Compare & book Fly-cruising(10,575)
What is fly-cruising?
Simply put, fly-cruising is a type of package holiday that combines flights and a sailing. The term is used to differentiate this type of trip from no-fly cruises (sailings departing from a domestic port) and cruise-only sailings (voyages that depart from anywhere, but where flights aren’t included in the package and need to be booked separately).
What are the benefits of fly-cruises?
In the UK, booking a fly-cruise means booking a package from a tour operator or travel agent. In turn, it means your holiday is protected by the ATOL scheme. So, if anything goes wrong (like a flight cancellation), a travel professional will be here to take care of you, and you won’t be left out of pocket.
Beyond the all-important financial protection, fly-cruises open the door to sailings in far-away destinations, while also making destinations nearer to home easier to access. For example, a Mediterranean cruise from the UK would take several days just to reach Gibraltar. On the other hand, you could fly straight to Barcelona and start your voyage there to maximise your time in the Med.
What are the best lines for fly-cruises?
Most cruise lines let you add flights to your cruise booking, so you should focus on the type of cruise experience and the destinations you’re most interested in. Operators with large fleets (think Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line) will naturally open the door to a huge range of destinations.
However, expedition and ultra-luxury lines – thanks to their small ship – offer destinations that larger ships can’t access, including the Galapagos, the Arctic and the Kimberley Region of Australia.
When thinking about booking a fly-cruise, you should also consider cruise agents. Companies like Iglu Cruise, ROL Cruise and Hays Travel specialise in creating fly-cruise packages.
What are the best fly-cruises destinations?
Any destination that isn’t readily served from UK ports is a good bet for fly/cruises. In many cases, fly-cruises are the only option. If you want to book a cruise to Asia, Oceania, or the West Coast of the US, fly-cruising is often your only option.
For other destinations, fly-cruising is a way to visit more ports in the same sailing. For example, while you can technically cruise to the Caribbean from Southampton, these sailings will usually call at fewer islands than voyages departing from Barbados or San Juan.
Even for destinations closer to home, like the Mediterranean or the Canaries, fly-cruises will put you at the heart of the action faster.
Fly-cruises: frequently asked questions
How much should I expect to pay for a fly-cruise?
Prices vary depending on destination, travel date and cruise line. Some sailings to the Mediterranean and Canaries on a mid-market cruise line can set you back around £600-£700 per person. Longer sailings – or voyages on luxury lines – can easily cost thousands of pounds.
Which UK airports do fly-cruises depart from?
As is often the case with holidays from the UK, you’ll find the most choice from London. However, cruise lines and agents are increasingly aware of the demand for regional flights. These days, you have a growing number of options from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and other UK airports.
Are transfers included when I book a fly-cruise?
Not always. You should always check with the cruise line or travel agent you’re booking with what’s included in the package.
Who are fly-cruises for?
Most people. In fact, the better question might be: “Who are fly-cruise not for?” If you hate flying or airports, fly-cruises are obviously not the best option.
But if you love holidays at sea and want to discover as many places as possible from the comfort of a ship, fly-cruising is often the best and sometimes only way to do so.
