BUY NOW or WAIT?

[Trishyfishy64]

We're planning on sailing Nov. 20th 2016 from Cape Liberty NJ on RCCL Anthem of the Seas. Does anyone have a strong opinion on whether it's best to wait to book 60 days out for a better deal or whether we should lock in our cruise now? Thank you!! :D

[mjkacmom]

That's thanksgiving week. I'd book now, especially if there are more than two in a cabin.

[navybankerteacher]

As Yogi Berra advised: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

 

I think you have come to such a fork.

[4x4bob]

How bad do you want to go on this cruise?

 

I would book now.

 

60 days out, the ship might be booked or you could have very slim pickings for a cabin.

 

Bob

[BlueRiband]

If you want to wait there are five things to consider:

 

1) lowest price is your objective over and above any other consideration

2) you can accept a category guarantee

3) you are not tied to one sailing date (but in this case you are)

4) you can accept that the fare might instead go up or the ship sells out as your watch and wait

5) airfare is not an issue.

[Treven]

I agree about booking ASAP. At least you know you'll have a cabin by booking now as opposed to 60 days out where the ship may have sold out. Plus, as been posted, you'd have a better selection of cabins available by booking now.

[ronandannette]

Tough call OP. All the points brought up are valid. But so is the idea that prices can and often do, drop substantially just after final payment. This is a consideration for us and I've booked at this juncture many times. Do note however, that some cruise lines have a earlier final-payment date for holiday sailings and RCCL has changed theirs to 90 days out for everything over 5 days. The trick is to check the day after final payment right after all the cancellations have been processed. (FWIW - you should be fine looking for airfare that far out too - we always have to fly and prices and availability are usually reasonable a few months out.)

[Clarea]

Buy now. If you are booking under US/Canadian rules, then you can get price drops until final payment date.

[cherylandtk]

Today is 108 days from sailing. A price tracking website shows a new pricing in effect as of today, along with limited availability of cabin types. Keep in mind, too that Royal has that new policy of no price drops within 30 days of sailing.

 

Do you have to be on the sailing? Then book now. If not, what is your target pricing per night? How much flexibility do you have in cabin type and location? This week will be higher than surrounding weeks because of the holiday, but data from last year's sailing for Thanksgiving week (8 night cruise) shows the lowest pricing was in late Sept. Early Oct, but much of that was GTY bookings. Pricing today is still higher per night than what last year's cruise for this week, about $30 pp per night. But again, what happened last year does not necessarily apply to this year, so if you have to be on the cruise, or you need a specific room combination or location, book as soon as you are comfortable with the price.

[ronandannette]

Buy now. If you are booking under US/Canadian rules, then you can get price drops until final payment date.

True, but the idea being discussed is the possibility of favourable pricing just after final payment.

Edited August 4, 2016 by ronandannette

[navybankerteacher]

Think that there are really THREE, not two, possibilities concerning fares between now and final payment date:

 

A) Fares might come down.

 

B) Fares might go up. (These first two are probably equally likely).

 

C) Fares might not change at all.

 

If you add B and C, you will see a greater likelihood of fares NOT going down than either staying the same or going up. If you could earn a lot of interest sitting on the money, it might make sense to wait. But then -- in that high interest environment the cost of everything is likely to rise with the passage of time.

 

Finally, if you might be unhappy if your desired sailing were completely sold out (in the categories you wanted), you should consider that factor.

 

Book now.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you really want to cruise over thanksgiving, book now.

That is one of the popular holidays for families to cruise.

[Clarea]

True, but the idea being discussed is the possibility of favourable pricing just after final payment.

Understood, but pricing is unpredictable, so there's no logical reason to wait until after final payment date.

[Trishyfishy64]

Thank you all SO much for your opinions. I've told my husband to go ahead and book so I hope he does this tonight!! Appreciate it!:)

[maldenmusic]

Book now, definitely

[ronandannette]

Thank you all SO much for your opinions. I've told my husband to go ahead and book so I hope he does this tonight!! Appreciate it!:)

 

I hope you have a great time! And I'd go ahead and keep checking for price drops between now and final payment date and apply for any adjustments. Once you're paid in full though - STOP tracking the price; that kind of thing can drive you crazy! :D

[cheeseclan]

We are on Princess over thanksgiving. We are in a triple and booked it over a year ago. About 6 months ago a family friend wanted to join us but they cannot get a triple on the ship. It is only available for single or doubles.

Also, the air fare from here has only gone up since we purchased. We have never found the air to go cheaper closer to a holiday.

 

Hope your husband was able to get you the holiday cruise. enjoy!

[SPacificbound]

Figure out what kind of cabin you want and book. If you don't care what kind of cabin you won't you could wait and take your chances.

[GUT2407]

Book when you see a price you see a price you can live with.

 

If it's a line that refares watch prices like a hawk. If not never look again.