How late can you book?

[KatieBug28]

Weird question that I haven't been able to find an answer to, so figured I'd ask the real experts here!

 

I've casually got my eye on a Spring Break cruise that is currently quite cheap, but seems to be falling in price a bit every week. It's from Long Beach, which is drivable, and we already have the week off of work and school. We're planning on a national park trip, but if the price keeps dropping I might sub in a cruise instead.

 

My question: how late can we book? Is there a cutoff?

 

Obviously we'd need the time to get our COVID tests (all fully vaccinated, so no exemption needed) and drive down, but those are fast and easy. Can you still book a week out? Two weeks? (Assuming there are still cabins available, of course). 

 

Would love any info anyone has on "last minute" bookings. We are normally the type that book months or years in advance (currently booked for Costa Rica and Thailand later this year and have had those on the books for over a year!), but it is honestly looking like a cruise might be cheaper than our cheap camping trip at this point, and I'd love to take advantage if we can!

[Essiesmom]

You used to be able to book in the morning (by calling, not online) and sail in the afternoon.  Probably not possible now unless you have a Covid test kit in hand.  Now just depends on giving you enough time to get the Covid test.  EM

[mondello]

You could probably book a week before the cruise up a couple days out. Assuming they're still allowing exemptions, they may cut off bookings at a certain date to determine how many exemptions they can allow for others.

[JFasbender]

We have booked the day prior once, otherwise we usually cruise relatively last minute two weeks out or less.  Keep in mind that most fares will offer a credit or perhaps an upgrade if the fare goes down or if there is cabin availability to move up.  Just booked the Mardi Gras for this weekend with a balcony cabin and then upgraded to a suite for $69 when the fares went down.

[victory2020]

I put a room on hold 2 days before the cruise - it was still on hold the day before cruise. I believe if I wanted to book it I could have. 

[cruisewiththekids]

I just saw the Horizon leaving tomorrow was still being offered on the website this afternoon. 

[Bgcruising]

The morning of, right up until they dump the manifest and load the new one. 

[Maxizz]

I booked 3 days before the cruise and everything worked out great.

[Cuckoo7]

Back in February, I booked on a Thursday night for a Saturday cruise out of Galveston.  There was a hiccup at check-in, and my teenage daughter and I were forced to go all the way back through security for a pat down and luggage check.  We were told it was because we booked so late.  😕

 

Our steward also did not have our names on his printed list and had to write them in.

Edited September 29, 2022 by Cuckoo7

[Bgcruising]

You can book up until the ship has zero passengers and the nee manifest is loaded into the ships system. Will there be anything available? Maybe, maybe not. Passengers who book with 24 hours or less before sailing are subject to those extra security checks someone mentioned. 

[audcc77]

I was wondering whether since the Sunshine out of Charleston was moved out a day because of the hurricane, and since because of this, Carnival is giving full refunds for anyone who doesn’t want to go, whether they’ll have many cancellations, which would then be sold for cheap at the last minute.  😁
 

[vwrestler171]

You can book as late as their are rooms available.  I know of someone that called the morning of the cruise and booked.  It is rare, but it can happen.

[Youyoyotoo]

On 2/8/2022 at 6:20 PM, KatieBug28 said:

Weird question that I haven't been able to find an answer to, so figured I'd ask the real experts here!

 

I've casually got my eye on a Spring Break cruise that is currently quite cheap, but seems to be falling in price a bit every week. It's from Long Beach, which is drivable, and we already have the week off of work and school. We're planning on a national park trip, but if the price keeps dropping I might sub in a cruise instead.

 

My question: how late can we book? Is there a cutoff?

 

Obviously we'd need the time to get our COVID tests (all fully vaccinated, so no exemption needed) and drive down, but those are fast and easy. Can you still book a week out? Two weeks? (Assuming there are still cabins available, of course). 

 

Would love any info anyone has on "last minute" bookings. We are normally the type that book months or years in advance (currently booked for Costa Rica and Thailand later this year and have had those on the books for over a year!), but it is honestly looking like a cruise might be cheaper than our cheap camping trip at this point, and I'd love to take advantage if we can!

I booked two, day before sailing, cruises on Carnival, earlier this year. Just made sure I had required proctored test kits on hand and ALL documents perfect (Passport, federal ID, KTN,) and it worked out perfectly for me. Booked them, PIF immediately and continued with COVID test and then immediate checkin online.

[The Greater Fool]

I've booked as late as 1:-2:00am at night.

 

Good luck,

 

Tek

[ontheweb]

10 hours ago, The Greater Fool said:

I've booked as late as 1:-2:00am at night.

 

Good luck,

 

Tek

That would not be nearly as late if you were in the Eastern Time Zone. And if you were in Europe it would even be earlier. 🤣

[Essiesmom]

It was reported here that in Oct. 2017, following a hurricane that closed San Juan, leaving Fascination with no home…they sent her briefly to JAX and called (casino players) people and offered a free cruise if they could sail the same day.  Unfortunately we weren’t called, as our contact with the casino is to hurry through, trying not to inhale.  EM

[proudpatriot07]

We're on Carnival Sunshine that leaves Charleston tomorrow (Sunday). On Friday, they announced our cruise would leave on Sunday instead of Saturday due to the hurricane. 

 

I went online and Carnival had it open for bookings. It was regular price. Trying to make some of that money/OBC back. We do live here but I've never looked for last minute discounts on it. 

Edited October 2, 2022 by proudpatriot07

[dewayneg]

I checked online for a possible back-to-back on Mardi Gras. I didn't book it but was able to go online and book on Friday, the day before the cruise.