We’re Avoiding Airline Fees
This just in.
We’re heading to Spain. Slowly. We’d rather spend 336 hours on a ship as opposed to 8 hours on Delta.
When our China/India travel plans got derailed by visa problems, the worst part wasn’t having to rejigger a new itinerary. Actually, that wasn’t a huge deal at all. The most frustrating part – without a doubt – was interacting with the airlines. Generally speaking, they (especially Delta) were so user un-friendly… so not customer centric, that it brought our already low opinion to new depths.
Add to that all of the fees – most notably the $250 change fee – and our take on the airlines is not a flattering one.
So… we walked away. For now.
Serendipitously for us, as airfares get higher and higher closer to departure, cruise fares get lower and lower (assuming there is availability). In our airline fueled frustration, we saw an all time low transatlantic cruise fare.
That was that. We’re now heading west instead of east. As we can work from anywhere, we’ve got the luxury of time and flexibility.
A year ago, in Prague, we thought it would be our last visit to Europe for years. We also thought we wouldn’t be on a ship again for a long time. Go figure.
This isn’t bad at all. Bouncing atop the open ocean is awe-inspiring. Also, being around old old people is great for the self esteem. I mean… the most popular meal on board is the muesli prepared table-side.
Being younger than 99% of the people, we’re regularly approached. ”How do you get all of this time away?” they say. Once they’ve heard our story, they shower us with praise for not deferring fulfillment.
We’ll be back in the land of airline fees soon enough. For now, we’re enjoying the slow ride across the Atlantic.
So what happened to your India trip plans?
We didn’t get a visa on time..
Oh, wow! Can’t wait to hear how this goes!
Neither can we, D
We still don’t know exactly what we’re doing / where we’re going once we get to Spain.
Great Post – This sounds great – We were only talking about cruising the other day – It was a mixed bag really half of us were into the idea and they other half said they were too young
Tristan
We’re having a great experience on this particular cruise. We’re excited to share some details down the road.
Somebody’s getting pretty handy with that camera! Will this be a flying visit to Spain (pardon the pun) or will you be taking your time?
Hm?
Well, you know ships bring out the photo whisperer in each of us. We’ll be spending a bit of time – we think – once we arrive. Still finalizing. We need all this ship time to plot
Airlines are getting pretty arrogant, I’m seriously thinking about using more land and sea transportation!
Well, we can’t run from those fees forever, BUT we can take advantage of super low cruise prices (as we did in this case!) to avoid airlines from time to time.
I love this. At first, I thought it was going to be an “Abby” situation — I’ll show you, I’ll spend ten times as long getting there, and you’ll never know the difference. You know. But this is amazing. I love being on the water. I am dreading my flights next month to Panama and Costa Rica. I put a flight on hold with United miles, then tried to book it. Three, yes three operators told me my reservation didn’t exist and the flight was now full. The fourth one easily found it. I mean… Then my one-way between Panama and CR? I just hope it exists. It kept appearing and reappearing… But that I know is my fault, since no one flies in Central America. Have fun!!!!
Having to call that many times is awful. Every time I have to call an airline I am in a state of 100% dread.
Have a great trip! I am not a fan of planes anyway and would much rather opt for other means of transportation.
I have been thinking just that – a cruise to europe or anywhere instead of the airlines, tsa molestations, or any of the other hassles of a once wonderful experience. Really would like to know how you found very low cruise fares
You know we sign up for every e-deal newsletter we can get our hands on in order to find these outstanding deals.
And just what exactly is wrong with muesli?
I have never taken a cruise, but would love to one day. Hopefully long before I am actually cruising age.
Nothing is wrong with muesli
I love the complete and unexpected change, as soon as I get someone to go with I’m looking into a cruise.
We’ll go with you – does that count
A cruise! Haha! That’s one way to beat the airline fees! Nice work, gents. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to in Spain.
I know what you mean about the airlines, too. I can understand budget carriers having all these fees, but the bigger airlines who aren’t cheap to begin with – it’s just tacky.
We’re about to fly Vueling, which I understand is a fee-a-minute nightmare.
Sounds great–nothing like the ocean to give perspective. Have fun!
For sure! Being on the Atlantic for OVER A WEEK really makes you realize how magnificent the world is.
Poseidon may take care of you and your “small” ship! Wishing you a relaxing time on the waves.
Hope you get your visa problems sorted out soon and visit my country, India. Would love to read your take on it!!
Till then enjoy your Ship ride!
Oh, yes – we WILL visit India before long.
Wow. That is a fantastic idea. I wouldn’t mind being around OAPs for a few days – especially Americans. They’re so friendly and ungrumpy.
A couple of my friends are doing the same thing to get from Latin America to Europe. They found a repositioning cruise. Turns out flying from Central America to Florida and then taking the ship was all cheaper than flying from Central America to Spain! I keep my eyes on prices now for the same thing.
Yes, repo cruises typically offer the most killer of all deals.
I share your frustrations with the airlines and their fees. Recently, I had the chance to share my thoughts on airline taxes in an article on the Washington Post. The sad thing is, the airlines WANT the customers to be deceived and keep paying these extra fees and exorbitant fees so they can keep making money.
I said to another traveler a couple of days ago – we either have to come to the point where we accept the new model of airline travel or we have to fight to change it.
With that said, hope you have an awesome time sailing to Spain!
I think it’s the same with hotels and “resort” fees.
I should sign up for updates on cruise fares, since last minute deals are probably the only way I would ever get to go. I love reading about your cruise adventures. And I also enjoy going to places where I’m the youngest person. It’s good for the self esteem.
Then you’ll want to stay tuned for our next post in which we discuss what happens when Kent and Caanan rent a car in a port.
Where do you always find these cheap cruises?? You have to share which site you use – we wouldn’t mind returning to Europe by ship
Lately, we’ve found that the cruise lines’ sites run the best deals. We need to do another one of our “top deals” posts.
As there are not always alternatives to flying, It is good that you found one and can enjoy your trip. I like your website a lot , it looks very clean and interesting.
Sorry about your experience with Delta. I work for Delta, and while I had no direct control of your particular situation, it still makes me feel bad.
Good choice, though, to take a cruise across, especially if you have the time. Some of those trans oceanic cruises are a stellar deal if you have the time to go (and I can relate to your experience of being some of the youngest people on the ship…we took a 16 day transatlantic a couple of years ago and had a similar experience.)
Thanks, Shanna. We just had a long talk with a guy who works for American. He said that – on the one hand – he doesn’t stand behind a lot of the decisions American has made lately. On the other hand, he said that customers can be absolutely awful. Agreed and agreed.
Please help us to love Delta again
This sounds very intriguing. We are heading to Italy soon and I’m dreading the long and uncomfortable flight and train ride.
Get ready for great food
Well sometimes the experience is more in the journey than the destination… so enjoy the cruise!
Good point. The journey is USUALLY better than the destination.
Awesome! My ship is heading your way in a week!
We will stand on the pier and wave to you.
So much, so so so much to comment on ….
1) LOVE the photos. Man, being on a ship inspires the photographer in you. (Kent? Caanan?) Especially those first two.
2) Your muesli comment made me laugh so hard, coke came out of my nose. That shit is painful. But it was worth it, laughter is good for the soul
3) Spain? Awesome! Still hoping my blog trip at the end of May works out. I long to visit the country that is 1/2 of my heritage. Cannot wait to read those stories.
4) Very much with you on avoiding airlines right now. This 2 month trip has been a downer for me and air travel. So I’m glad I bankrupted all my SkyTeam points to start the trip out, now I can move to Star Alliance and avoid Delta.
Train travel anyone?
Yes, love train travel. Why can’t we figure this out in the U.S.? Grrr.
And no joke about the table-side muesli preparation. We roared laughing every time we saw it. I’m sure karma will kick our asses when we’re 80.
Sounds great, although I don’t think I could handle that many days at sea not being able to get off the ship. I’m glad the older people on the cruise are so friendly to you about your traveling lifestyle. When my friend Amanda and I were on our Antarctica cruise, and younger than everyone except the crew, there were a handful of old people who were rather bitter about us being on “their” trip of a lifetime. Like we weren’t worthy of it yet or something. Anyway, I hope you’re having fun in Spain, one of my favorite countries!
That’s awful about the older people. Jealousy, huh?
I love slow journeys, especially trains and boats. Just gives me another small kick to work in that “not deferring fulfillment” thing you talk about.
Having just got off another loooong flight, a slow journey sounds especially nice.