Trying to figure out our best bet, both for airfare and convenience, for our flights to Rome and back home from Monte Carlo... we are pretty adept at finding good deals by working with the airlines ourselves, but are wondering whether there are advantages (or disadvantages) to having Radisson make the air arrangements for us. Can anybody share the experiences? Does using Radisson's connections ease the transfer process? Do you end up with a lot of extra flight connections? Please advise.

Terri

Terri,
Sometimes when the flights are hard to arrange on our own, (open jaw flights, hard to do transfers to the ship) I will opt for the cruise line air and pay the deviation fee. I think the fee is $100 pp and this choice allows you to choose your own flights.

Most times I find I can do my own air and transfers and save lots of money, though.

And Karen really steered us correctly for our recent cruise. Transfers in San Juan couldn't be easier. And by getting a cab ourselves, we saved a lot of money.

I never heard of a deviation fee... you can choose your own flights but let Radisson set it up for you?

Terri

Yes Teri, Radisson does your air but you choose the flights.

The one catch with using Radisson and any other cruise line for air is that special deals for upgrading to "business class" on an airline with only 2 classes (e.g., Continental's "Business First" and Delta's "Business Elite") are usually not available because these are more expensive than plain vanilla business class on a 3 class airline.

DETAILS ON CUSTOM AIR OPTION

Here are the basic guidelines.

For a non-refundable custom air fee of $100 per person you can request to customize your air itinerary
Choice of carrier is limited to those with whom Radisson has current contracts. Not all airlines are available.
You may leave early or stay over in the embarkation and debarkation cities.
Once itinerary is arranged you have 24 hours to approve the arrangements
After 24 hours any further changes will be an additional $100 per person custom air fee

Advantages are earlier arrangements often mean better connections, early seat assignments and possibly the carrier of you choice for FF miles.

Custom air will be facilitated through your TA

Hope that helps.

A what if question about air arrangements - I book my own air and my luggage does not arrive and we have to get on ship and first 2 days are at sea - how do I get my luggage - I book with radisson, same scenario, how will they handle lost luggage and getting it to me??? Joanna

Is it possible to book air without deviation fee, see what you are assigned, if you are not satisfied with your arrangements pay the deviation fee at that time?

Ngaire-
How soon would custom air arrangements be available for a summer cruise?
And how bad is the regular Radisson scheduling? Anymore than two hops from the Southwest to Europe?

You can make custom air arrangements right now for a Summer cruise.

Yes, Marc many people do that. Wait and see what is assigned and then change it for the $100 deviation fee if they are not happy with the flights. RSSC does make every effort though to get the best itinerary and usually other than changing carriers they have the best available anyway. The key to doing it early is availability on the planes and better seat availability.

JoAnna I have lost my luggage 8 times in the last three years. They make every effort to get your bags and stay on top of it but it is up to the airlines to find it and deliver it to the ship. Whether you do your own air or RSSC air makes no difference with lost bags. If you are at sea you cant get your bags it is that simple. No delivery on sea days. THat is why transatlantic trips lots of people come in a day early.

Ken and I now "cross pack" half of each of our clothes in each case. About three times we only lost ONE bag so this works well. Also I used to take a carryon with a change of clothes and underwear along with the dob kits. I am lazy again and not taking extra clothes, only do that if I know we have 2 - 3 sea days where I wont get my bags. I dont like carry ons I like to walk through the airport with NOTHING to lug around.

When it happens we just manage. It is amazing how you can manage. The longest I have been without bags was three days. Ken looks so good in an officers uniform on formal night (they have lent him clothing on more than once) at least that is the upside of losing luggage.

Ngaire: You are a hoot that is why we all love you....you told me what I needed to know about luggage....Joanna