Holland America takes sting out of airfare
Ican’t count how many times I’ve found a fantastic Caribbean cruise, only to have it fall apart because airfare prices between Canada and Florida were too high.
Holland America Line is trying to take the sting out of airfare for Canadian residents this fall, with the line offering up per-person air credits that can be used from any Canadian gateway toward select 2018-19 Caribbean cruises if booked by Sept. 30, 2018.
Guests who book an inside, oceanview, Lanai or Veranda stateroom will receive between $100 and $200 credit (all prices in Canadian dollars) per guest, while those who book a suite will receive between $200 and $300 per person, depending on cruise departure date. The cruise has to be booked by Sept. 30, and air must be ticketed by Oct. 15, 2018 in order to be eligible. In addition, guests must also book their air through Holland America Line’s Flight Ease tool. Holland America says flights booked through Flight Ease feature “late arrival protection” to cover any issues resulting from delayed or cancelled flights en route to the vessel.
As with any promotional offer, I always recommend using a dedicated travel agent for your cruise booking. They will have all the information from Holland America as to which sailings are eligible for this promotion, and which departure dates can receive the maximum air credit.
Even at the lower end of the scale, who wouldn’t want to take two or three hundred dollars off their airfare?
Now, if you want maximum flexibility with your flights, or if you have thousands of Aeroplan points burning a hole in your pocket, you’re probably better off booking on your own.
But this is just one of several enticing offers that Holland America Line has rolled out for fall, including its Explore4 promotion that includes perks like beverage packages, dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, reduced fares for third and fourth guests, and reduced deposits on select sailings.
Cruisers can choose from a variety of Caribbean itineraries ranging from seven to 21 days aboard Koningsdam, Rotterdam, Veendam, Zuiderdam and Holland America Line’s newest ship, Nieuw Statendam, which debuts this winter.
These include voyages to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, as well as sailings to Cuba and even partial transits of the Panama Canal.