2nd Attempt - Lesson Learned

[Warren]

On Jun 29, 8:29*am, Rosalie B. <gmbeas...@***************> wrote:
>If there's no change of planes, there is no lost luggage. *

Unless your checked bags aren't loaded on to your plane.

>
> When I was flying with my grandson, I realized that on the way home,
> there was not enough time (IMHO) to transfer in Madrid.

In Madrid I would recommend nothing less than 2 hours MINIMUM to
transfer - and that's for an able bodied person who can walk swiftly.
Something tells me that this is one airport where the luggage can get
to the plane faster than its owner.

> My advice would be - it's only money. *Take the flight you need to be
> comfortable with the connection times even if it is more expensive.

Good advice. I would add that sometimes it can be much less expensive
to stay overnight and often the best solution. I always weigh the cost
of the flights I prefer with the cost of staying overnight to get a
better option.

Warren

[Nonny]

"Warren" <oceanvoyager_nyc**********m> wrote in message
news:8b34e576-6649-43be-9923-
>> My advice would be - it's only money. Take the flight you need
>> to be
>> comfortable with the connection times even if it is more
>> expensive.
>
> Good advice. I would add that sometimes it can be much less
> expensive
> to stay overnight and often the best solution. I always weigh
> the cost
> of the flights I prefer with the cost of staying overnight to
> get a
> better option.

We used to teach that the yield on an investment was a combination
of Management, Risk and Liquidity. The lesson can carry beyond
investments. I'd also personally add "Peace of Mind" to that list
when talking about a cruise or other vacation. Like you say, the
savings on doing it yourself frequently are enough to pay for
accommodations in the departure city.

We're heading to Vancouver in August for a B2B Alaskan cruise. On
George Leppla's advice, we're flying early into Vancouver, and
spending 2 nights and a day there before departing. The savings
on that LONG bus ride up from Seattle alone and booking our own
air probably are paying for the hotel and cab rides.

--
Nonny

Americans worry whether the rest of the world
considers us dumb, so we go to the polls and
remove all doubt.

[Marissa Edwards]

On Jun 30, 5:16*am, Kurt Ullman <kurtull...**********m> wrote:
> In article <dD72m.3297$4Q1.2...@newsfe01.iad>,
>
> *"Nonny" <someb...@cox.net> wrote:
> > Right on. *We once did a Baltic cruise, beginning with a flight to
> > London. (Bill and Erm were there as well) *
>
> * *We did the same last year and it worked out great. Especially since
> we were spending two days in London, or so we thought. Friday flight out
> of Indy got cancelled d/t weather so we left the next day. Still had a
> day in London and despite the cancellation got to the port rested and
> ready.

My husband and I did this too and found it was the way to go. We had
three days in London prior to depature and it was definitely the best
approach.

--
Marissa Edwards

[Warren]

On Jun 27, 2:23*pm, D Ball <dianakb...@**********> wrote:
> Warren, did you decide on Aer Lingus or other that offers the less
> expensive, but more 2-hop flights?

Here's an update. I chose Aer Lingus rather than Iceland Air because
it offered flights for each outbound leg. I fly to London via Dublin
and stay for 3days/2nights. Late afternoon on the third day I fly Aer
Lingus again to my embarkation port for one final night.

The fares were equivalent. Aer Lingus also offered both arrival and
departure from London Gatwick which allowed me to pick a hotel in
London convenient to Victoria Station for the Gatwick express. If I
flew in to Heathrow and out from Gatwick then I'd have to compromise
on location for access to/from one of the airports. I go from baggage
claim, to express train from the terminal, to hotel (right across the
street from Victoria) - and back again just as easily.

I could have gone to my embarkation port directly via Dublin with only
one connection (saving having to do the final hop on a third flight)
but the choice was either a 90 minute connection or sitting around
Dublin airport for about 10 hours. The fare would have been slightly
lower to do this. I didn't have any interest in spending more than an
overnight at the embarkation city so it was either spend a couple of
days in Dublin or London. I have old friends that I wish to see in
London and it's my favorite city after NYC. Plus, Ireland is on our
list of major land-vacation destinations within the next few years
anyway.

Total for the outbound (all one way): $422. Total for all flights
including post cruise back home from Florida: $550. Three nights hotel
total (both European 4 star hotels offering discounts): $450. Total
pre-cruise travel costs (before meals other than breakfast): $1000.

Cruise line air flying directly to embarkation on some unknown
itinerary with a definite connection somewhere in Europe without
hotels: $1000

Other than Iceland Air, all other airlines priced out at well over
$1300 one way to get to embarkation with or without a stopover at just
about every major European gateway. If I "cheated" and booked
roundtrips, the fares dropped to between $5-600.

Lesson learned (to bring this back on topic so I don't completely
hijack Dory's thread): with a little research and taking control of
the arrangements you can enjoy decent extra time pre-cruise, building
in a travel pace that totally eliminates any "what if I miss the ship"
anxiety.

Warren

[D Ball]

On Jun 30, 9:38*am, Warren <oceanvoyager_...**********m> wrote:
> On Jun 27, 2:23*pm, D Ball <dianakb...@**********> wrote:
>
> > Warren, did you decide on Aer Lingus or other that offers the less
> > expensive, but more 2-hop flights?
>
> Here's an update. I chose Aer Lingus rather than Iceland Air because
> it offered flights for each outbound leg. I fly to London via Dublin
> and stay for 3days/2nights. *Late afternoon on the third day I fly Aer
> Lingus again to my embarkation port for one final night.

Warren,

Thanks for the update! I was interested in seeing how you decided to
make this work for you. The research you put into evaluating your
options is clear--it can be time-consuming, and a traveler has to
employ creativity, to identify all possible solutions. You did a great
job, and I love that you will get to spend some time in London with
friends. (If you go see a show, tell all!)

Oooh, I hope you do an Ireland land trip sooner than later. It's a
favorite destination for me--but it's one of those places I think
folks can be rather polar about. My husband could care less about
returning. Of course, I've got a good part Irish in my blood, so that
could explain things!

I am going to have to go to that other thread where you began talking
about your cruise. Now I can't even remember where you are going and
when you're leaving!

Best,

Diana

[Nonny]

"Marissa Edwards" <marissa.jane.edwards@**********> wrote in
message
news:060121c8-0de0-4166-b422-ff40cdc3e844@z9g2000yqi.************.com...
> On Jun 30, 5:16 am, Kurt Ullman <kurtull...**********m> wrote:
>> In article <dD72m.3297$4Q1.2...@newsfe01.iad>,
>>
>> "Nonny" <someb...@cox.net> wrote:
>> > Right on. We once did a Baltic cruise, beginning with a
>> > flight to
>> > London. (Bill and Erm were there as well)
>>
>> We did the same last year and it worked out great.
>> Especially since
>> we were spending two days in London, or so we thought. Friday
>> flight out
>> of Indy got cancelled d/t weather so we left the next day.
>> Still had a
>> day in London and despite the cancellation got to the port
>> rested and
>> ready.
>
> My husband and I did this too and found it was the way to go. We
> had
> three days in London prior to depature and it was definitely the
> best
> approach.
>
> --
> Marissa Edwards

The only caution I have for anyone with mobility problems is that
London is a very old city and some of the conveniences we take for
granted now with handicapped access are still lacking. OTOH, the
London Taxis were inexpensive and very roomy. We took both of
Mrs. Nonny's scooters along, since Bill was a bit weak and could
use a scooter for getting around both in London and the Baltic
cruise. Erm and I discovered immediately that we could squeeze
TWO scooters and the four of us into one of the London Taxis
without any hassles, giving us a lot of range for low expenditure.

All we had to do was lift Mrs. Nonny onto the roof of the London
Taxi and secure her there with Scotch Tape. Bill went into the
"boot," and Erm and I rode like kings. <grin> Seriously, the 4 of
us and 2 scooters did share a single taxi on a number of occasions
and there were jump seats for two, plus room for the scooters
--
Nonny

Americans worry whether the rest of the world
considers us dumb, so we go to the polls and
remove all doubt.