When is the best time to book/travel?

[scgirl816]

Last year we found that the least expensive time for us to travel was in January. Is this usually true?

 

Also, we are starting to look now to book our cruise for next year. I know we ran into an AMAZING deal last year, but can we expect to find great deals normally? Or could that have just been a once in a lifetime kind of thing? The cruise we took last year is now running $140pp more for the same ship, itinerary, time of year this coming January. Is it just timing in booking? If so, what time of year has the best booking deals? Or, even, how far in advance should you book to get the best price...far in advance or last minute or what?

 

 

Thanks!

[tchix]

Depends on where you are going- hurricane season can be pretty cheap-o in the Caribbean. You can usually get good deals the week after Thanksgiving almost anywhere. Australia and New Zealand are busy and pricey in our winter (their summer), and some of the best deals in Europe can be had in March (when it is warming up there but airfare is still not too pricey either).

 

As far as booking sooner or later, it also depends on where you are going and when. If you need to arrange your own airfare, for example, airfares are *usually* cheaper about 6 months out. But if it is a busy time, then booking earlier the better (like if you are going around a holiday time).