Best Time to Book - Your Opinion Needed!

[LauraS]

Hi Folks!

 

Cruise Critic would appreciate your thoughts on when is the BEST time to book your cruise? Do you book months in advance, and why? Or do you wait until the last minute to try an scoop up the best deal...please, share with us!

 

Thanks

 

Laura

 

 

 

Laura Sterling

Community Manager

Up4travel@aol.com

Cruise Critic

 

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent -Eleanor Roosevelt-

 

 

[eric-n-beth]

My DH and I usually book at least 1 year out for best cabin choices. We can usually get a price reduction if price is lowered on our cabin catigory, but only until final payment is made.

 

Eric and Beth

 

Seaward (Norwegian Sea) - Southern Caribbean - 1995

Norway - Eastern Caribbean - 2001

Sea Princess - Mexican Riviera - 2002

Norwegian Sun - Western Caribbean - 2004

 

Hoping our next cruise is in:

 

 

 

[cozymel]

We always book as soon as we decide to go. (Which is normally at least 9 months in advance.) That way I get the best selection and usually the best price. If the price goes down, by TA adjusts it for me. Plus I get to have something to look forward to! :-)

 

Summit - Alaska 7/4/03

Infinity - Hawaii 9/26/04

 

[Flyer]

We book as soon as an itinerary that catches our eye is posted. Usually 12 months or more ahead. We now have a Transatlantic booked for Sept 2005.

 

I feel confident that any fares that are lowered can be applied to our booking.

 

Half the fun is getting there We research all ports months ahead and haven't been disappointed in our choices Yet.

[tuggers]

I book onboard to get that credit! Right now I am booked on five cruises through May 2005. I find I get best cabin selection plus I know what I'll be doing so I can anticipate. If a cheapie comes up at the last minute I can always re arrange or take an extra as I did on the 4/11 Zenith when the price dropped.

 

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!

 

 

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

I've booked as far out as 2 years (love those onboard-booking credits). I usually book as soon as my desired cruise is available for booking. Sometimes they don't become available until 9 months prior to sail date. I always get the exact cabin I'm hoping for! I don't worry about the price. If it goes down at any time after I book I always get the lower price. Even after final payment! It's a win/win! No reason to wait!

 

Bonnie Voyager...a.k.a. "Bon Voyage"

 

“Enjoy whatever cruise you choose....just be sure and choose to cruiseâ€

 

Inspiration 9/99

Triumph 6/00

Victory 8/00

Victory 6/01

Regal Empress 7/01

Explorer of the Seas 4/02

Triumph 6/02

Carnival Legend 10/02

Norwegian Dawn 12/02

Disney Wonder 3/03

Pride 7/03

Explorer of the Seas 4/04

Victory 6/04

Voyager of the Seas 7/04

Carnival Legend 10/04

Majesty of the Seas 6/05

Adventure of the Seas 4/06

...and more in the works :-)

[lawofraven]

We have been booking cruises almost as soon as we get back from one. Jeff can only take 1 week of vacation a year, so we make sure it is well spent. Usually we book months in advance. Itinerary is very important and if we find one we like, we try to book it during a week that Jeff can go.

Angie

 

Carnival Ecstasy 1999

Norwegian Sea 2001

Norwegian Sun 2001

Norwegian Dawn 2003

Norwegian Dream 2004

Carribean Princess Sept. 2004

[GottoCruise]

We usually book as soon as the itinerary comes out that we want--However, with all the last minute rate drops - and some havining trouble getting reductions after final payment...I might just have to "re-think" my booking habits.

 

Until PACIFIC PRINCESS

7/25/04

ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC THEATER

<IMG

SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;25;12;00;00&timezone=GMT

 

Until GOLDEN PRINCESS B2B

7/31/05 & 8/10/05

EUROPEAN CAPITALS & BRITISH ISLES

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SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb0000ff&cdt=2005;07;31;12;00;00&timezone=GMT

[MSBYRDY]

Normally we book ahead for the cabin selection, however our last cruise was booked only 5 weeks out and it was way fun to hurry up and just go.

Marilyn

[imosoreal]

For my RC AOS cruise I booked in December, the cruise is in October. I really got a good deal especially looking at the rate this cruise is selling for now. For my cruises during Thanksgiving week I booked about a month or two out and did find that it was quite a bit more expensive and not many rooms to choose from. When I booked a summer cruise I did it during the winter and for two families. I used the cruise website and really didn't fair too well in pricing but it wasn't too bad either. Now I know better. I have yet to try to book while onboard. Hoping to try that next.

 

Til our Adventure of the Seas 10/03/04

 

 

Triumph -- November 2003

Fantasy -- July 2001

Imagination -- Nov 2000

Fantasy -- Nov 1999

[shoreguy]

I normally book no more then 2 months in advance. I identify cruises I want to take and wait for a great deal. If I don't find one I just wait for the next targeted cruise. Last year two of my cruises were booked less the 3 weeks prior to sailing.

 

On the other hand for special occassions or a cruise I really want to take I will book well in advance. For the Dawn 10 day last Feb. we booked in June.

 

I want to cruise when I need one not when I think I might need one.

 

Seaward 1/89,Southward II 1/91,Windward 10/93,

Norway 3/94,4/96

Dreamward 4/97

Dream 12/99

QE2 4/02

Carnival Spirit 7/02

NCL Sun 10/03

NCL Dawn 2/03,7/03,2/04

 

No Clock = No Next Cruise

[NancyIL]

For my first cruise in March 2004 on the HAL Zandam, my mom booked the cruise for us 9 months before, and I thought that was early.

 

I booked my second cruise for April 2005, in April 2004!

 

I just booked a Baltic cruise for July 2, 2005 on May 8, 2004, and the rates were increasing while I was getting quotes the previous day!

 

I look forward to the planning, and last-minute booking doesn't make much of that possible. Plus - you tend to get the cabins no one else wants, though at a great rate.

[ImPcJunky]

I book at least 9 months in advance.. I get the cabin I want, and I get to sit and watch rates climb as the cruise time gets closer.. And if there is a sell out... your not going on the cruise. I have to plan my time off from work, and if I get it approved.. I don't want to sit home as the ship I wanted is booked.. Or go on a cruise I did not want to go on, just because there is space available.

 

 

 

<marquee>Barebytes Got his Camera </marquee>

 

 

 

Our Cruise List: RCCL

Alaska: Vision 2000

Mexico: Rhapsody 2002

Hawaii: Vision 2003

East Caribbean: Explorer 2004

 

 

ImPcJunky Saying Hello To: 5/1 NOS 5/1 EOS Rccl

 

<marquee direction=right>ImPcJunky & Barebytes</marquee>

 

[sue d. miller]

We always book a year ahead. It is different for everyone. If you want a particular ship, catagory, cabin, date, special occasion, or have children, it is good to book early.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GloriaF]

We haven't formed a MO yet. We've only had 3 cruises, 2 of which were booked close to sailing; the Hawaii cruise took more planning because we had to make flight, hotel, rental car reservations & we booked about 6-8months out. I'd do both again, but tend to be later rather than earlier due to elderly parents and other factors that could interfere with plans too far in advance. I do like the research & planning in advance, though.

 

Gloria

 

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001

Grand Princess, Western,April 2002

Regal to Hawaii, April 5-20, 2004

[aambard]

I always recommend that people book their cruise as soon as possible. Their agent can then monitor for price changes and ask the cruiseline to adjust accordingly. Waiting until the last minute can get you a good deal at times, but it also can get you a BIG disappointment if the ship fills up!

 

April Ambard

CruiseOne

NCL America Pride of Aloha 6/13/04

Carnival Pride 9/19/2004

1/04 Crystal Harmony

7/03 RCCL Monarch of the Seas

6/03 Celebrity Summit

1/03 Carnival Ecstasy

12/01 NCL Star Inaugural

 

[Lynda90]

I always book 9 mos. to 1 year in advance. I then keep my eyes open for price reductions. The prime categories seem to sell out quickly and I don't want to be disappointed. I am now waiting for the inside passage to alaska prices to come out so I can book for May or June2005.

 

Lynda

[JanetinPA]

We usually book a cruise while onboard. For the christmas holiday, we usually book a year ahead to get a good room.

[NewCruzer1]

We've only booked one (and haven't gone yet), but we reserved in February for October for about half the advertised rate, plus got a 2-category instant upgrade from our TA (the upgraded category is even stated on our booking invoice, but at the discount price). If we enjoy this first cruise as much as we expect, I'd bet we book for the same time next year by this Christmas.

 

Tim

 

[lsscancun]

Would someone explain to me exactly how much the onboard booking credit is worth? If it is worthwhile, maybe we'll try it this year while cruising on the Glory in July.

[barbow]

We always try to book about l year in advance or as soon as the lines provide the new year ininteries.

 

As seasoned cruisers, (that means "old people") we like the first choice of cabins.

 

Azure Seas, Fair Seas, Jubilee, Festival, Sky Princess, Sovereign of the Seas, Star Princess, Rhapsody, Royal Princess, Dawn Princess, Fair Princess, Crown Princess, River Symphony, Infinity

 

 

 

River Rhapsody

 

 

Mercury

 

 

 

Barb B The lady with the patch behind her ear!

[Diva Onboard]

I book early and often. In terms of time-frame - usually 9 months to 1 year out. Pretty much the sentiment of all the posters to this thread so far

 

I find you get the best deals when you book as soon as an itinerary becomes available. You get your pick of cabins, sailing dates, and still can wait for price drops along the way. Whenever possible, I also like to book onboard to avail myself of onboard credits.

 

It can be frustrating when you know what itinerary you are looking for but the cruise line does not have the information available yet. For example, my group of friends and family members are interested in some Europe itineraries and on some cruise lines, they are only showing itineraries until October 2004. That's really only 4 months out. We are interested in booking for October 2005 or July 2006. For those extended vacations people like to plan ahead.

 

 

<Marquee>I'm getting out there - SERENADE OF THE SEAS - July 18, 2004<Marquee>

[TimmyII]

We always book early for cabin availability. Our Grandeur cruise was booked 10 months in advance, (wanted an aft jr. suite) and the Grand cruise was booked 8 months in advance. Besides cabin availability, it is so much fun to meet and visit on the Cruise Critic Boards with fellow cruisers for a long period of time prior to sailing. Some of our best friends were met here. Thanks Laura and Staff!!!

 

 

 

Grandeur 11/13/04 FantaSea Cruise click here

 

Grand Princess-11/27/2004-Click Here

 

JOHN MENDENHALL

[pazooter]

For Bruce and me, timing is always the first factor. As an educator, I only have certain times off and we do not want to cruise in the hot hurricane summer months.

 

So I usually pull out the school calendar and look at school breaks. Next I search the internet for prices and compare. We almost always book 8 - 12 months in advance. Twice we booked within a couple of months of our cruise.

 

Either way, here are our priorities after choosing dates:

1. low price (living on one teacher's salary),

2. close port,

3. guarantee with possible upgrade,

4. destination ports.

 

Cathy

 

 

 

 

Until our **STAR** search

Seattle to Alaska on NCL Star

June 27, 2004

 

Fantasy 12/25/03

Inspiration 4/13/03

NCL Majesty 12/27/02

Jubilee 3/23/02

Norwegian Sea 11/23/01

[marvholly]

I have booked both early (more than 6 months)& late (6 - 12 weeks). Generally depends on time of year I am looking to travel. If I am stuck with holiday/school vacation schedule (daughters are teachers)I need to book early just to keep $$ down and air reasonable. If I just want to go and am looking at "slow" times like Nov/Dec excluding holidays or early Jan to mid Feb I tend to wait for $$ drops.

Right now I am looking for either this x-mas or Alaska in late July-mid Aug for a family cruise and $$$ is horrible. I have to watch for itinerary first as we have been to many places both cruise and land and then home port due to air costs. Cabin choices do not particularly matter as I usually take a GTY within a minimally acceptable category, generally OV.

 

Holly

 

M/S Boheme 11/69

Rhapsody 2/77?

Azure Sea 3/89

Panama Canal 11/90

Mexican Riviera 3/98

Carnival Triumph 12/99

Carnival Spirit 12/01

NCL Dream 11/17/02

Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03

carnival Victory 3/28/04