Celebrity Cruises airport journey shows why you need travel agents
Our travel agent partner shares how an agent and the cruise line can work together to rescue a ruined trip.
Recently there is no question, when flying domestically or internationally, you may face unexpected delays, cancellations and even setbacks with your flights.
The recent months have shown a steady increase in travel setbacks, some caused by the airlines but not all. The causes vary from mechanical issues, staff shortages, air traffic control problems, significant weather impacts to strikes in the airlines industry or transportation sector like we recently saw in Italy on June 20.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line suddenly cancels sailing
No matter what the cause, it is very frustrating sitting on the passenger side of things.
When you absolutely have to be somewhere like a cruise and suddenly you’re told you’re not going to make it because of flight deviations, what do you do?
There are only a few options but the faster you act on them the better. First, if at the airport, get an agent to help you navigate a remedy quickly as there are likely many others with the same problem. If you don’t succeed first, get another agent or go to the front check-in counter and ratchet up your demand to get you another flight quickly.
If you are not at the airport yet or if you live nearby, we recommend going there as the local agents can access your itinerary and get to work on a replacement flight or another airline.
Dealing with agents over the phone when not at the airport is not favorable and you will likely be delayed even more. In some instances when flying late, there may not be flights, and a hotel stay becomes the next need. Most airlines will accommodate hotels if they have some involvement in the delay.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Image source: Shutterstock
Travel advice for cruisers from a travel agent
Cruisers, if your heading out for a cruise and you are flying, you must leave space in between and try not to fly the same day. Usually leaving the day before is a good habit and spending the night somewhere close to your port of embarkation is recommended.
If you must fly long distances involving one or two transfer connections or going international, then two days ahead is the safest way and just enjoy an extra day if you make it on time. But if you get delayed or canceled, there is room to reschedule or for the airlines to find another flight or airline to pick up the deviation.
In some cases, we have had clients rent a car and get on the road to make their cruise, because it was so important to them and they were within the driving distance in that time frame they had left.
Today and last night was a great example of how several cruisers heading to Greece from Miami for a 7-day Celebrity Cruise on Celebrity Infinity dealt with a bad set of situations.
Related: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off tiny crew cabin
The first thing that happened, they flew out of Miami yesterday and got stranded at Charlotte airport when their direct American Airlines flight canceled. They were able to get switched to a Delta flight but once on board last night, they developed mechanical issues while taxiing for takeoff, had to return to the gate and were grounded.
With no flights or answers, they had to stay overnight in a Charlotte hotel.
This morning came around and with no solutions or alternative flights available, they called their travel agent, Lisa Dennis from Postcard Travel Planning, who sprang into action. The cruisers who booked their trip were offered air accommodation through the cruise line by Lisa, in this case, Celebrity Cruise line.
The advantage was, a better rate and assistance if a flight gets canceled, delayed or deviations occurred; they accepted and turned out to be their best decision. Once called,Dennis immediately gave the cruisers directions to work with the airlines at the airport and get on another flight or airline. While this was taking place, unbeknownst to Dennis, they became so frustrated with lack of support, they just wanted to cancel and go home, in turn would lose all their money and their Greek Isles cruise.
Celebrity Cruises finds an answer
Dennis reached out to another agent, Amy Post, who recommended calling Celebrity Cruise lines emergency help number. Both Lisa and Amy came up with options and tried to ensure the cruisers would get it handled with a quick solution so they could make their cruise.
After two hours and lots of calls, a representative from Celebrity found an answer. Since they had booked through Celebrity/Royal Caribbean cruise lines air department, they had a team of people behind them to solve the setbacks.
Celebrity found them a direct flight on United Airlines out of Atlanta tomorrow, rented a car for them to drive over and put them up in a hotel for the night before leaving direct to Athens Greece in the morning.
This story is not unique and can happen as we faced this three time in the past few weeks including a group of 8 traveling to Italy for another Celebrity Cruise. Their situation was similar with canceled flights and was handled similarly once Amy was able to get Celebrity Cruise representatives involved and they both came up with a plan. The plan got the group to Italy by 10 a.m. the day of their cruise, it all worked out and they got on their cruise.
All three of the deviations were handled and two of them by Celebrity Cruise line and the two agents working simultaneously to resolve the situation.
Remedies are not complicated. They just take planning.
Related: JetBlue cancels all flights to major US airport, offers customer refunds
First start by using a great travel agent. They will always fight for you and provide comfort and solutions when a crisis occurs.
When booking a cruise or trip leave extra time on the front and back end. If booking a cruise, and it is long distance or international, use contracted air through the cruise lines as they help reschedule, provide lodging and/or will in some instances, fly you to the next port of call if the ship has already left. If not offered or available, leave extra space/time between your trip to your cruise.
We recommend, if within a driving distance of 6-8 hours or more, leave the day before. When flying a great distance, leave on an early direct flight the day before, that will leave all day to recover if there are delays or cancellations.
If you have multiple transfers or on an international flight, leave two days, and recommend sometimes internationally three days, just to account for the unexpected deviations domestically and abroad.
Dennis Post is co-owner of Postcard Travel Planning, The Arena Group's travel agent partner.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
