Flying Smarter To Your Cruise Port

How Alternate Airport Pairings Can Save You Hundreds

“The cruise was only $1,100 each…but the airfare came to nearly $1,000 per person.”

If that conversation sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

For the past few years, cruise fares have been the headline story. Prices climbed as demand returned after the pandemic, and many travelers wondered whether cruising was still one of the best vacation values available. The good news is that cruise pricing has started to stabilize. With a little planning, and by taking advantage of Wave Season promotions, repositioning cruises, back-to-back sailings, and occasional flash sales, finding reasonably priced cruises has become much easier.

Unfortunately, that’s only half the story.

For many travelers, airfare has quietly become the biggest budget buster of the entire vacation. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common for flights to represent 50% or more of the total cruise cost. Before booking your next sailing, it’s worth understanding some of the other Hidden Costs of Cruising, because airfare has quickly climbed to the top of that list.

If you’re fortunate enough to live within driving distance of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Seattle, or Los Angeles, congratulations – you’ve avoided one of the biggest challenges facing today’s cruisers.

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of living near a cruise port, or even a major airport. Our friends Zach and Laura, live in Bloomington, Illinois, about as far from an embarkation port as you can get in almost any direction. With two young kids, airfare for a family of four can quickly become the most expensive part of the vacation. As Zach shares in many of my travel philosophies, that it’s not always about saving money, but getting the most value for your money, he won’t hesitate to bypass the airfare costs and pack up the family in the van (or the Wagon Queen Family Truckster – a la  Family Vacation), thus starting their vacation early.

Rather than dreading those travel days on the road, they’ve chosen to embrace them. They recently booked on Mariner of the Seas from New Orleans, and didn’t see a twelve-hour drive as something to endure. Instead, it will become part of the vacation itself. They’ll pack up the car, enjoy the road trip together, spend time exploring along the way, and will arrive ready to begin their cruise.

It reminded me that flying smarter isn’t always about flying at all. Sometimes the smartest and most economical choice, is to turn the journey into another family adventure.

For the rest of us, especially those traveling to Europe, Asia, Australia, or South America, airfare has become the deciding factor between booking the cruise…or putting it off for another year.

The good news? There are ways to fight back.

One of the best-kept secrets among experienced travelers is learning to think differently about airports. By expanding your search beyond your nearest airport and considering alternate airport pairings, you may be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, if looking for a more “comfortable” flight for your next cruise vacation.

Thirty Years of Business Travel Changed the Way I Book Flights

Long before MAK’n Waves, I spent more than thirty years traveling the country building and growing a few companies.

When you’re paying for your own travel while trying to grow a business, convenience often takes a back seat to value. I quickly learned that finding lower airfare wasn’t simply about searching flights, but about understanding where airlines compete for passengers.

That lesson has stayed with me throughout my cruising adventures.

Rather than automatically booking from my home airport, I learned to think in terms of gateway airports and alternate airport combinations. Even today, it’s one of the biggest reasons I can afford to take some of the longer international cruises that many people assume are out of reach.

What Is a Gateway Airport?

A gateway airport is simply a major airport where numerous airlines compete for international passengers. Competition drives prices.

That’s why cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta frequently offer lower international fares than airports serving smaller markets.

Of course, that doesn’t mean your hometown airport is bad. I live in Colorado, and I think Denver International Airport is one of the greatest airports in the country. For domestic travel it’s the only option I consider, and even for many international destinations to primary markets, such as London, Paris or Amsterdam, it’s often my first choice.

But when I’m booking cruises departing from Rome, Barcelona, Singapore, Sydney, or Tokyo, I almost always compare fares from several gateway airports before making a decision.

The results are often surprising.

My Favorite Airfare Strategy

Here’s a strategy I use regularly. Instead of searching only:

Denver → Rome

I’ll also compare:

• Los Angeles → Rome
• Seattle → Rome
• New York → Rome

If I discover an outstanding international fare from one of those gateway airports, I’ll often use airline miles or inexpensive domestic tickets to position myself there first.

Often our domestic flights cost almost nothing because it’s booked entirely with airline points. Even when I have to purchase that positioning flight, I’ve frequently saved several hundred dollars overall compared to flying internationally directly from Denver.

For a couple, those savings can easily exceed $1,000.

A Real-World Example

In one of our most recent trips, this strategy paid off in a big way, although I have to admit, it sometimes drives Susan a little crazy.

We were sailing on Diamond Princess from Singapore. Rather than booking a straightforward itinerary from Denver through Los Angeles or San Francisco to Singapore, I found a much better fare by booking from Los Angeles through Tokyo. Yes, that meant we still had to get ourselves from Denver to Los Angeles first.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why would you intentionally add another flight?”

For me, airfare isn’t just about finding the lowest price. If adding another connection only saved $100, I wouldn’t even consider it. Instead, I look at the bigger picture: total cost, routing, and perhaps most importantly, the likelihood of scoring an affordable upgrade.

As I’ve mentioned in other MAK’n Waves articles, I keep an eye on premium cabin availability using tools like ExpertFlyer and AwardFares. While airlines don’t publicly release cabin load information, these services provide clues about upgrade inventory and how full the front of the aircraft may be. When I see that historically there are plenty of open seats in Premium Economy or Business Class, I know there’s a reasonable chance the airline may offer discounted upgrades as departure gets closer.

That’s exactly what happened on this trip.

Booking from Los Angeles through Tokyo saved us $900 per person in Premium Economy compared to the itineraries I found from Denver. Then, about a month before departure, American Airlines offered us the opportunity to upgrade to Business Class for just $499 per person. 

Note: No, American didn’t reach out me and ask if I wanted the upgrade.  I got into the habit of logging into my account regularly, about every 2-3 days starting at 45 days before departure, and check for upgrade opportunities.

This upgrade was an easy decision.

Even after paying for the upgrade, we were still $400 per person ahead, and instead of spending nearly fifteen hours across the Pacific in Premium Economy, we enjoyed the journey in Business Class.

The lesson isn’t to add connections whenever you can. It’s to stop thinking of airfare as a single ticket from Point A to Point B. That’s why I rarely ask, “What’s the cheapest way to get there?”, but instead I ask myself, “What’s the smartest way to get there?”  By considering gateway airports, positioning flights, and upgrade opportunities together, you may find yourself paying less while flying far more comfortably than you ever expected.

Don’t Forget Secondary Airports

The same strategy works domestically.

Many travelers automatically search the largest airport serving a city, but that isn’t always the least expensive option.

Years ago, I learned to stop thinking about airports and start thinking about regions. Take Phoenix, for example. Most travelers immediately search flights into Phoenix Sky Harbor. But depending on where you’re flying from, carriers serving Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport may offer significantly lower fares.

The same concept applies throughout the country. Instead of searching one airport, search every airport within a reasonable driving distance of your destination. Sometimes a forty-five-minute drive can save enough money to pay for an extra hotel night or an unforgettable shore excursion.

Your Cruise Port Doesn’t Have to Be Your Airport

Cruisers sailing from Miami should compare flights into Fort Lauderdale. Those sailing from Vancouver should also look at Seattle before taking a train, shuttle, or rental car north.

European cruises open even more possibilities. High-speed rail networks make it remarkably easy to arrive through one city and continue to another. Sometimes the cheapest airport isn’t the closest airport.

As an example, if you are cruising out of Amsterdam, which is a higher-cost city to fly into, consider flying into Paris, a market with high competition and aggressively lower airfare. It’s a 3-hour high-speed train ride from Paris to Amsterdam for about $150, and includes great scenery.  

One-Way Tickets Can Be Your Friend

Another common mistake is assuming you must book round-trip airfare on the same airline.

That’s no longer true.

Mixing airlines or booking two one-way tickets often unlocks pricing that traditional round-trip searches never reveal. I’ve frequently found one airline offering the best outbound fare while another had the better return pricing, often just depending on the day of the week you’re traveling.

It takes only a few extra minutes to compare options, but those minutes can translate into meaningful savings.

Flexibility Pays Dividends

If your cruise departs on Saturday, don’t automatically assume you should fly on Friday.

Look at Thursday or Wednesday, and experience the city a little bit. Likewise, compare your return flights over several days if your schedule allows.

Even shifting your departure or return by a single day can produce dramatic differences in airfare. That flexibility comes even more valuable when traveling internationally.

Let Technology Do Some of the Heavy Lifting

Twenty years ago, finding the best airfare meant bouncing between airline websites and hoping you hadn’t overlooked a better option.

Today, technology makes that job much easier.

One of my favorite planning tools is Google Flights. Even if you ultimately book directly with the airline or your favorite travel advisor, Google Flights is one of the best places to research routes, compare pricing, and discover options you might never have considered.

One feature I especially like is the Explore map. Rather than searching one specific route, Explore lets you compare airfare to destinations around the world from different departure cities. It’s a terrific way to evaluate gateway airports and quickly identify where the best values may be hiding.

I also recommend setting up fare alerts as soon as you’ve booked your cruise. Instead of checking airfare every day, let the technology do the work for you. Google Flights can notify you when fares move up or down, helping you book when the timing and the price is right.

If you’re interested in maximizing airline miles or monitoring premium cabin availability, ExpertFlyer and AwardFares are excellent tools as well. They require a little more experience, but they can provide insights that frequent travelers find invaluable.

Finding cheaper airfare isn’t usually about luck, but about giving yourself more options than the average traveler. The more airports, dates, and routing combinations you’re willing to explore, the better your chances of uncovering a deal that others never see.

Airfare Is Now Part of Your Cruise Strategy

Many travelers spend weeks researching cruise lines, cabins, drink packages, and shore excursions. Then they spend five minutes booking airfare.

In today’s travel environment, airfare deserves just as much attention as the cruise itself. The money you save by flying smarter often has a much bigger impact than finding a cruise that’s $100 cheaper.

Those savings can help pay for a pre-cruise hotel, an unforgettable shore excursion, specialty dining, or even a cabin upgrade. It’s exactly the kind of strategy we discuss in Cruising on a Budget in 2026, finding ways to spend less where it matters least so you can spend more where it matters most.

It’s also one more reason to think carefully about Who Should You Book Your Cruise Through? A knowledgeable travel advisor may spot airfare opportunities, gateway airports, or cruise-and-air promotions that you might otherwise overlook.

Final Thoughts

One of the guiding philosophies here at MAK’n Waves is simple: Sail Smart. Live Large. Spend Less.

Flying smarter fits that philosophy perfectly.

Before booking your next cruise, spend just thirty extra minutes comparing alternate airports, gateway cities, one-way fares, and different travel dates.

You may discover that those thirty minutes save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

And if those savings help turn your dream Mediterranean, Asian, or Australian cruise into a reality, I’d say that’s thirty minutes very well spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to fly into a different airport than my cruise port?

Often, yes. Many cruisers save money by flying into nearby airports and using trains, shuttles, or rental cars to reach the embarkation port.

What is a gateway airport?

A gateway airport is a major international hub where multiple airlines compete for long-haul passengers. More competition often means lower fares.

Should I book two one-way airline tickets?

Sometimes. Mixing airlines can uncover better pricing than booking a traditional round-trip itinerary.

Is Google Flights the best place to search for airfare?

It’s certainly one of the best research tools available. Google Flights makes it easy to compare airports, dates, routes, and set fare alerts, even if you ultimately book elsewhere.

Are airline miles worth using for positioning flights?

Absolutely. Using points for a short domestic flight can unlock much lower international fares from gateway airports, often saving hundreds of dollars overall.

How early should I start watching airfare for a cruise?

Begin monitoring fares as soon as you’ve booked your cruise. Setting fare alerts early gives you more opportunities to recognize a great deal when it appears.