Airfare to Copenhagen

Wow airfare is expensive to Northern Europe.  

First thing we checked out was Princess Air.  We have always had good experiences with Princess Air and the price has always been very competitive.  Unfortunately this time it is not.  Not sure why, but the price was at least 30% more than what I was finding on line.

We looked at a few options.

First option - Round trip direct to Copenhagen.  

Second option - One way direct (meaning one booking) to Copenhagen.

Third option - One way with a cheaper flight to a major hub (London, Dublin or Frankfurt were options from Halifax) and then a cheap separate booked flight to Copenhagen.

Armed with my note pad I started surfing and checking prices.  I did look in an incognito window so that my browser did not follow and trace the continual flight checks.

So results.

First option - Prices were the highest and the routing was not that great.

Second option - Not bad prices, and better flight options.  Also with booking with one booking number so if there is an issue with connecting to 2nd flight we are covered.  Also only have to pay bag fees once.  

Third option - Very good price to London or Dublin, and even Frankfurt (under $400 Cdn).  Then a cheap flight to Copenhagen (around $100).  But we would have to ensure we have a long enough layover to clear customs, get bags, and re check in for second flight and clear security.  Also if there is an issue with connecting to second flight we could be in trouble.  Also we would have to pay bag fees for each flight.  

In the end I think we will go with the second option for a bit higher price (around $600 Cdn.) but more security and no extra fees for bags.

We will book as two one way flights as again it is much cheaper than booking the return flight.

Key in the end is to look at all options and find out what is right for you.

Northern Europe Booked

Last year we started to discuss what areas of the world we still wanted to visit.  Also this year is our 25th Wedding Anniversary and two weeks later is my 55th birthday (I know!  I don't feel it).

One cruise we were really looking at was the Voyage of the Vikings cruise that Holland America offers.  Just check out this amazing itinerary.

Unfortunately it was very expensive and since it is cruise that is only offered once a year, it is very popular.  Which means it is very pricey.  We thought we could just wait and see if the price drops as our friends did this and got a great deal.  

But in the mean time we had also been thinking about Northern Europe. Especially since Princess has asked me twice to be Destination Expert for this itinerary but turned it down since I did not know the ports.  

But it is not meant to be.  Will have to be another year.

Then the other day I was checking out the great sale that Princess is offering. 

So we booked the Sky Princess on a back to back.  This will mean we are sailing for both our anniversary and for my birthday.  Plus it will give us more time to explore and do more research for upcoming presentations.

With this sale you get free WiFi, free gratuities, and free drink package. We made sure to weigh out the price without the perks and the difference was only $350 each leg, each person.  So when we deducted the cost of the gratuities ($14.50 per day x 11 = $170.50), meaning the cost of the drinks package is only $179.50 or $16 a day.  Heck that is easy to justify.  Not to mention the free WiFi (although we get our WiFi - limited - with elite status). 

Our trip starts in Copenhagen. We will head there early and stay in an Airbnb and explore.

Next step is to look at air fares.