Co-ordinating flights with a cruise

[sinophile888]

I am planning a cruise which is due to arrive in Hong Kong at 7:00. Then a one-way flight on MH, business class, back to Perth, leaving HKG at 14:35.

However, if the cruise is delayed getting to Hong Kong harbour, can I switch my flight to the next day, assuming two vacant seats on the next day’s flight? Would there be any other problems besides availability?

 

[trooper]

That would depend on the conditions of the fare....

Is it a flexible ticket? If not the airline has little obligation to help out if another entity (cruise line fr'instance) gets you back too late for the flight...

My understanding is that many folks treat cruise/air connections of this type in the way many of us treat connections between separate flight bookings... build in a generous buffer... like overnight.

 

[Heleigh]

sinophile888 I have had two cruises where my flight were same day after departing ship the 1st disembarking 9.30 flight 16.45 (2011) and 2nd disembarking 8.00 and flight change by AA from 14.45 to 12.15 (2012) both flights were made but my ticketing allowed for changes up to 1hr prior (Dom flights)

Cruises are usually run to strict schedules - also some cruise companies will have agreement with a few airlines where you can arrange paper work for the cruise ship to pre check-in about 3/4 days prior to coming into port then you have can take limo/taxi or cruise shuttle to airport, also you can arrange for early disembarking.

On a side note if taking a cruise from another city I will always stay one night before cruise, one trip bags didn't make flight and arrived next day.

So check what your ticketing allows.

Enjoy the cruise

 

[ftm]

Over 7 hours is a reasonable buffer, IMO. The cruise would have to be significantly late to not allow you to make it. On a 7am arrival, I wouldn't think it was necessary to overnight and take a flight the following day.

MH are also generally very kind in terms of their no show/change penalties, relative to other airlines.

FTM

Sent from my HTC Velocity 4G using AustFreqFly

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am planning a cruise which is due to arrive in Hong Kong at 7:00. Then a one-way flight on MH, business class, back to Perth, leaving HKG at 14:35.

However, if the cruise is delayed getting to Hong Kong harbour, can I switch my flight to the next day, assuming two vacant seats on the next day’s flight? Would there be any other problems besides availability?

When you first embark on the cruise make sure you see the ships concierge regarding your disembarkation to ensure you are in the first group of passengers that disembark the ship.

I remember having a few nervous moments when we disembarked from a cruise in San Juan. We had a flight direct from SJU to Santo Domingo but didn't factor in the US Customs bit on arrival back in SJU. There were only 3 customs people for the entire ship do disembarkation took longer than expected.

We got to the airport about 1 hour 15 mins before departure but the person on the Premium checkin counter was checking in a group & the other person doing checkin had passengers who had a problem with their booking which seemed to take forever to fix but we just made the cutover before the flight closed for baggage acceptance.

If you were to be delayed for whatever reason the Cruise lines usually have good relationships with the airlines & I'm sure would help you rebook.

Our concierge on Celebrity Summit was a great help in tracking down our misplaced AA luggage that didn't arrive with us into SJU the day before the cruise or the next day before the ship sailed. We got our bags back 48 hours later in St Thomas.

 

[zig]

I have disembarked twice in Hong Kong and there are no issues with customs etc - you just walk off the ship and collect your luggage. As mentioned cruise liners run to a strict schedule and if running late will generally ensure they make the time up, even if it means skipping scheduled port stops to do so. You also complete paperwork onboard advising your departing flight details and the ship will then allocate you to the appropriately timed group to disembark.
Also check where you will be berthed in Hong Kong. I have always been at Ocean Terminal, but have had friends who berthed out near the aiprort due to the size of the ship. Either way I don't think you will have any problems making your MH flight.

 

[Simo]

Sounds like you have got enough time but check what time you actually disembark of the cruise ship and not what time you arrive in HKG.

 

[richie9x]

I have frequently changed business fares on MH. Ultimately it comes down to the type of fare you have booked, but even some of their business saver fares are quite changeable. One thing to be aware of if you change on the day of the flight they treat it like a no show and I think there was a $50 penalty to change the flight. So if you know you are going to be late in HKG, try to let MH know as soon as possible.