Fly Cruise Packages

Question: Suggestions for transatlantic cruises leaving from Europe? I'd really like to go on a proper long cruise to somewhere exotic like the caribbean or wherever, and would really like to know what companies offer those sorts of packages. I'm also wondering, if someone has some experience with this, what's better: a transatlantic cruise or simply flying out to the states and then getting on a cruise ship there?

Answer: I have been on about 20 cruises with 4 different cruise lines and to many places including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska and the Baltic countries. So I gave give you some pointers to get you started. I take it from your comment about flying "out to the states" that you are located in Europe somewhere. So let me say this first. You really do not have to fly to the US to do a cruise unless you want to go to the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Bahamas, or Alaska. There are plenty of cruises leaving from European ports. There are cruises leaving from England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and other countries. If you are in England you can depart from Dover, Southampton, or Harwich. I have cruised out of Dover and come back into Harwich. The main departure port in Spain is Barcelona. You can leave from the Italian cities of Venice, Rome (Civitavecchia). In fact, with all of the cruise lines operating in Europe you have numerous places to get on a cruise ship. The main cruise lines that most people use are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America. The Cunard line does mainly transatlantic sailing and the Disney cruise lines does mainly Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. If you want to take a cruise starting in Europe the itineraries available would be places like the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Ireland, and some others that include port stops in Greece, Dubai, and even Egypt. You have to decide where you want to go and which ports are most important to you. The benefit of doing a European cruise for you if you ARE in Europe is its a short train or plane ride to and from the port. Another type cruise that you can consider if you really want to get to the US is either a transatlantic from Europe or what is called a "repositioning" cruise. A transatlantic would likely take you from England or Spain to New York City. A repositioning cruise will likely cross the Atlantic but include stops in places like the Canary Islands, Bermuda, and maybe a port or two in the Caribbean before the ship reaches its final destination which may be in Florida in the US. Repositioning cruises are generally a great deal and allow you to see ports combined in one cruise that are not the normal. These cruises generally occur twice a year, in the Spring and in the Fall, when the cruise lines are moving the ship to a new location for the summer or winter season. The repositioning cruise is also typically longer than the straight transatlantic, maybe 12 to 14 days vs 7 for a normal crossing. You can find repositioning cruise by simply searching for them on the cruise line web sites: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis... You should know that all of the cruise lines give the best price for early bookings that are a year or more in advance. Also, all cruise cabins are sold based on double occupancy and the prices listed will be per person and based on at least two people going on the cruise. You can go solo but you will have to pay a single supplement which is basically a double fare. You should also know that the price of your cruise will depend upon the type accommodations that you choose and there are 4 basic types of cabins on ships; inside (no window), outside (a window or porthole), balcony/veranda, and suites. The "FROM" prices you see will always be for an inside cabin. As for a dollar figure, I have listed below the web sites for the medium priced cruise lines which operate from US ports. There are some luxury lines that are much higher priced with prices starting around $4,000 for a 7 day cruise. The lines that I have listed below will have cruises starting in the range of $800 to $1,000 per person for a 7 day cruise, again depending upon the date and type cabin you select. HOLLAND AMERICA http://www.hollandamerica.com/ CELEBRITY: http://www.celebritycruises.com/home . ROYAL CARIBBEAN: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.d..... NORWEGIAN: http://www.ncl.com/ PRINCESS: http://www.princess.com/index.html CARNIVAL: http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/ What I recommend is that you go to the cruise lines and click on the link for specials and browse what is available. I have been on Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean ships and can vouch that they are good cruise lines. There are some differences. Princess, Celebrity and Holland America have great ships are more reserved. Holland America has more senior citizens cruising on its ships. Carnival has more first time cruiser and young people who want to party, party, party. Royal Caribbean caters most to families and has the most and best on ship activities. Royal Caribbean's web site is the easiest to find specials on; the link to its "hot deals" is in red. RC is my favorite !!! Now, I hope this is enough to get you started.

Question: How long does it take to get through the checkpoints to fly from Frankfurt to the USA? I've booked a cruise vacation package in Austria and Germany for this fall. The cruise company has us returning to the USA from Nuremberg by flying from Nuremburg-Frankfurt-Denver on Lufthansa (LH). The connection at Frankfurt is only 70 minutes, and I'm worried that we might miss our connections if we have to go through multiple checkpoints for customs and passport control and security to transfer from a domestic to an international flight at Frankfurt. Can anyone tell me what checkpoints/lines we'll need to go through at Frankfurt, and whether 70 minutes seems reasonable?

Answer: I've flown that same route, except the Denver destination. Once you go through Nuernberg, Frankfurt is easy. You just go through the terminal to your next flight without arriving through the international arrivals gate. The big problem is when you go through U.S. Customs. My god - I couldn't believe how crazy they are here in the States when I came back from Germany - I lived there for 11 years and flew back to Newark and Atlanta a few times a year. it's Nuernberg - not Nuremberg, okay? Perry

Question: Where to go during fall vacation at a reasonable price?? My husband and I want to take a cruise in October. It's pretty expensive and it was only for 4 days so now I don't know if I even want to take the cruise. I'm thinking it might be cheaper to fly somewhere, spend a couple days there then fly back. I know there's nice packages out there but I just wanted to know if anyone took a nice trip somewhere for cheap. I haven't been to many places but I definitely don't want to go to Mexico. Thanks.

Answer: It depends on where you are leaving from.

Question: I'm flying Southwest. Do I have to package my alcohol accordingly? Can I just use my clothes/bubble wrap? On the Southwest website it states that: Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage. Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage. Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit. Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines. Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only. Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g.,cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage.

Answer: Sounds like they want you to pay their $5 fee and get it packaged at the ticket counter, doesn't it? Get a large zip-lock bag, large enough to accommodate the bottle, if you can find it. Then put it in a cardboard box secured with packing tape. Honestly, I'd let them win and just pay the $5 if it were me. Of course, if you just use bubble wrap and your clothes, they may not notice or care, but security is such a pain in the butt these days, I wouldn't take any chances, because they'll hold everything up and not allow you to check the alcohol at all if they do notice. On one trip, i went through three security checkpoints with a gun-shaped lighter and a screwdriver in my purse. This was really dumb, I realized afterwards, but I didn't think about it at the time. Then, on the fourth security checkpoint, they noticed and stopped me and made me miss my plane while they went through various procedures. I kept telling them, "Look, it's just a $1 lighter and cheap screwdriver. Just throw them away and don't make me late for my flight," but they wouldn't let me go. It was frustrating. If you do decide to deal with them, make sure you leave plenty of time.

Question: Egypt: Cairo AND Luxor? I am hoping to go to Egypt with my family in May. The thing is, we want to go to both Cairo and Luxor. I have seen one package where it is some days in Cairo, a Nile cruise, and then some days in Luxor- but the site looks a bit "dodgy". Does anyone have any links to anything similar? (Flying from England). Thanks

Answer: Hi I'm going on Friday, we've booked through Travelsphere they have an 8 day trip which will cover what you are asking for. If you want I can let you know how it goes. http://www.travelsphere.co.uk/Middle_Eas...