.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
While Regent might not be your first thought for a family vacation, this high-end line offers amenities and activities that cater to a diverse range of guests, including supervised youth programming, family suites, and shore excursions suitable for all ages.
Both parents and children can indulge in the luxury cruise experience, which begins before you even step foot onboard, as Regent's fares include flights from select airports, such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, New York (LGA and JFK), Newark, Orlando, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Toronto. If your hometown airport isn't on the list, Regent can make your airfare arrangements for an additional cost.
Their all-inclusive fares also include complimentary specialty dining, shore excursions, high-speed Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages, and laundry, meaning that you won't have to worry about reserving any cruise add-ons prior to your sailing. Knowing that, you should expect the initial price tag to be higher. On Regent's website, for instance, the cheapest fare is advertised as $4,199 for a 7-night cruise from Miami to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico.
Read more: Are cruises all inclusive?
Silversea Cruises
Silversea is Royal Caribbean Group's luxury line. While you won't find any of the onboard thrills that have come to define the Royal Caribbean International experience, Silversea is a haven for those seeking an intimate and refined cruise experience, as their smaller ships focus on providing more unique itineraries as well as personalized service, gourmet dining, and luxurious accommodations.
Airfare is included on select voyages. Usually, though, there are some sort of restrictions, such as a maximum flight value or a cap on how many people they'll cover in a single reservation.
Regardless of whether they are able to book your flights or not, all Silversea guests can utilize the complimentary chauffeur service for distances up to 50 miles. If you live further away, special tariffs apply. Additionally, if the service isn't available for some reason, they will give you a $100 non-use credit.
Read more: How much does it really cost to take a luxury cruise?
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is yet another luxury line that aims to provide travelers with exquisite cuisine, top-tier accommodations, and culturally enriching experiences across the globe.
As part of Oceania's simply MORE™ program, guests can receive free roundtrip airfare from select airports, similar to Regent's terms and conditions. Additional air gateways are available from $99.50 per direction.
Their newest ship, Allura, is set to launch in 2025. During her inaugural season, you can enjoy an inclusive cruise to Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lisbon, Spain, Canada, and even the Northeastern United States. Select 2025 cruises have a $499 Premium Economy upgrade option, so you can arrive at the ship feeling well-rested.
Most mainstream cruise lines allow you to purchase airfare through them; however, it is rarely, if ever, actually included in the base fare
Even if a luxury cruise line is in your budget, you might be seeking a different experience. Sailing on Icon of the Seas, for instance, is going to be vastly different than cruising on a Silversea ship.
While Icon offers a contemporary atmosphere with an array of dining and entertainment options, Silversea provides an intimate setting to cater toward people who have a taste for refined elegance.
If you choose Icon, you will be responsible for booking your own flights, whether they're through the airline's website or Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program. Similarly, sometimes Norwegian Cruise Line will have a BOGO flight offer as part of their Free at Sea promotion.
Booking airfare through a cruise line can offer peace of mind for travelers, as they often have travel teams who will assist you in the event that your flight is delayed or canceled. Moreover, cruise lines will often negotiate group rates with airlines, which could result in lower fares. Everyone loves saving money, right?
Of course, when booking airfare through a cruise, you must compare prices and options to ensure that you're getting the best value. If you have a preferred airline or flight preferences, you are usually better off booking them yourself. Plus, there might be some weird terms and conditions. With Norwegian, for instance, the BOGO offer might only apply to sailings 7 nights or longer.
Ultimately, however, the decision to independently book flights or through a cruise line depends on your priorities. Regardless of which route you take, it's of utmost importance that you ensure that your flight is scheduled to arrive the day before your cruise departs to avoid any potential travel disruption.
If you leave the night before, you have time to rebook a new flight if your original one ends up getting canceled. Flying out the morning of leaves little to no room for any error, and you could end up missing your cruise if the unthinkable happens.
Read more: I saved $800 booking my flights through Norwegian Cruise Line, but was it worth the stress?
If you are unsure about whether the cruise you're looking at includes airfare or not, consider reaching out to a travel agent
Travel agents are professionals who specialize in navigating the intricacies of tourism, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what's included in your rate.
They're an invaluable resource, as they are able to provide detailed insights and help you tailor your cruise vacation to your specific preferences.
Plus, if you decide to book with a mainstream cruise line that doesn't include airfare, they can handle making your travel arrangements for you, simplifying the entire process and making it stress-free for you.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
