MiniWinnie Posted December 29, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise? Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted December 29, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 29, 2013 i book within 9-12 months in advance. Cruises seems to be cheaper around that time frame. As the sail date gets closer, the prices increases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catrin Posted December 29, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 29, 2013 We usually average 9 months to 1 year. There are advantages... cabin choice, dining choice and you can book early saver and watch the prices.... POSSIBLY drop!! Go for it! Catrin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndeneef Posted December 29, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 29, 2013 We booked less than 45 days and had no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted December 29, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I book 1-2 months out, due to scheduling concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMAE Posted December 29, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 29, 2013 The longest for us was about 60 days the shortest was 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stargate fan Posted December 29, 2013 #7 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise? Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app The furthest out we've booked was 441 days. We usually book way in advance so we can choose just the right balcony cabin on the Lido deck. I watch the prices and contact out PVP when the prices go down. He adjusts them as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccer Posted December 29, 2013 #8 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Usually about 6-9 months out. In my experience costs do not change a lot, except for last year where there were quite a few price drops before final payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seannyice81 Posted December 29, 2013 #9 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I have been booking further and further out with each cruise I choose. Its harder to wait, but the prices are generally lower and you have more time to plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupcrazy Posted December 29, 2013 #10 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) We usually book a year out. There are 2 great points to booking this far in advance. 1) If the price goes down before your final payment you can lock in that price and if it goes up you've locked in at the lower price. 2) You get more time to plan what you're going to do while on the cruise and enjoy Cruise Critic & your roll call Edited December 29, 2013 by Cupcrazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted December 29, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 29, 2013 About a year in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH1234 Posted December 29, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) I've been on about 10 cruises and the longest I've booked in advance was about 4 months, but usually about 2 months. I go on four vacations a year and usually book the next one within a month or two of being home. Edited December 29, 2013 by RCH1234 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick and carrie Posted December 29, 2013 #13 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise?Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app We booked our upcoming February cruise in March of 2012! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonit964 Posted December 29, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 29, 2013 We have booked as far as two years out because we can usually book the exact room we want and can get price drops. We have also booked as close as 3 days before and got the last inside cabin on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniWinnie Posted December 29, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Thanks for all the responses! Seems like the general response is as early as possible to get the best pick of cabin and dining time. As long as we do early saver to protect us from any price drops. Carnival allows you to just place the deposit up front, so if we do need to cancel/ change the dates we wouldn't be at a total loss. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH1234 Posted December 29, 2013 #16 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Thanks for all the responses! Seems like the general response is as early as possible to get the best pick of cabin and dining time. As long as we do early saver to protect us from any price drops. Carnival allows you to just place the deposit up front, so if we do need to cancel/ change the dates we wouldn't be at a total loss. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app I agree with booking early because of the early saver and price drops. However, I've never had a problem getting the cabin location and dining time I want within two or three months of sailing. And I'm picky with my cabin location and always get late dining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemrtt Posted December 29, 2013 #17 Share Posted December 29, 2013 We are last minute cruisers. We book when we see that the price is right for our pockets and when our schedule opens up. So for our cruise history that ends up being between 2-60 days out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hstergo Posted December 29, 2013 #18 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Last cruise I booked was for the Allure and it was 8 days out ... it helps that I live 15 minutes from the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizinisthebest Posted December 29, 2013 #19 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I've booked as late as 5 months in advance and as early as a year. I like to handpick my cabin and give plenty of time to pay & save up. With kids and work schedules, there's no room for last minute. But plenty do it that way. I have a family friend that books days in advance. She just decides and goes. She's also retired with way more money than me.:D Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamawsnest Posted December 29, 2013 #20 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I am usually about 11 months out. Time to get over one cruise and then book another. It's also good for Early Saver, planning, paying a little at a time, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted December 29, 2013 #21 Share Posted December 29, 2013 For a long cruise (14 nights +) at least a year in advance. Often less for a 7 nighter. LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Geegitz Posted December 29, 2013 #22 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Usually 6-8 months. But booked our last one a year out because we booked Onboard. We are doing a last minute cruise this year also booking 4-6 weeks out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna1983 Posted December 29, 2013 #23 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I've usually booked before I took my next one. I'm currently assessing my options for 2014 and looks like I'm doing MSC if I do a cruise. Carnival isn't in Europe and they (MSC) offer what I'm looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted December 29, 2013 #24 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I really like to have another cruise booked before my upcoming one takes place. Makes it easier to come home knowing when I will cruise again. It just happened that my last cruise and my two upcoming ones were all booked at 16 months out. I expected to be a little more spontaneous now that I am retired but that has not happened yet (I do love the planning and the anticipation:)). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccruisequeen Posted December 29, 2013 #25 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) Could be any time between three weeks to six months, depending on the price and our craving for a cruise. Edited December 29, 2013 by ccruisequeen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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