How far out do you consider last minute booking?

[mommyof2monkeys+princess]

Just curious what different views are on when is the cut off for "regular" booking and "last minute" booking for you?

 

Tammy

[Host Kewlguy]

We would define a last minute booking as a booking made after the final payment date. The latest we have ever booked was about a week out. The Explorer cruise we are taking on 1/24 we booked just before final payment date since we felt we got a great deal.

[rummenroman]

6 months! Usually my cruises are booked within a month or two of them being available for sale. I get top cabin choice and the benefits of price drops. Plus with work, and where i live i need time to plan, save up, and get time off work.

[Colorado Kat]

This year is the first time we're booking 7 months out. In the past, it was 6 weeks, and last year 2.5 weeks (passport problems - we didn't want to book till we had new ones in hand.)

[MMastell]

My definition is a cruise booked after final payment date. Most of my cruises have been booked less than six months from sailing. I've never had a problem getting a good cabin. The itinerary is more important to me than the cabin but I have yet to settle for a cabin in a bad location or not being able to get a balcony or suite.

 

Take care,

Mike

[wayne_trisha]

I think of last minute as anything inside final payment. This is when we usually book so we’re not waiting forever on cruise date to arrive. We have the advantage of being 3 hours or less drive from all the Florida ports and only 15 minutes from port Canaveral so no flying to worry about. Our last 3 cruises have been booked with less than two weeks until sailing. We get the time off from work approved and then book. Next cruise is still 65 days away and it seems like FOREVER!

[njdrumrun]

i book as soon as the rates are avaiable, especially for Disney. at least a year ahead? i do the same with airfare.

 

our carnival was 2 weeks b4 and only because we got a great deal! $1,700 for 4 for 7 days.

[gaiamother]

I guess when I think of last minute I think of within a month of sailing. Once we booked two days before sailing, this was an extrodinary circumstance of course, but fun and exciting:-) We ususally book out over a year.

[icecreamman]

we booked our 1/23/10 cruise 6 mos ago 8 days for $899 pr cab which we thought was a good deal

after final pay.the price went down 3 times to $599

as of today the price is $1219 per or $620 more

book early at a price you like and watch the web:):):)

[silentbob007]

I consider "last minute" to be anywhere in the last month. Latest I've booked is 3 days out ... makes it harder for me though because I have to fly to ports.

[Clarkk W Griswald]

We just booked 1/21/10 Navigator last week - 14 days prior to cruise! We normally book over a year in advance, but got a good deal. It's fun to be spontaneous!

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

I would say anything with in 60 days would be last minute.

I think it would be thrilling to book today and cruise tomorrow....but security rules changed that! So make that book today and cruise in 3 days! At least that is my goal!

 

***

[James in SA]

If you are trying to snag a great off season rate, the cruise lines seem to make the deepest cuts on a sailing that is slow to fill up about two months to a month out. Closer to departure they tend to get sold out and prices rise on the remaining limited selection of cabins.

 

But... if you are watching for them I have some incredible deals show up and get quickly snatched up a week or two away from sailing. It just depends on what they have left that hasn't sold... if anything.

 

I think taking the last minute deals is great sport if you have the flexibility to do it.

[ccletzgo]

30 to 7 days out, when interline rates are at there lowest.

[amybeth4]

Last minute for me would be about 2 weeks out...not that I've ever had the opportunity because of the flying situation (and the Explorer is too expensive!).

[printingchick]

For me, it would be anything under 9 months out. I'm an obsessive advance planner.

 

In reality, I think "last minute" would be more like within 60 days

[csk]

we just booked today for a cruise on 1/23, have booked as late as the day before, but we can drive to the port, and I can throw some clothes in a suit case real quick

[fridaythe13th]

My idea of last minute would be within 30 days of sailing. We hope to do that in June. Don't want to make it a definite plan at this point but will jump on it last minute if the price is right!! We usually book a year in advance.

[sjcruiser]

Booked a cruise on another line 4 weeks out, and RCI less than three weeks out.

[ccmermaid]

A month or so.:)