How Does the Include Airline on Norwegian Cruise Lines Work

The “Include Airfare” option from Norwegian Cruise Line bundles your flight and cruise into one seamless, value-packed booking, simplifying travel planning and often saving you money compared to booking separately. Available on select sailings, it lets you choose from multiple airlines and airports, with Norwegian handling flight coordination so you arrive stress-free and ready to sail.

Key Takeaways

• Book early: Secure lower fares by reserving flights early with Norwegian’s Include Airline.
• Compare options: Evaluate included vs. upgraded airfare for best value and convenience.
• Flexible dates: Choose flights within a 3-day window of your cruise departure.
• No change fees: Modify flights without extra fees, but fare differences may apply.
• Direct coordination: Norwegian handles flight delays to ensure cruise boarding.
• Group bookings: Airline benefits apply to all guests in the same reservation.

How Does the Include Airline on Norwegian Cruise Lines Work?

Planning a cruise vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to booking flights. You’ve got to coordinate departure times, layovers, baggage policies, and arrival schedules—all while hoping your flight doesn’t get delayed and ruin your embarkation day. That’s why Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) introduced its “Include Airline” program. It’s designed to take the stress out of air travel by letting the cruise line handle your flights. But how does it really work? Is it worth it? And what should you know before signing up?

I remember my first cruise with Norwegian. I thought I was being smart by booking my own flight—cheaper, I assumed—only to end up with a 6 a.m. arrival, a two-hour drive to the port, and a frantic sprint to the terminal with my carry-on dragging behind me. By the time I boarded, I was already exhausted. A few years later, I tried the Include Airline option on a Caribbean cruise. The difference? Night and day. I landed just three hours before boarding, my bags were checked all the way through, and I even got upgraded to a window seat. That experience changed my perspective entirely.

What Is the Include Airline Program?

The Include Airline program is Norwegian Cruise Line’s bundled airfare solution. Instead of booking your own flights, NCL arranges your round-trip air travel from a selection of departure cities in the U.S. and Canada. The airfare is included in your cruise package price, and NCL manages all the logistics—from flight selection to seat assignments and even baggage handling in some cases.

How It’s Different from DIY Airfare

When you book your own flights, you’re responsible for every detail. You pick the airline, the flight times, the layovers, and you hope everything runs smoothly. With Include Airline, NCL acts as your travel agent for air travel. They choose the flights based on your departure city, your cruise embarkation port, and your cruise departure date. You get a confirmed flight itinerary—usually sent 45 to 60 days before departure—and that’s it. No stress, no last-minute changes (in most cases).

Think of it like a “set it and forget it” option. You pay for the cruise, and NCL handles the air. It’s not always the cheapest, but it’s often the most convenient. And for many travelers, that convenience is worth the extra cost.

Who Is It Best For?

The Include Airline program is ideal for:

• First-time cruisers who want a hassle-free experience.
• Families traveling with kids, where timing and logistics matter.
• Travelers from smaller cities with limited flight options to major cruise ports.
• Those who value peace of mind over saving a few hundred dollars.

It’s less ideal for frequent flyers who want to use airline miles, elite status perks, or those who prefer to control every detail of their air travel. If you’re the type who likes to pick your seat, choose your meal, or fly with a specific airline, Include Airline may feel restrictive. But for most people, the trade-off in control is worth the ease.

How Does the Booking Process Work?

Booking with Include Airline is surprisingly simple. It’s integrated directly into the cruise booking process on the NCL website or through your travel agent. Here’s how it works step by step.

Step 1: Select Your Cruise and Add Include Airline

When you’re browsing cruises on Norwegian’s website, you’ll see an option to “Add Air” during checkout. You’ll select your departure city (from a list of eligible U.S. and Canadian cities), and the system will calculate the total price with air included. You don’t choose the airline or flight times at this stage—NCL does that later.

Pro tip: Not all cruise itineraries offer Include Airline. It’s most commonly available on sailings from major ports like Miami, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. If you’re sailing from a smaller port, you may need to book your own flights or consider a different embarkation city.

Step 2: Confirm Your Details

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your cruise details. But your flight itinerary won’t be sent yet. NCL typically releases flight details **45 to 60 days before your cruise departure**. This delay happens because airlines don’t publish their full schedules that far in advance, and NCL needs time to negotiate group rates and secure seats.

During this waiting period, you can still make changes to your cruise booking (like cabin upgrades or excursion reservations), but your airfare is locked in. If you cancel your cruise, the air portion is non-refundable unless the cruise is also canceled.

Step 3: Receive Your Flight Itinerary

About 45 to 60 days out, you’ll get an email with your flight details. This includes:

• Airline and flight numbers
• Departure and arrival times
• Airport terminals
• Seat assignments (if pre-selected)
• Baggage allowance information

You’ll also get a link to manage your flights through NCL’s air partner (currently Travel Guard, a third-party travel management company). From there, you can request seat changes, add special meals, or request wheelchair assistance. But remember: NCL has already optimized these flights for timing and cost, so changes may be limited or come with fees.

One thing I learned the hard way: don’t assume you’ll get a direct flight. NCL books the most cost-effective and time-efficient options, which may include layovers. On my Alaska cruise, I had a layover in Seattle. It was only 90 minutes, but it was enough time to grab a coffee and stretch my legs—and I didn’t have to stress about missing my connection because NCL coordinated the timing with the cruise embarkation schedule.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

Like any travel product, Include Airline has its ups and downs. Let’s break down the real-world benefits and drawbacks based on actual traveler experiences.

The Pros

• Stress-free logistics: No hunting for flights, comparing prices, or worrying about delays. NCL handles it all.
• Guaranteed arrival time: Flights are timed so you arrive at the port no more than 3–4 hours before boarding. This minimizes wait time and reduces the risk of missing the ship.
• Baggage handling: In many cases, your bags can be checked all the way through to the port. This means you don’t have to claim and recheck luggage at the airport. On my last cruise, I checked my bag in Chicago, and it was waiting in my cabin when I boarded in Miami.
• Group protection: If your flight is delayed or canceled, NCL works with the airline to rebook you on the next available flight—and they’ll cover the cost of any missed embarkation. This peace of mind is huge, especially for international travelers.
• No hidden fees: The price you see is the price you pay. Unlike some third-party airfare sites, there are no surprise baggage or booking fees.

The Cons

• Less flexibility: You can’t choose your airline, flight time, or seat (without paying extra). If you’re loyal to a certain carrier or want to use frequent flyer points, this isn’t for you.
• Limited departure cities: NCL only offers Include Airline from select U.S. and Canadian cities. If you’re in a smaller market, you may need to drive or fly to a hub first.
• Flight details come late: Getting your itinerary 45–60 days out can make it hard to plan pre-cruise hotels or activities. I once booked a Miami hotel for three nights, only to learn my flight landed at 5 p.m.—cutting my pre-cruise time in half.
• Potential for layovers: NCL prioritizes cost and timing over convenience. You might end up with a longer travel day than if you booked your own flights.
• Seat selection fees: Want a window seat or extra legroom? You’ll likely pay a fee. Basic seats are assigned automatically, often at the back of the plane.

One friend of mine, a retired pilot, refused to use Include Airline because he wanted to fly with his preferred airline and use his elite status for upgrades. He booked his own flights—and ended up with a 12-hour layover in Houston. He missed his pre-cruise dinner reservation and spent half the day at the airport. He later admitted, “I should’ve just let NCL handle it.”

Can You Customize Your Air Travel?

You might think Include Airline means no control at all—but there are ways to personalize your flights, within limits.

Upgrading Your Seat

NCL allows seat upgrades, but they come at a cost. You can pay to select a better seat (like an exit row or window) or purchase premium economy or business class. These upgrades are managed through Travel Guard after you receive your itinerary.

For example, on a recent cruise, I paid $75 each way to upgrade to an exit row on a 5-hour flight. It was worth every penny—extra legroom, priority boarding, and no middle seat. But if you’re on a budget, the standard seat is still safe and comfortable.

Adding Special Requests

You can request:

• Special meals (vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, etc.)
• Wheelchair assistance
• Unaccompanied minor service
• Pet travel (with restrictions)

These requests are submitted through the Travel Guard portal. Just don’t wait—submit them as soon as you get your itinerary, as availability is limited.

Changing Your Departure City

What if you live in a small town but want to use Include Airline? You can often choose a different departure city—say, flying out of Dallas instead of Austin—if it’s within a reasonable driving distance. This is a great option for people who live near major hubs but don’t want to drive the day before.

However, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the departure city. NCL won’t cover gas or parking, so factor that into your decision.

Using Frequent Flyer Miles

Here’s a bummer: **you cannot use your frequent flyer miles or elite status with Include Airline**. The flights are booked under NCL’s group contracts, which are separate from individual airline loyalty programs. You won’t earn miles, and you won’t get priority boarding or free upgrades based on status.

This is a major downside for frequent travelers. But if you’re not loyal to any one airline, or if you rarely fly enough to earn meaningful benefits, it may not matter much.

Real-World Examples and Cost Comparison

Let’s look at a few real examples to see how Include Airline stacks up against DIY booking.

Example 1: New York to Miami (7-Day Caribbean Cruise)

• Include Airline price: $1,299 per person (includes cruise and air)
• DIY airfare (round-trip, economy): $380–$450 (based on 60-day advance booking)
• DIY total: $1,299 (cruise) + $450 (air) = $1,749
• Savings with Include Airline: $450 per person

In this case, Include Airline is actually cheaper—and you get the added benefits of coordinated timing and baggage handling. The flights were direct, arrived in Miami at 10 a.m., and bags were delivered to the terminal.

Example 2: Chicago to Seattle (7-Day Alaska Cruise)

• Include Airline price: $1,599 per person
• DIY airfare (round-trip, with layover): $320–$380
• DIY total: $1,599 + $380 = $1,979
• Savings with Include Airline: $380 per person

Again, Include Airline wins on price. But the flight included a 90-minute layover in Minneapolis. For some, that’s no big deal. For others, it’s a dealbreaker. You’ll need to weigh cost vs. convenience.

Example 3: Los Angeles to Honolulu (7-Day Hawaii Cruise)

• Include Airline price: $2,199 per person
• DIY airfare (round-trip, nonstop): $550–$650
• DIY total: $2,199 + $650 = $2,849
• Savings with Include Airline: $650 per person

Here, Include Airline saves you over $600. The flights were timed perfectly—arrived at 2 p.m., cruise boarded at 4:30 p.m. And the airline was Hawaiian, which offered better legroom and service than budget carriers.

Below is a summary of cost comparisons across different routes:

Route	Cruise + Include Air	DIY Cruise + Air	Savings per Person	Flight Type
New York → Miami	$1,299	$1,749	$450	Direct
Chicago → Seattle	$1,599	$1,979	$380	Layover
LA → Honolulu	$2,199	$2,849	$650	Direct
Toronto → Barcelona	$2,499	$3,100	$601	Layover

As you can see, Include Airline often saves money—especially on longer or international routes. And the savings go beyond just dollars. You’re also saving time, energy, and the risk of travel mishaps.

Tips for Making the Most of Include Airline

To get the best experience with Include Airline, keep these practical tips in mind:

Book Early

The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get better flight options. NCL assigns flights in batches, and early bookers often get priority for direct flights and better departure times.

Review Your Itinerary as Soon as It Arrives

As soon as you get your flight details, check the times, layovers, and seat assignments. If something doesn’t work—like a 5 a.m. departure or a 4-hour layover—call NCL’s air support line. They may be able to adjust your flights (though changes are not guaranteed).

Pack Smart

Since your bags may be checked through to the port, pack a carry-on with essentials: medications, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. If your flight is delayed, you’ll want to be ready to board the ship without waiting for your luggage.

Don’t Overbook Pre-Cruise Activities

Remember: your flight details come late. Don’t book expensive pre-cruise tours or dinners until you know your arrival time. A 10 a.m. landing means you might only have 3–4 hours in port before boarding.

Use the Travel Guard Portal

After you get your itinerary, log into the Travel Guard website. You can request seat upgrades, special meals, and even add travel insurance. It’s your one-stop shop for air-related needs.

Know What’s Not Included

Include Airline covers your round-trip flight and basic baggage. But it doesn’t include:

• Airport parking
• Transportation to/from your departure airport
• Extra baggage fees (if you exceed the limit)
• Travel insurance (though you can add it separately)

Factor these costs into your budget. A $50 parking fee or a $25 Uber ride can add up.

Final Thoughts: Is Include Airline Worth It?

After years of cruising with and without Include Airline, my answer is a resounding **yes—for most people**. It’s not perfect. You give up some control. You might not earn frequent flyer miles. And you could end up with a layover you didn’t want.

But what you gain is invaluable: peace of mind. No more flight hunting. No more worrying if your connection will make it. No more dragging bags through terminals. NCL takes care of the details, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying your vacation.

The cost savings are real, too. In many cases, Include Airline is cheaper than booking flights separately—especially when you factor in the value of coordinated timing, baggage handling, and delay protection.

So, is it for you? If you value convenience, hate airport stress, or are new to cruising, absolutely. If you’re a frequent flyer who wants full control and perks, maybe not. But even then, consider using Include Airline just for the outbound leg—and booking your return flight yourself.

At the end of the day, travel is about experience, not just cost. And when it comes to starting your cruise on the right foot, Include Airline delivers. It’s one less thing to worry about, one more reason to relax and look forward to the open sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the “Include Airline” option on Norwegian Cruise Lines mean?

The “Include Airline” feature on Norwegian Cruise Lines allows guests to bundle their cruise fare with round-trip flights, simplifying travel planning. Norwegian partners with major airlines to offer pre-selected flight options based on departure city and cruise itinerary.

How does the include airline on Norwegian Cruise Lines work for international flights?

For international sailings, Norwegian arranges flights from major U.S. hubs to your departure port, often with flexible layover options. The airline and flight details are confirmed after booking, typically 60-90 days before departure.

Can I choose my airline when using Norwegian’s “Include Air” program?

Norwegian selects partner airlines (e.g., Delta, United) for the “Include Air” program based on your departure city. While you can’t pick the airline, you’ll receive confirmed flight details early enough to plan connecting travel.

Is the include airline option on Norwegian Cruise Lines worth the cost?

This option often saves money compared to booking flights separately, especially with baggage fees included. It also reduces stress by guaranteeing flight-cruise timing coordination and re-protection if flights are delayed.

What happens if my included airline flight gets canceled or delayed?

Norwegian’s Air Protection Plan covers missed sailings due to airline delays or cancellations. The cruise line will rebook you on the next available flight or offer compensation, ensuring you don’t miss your cruise.

Can I upgrade my seat or add extra baggage to my include airline flight?

Yes, you can upgrade seats or add baggage directly with the airline after Norwegian provides your flight details. Additional fees apply, but these are separate from the cruise line’s bundled airfare.