Best time to purchase a cruise?

[pastark1114]

Everyone,

 

My wife and I are planning to take a cruise in late February or early March 2005. When is the best time to purchase our cabin for sailing in that time period? Are prices likely to drop or do the lines tend to run specials during the holidays. (I know that there are some “last minute" deals, but my schedule is not that flexible.)

 

The lines that we are looking at are: HAL, RCCL and Celebrity. I am looking at cabins with balconies / verandas. (Not sure if this would make any difference.)

 

Any and all advice is appreciated. :)

 

Thanks,

 

Patrick

[zurmoly]

Late Feb and the middle of March till the end are school breaks. Feb vacation is when we are sailing and our cruise (Princess) is full. Also these breaks in Feb and March, the price is higher just like in the summer months. We booked our 9 months ago. So, I would think your best bet is to try for the first week in May. I think you would find some good deals out there and I would book now. Book with a TA that watches the prices in case of a drop. You would get $$ back or a upgrade. We have only cruised Celebrity and liked it very much but are trying Princess this time around.

[Keith1010]

My experience, is that the lower priced and highest priced cabins tend to book up first. Unless you are willing to take the risk and book at the last minute, I would suggest booking sooner rather than later. I would start the process now.

 

Keith

[disneylynn]

I booked my feb 2005 cruise in Jan 2004

It is now $500.00 more per person, So I say book as early as you can

[MizzCard]

I've found the earlier booking is best as you have better cabin choices.

[ellikitten]

You guys are right about booking early. I always tended to think that you could get a better deal if you book last minute, but I'm finding that's not always the case. It is much better to book early. This way you get what you want, but still have some time to change your mind or transfer your deposit to another cruise if something better comes up.

 

~elli

[vince_g]

Many of the cruises in Feb/March are probably sold out by now too.

[mconthehighseas]

vinceg, you mean 2004, don't you? The OP was asking about 2005.

[BIG DADDY ONE]

It is my experience that the earliest the better as to price as well as cabin choices. I normally book 9 months to over a year out.

[bigmike7]

Yo-

 

We booked our December '04 cruise in May '04-

 

It's now $250 more than it was then-

 

It's a crap shoot - like after 9/11 - you could get a cruise for next to nothing - but not any more-

 

Mike

[Ilovefuncruises]

The earlier the better, in fact if you can book 12 months out you should do it. Cruising is way up this year and the booking window is much further out. Fewer last minute deals. 3-6 Months in advance for normal travel dates. If your travel date falls during a popular holiday or seasonal date book at least 6 months in advance.

 

Plus when you book early, you can take advantage of multiple payments making it easier to save for a better cruise package.

[margeg]

We tried to book a balcony cabin for January 2005 on PRincess about 4 months ahead and they were all filled up. So if you need to go a certain time or want a certain cabin, you better go early.

[sj25]

We tried to book a balcony cabin for January 2005 on PRincess about 4 months ahead and they were all filled up. So if you need to go a certain time or want a certain cabin, you better go early.

I agree because I debated and ended up paying an extra 50 per person for Oct 2005 I finally booked in Nov. 2004 and now they don't even have any balcony rooms left and its not until the end of Oct.

[webfast]

when it is cheap or you have a friend that has a military discount like i do..

[oscarmoraz]

Try a gurantee cabin if you are not picky on the location.....we have never had issues with the choice of location...plus you have a better chance of getting an upgrade.