When is the best time to book a cruise?

[etokay]

Hi everyone!

 

My husband and I want to book a cruise for this coming fall (August-Sept-Oct) but we have just $1300 budget. Looking to cruise to Western/South Caribbean, 7 days.

Now we live near Orlando so Port Canaveral is preferred port of Departure.

 

I am wondering when is the best time to book a cruise and how to find the affordable cruise that can fit our budget.

 

Any suggestions or advise would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advanced.

[Clarea]

This may vary by cruise line, but on Royal Caribbean, we have found the best prices lately when the itineraries first come out.

[CruiserBruce]

Generally, there is no magic time, as most cruise lines will honor fare drops up to final payment, and give you the new, lower fare.

 

As you live close to a port, and if you can be fairly flexible with when you can go- somewhat last minute, it may be a possible to book last minute cruises out of Port Can. How flexible are you. Could you sail on less than a week's notice?.

 

Otherwise, if you can sail with a few weeks to a month's notice, you might (very key word) get some good deals on late cancellations after final payment.

[thinfool]

If you book before final payment most cruise lines will give you any price reductions just by asking.

 

Certain sales are for 'new bookings' only and require cancelling and rebooking. Again this would be before final payment.

 

So if you book now and the price goes down you may get it...as long as final payment has not passed.

 

After final payment it is not so easy. Upgraded room or OBC is a more likely scenario.

 

As you likely know, your early choice (august) is super close to final payment, depending on when final payment is required. 75 and 90 days are common numbers for final payment. 60 days shows up once in awhile.

[leaveitallbehind]

Just as a side note, keep in mind when determining your budget that in addition to your stateroom costs are staff gratuities (check with your intended cruise line as to what that amount is), any shore excursion you may want to do, alcohol and soda beverage purchases, and any other on board spending money for any specialty restaurants you may be interested in, the casino, bingo, and gift store purchases. While all entertainment, ports of call, on board activities, and standard dining service are included, these other costs are not. :)

Edited May 12, 2016 by leaveitallbehind

[GUT2407]

Hi everyone!

 

My husband and I want to book a cruise for this coming fall (August-Sept-Oct) but we have just $1300 budget. Looking to cruise to Western/South Caribbean, 7 days.

Now we live near Orlando so Port Canaveral is preferred port of Departure.

 

I am wondering when is the best time to book a cruise and how to find the affordable cruise that can fit our budget.

 

Any suggestions or advise would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advanced.

 

To be honest it's another question with no right/wrong answer.

[lenquixote66]

No right or wrong answer .Our preference is to book about a year in advance.

[etokay]

Thank you everyone who wrote advice and thoughts.

I am flexible to sail from 2 weeks notice. But where can I find such a deals and how? How can I find canceled or last minute deal? Should I sign up to some sort of newsletter? If yes where can I find it?

We do know about other expenses and our budget should include gratitudes. We don't drink alcohol, don't do shopping, not interested into casinos and excursions so no worries about that.

[CruiserBruce]

Thank you everyone who wrote advice and thoughts.

I am flexible to sail from 2 weeks notice. But where can I find such a deals and how? How can I find canceled or last minute deal? Should I sign up to some sort of newsletter? If yes where can I find it?

We do know about other expenses and our budget should include gratitudes. We don't drink alcohol, don't do shopping, not interested into casinos and excursions so no worries about that.

 

You need to monitor the cruise line website. You may also contact the cruise line and see if they have an e mail list for last minute cruisers.

[Hlitner]

If you are flexible and a bit of a gambler you might want to wait until the last minute (around the last 6 weeks prior to a cruise). Because of your location you could possible drive to any of the Florida ports which gives you many cruises/lines to choose from. And since you are a FL resident you may be able to take advantage of FL Only pricing that sometimes happens on last minute bookings. In addition, since you are looking at hurricane season your odds of snagging a good deal are increased. But if you want to limit your options to Port Canaveral, a specific line/ship, date, etc. then you should book ASAP and monitor price changes.

 

And before folks insist that last minute bargains are dead...we snagged a very high category balcony on a 10 day Regal Princess cruise last Oct for a total price of $1300! And that was the total cost for 2 persons (including all taxes) plus we were able to get $400 of On Board Credit. So these deals do exist...but there are never any guarantees.

[ricklepickle]

I'd do some google searches and see what you can find. I found that often an online TA will have a block of rooms on a particular cruise and have great packages on that cruise. We are cruising on Oasis of the Seas Aug 27 that way out of Fort Lauderdale for a little more -- but almost chose an amazing deal out of Port Canaveral on Freedom of the Seas on September 4 (much less convenient). So good my mother (it's a mother-daughter cruise) called me back twice to make sure I was quoting her a total rate, not a per person rate. The rate + package was AMAZING, well within your budget, and only found on one particular TA's site. This was a month ago -- some of the deals are still out there, and they seem to change.

 

So google around if you want to book something now -- or wait until last minute. That was my other plan.

[Keith1010]

I recommend booking early because lowest price rooms go first. Once you book if the prices go down followup and try to get a lower price.

 

Keith

[MCC retired]

Last Minute deals appear after Final , 60 to 30 days out . Cruise lines can't afford to wait too long to fill a soft sailing .

[navybankerteacher]

I just checked a cruise web-site (sorry, I cannot give its name as I have already been given demerits by Cruise Critic for doing so) : there are several sailings from Port Canaveral in your time frame and within your budget.

 

That said, the "best" time to book a cruise is as soon as you find what you want at a price you can accept. There is always the chance that prices might drop in the near future - but as good a chance that they can go up. As long as you are outside final payment date, there is a good chance that you might get a break if prices do drop after you book.

[Redtravel]

Cruise prices vary. They go up and down constantly. Watch them. When you see a cruise at a price that is good for you, book. If you are looking for a really great deal, wait until after the final payment. I have booked great deals close to the sailing date. Not needing air is a plus. Not only does it save you money, it allows you to jump on a cruise easily. Of course, you need to be flexible with dates and type of cabin. Booking a gty cabin can also save you money. booking a cruise is a lot like buying airline tickets. Watch and buy when you like the price.

[iancal]

When the price is low.

 

Or, when your target price intersects with the cruise line price.

 

No right answer. Supply and demand. We typically do last minute, within 30-60 days of sailing. Others book early- 18 months out. Whatever suits your schedule and your personality.

 

There is no right answer. You will only really know once you have been following the pricing and then the ship sails with or without you!

Edited May 13, 2016 by iancal

[etokay]

If you book before final payment most cruise lines will give you any price reductions just by asking.

 

 

 

Certain sales are for 'new bookings' only and require cancelling and rebooking. Again this would be before final payment.

 

 

 

So if you book now and the price goes down you may get it...as long as final payment has not passed.

 

 

 

After final payment it is not so easy. Upgraded room or OBC is a more likely scenario.

 

 

 

As you likely know, your early choice (august) is super close to final payment, depending on when final payment is required. 75 and 90 days are common numbers for final payment. 60 days shows up once in awhile.

 

 

 

Have you tried to book before final payment and then ask for reduction?

[etokay]

I just checked a cruise web-site (sorry, I cannot give its name as I have already been given demerits by Cruise Critic for doing so) : there are several sailings from Port Canaveral in your time frame and within your budget.

 

 

 

That said, the "best" time to book a cruise is as soon as you find what you want at a price you can accept. There is always the chance that prices might drop in the near future - but as good a chance that they can go up. As long as you are outside final payment date, there is a good chance that you might get a break if prices do drop after you book.

 

 

I wish you could share the website you are using. I am still at researching point. Browsing huge amount of websites but can't get really good deal. Also we have been on one cruise before Freedom of the Seas and now for us to choose Carnival Valor or Magic is kind of tough.

[etokay]

Last Minute deals appear after Final , 60 to 30 days out . Cruise lines can't afford to wait too long to fill a soft sailing .

 

 

Also heard that some cruise lines (Royal Caribbean) don't do last minutes calls and they started following Disney steps. (Early bookings)

Is that true?