General Price Watch Plan

[Seafan22]

Though this will not be news to many people, I want to relate my current experience with price-watching.  

 

As a practice, I am a planner.  I reserve my trips far in advance to get the cabin location I want, to do the location and excursion planning I want, and to have the planning be part of the excitement of my trip.  Another thing I do is watch the price of my trip on a regular basis – every 2-3 weeks – by doing a mock booking.  I book through NCL, so when I have to rebook at a new price, there is no danger of losing the cabin I chose on the split-second cancel-rebook an outside person has to do.

 

With the current trip I have planned - 9-Day Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic from Copenhagen, in October – I have been able to realize a $500 price drop (2-people) by watching the rates over the last six months, as I move toward the final payment date, which comes in one month.  This is over 11%, money that can be used for other things on the trip. 

 

Just wanted to pass this along.

[valleyvillage]

This would drive me crazy. And it's a very short drive. More like a putt.

[Peachypooh]

Thanks for sharing this great tip. I do this too. I once saved close to $1,500 on a price reduction

on a trip on the Pearl. (Haven owner's suite). On the Gem out of NY I saved $500 by doing this.

All before final payment and booking through NCL. Didn't lose my cabin.

[marktwothousand]

I always do price checks after booking a cruise and before final payment. I have saved a couple hund by getting refunds and re-booking. I don't know why anyone wouldn't do that before final payment.

[nicoleinwi]

I check as well, but I call up NCL and just  have them apply the new price or promo.  I book direct with them.  It sounds like though some of you are able to do this yourself online?  Do you just cancel then stateroom goes back into inventory then just book it again?  I as well book far in advance as I want the room I choose.  I call up so I know I'm keeping my room.   

[BallofGoof]

I've done this, but through our TA.  I look a couple of times a week (long commute on public transportation, so I need something to do 😊), and if there's a price drop, I just email the TA.