better to book early or nearer the time?

[suebubbles]

Want to book a cruise on the new Azura for Feb 2011 am i going to get a better deal if i book now or wait until nearer the time? is it likely to go cheaper nearer the time or does it not work like that......:)

[Norfolk Brit]

Have a little look at this thread: http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=993531

which will either help, or confuse you yet further.

 

For what it's worth, I share Balf's opinion.

 

Mary:)

[rjm1cc]

No one knows the answer. If this is the cruise you want then book now so you are not closed out. If you are flexable wait.

Also check the lines policy on cancelations. Usualy you can cancel up until your last payment. This usualy means you can get the lower price up untill that point as long as you ask for the reduction. Call and see what they say and then check the boards for actual experience.

[tom_uk]

Usualy you can cancel up until your last payment. This usualy means you can get the lower price up untill that point as long as you ask for the reduction. Call and see what they say and then check the boards for actual experience.

 

Generally not true in the UK - the price you agreed to when you booked is the price you will be asked to pay. It's different from the policy in the US.

[BrianI]

The best deals to be had were when the new brochure came out in April. Some of the incentives, such as on board credit are still available until the end of June.

If the cabins are not sold by the time full payment is required, which is 56days before sailing, then there will be last minute deals on offer and there will be some that fail to pay the final payment.

If you are flexible on dates then it might be worth while taking a chance. As there will be two large ships in the Caribbean in 2011, Ventura and Azura, plus Oceana, I think there is a good chance of some last minute deals. However most are going to want to try out the new ship Azura so the deals are more likely on Ventura. Both ships are identical, juist different themes.

Brian

[PianoManNYC]

However most are going to want to try out the new ship Azura so the deals are more likely on Ventura. Both ships are identical, juist different themes.

Brian

 

Chavs throwing sunbeds overboard on Ventura; hopefully each other on Azura?:eek::D

(ducking)

[qm2lover]

We have booked the fantastic Greenland/Iceland/Norway/Ireland cruise next year. It is the only cruise taking in Greenland and as P&O are not going to Spitzbergen next year we think it could possibly be difficult to get late bargains next year.

 

However the same cruise this year is being offered at a greatly reduced price. So out of curiosity I requested a quote. None of the cheap cabins at the prices currently being advertised were available. Also there was no mention of free 3rd and 4th persons sharing, free car parking or OBC.

[Noblemount]

We always try to book immediatley the latest brochure is issued.Yes you take the chance of losing out on last minute bargains.But you do have a bigger choice of cabins and as other answers have said Free Car Parking and on board spend is often on offer.Although I must admit we took up one of these last minute bargains once and it was absolutely fine. We were so late in booking we did not even have tickets but P&O bless em let us on anyway