Thanks, everyone, for the info and suggestions. I guess you are right -- the airline wouldn't have time to call every no-show! We never have "thrown away" a ticket, so I was worrying about something that happens every day.

Peggy, you confirm what I thought might be the case, that without deviation fee and taking into account transfers, Regent air is the better deal from Dallas, at least right now. Seventeen nights is quite a while for us to be away, so we were hoping to be able to come into Nice on embarkation day and go directly to the ship. Regent air would provide some comfort for that situation.

Olivia, I was trying to find a good "deal" price-wise. Usually we have such good options from Dallas, but for this itinerary the two-airport situation in London really confounds the scheduling with either American or British Airways, our best choices.

Denise, you asked about deviation fee for Regent air if you want specific flights. My understanding is that Regent has the right to assign flights as works best for Regent under its contracts with the airlines UNLESS you pay the deviation fee. If you pay the $100 deviation fee per person, you can select your own flights.