Best time to book a May 2025 cruise

[steveso]

Hi

 

We are in the UK and looking at booking the Miami to Southampton repositioning cruise on the Independence in May 2025.

 

I know it's not always easy to say but when is likely to be the best time to book something like this. A RC discount ended yesterday and so a guaranteed outside has now gone up from £833 to £890 but I know there will be new offers.

 

Is something like Black Friday worth waiting for or is it better to book further ahead? I also realise that pricing for a transatlantic cruise may be different to most.

 

Any help appreciated!

[Ourusualbeach]

17 minutes ago, steveso said:

Hi

 

We are in the UK and looking at booking the Miami to Southampton repositioning cruise on the Independence in May 2025.

 

I know it's not always easy to say but when is likely to be the best time to book something like this. A RC discount ended yesterday and so a guaranteed outside has now gone up from £833 to £890 but I know there will be new offers.

 

Is something like Black Friday worth waiting for or is it better to book further ahead? I also realise that pricing for a transatlantic cruise may be different to most.

 

Any help appreciated!

Book through a US based travel agent that allows repricing of your booking up until final payment and there is no downside to booking early and watching for price drops.

[firefly333]

Best time has been as soon as its released. Prices have mostly only gone up. Maybe price increases will slow down, but I am continually shocked in rel life and price increases. Just prices hotels at hobby airport .. since I last stayed them. Booming. Inflation just has slowed, not stopped.

[steveso]

3 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Book through a US based travel agent that allows repricing of your booking up until final payment and there is no downside to booking early and watching for price drops.

Thanks. I did ask about this previously and there are some downsides to booking via a US agent, the main one being that you lose ATOL cover which in the UK protects the holiday payments. 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, steveso said:

Thanks. I did ask about this previously and there are some downsides to booking via a US agent, the main one being that you lose ATOL cover which in the UK protects the holiday payments. 

That would only apply if you thought the cruise line was going to go bankrupt.

[snaefell]

If you have a particular cabin or area that you want I guess the sooner the better.

Royal changing the itinerary after you have paid the deposit can IME be annoying but could happen anytime up to & after the sailing date!

[Mum2Mercury]

I'm jumping on the bandwagon here, but definitely book as soon as possible. 

 

- If the price drops, you can ask for a match; whereas, if it goes up, you're locked in. 

- If you're choosing your own room, you'll have the best selection.  If you want connecting rooms, which are in short supply, they'll still be available. 

- You mentioned Black Friday.  Last year's sales on extras (excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants) were pretty good.  If you're already booked over Black Friday, you'll have the option of buying.  Note that Black Friday sales tend to be on extras /not cruise tickets. 

[Hoopster95]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Best time has been as soon as its released. 

 

15 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

definitely book as soon as possible. 

 

100% disagree. Especially with TA's that normally have a ton of inventory after final payment date.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

 

100% disagree. Especially with TA's that normally have a ton of inventory after final payment date.

Are you sure recently that TAs dont fill up?  I booked may 25, and was surprised I got a balcony for only $30 more on voyager, pool deck. Whatever deck I wanted. Price seems reasonable to me. Idk if they are still having TAS like before covid that dont fill up? Seems like more of us lately looking for something new or different. 

[Hoopster95]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Are you sure recently that TAs dont fill up?  I booked may 25, and was surprised I got a balcony for only $30 more on voyager, pool deck. Whatever deck I wanted. Price seems reasonable to me. Idk if they are still having TAS like before covid that dont fill up? Seems like more of us lately looking for something new or different. 

 

I've booked 15 cruises 2023 to present (4 coming). I just counted... 9 of them booked after final payment  7 of those were less $$ than everyone else who paid on the very first day up to final payment date. I see TAs' and TP's offered cheaper as a last minute sailing.

 

Most recent example is the upcoming TP on April 28 ... 8 day Brilliance Hawaii-Vancouver. Price went down overnight on day 90 (the final payment day) by $300 per person. The price is less than anyone paid from first deployment day to final payment date. 

 

 

Edited February 22 by Hoopster95

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

 

100% disagree. Especially with TA's that normally have a ton of inventory after final payment date.

TA's do not have any inventory after final payment.  Royal recalls all group rates 30 days prior to final payment.

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'm jumping on the bandwagon here, but definitely book as soon as possible. 

 

- If the price drops, you can ask for a match; whereas, if it goes up, you're locked in. 

- If you're choosing your own room, you'll have the best selection.  If you want connecting rooms, which are in short supply, they'll still be available. 

- You mentioned Black Friday.  Last year's sales on extras (excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants) were pretty good.  If you're already booked over Black Friday, you'll have the option of buying.  Note that Black Friday sales tend to be on extras /not cruise tickets. 

OP is in the UK and can't reprice which is why I said to book with a US TA.

[Hoopster95]

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

TA's do not have any inventory after final payment.  Royal recalls all group rates 30 days prior to final payment.

 

TA = Transatlantic sailings in my posts. Sorry for the confusion

TP = Transpacific sailings

Edited February 22 by Hoopster95

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

TA = Transatlantic sailings in my posts. Sorry for the confusion

TP = Transpacific sailings

Gotcha.

 

Yes, some of the TA's do seem to have some pretty large drops after final payment

[Hoopster95]

On 2/22/2024 at 3:47 PM, Hoopster95 said:

booked after final payment  7....

 

Most recent example is the upcoming TP on April 28 ... 8 day Brilliance Hawaii-Vancouver. Price went down overnight on day 90 (the final payment day) by $300 per person. The price is less than anyone paid from first deployment day to final payment date. 

 

 

 

Just a follow up to this thread.... It's now 68 days before sailing/22 days after final payment, prices have been reduced again. Check the balcony GTY cabins.

 

I just upgraded my interior for only $200 to an aft balcony 😃 which for some reason came available.

 

Edited February 24 by Hoopster95

[firefly333]

On 2/22/2024 at 5:47 PM, Hoopster95 said:

 

I've booked 15 cruises 2023 to present (4 coming). I just counted... 9 of them booked after final payment  7 of those were less $$ than everyone else who paid on the very first day up to final payment date. I see TAs' and TP's offered cheaper as a last minute sailing.

 

Most recent example is the upcoming TP on April 28 ... 8 day Brilliance Hawaii-Vancouver. Price went down overnight on day 90 (the final payment day) by $300 per person. The price is less than anyone paid from first deployment day to final payment date. 

 

 

I'm still not convinced a group rate booked early isnt a better deal than booking last minute. Though it gets hard to compare. If I book a group rate early, then get a balcony discount and DP340 on top of that. Vs booking late where I cant get those discounts. Or early booking obc.

 

The leg after my TA, a balcony was over 5k, but with group etc "only" $2700 total. About half the printed rate, but 25% was my solo discount. I could find the published rate for my TA but I really have a hard time comparing since I dont book the published rates.

 

But once I get moved I will certainly consider last minute TAs from Florida. Where is that magic wand to get me moved. So much work ahead of me. 

[firefly333]

52 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Just a follow up to this thread.... It's now 68 days before sailing/22 days after final payment, prices have been reduced again. Check the balcony GTY cabins.

 

I just upgraded my interior for only $200 to an aft balcony 😃 which for some reason came available.

 

Now that's awesome. I love the aft. You have me convinced to watch prices after final. 

[Hoopster95]

56 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

The leg after my TA, a balcony was over 5k, but with group etc "only" $2700 total.

 

Are you on Voyager in May?

 

55 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Now that's awesome. I love the aft. You have me convinced to watch prices after final. 

 

I also scored a Vision corner-aft JS about 30 days after final a few years ago.

Booking after final payment is not the easiest and sometimes you lose the game (twice this past year paid more but wanted that specific sailing, c'est la vie)... you have to watch and learn the trends. It doesn't work for all ships or all sailings. 

[firefly333]

11 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Are you on Voyager in May?

 

 

I also scored a Vision corner-aft JS about 30 days after final a few years ago.

Booking after final payment is not the easiest and sometimes you lose the game (twice this past year paid more but wanted that specific sailing, c'est la vie)... you have to watch and learn the trends. It doesn't work for all ships or all sailings. 

No I'm on mariner 7 day this may, then I'm moving to florida. Already had booked oct harmony and added legs to it so flying back to texas this oct after I hopefully am moved. Then starting in dec booked out of PC mostly. 

 

May 2025 I'm booked on voyager TA. Not this may. I think my balcony for 13 days was about $1340 total. Is that price high to you? It includes my DP340 discount. I'm not sure what the advertised price was. So are you saying if I wait prices will be lower than $100 a day all in? It's just a regular balcony but I asked for pool deck and got it. Will be convenient. 

[Hoopster95]

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

May 2025 I'm booked on voyager TA.

 

Got it. I'm booked this May Bar-Athens. To say the prices are stupid is an understatement! 

Only two reasons why I booked: 1) group rate + 2) VY debarks in Athens on May 27, whereby I would walk over to Serenade for an 11 WC day mini-segment (which is now cancelled). Anyways the group rate for an OV gty was $1350pp taxes incl, current "retail" price OV gty is $2800pp taxes incl ... over 100% more! Also this is a perfect example where booking after final would not have worked.

[firefly333]

30 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Got it. I'm booked this May Bar-Athens. To say the prices are stupid is an understatement! 

Only two reasons why I booked: 1) group rate + 2) VY debarks in Athens on May 27, whereby I would walk over to Serenade for an 11 WC day mini-segment (which is now cancelled). Anyways the group rate for an OV gty was $1350pp taxes incl, current "retail" price OV gty is $2800pp taxes incl ... over 100% more! Also this is a perfect example where booking after final would not have worked.

The TA actually to me isnt crazy, though I looked at it now online and solo without putting in my number or DP340 says it's over $2800 booked direct. The crazy high one is the next leg, for 10 days I also booked.  Said if I'm already on the ship it would be a shame not to see greece. The 2nd leg is the one where a balcony booked direct is over 5k. For 10 days but still high to me.

[captainannoyed!]

I agree with the other responses regarding booking early.  From everything I’ve seen in the last few years the best rates are at the opening of booking.  I haven’t seen a pice drop on any cruise I have booked in the last few years, but many price increases.  So, there’s every reason to book early with a minimum deposit.  In the event a price drop does happen it can only help you.

[Hoopster95]

On 2/22/2024 at 3:47 PM, Hoopster95 said:

Most recent example is the upcoming TP on April 28 ... 8 day Brilliance Hawaii-Vancouver. 

 

On 2/24/2024 at 8:38 AM, firefly333 said:

I'm still not convinced a group rate booked early isnt a better deal than booking last minute.

 

On 2/24/2024 at 11:11 AM, captainannoyed! said:

From everything I’ve seen in the last few years the best rates are at the opening of booking.

 

Just a follow up to this post.... This morning is 57 days before sailing date/33 days after final payment.

 

Interior guaranty = $345pp before taxes  

Ocean view guaranty = $480pp before taxes

Balcony guaranty = $583pp before taxes ... $463pp with my C&A balcony disc

 

[captainannoyed!]

55 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

 

 

Just a follow up to this post.... This morning is 57 days before sailing date/33 days after final payment.

 

Interior guaranty = $345pp before taxes  

Ocean view guaranty = $480pp before taxes

Balcony guaranty = $583pp before taxes ... $463pp with my C&A balcony disc

 

While I subscribe to early booking being most advantageous form pricing and the ability to take advantage of (increasingly unusual) price drops before final payment, I will agree that booking last minute / post final payment date can offer deals.  However, I would argue that the savings come with other costs.  
 

First, the cruise you want may sell out - and this happens a lot.  

 

Second, if cabin location / choice matters to you this is unlikely to give you the vacation you desire.  Think about it.  What cabins are likely to remain unsold?  The ones everyone else doesn’t want.  Cabin location matters a lot to me, and I’d never book a GTY because of that, and playing kamikazi with last minute cabin availability isn’t for everybody.  True, a great cabin might show up via a last minute cancellation.  But if I want to gamble, I’d rather do it in the casino than my cabin.

 

Third, airfare.  Last minute airfare tends to be higher than further out.  If you have to fly to your cruise, the savings on a last minute cabin fare could be more than eclipsed by the cost of the flight.

 

Fourth, everything I just wrote goes out the window if you live in Florida.  If you can drive to multiple major cruise ports, have an openness to destinations, and don’t have a preference in regards to cabin, you can game the system.  As far as I see, cheap last minute cruise opportunities would rank as the number one reason to move to Florida.  I have to believe that I the few days before the cruise, aside from the requirements to have a set passenger list 48 (?) hours before sailing, there’s got to be a last minute spot to be had at big savings.

[mugtech]

      Found the best time to book any cruise is when I am already on a cruise.