How late is too late?

[shhhhh]

Veteran cruisers...I need your help!

 

We are taking our first cruise on either Sept 16 or 25 on the Holiday. Because of things going on for my husband at work, we have been up in the air as to his actual vacation dates.

 

What is the latest you "experts" here would recommend booking?

 

Thanks so much!:)

[zaandam_2]

Seeing as you're from missouri, your biggest hurdle will be the airfare. prices rise dramatically once inside the 14 day window. if you plan on using bidding places like priceline, remember to go in a day before and leave a day after because those types of sites do not allow you to specify arrival/departure times.

[WeLuvVacation]

You can book within 72 hours of sail date I believe with the new post 9/11 regulations.

 

There should not be much price fluctuation in the last days before the cut off.

[CarribbeanTina271]

well of course the later you book the higher the price....

and because of security issues you have to book like atleast 72 hrs out..

For our July cruise, we added one guest 72 hr prior and one 48 prior and the price went up $50 in between the two, so I guess it is up to you.

Tina

[coachj]

Keep an eye on the prices. If they seem to be bottoming out, u may have to commit. But kids are back in school so u may get a good price if u wait. They want to fill the ship. But a good point was made about airfares. They will do nothing but rise.

[shhhhh]

That's a good point about the airfare. I may go ahead and book that since flights can be changed fairly easily if need be.

 

We usually search on kayak.com to find the best rates on flights.

[Cotton]

That's a good point about the airfare. I may go ahead and book that since flights can be changed fairly easily if need be.

 

Hi Shhh. If I were you, I'd make sure there are cabins available on the Holiday in the category you want before booking air. You might just be spending a weekend in Mobile!?:D

[lvtotrvl1]

I just checked the availability and the rates are rock bottom with 2 cat upgrades avail and coupon book...looks like plenty of availability, but the airfare will be a different thing. As the poster above said, I would not book air prior to booking your cruise...there are change fees etc that the ailines will impose and you just never know what the availability and pricing on the ship will do.