Q – Read about your site in one of the travel magazines and would like to know a bit about the “Free Business Airfare Offer” they have at Regent Cruises. We are looking at a cruise in South America on the Seven Seas Mariner next December 8th that starts in Rio de Janeiro and ends in Buenos Aires. We’ll be booking the Free Air deal but we really want to get into Business Class. If I pick the right agent is there a chance of an upgrade? Can you tell us how to make sure we get the best seats and the best flights out of Oklahoma City? Wer’re thinking of booking category F. o you recommend that category and are there any cabins to avoid
A – Regent’s Free Air Offer is an effective marketing ploy but we are unaware of any cruise line that has ever really given consumers “Free” Airfare. What the ads do not explain is that you can get a much better price by booking on a cruise-only basis.
Regent’s Air Department is one of the few that receives an “A” rating. They will work with your consultant to get you the best possible schedule using their contracted carriers. The Business Class upgrade on your sailing is $2598 per person. But that is not the real price since you are adding that “add-on” to the “Free Air” price which is higher than the cruise only price.
When your consultant does the math, you will see that the real cost of your business air is approaching $4,000 per person. You may want to do your own air. Remember that you will need to wait until January 8th of 2013 to make any reservations. Do be aware that cruise lines are not really quoting an airfare. They are, instead, quoting an air package that includes transfers and baggage handling as well as some rather pricey taxes.
No travel agent can get a cruise line to waive its Business Class upgrade costs. You will need to pay to sit up front with the boys and girls in nice shoes.
Here is our advice, given that this is a South America sailing beginning in Rio. We do think you should book at least one-night in Rio prior to the ship’s departure. You may want to consider flying Business class to Rio but doing coach on the return since that will involve flying in daylight. Have your consultant do the $150 per person air deviation fee to enable you to get prompt confirmation eleven months prior to sailing and seat assignments.
In category F you want to avoid cabins 800-810 and 801-811 as well as 876-886 and 877-887 on deck 8. Also avoid the two handicap cabins, # 828 and 829. Avoid all of the F’s on deck 9.
