All seafarers have rotation plans added to our crew planning system (MISTRAL).  Whenever a new rotation plan is added, a flight request is generated and our flight booking system searches for a suitable flight that meets Carnival UK’s business rules.  Where a flight is found, it is booked automatically.  If a suitable flight cannot be found by the system, a member of the Fleet Travel team will make a manual booking. 

Airline pricing is dynamic and highly changeable; a wide range of factors can impact the cost of a flight ranging from the number of seats available to the date of travel or the number of carriers operating the route. 

Our flight booking system is designed to book flights based on a set of business rules (parameters).  These rules include: 

• Marine fares 
• To/from the Home Airport recorded in Mistral  
• Transit routes and minimum transit connection times 
• Latest arrival time at destination is 20:00hrs (when embarking) 
• Earliest departure flight is 15:00hrs (when disembarking) 
• Flight sectors: maximum of three to/from UK or four to/from other locations (not including domestic) 

If more than one flight meets the above criteria, the system will book the most cost-effective option. 

• A marine fare is an airline product designed specifically seafarers 
• They are fully flexible and refundable 
• They include 40KG baggage as standard 
• Stopovers (breaks in the journey) are not permitted 
• They are typically not available on ‘Low-cost’ airlines 
• Upgrades may be possible, but the seafarer has to request directly with an airline 
• They are contractually agreed between a company and an airline 
• Unlike marine fares, ‘published fares’ are bookable via airline websites or travel search engines.  These do not offer the same financial protection, flexibility and benefits as marine fares 

Carnival UK prioritises booking flights on a marine fare basis due to the advantages these fares offer, however there are times when it is not possible to book flights with airlines that offer them.  In these circumstances, bookings will be made with ‘low-cost’ airlines.

You should note that low-cost airlines may charge additional fees for routine services at airports including check-in, issuing boarding passes and processing additional hold luggage.  Fleet Travel will always attempt to pay for these chargeable services at the time of booking, however it is often not possible to arrange and/or pay in advance.

Consequently, you may need to pay for the applicable service(s) at the airport of departure and claim back via the expenses process. 

To reduce the risk of extra charges, please check-in online for your flight before reaching the airport, this is especially important when travelling via a low-cost carrier.

Travel search engines, such as Skyscanner, are designed to help people book trips without having to access multiple websites.  They can be useful, but we don’t use them to book flights to/from our ships.  At Carnival UK, when booking flights we purchase marine fares, an airline product designed specifically for seafarers, through an airline reservation platform called ‘Amadeus’. 

If you’re looking at Skyscanner and you’ve seen different flight options to the one we booked, please remember: 

• It doesn’t show actual seat availability 
• It doesn’t show marine fares 
• It doesn’t reflect the price Carnival UK would pay 
• It doesn’t show seats with 40KG luggage allowance 

You are permitted to request a change to the flight booked, provided your request meets the criteria of the flight change request process. You have two options: 

• Flight change/ Local Leave/ Book own flight request

If you select the book own flight option, you will be booking a ‘published’ fare which is usually non-refundable.  If the flight you have requested is more expensive than the one booked by Carnival UK, you will need to cover the additional cost – this will be deducted from your onboard account.  

If at the time of your request the is no flight booked for you, Carnival UK will check the best available flight on the day you are due to travel and advise if there is any difference in cost for you to cover. 

Please note: 

• You must provide Carnival UK and your GTP of your flight details to ensure your Joining Instructions are correct and in the event we need to contact you in an emergency. 
• You can make a request to change your flight a minimum of 15 days prior to your joining or disembarkation date.  Requests made outside of these timescales will be declined. 
• Flight changes are processed in accordance with the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS) and Carnival UK business rules. If you have challenge accessing GHESS click on Help for support.
• If disembarking, Carnival UK will only book flights to your repatriation destination as documented on your SEA 
• You can request to change your flight for one of the following reasons: 
  • You have to change more than 4 flights to reach your destination 
  • You will arrive post 10PM at your Home ​Airport (local transport is unavailable or restricted) 
  • You have to wait for more than 6 hours (layover) before you catch your next flight 
• Should your rotation plan change after booking your own flight, requiring you to travel on a different date or to/from a different location, please consider that Carnival UK will not be liable for any associated loss of flight costs.  The expense of the flight will be reimbursable after the flight has been taken, not before, via Fleet Colleague Travel Expenses Form (cognitoforms.com)

Sometimes, it isn’t possible or practical to book a flight between your home airport and the location of your ship.  Usually this is because the airlines which operate at your home airport don’t fly the required route e.g. Cardiff to Bridgetown, Barbados. If you have been booked on a flight to/from an alternative airport, you should book your own travel to/from the airport, and you can reclaim the difference in cost e.g. from Cardiff to London Heathrow via the normal expenses process via Fleet Colleague Travel Expenses Form (cognitoforms.com)

Every seafarer needs to select a home airport from the Approved Home Airport list. (Please download the attached document to view). All flights are booked to/from the home airport held in Mistral 210 days before the required travel date, this is to ensure Carnival UK can secure a seat and at the best available price. 

Carnival UK maintains a list of all available home airports; this is refreshed every 6 months.  The criteria to determine the suitability of a home airport is based on the following: 

• Marine fare availability
• Connectivity and flight frequency 
• Flight costs 
• Travel restrictions (if applicable, e.g. POEA requirements)  

Requests for new air cities can be sent to Fleet Travel when you are on leave, or by the Crew Office when you are onboard.  All requests will be reviewed and assessed for suitability, with new home airport added to the Approved Home Airport list in either the June or December update (whichever is soonest). 

When selecting a home airport, it is important to consider the following: 

• Distance from your home address 
• International connectivity and flight frequency 
• The ship you are assigned to 

You can change your home airport, but please note this requires a minimum of 45 days’ notice prior to your travel date. 

Choosing the airport closest to you might mean you have less distance to travel, but there may be a more limited choice of flights to your destination.

Additionally, for some destinations such as the Caribbean, flights typically depart the UK in the morning.  If it is not possible to book a suitable same-day flight connection from your home airport to your destination, then you may require overnight accommodation at a transit point in the UK before your international departure from the UK. 

Example 1: if you select Cardiff as your home airport but you are assigned to work onboard a ship that has a Caribbean itinerary, you may find you need to take additional flights to reach your destination when compared to people who have specified London Heathrow as their home airport.

Example 2: if you select Glasgow as your home airport but you are assigned to work onboard a ship that has a Caribbean itinerary, you may find you need to remain overnight in London before taking a morning flight from London.

If you change your home address, you can select a new home airport by following the home airport change request process. In accordance with the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS), your home airport must be in your country of residence as stated on your Seafarers Employment Agreement (SEA). If you have challenge accessing GHESS click on Help for support.

• Cognito  Home Airport Change Request
• PDF/Word Home Airport Change Request Form to be emailed to FleetPeopleSupport@carnivalssi.com
• Residency Change Request Form

You may select a home airport in a neighbouring country provided you have freedom of movement between that country and your home country, and this can be evidenced by providing a suitable passport or residency permit. 

Example: Hungarian national who resides in Hungary may select Vienna (Austria) as their home airport due to the freedom of movement granted to European nationals through the Schengen agreement. 

If you prefer to fly to/from an airport in the London area, you can select either a specific airport, example London Heathrow (LHR) or, alternatively you can state London (LON), which is the IATA Metropolitan Code for the six airports which serve London.

If you select a specific airport, then your flights will automatically be booked from this airport only, even if a more suitable flight is available from other London airports.

By selecting London (LON), we can book the most optimum flight from any of the London airports.  Please note this may result in you departing from and returning to different airports.

Currently, our approved London airports are:

London Heathrow (LHR)

London Gatwick (LGW)

London City (LCY)

London Stansted (STN)

At the current time, London Luton (LTN) and London Southend (SEN) may be utilised by Carnival UK when required but cannot be selected as a home airport.

We book your flight tickets for your journey, but we do not secure a specific seat.

If you wish to select a particular seat on your flight/s, please use the PNR (Passenger Name Record) provided in your travel information. The PNR is a unique reference for your trip. To select a seat, visit the airline website and navigate to the manage your booking section.  Please be aware that any costs to select a seat, or select from other upgrades, are your responsibility.  Please also note that not all airlines provide this option and if you do not select a specific seat it will be automatically assigned by airline.

If you wish to upgrade to business class please use the PNR (Passenger Name Record) provided in your travel information. The PNR is a unique reference for your trip. The upgrade can only be done in person at the airport at the check in desk.  Please be aware that any costs to upgrade your flights to Business class, or select from other upgrades, are your responsibility.  Please also note that not all airlines provide this option.

Most airlines provide complimentary food and refreshments during long journeys, but not always for shorter flights.  Before travelling to the airport, we advise you check with the airline you are due to travel with regarding what will be provided during your journey.   

Remember to check customs restrictions before you check-in as some items may be prohibited.

When travelling to or from one of our ships, it’s very important that you respect the laws of the countries you travel through as they may be very different to the laws at home.  When packing for your journey, check that you haven’t included any prohibited goods. Penalties for traveling with prohibited items include fines, or even restrictions on future travel.  If you are in any doubt, it’s best to not take the risk. Examples of prohibited items might include:  

• Some medicines and/or steroids
• Alcohol (exceeding local allowance)
• Tobacco (exceeding local allowance)
• Large amounts of cash (exceeding local allowance)
• Animal products (meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy)
• Fruit and vegetables
• Plants or parts of plants, including grains, seeds, nuts, bulbs, straw, wood, and traditional herbs or medicines
• Soil or items with soil attached

If your journey involves a flight connection and the transit time between flights is over four hours, you are eligible to claim a meal and subsistence allowance.  Further details can be found in the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS) for guidance.

It is vital that you report any lost luggage to the Airline concerned before leaving the airport.  You will need to complete a lost luggage form and retain a copy.  Along with the form, you will be given a file reference number; this number is used to trace your luggage. 

If you are joining a ship, the lost luggage form is to be handed to the Crew Office once you are onboard.  When leaving a ship, you should advise your Global Talent Partner.

It is the airline’s responsibility to recover and compensate for lost luggage.  We suggest that you always carry valuables onboard the aircraft (computers, personal effects, cameras, jewelry etc, as well as any documentation required to join your ship such as medical certificates.).  Please also ensure you clearly label luggage including your hand luggage.

Your travel plans will be confirmed to you by the Crew Office onboard.  All flights, hotels and ground transfers will be arranged by Fleet Travel in tandem with the Crew Office.

No.  Certain nationalities require a visa to enter the UK, however when travelling through the UK to embark or disembark one of our ships, seafarers are granted a temporary visa waiver (known as Transit Without a Visa, or TWOV) if they hold a Bermudan ID Card, or other eligible Seafarer’s Identity Document.  Carnival UK, or your Global Talent Partner, will advise which document type is required for you to become compliant to travel.

Further information is available via the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/seamen

In the UK, we have a partnership with the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre (Radisson Red) Radisson Hotels Official Site | Book Rooms Worldwide at London Heathrow.  We work closely with the hotel management team to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible before you join your ship the day after you arrive in London. 

If you arrive at London Gatwick, London Luton, London City, or London Stanstead you will be transferred to the Radisson Red at London Heathrow. 

If you are member of the Onboard SMT, you will be transferred directly to a hotel in Southampton so you can embark early to begin your handover. 

In other locations around the world, we work with Port Agents who book hotels on our behalf.  We expect these agents to book a suitable standard of accommodation for the night before you join the ship. Please take a look at the port arrival information at the top of this page to find out more. 

For all crew joining in the UK, the Fleet Travel team manages the hotel reservation process.  For hotels in any other location around the world, your Global Talent Partner will request your hotel booking directly with the Port Agent and they will confirm which hotel you are booked into by email.  

In the UK, the Radisson Red is a 4* property with over 900 bedrooms, leisure facilities, and a menu which caters for international guests.  Click here for more information: Radisson Hotels Official Site | Book Rooms Worldwide 

In other locations around the world, we expect at minimum a 3* hotel, with on-site restaurant and wi-fi. 

We recommend you pack any items you require for the night prior to embarking your ship. That could be toiletries like a toothbrush and toothpaste, or electrical items like phone charger, etc.

All hotel bookings are made on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis.  Depending on your arrival time at the hotel, lunch may also be included. 

Hotel meal allowances are organised by Carnival UK.  Further details can be found in the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS). The hotel will inform you of your allowance on check-in. 

If you choose to purchase additional items, these will be charged to your account which you must settle prior to your check-out.

It is important that you eat in the on-site restaurant at the hotel we have booked for you.  If you need to eat at another location, please refer to the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS) for guidance.

Water quality around the world can vary, if you have any doubts about the suitability of drinking water provided please speak to the hotel or contact your Port Agent.  In the UK, tap water is safe to drink and it is normal to be offered tap water in bars and restaurants; additionally tap water in the bedrooms at the Radisson Red at London Heathrow is safe to drink.

Transfers are organised for you from the airport to the hotel, and information will be included in your joining instructions, or sent to you directly by your Global Talent Partner. 

Transfers from the hotel to the ship will be organised for you, pick-up times will be advised on check-in the hotel.  

For further details, please refer to the Ground Transfers section of the Crew Hub.  

Hotel check-in times vary depending on the location in which you are embarking.  In the UK, the standard check-in time is 15:00hrs, however the team at the Radisson Red will endeavour to provide you with a room as soon as possible if you arrive before this time. 

We advise Port Agents of your flight details in advance, and they will make hotels aware of your likely arrival time. 

This will be confirmed to you by the hotel reception team when you arrive for check-in. 

In the UK, transfers are booked for 06:30hrs to ensure you reach Southampton by 08:00-08:30hrs. 

Your travel plans will be confirmed to you by the Crew Office onboard.  All flights, hotels and ground transfers will be arranged by Fleet Travel in tandem with the Crew Office. 

Transfers are organised for you from the airport to the hotel, and information will be included in your joining instructions, or sent to you directly by your Global Talent Partner. 

The transfer arrangements vary by port, you may either: 

• Be met by a Port Agent or their representative and transferred to your hotel or; 
• You may be instructed to take a shuttle bus to your hotel 

In the unusual event that you are not met by a Port Agent or their representative, you should contact the Port Agent in the first instance. Port Agent relevant contact details are provided in your joining instructions.  Or contact the Fleet Travel team emergency 24/7 support line.

• 0044 8000488717 – Toll free when you are calling from the UK but can be reached from anywhere in the world too.
• 0091 7942529292 – Contact number for India, Fleet Travel will only assist with urgent queries within 72 hours of travel and only when your Global Talent Partner (Manning Agent) is not available to help.
• 0063 180013200129 – Toll free when you are calling from the Philippines.

Once you have collected your luggage, exit the airport terminal proceed to the WeKnow London meeting point as shown WeKnow London page. A driver from WeKnow London will pick you up and take you directly to the hotel.

If you’re traveling through the United Kingdom and need to transfer between London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, National Express coaches are a convenient option.

Transfer Route:

• If you’re flying into London Heathrow, you’ll need to make your way to London Gatwick Airport.
• Conversely, if you’re arriving at London Gatwick Airport, you’ll need to travel to London Heathrow.

National Express Coaches:

• National Express offers great value coach fares to various destinations across the UK, including airport transfers.
• You can book coach travel online through their website: Coach Travel & Airport Transfers | National Express
• The cost of the coach ride will vary depending on the time of day, ranging from GBP28.00 to GBP 36.00

Expense Reimbursement:

• Since you’ll be making your own way between the airports, you can claim the coach fare as an expense.
• Be sure to keep your booking confirmation and any relevant receipts for reimbursement.
• Submit your expenses via Fleet Colleague Travel Expenses Form (cognitoforms.com

Booking Ahead:

• To ensure a smooth journey, we recommend booking your National Express coach online in advance.
• Visit their website, select your journey, and secure your seat.
• Remember to check the National Express website for any updates or additional details.

Please visit the LHR website for information: https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-maps/travel-between-terminals

Transfers are organised for you from the hotel to the ship, and you will be informed of the pickup time for the following morning by the hotel reception team when you arrive at the hotel during check-in. 

A transfer will be organised for you from the airport direct to the ship.  Pickup information will be provided to you by email and sent directly by your Global Talent Partner or Fleet Travel. 

In the unusual event that you are not met on arrival, you should contact the Port Agent in the first instance, or the transfer company’s contact number provided to you.  If you require additional support, please contact the Fleet Travel team emergency 24/7 support line.  
1) Call Fleet Travel or
2) Email Fleet Travel or
3) Fill the Fleet Colleague Support Form and you will be contacted.

Please see contact information below:

• 0044 8000488717 – Toll free when you are calling from the UK but can be reached from anywhere in the world too.
• 0091 7942529292 – Contact number for India, Fleet Travel will only assist with urgent queries within 72 hours of travel and only when your Global Talent Partner (Manning Agent) is not available to help.
• 0063 180013200129 – Toll free when you are calling from the Philippines.

Transfers are organised for you from the airport to the hotel, and information will be provided to you by the Crew Office onboard in preparation for your journey home. 

If you are flying on the day after you disembark, hotel and transfer arrangements will be made for you and communicated to you by the Crew Office onboard.   

Your travel plans will be confirmed to you by the Crew Office onboard.  All flights, hotels and ground transfers will be arranged by Fleet Travel in tandem with the Crew Office. 

On turnaround days in Southampton, a complimentary crew shuttle bus service is provided and operated by Princess Coaches.  Running times vary and will be communicated to you onboard by the Crew Office along with pick-up and drop-off locations.   

The crew shuttle services operate on different schedules depending on the ship. Please refer to the agreed schedule below:

Depart terminal at 00 and 30 past the hour, return from Southampton at 15 and 45 past the hour

Depart terminal at 15 and 45 past the hour, return from Southampton at 00 and 30 past the hour

Note: The crew shuttle services are continuous. Please ensure you always use the Crew Shuttle services and not the Passenger ones, as they operate on different timings.

A map of the pick-up and drop-off locations in Southampton City Centre is available below:

Southampton Crew Shuttle stop to Mayflower terminal

Southampton Crew Shuttle stop to QEII and Ocean terminals)

Carnival UK has a partnership with Zenith Car Rental who provide a booking service for Seafarers wishing to hire a car to travel to or from Southampton.   

If you are joining a ship in Southampton, you are required to make a booking directly with Zenith using account ZB910. You will be required to pay in advance using a debit or credit card.  Employees who do not receive a travel allowance can reclaim the cost in accordance with the Seafarers Travel Policy (FLEET 2 in GHESS) and Expenses Process. If you have challenge accessing GHESS click on Help for support.

If you are leaving a ship, you should request a car via the Crew Office onboard who will process a booking on your behalf.  Employees who receive a travel allowance will be charged the cost of the car hire to their onboard account. 

Further information about the Zenith car rental service is available via the Zenith CUK Booking guide.

Please access the Zenith CUK Booking guide here

Zenith can supply both Short Term hire lasting less than 28 days and Stopgap or Stopgap Plus hires with a 28 day or 90- day commitment.

Our Short-Term product is fully flexible, duration can be increased or decreased without notice and there is no minimum rental period. Our Stopgap / Stopgap Plus product does need to be pre-booked, committing to a minimum 28-day or 90-day term, after which the rental can be off-hired without notice. Daily rates are lower for our Stopgap product than our Short-Term Product.

Please refer to the Zenith Rental EV Guide document here for more information on:

• Vehicle availability
• Notice period
• Fuel level
• Driving an EV

By following the below approaches, wherever possible, you will maximise the chances of securing a booking through Zenith:

• Book early, the more notice the better
• Where possible, request a ‘walk-in’ booking i.e. collect or return the vehicle from the rental location rather than requesting home delivery/collection
• When booking home delivery/collection, request the drop-off or delivery or collection times within branch opening hours these can vary, but are typically
  • 0800 – 1800 Monday to Friday
  • 0900 – 1300 Saturday

By requesting either out of hours or home delivery/collection, you are likely to reduce the chances of a successful booking as these requests are more challenging for rental companies.  Also, bookings of this nature will incur additional charges.

When you take your hired car, it is your responsibility to inspect the vehicle and check the fuel/ charging levels.

• any unreported damage may be charged to Carnival UK
• take pictures or video of anything that you consider damage that is larger than small scratches and dents or if you deem the vehicle to be in an unacceptable condition.

Email customerservices@zenith.co.uk

Please report any damage to Zenith at the time of pick up so it can be logged against your hire agreement.

• Contact Zenith Rental Customer Services on 0344 579 8855 options two.

For Zenith’s pricing details, for Nov 2024 – Oct 2025 Zenith 2025 Rate Tariff

For Seasonal Operating hours, please refer to the latest information here.