Cruise  

Information Center

Generally most cruise lines will offer some type of public transportation to and from your port of embarkation and disembarkation. You may prefer to drive your own car to your port of embarkation. In Europe the many cruise lines will offer a fly cruise program or a rail ticket depending on which port you are starting and finishing your cruise. In North America many cruise lines will offer an Air/Sea program from many regional airports in North America to the port of embarkation and disembarkation as a whole package. Although the cruise package may state that it includes "Free Air" there is no such thing as a free air ticket. The charge for the airline ticket is simply hidden in the overall cruise fare. In this case you may ask for an air credit, which will reduce your cruise fare and make your own travel arrangement to the port. Some cruise lines may simply not offer any transportation to and from a cruise and simply sell a cruise only fare. Or you may opt to be totally independent and make your own transportation arrangements to the port of embarkation and disembarkation. Should you not wish use the cruise lines transportation arrangements. This will allow you to select your own options and preferences of travel.

Many cruise lines will include your return air transportation to the port of embarkation and disembarkation and other cruise lines will sell you a cruise only ticket and charge an additional amount for your air transportation. You can opt to make your own transportation arrangements to meet your individual requirements. The cruise lines work closely with the airlines and negotiate special airfares based on volumes or groups of passengers travelling on a particular airline. If you opt to take the cruise lines air/sea or fly/cruise programme you must be aware that the cruise line reserves the right to select the air carrier, departure and arrival times, routings and may substitute scheduled service for charter flights or vice versa. Airfares that have been negotiated by the cruise line will limit your ability to make changes, exchange or endorsements on such airline tickets. This option may also restrict your ability in getting advance seat assignments and the accumulation or the use of frequent flyer air miles. The cruise lines airline tickets will clearly state the following that "the ticket is issued by the cruise line and is valid only on the dates and flight shown and that the airline ticket is only refundable to the issuer (the cruise line)". Seat assignment, special meals and frequent flyer miles are the sole responsibility of the passenger. Some cruise lines will permit changes, deviations, and upgrades in class of service to the air services they are providing for an additional supplementary service charge together with any additional airfare charges. Such requests should be submitted to the cruise line in writing at time of booking.

You may prefer to drive your own car to your port of embarkation and avoid using public transport. Many leading cruise ports in the world, offer long term onsite-parking garages that are in or close by to the cruise terminals and that are secure and security-patrolled. At most USA ports the average car parking charge will be approximately $12.00USD per day. A number of cruise lines work with specialist garage companies that will meet you at the terminal and take your car off-site and store your car in their own secure garage facilities. These specialist companies also may offer various levels of valet service. They will return your car to the cruise terminal upon your return. You may also be able to make arrangements for long term parking at a hotel that is close to the port.

Travelling by rail is an option to consider. In Europe there is a well-developed and sophisticated rail network that provides frequent service as well as providing stations that are close to the major ports throughout Europe. In North America Amtrak in the US and Via Rail in Canada do provide services to most cruise port cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Vancouver, you will find that their services are limited and that the train station are remote from the cruise ports.

 

	Web www.Cruise-Information-Center.com

Copyright ©2003 // 2004 // 2005 Cruise Information Center LLC
Last Modified: 11/25/05