Cruise Liners Tips

[Daniec]

Cruise Booking Tips 

When Cruise liners release their cruises, they are at their highest rate with onboard extras. The ideal time to book is at the full payment period, usually 2-3 months prior to sailing.  The rates can be 50-60% discount without onboard extras, due to cancellations. If you’re not particular, waiting until the last few weeks will also give you the best rates. Liners are never completely booked out. 

 

Also, if the cruise is not going well and you think complaining to head office is best. Make sure you let the onboard crew know while you’re onboard of your complaints. They will be more likely to compensate you. Head office will not be interested once you return. 

[sparks1093]

Yes, if you aren't particular about the ship or the itinerary (or even the cruise line) then it might be a viable strategy to wait until 2 to 3 months or later before the cruise to book, but the better cabins will likely be gone by then. We are more selective about ship and itinerary (and cabin) so we have always booked well over a year before our cruises and have never seen drastic price drops once final payment date arrives. 

 

It is very sound advice to raise any issues you are having with your cruise while onboard since they are the ones in the best position to address your concerns. Plus if you don't raise the issue onboard when you complain to corporate they will be checking with the ship and if you didn't lodge a complaint onboard it will weaken your case.

[Markanddonna]

The advice in the first paragraph in the  OP's post is often not true. If you want just any cruise in any room to the Caribbean in the winter, last minute booking might produce the best price. Traveling to Europe, Asia, etc requires extensive planning and last minute bookings might result in every other aspect being more expensive. There is a big difference between relaxing Caribbean cruises and cruises to other continents that are more port intensive and for sightseeing.

We try to book early and monitor the price and then we call if there is a price decrease.

[bonsai3s]

On 1/21/2020 at 5:02 AM, Markanddonna said:

The advice in the first paragraph in the  OP's post is often not true. If you want just any cruise in any room to the Caribbean in the winter, last minute booking might produce the best price. Traveling to Europe, Asia, etc requires extensive planning and last minute bookings might result in every other aspect being more expensive. There is a big difference between relaxing Caribbean cruises and cruises to other continents that are more port intensive and for sightseeing.

We try to book early and monitor the price and then we call if there is a price decrease.

 

Agree with Markanddonna...we book as early  as possible...sometimes a couple of years in advance...monitor prices and call for price adjustments when price drops. 

 

We book early for many reasons...we want a particular cabin...we book consecutive cruises and don't want to have to move cabins...we have to fly to just about every disembarkation port...Note: We often also book onboard (RCCL) for reduced deposit and some OBC (Onboard Credit).

[Surfguyxxx]

On 1/27/2020 at 9:41 PM, bonsai3s said:

 

Agree with Markanddonna...we book as early  as possible...sometimes a couple of years in advance...monitor prices and call for price adjustments when price drops. 

 

We book early for many reasons...we want a particular cabin...we book consecutive cruises and don't want to have to move cabins...we have to fly to just about every disembarkation port...Note: We often also book onboard (RCCL) for reduced deposit and some OBC (Onboard Credit).

Thank you Bonasi.  This is exactly what we do and have never had an issue.  The only issues we've really ever had is when we did a "guarantee" room.  The room chosen for us was miserable.  Never again.  Moving forward, choose a room you like and monitor pricing.

Edited February 1, 2020 by Surfguyxxx

[SRF]

Advice may only apply if you can drive to the port.

 

Otherwise, last minute airfares may drive total price over booking everything earlier.