celebrity air arrangements problem

C

cottonmather0

Guest
Has anyone else experience a problem with air arrangements to Vancouver? Specifically, we are honeymooning on the Infinity in September, cruising Alaska from Vancouver.

I made the reservations - purchased air arrangements with the cruise package - in January and found out today that they have "arranged" to fly us to Seattle and then bus us "about 4 hours" to Vancouver.

Is this normal?

My fiancee and I certainly do not want to get up and catch a 6:00am flight the day after our wedding, then fly 6 hours to Seattle and then get on a bus and ride another 4 hours to Vancouver.

At the time I made the reservation I could have purchased direct tickets to Vancouver (from Houston) for approximately the same price as Celebrity was offering, but I liked the idea of having our airport baggage and transport taken care of. Now I think I made a mistake. Not only is there a bus ride included, they are also expecting us to change planes in Phoenix and fly America West, my LEAST favorite airline.

I called Celebrity today and was given the run-around and was told that I was requesting "custom air" and that it's now "too late" to change the arrangements, but that a manager would call me back tonight to come up with a solution. I didn't even approach the subject of a refund, but now I think I might have to do this and pony up another $500 to buy a direct ticket of my own as the price has increased substantially since January. Was I being unreasonable or naive to expect a direct air ticket to the point of departure?

I am not happy!

Any advice or help is appreciated. I might not be so upset if this weren't my honeymoon, after all.
 
C

cruisegary

Guest
Best advice,assuming you want OUT the package they are offering. Do your homework ahead of time and know what you can book on your own. Do NOT get into a situation a taking a refund from the, only to find out it will cost you begbucks to book on your own.

Have some options available, like other airlines or times. I assume you can not fly out on your wedding night, but if you can, even to the connecting city, go for it.
 
5

51810ss

Guest
Which ship are you on in September? My husband and I are cruising Vancouver round trip on the "Summit" on 9/10/04. If you get stuck with taking the bus I would love to hear how it turned out for you.

I have taken that bus the opposite direction last May from Vancouver to Seattle. It took almost 5 hours and you have to stop at the border and they take all the luggage off the bus for the security inspection and you have to go through security again and all your carry ons. Actually, that whole process went fairly quickly and smoothly.

Though the scenery was beautiful in spots on the bus ride, it was tiring. That is the problem booking your airfare through the cruise line you don't have any say in what you get and a lot of the Alaska cruises bus people to/from Seattle. The airfare is much cheaper to Seattle than Vancouver. That's probably why they do it.

My travel agent told me you can take a taxi from the Vancouver airport to the ship terminal for $20.00 so that is what we are doing. Much cheaper than the transfers.
The only benefit in booking through the cruise line is that they will hold the ship for you if your flight and transfer is making you late to catch the ship only if booked through them.
They won't do that if you booked it on your own. If you miss the ship, it is your dime to try and catch it at the next port.

Well, sounds like this is one of those learning lessons things. Sure do hope it works out for you and they will change it, but don't bet on it. I've heard all the cruise lines don't have much compassion in this type of thing.

Just remember though that you will have a great time once you get on the ship. Alaska is one of the most beautiful places to cruise. We cruised Alaska in May, 2001. I could go every year.

Have a great time. Please write and let me know how it goes.
 
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