Fly Cruise vs Cruising from the UK: Pros and Cons
Considering a cruise with flights? Or sailing from a UK port and back again?
To help you decide, we’ve looked at the pros and cons of each type of cruise.
Before the dawn of mass air travel in the 1950s, cruise ships were the only way to travel long distances. Today, however, we think nothing of jetting off to Spain or Florida for a holiday.
Are cruises still popular?
Mass air travel hasn't led to the demise of the cruise liner. Quite the opposite - ocean cruise passenger numbers have grown steadily from 17.8 million in 2009, to 29.7 million in 2019 (with a hiatus thereafter due to Covid-19).
The rise of the fly cruise
Rather than damaging the cruise industry, planes have actually boosted its fortunes, with scores of fly-then-cruise holidays available.
These fly cruise is an alternative to the old-fashioned cruise, where you sail from a UK port to your destination(s), then sail back.
The pros and cons of a fly cruise and cruising from the UK:
If you're weighing up a cruise with flights or a regular cruise, cruising from the UK, the following pros and cons should help you decide.
Time
If you don't have much time off work or studies, a fly-cruise is far more efficient.
You can fly to a sun (or ice)-kissed destination, board your ship and enjoy your cruise, then fly back again.
This is far quicker than sailing all the way from a UK port to, say, the Caribbean or the Eastern Mediterranean.
Transport worries
Most cruise itineraries are designed around the following fly-cruise or cruise-only options:
- Cruise from UK port to destination; return to UK port by sea (cruise only).
- Cruise from UK port to destination; return to UK by air.
- Fly to overseas port for the cruise; return to UK by air.
- Fly to overseas port for cruise; return to UK port by sea.
Transport for a fly cruise
With a fly-cruise, you need to arrange transport to the applicable airport, which if you live near your departure point, could be quite convenient.
If your ship returns to a UK port, you'll need to think about getting home once you disembark. Since most cruises are from the cruise terminals at Southampton or another southern port, this could be an extra hassle if you live in the north. To remedy this, your cruise agent may be able to organise a shuttle service.
But some cruises begin and end overseas (e.g. Maryland, USA), so you would fly there, then back to the UK afterwards (and sort out transport to and from your home).
Transport for a regular cruise: cruising from the UK and cruising back to the UK
With a regular cruise, you'll need to arrange transport to and from the port.
Your cruise agent may be able to arrange this transport for you.
In either case, it's important to sort out transport at either end to minimise stress (and potentially cost - if you're forced to buy a last-minute train ticket home!).
Distance travelled
Fly cruising
One of the big advantages of a fly-cruise is that you can jet off to far flung ports, then begin your cruise.
This allows you to sail to places like the Caribbean, Galapagos or Canary Islands, without first spending days and days at sea. As mentioned, this ability to travel further means big time-savings.
Cruising from the UK
Cruising from the UK, by contrast, often involves many more days at sea. However, this could well be a positive if you have time and love the open sea.
Modern ships also have plenty to enjoy onboard - including swimming pools, fine dining, and great night life.
In addition, a regular cruise, cruising from the UK, gives a better sense of the distance travelled; you really "understand" how far away your destination is, which might add to the sense of accomplishment or adventure.
Choice of destinations
There's no denying that a fly-cruise opens up more destinations than a regular cruise.
Fly cruising makes it possible to explore the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean, or even Australia (in the time before Covid-19).
Fear of flying
This one is definitely worth a mention.
According to recent data, in 2018 21 million Britons were more fearful of flying than they were 10 years before.
So if you prefer to avoid air travel, then an old-fashioned cruise setting sail from the UK, is the only way you’re going to experience the joys of an overseas holiday.
General hassle
Fly cruising
Some may regard a fly-cruising as more troublesome than cruising from the UK. This is because you need to get yourself to the airport - perhaps at an inconvenient time - then worry about checking luggage, airport security, and waiting around for the plane.
You may then need to repeat this process on the way back, unless your ship returns to a UK port.
If you buy a lot of souvenirs on your holiday, you may also need to pay extra for your heavier baggage.
Cruising from the UK
With a regular cruise, on the other hand, many of these issues are absent.
You may be able to depart from a port near you - such as Southampton, Bristol, Newcastle or Glasgow (Greenock).
Once you've boarded, you're pretty much set. Plus, you won't be charged extra for your souvenir-laden suitcase on the return leg!
Booking process for your cruise
With a fly-cruise, the booking process may be a little more complex since you need to book flights too. These may be booked at the same time as the cruise (on the same website), or may need to be purchased separately. Either way, your cruise line should be able to advise or help with booking suitable flights.
You may also need to book a train/coach/taxi to the airport or arrange airport parking.
But even with a cruise-only trip, you’ll need to arrange transport to the cruise terminal.
What to do with luggage between cruise and flight (and vice versa)
If you opt for a fly-cruise, you’ll need to think about what to do with your luggage between cruise and flight, and/or vice-versa.
To solve this common issue, some cruise lines arrange for luggage to be picked up from the airport and delivered to the embarkation port (and back to the airport after the cruise). Such services are normally booked online and attract a fee.
There may be third-party services that offer this too - especially if many cruise passengers fly into a particular airport.
Get a Quote