One thing that puzzles me is the deliberate over booking based partly on the expectation of some not turning up. It is basically filling every seat to maximise profit at the expense of not taking some.
A mate used to fly to his place in Spain. Chatting to crew they said about 70% filled was breakeven with the other 30% profit. People coming home with no deadline would turn up to see if there were empty seats. If not come back next day. Cost was a fraction of pre-booked rates.
We haven't been on fly holidays for years. Never liked the cattle herding process. We have cruised out of Southampton many times and go there the day before on a cruise/park deal that hotels do. Taxi included to the ship and back to the hotel post cruise.So much more relaxed. The last fly/cruise was fly to Capetown for a return cruise. Heathrow was ok as Cunard are superbly organised.

Plus Four MY23 Furka Rouge