Cruise Specials?

Question

Does the price of a cruise go higher or lower as you get closer to the date of the cruise?

Answer 1

It depends on how many cabins are left. If the cruise isn't selling then the cruise line will reduce the prices of the cheapest cabins to generate interest as it gets closer to the sailing date.

If the cruise is selling well and there are few cabins left then the cruise line will remove any discounts. (the price will rise).

Answer 2

All of the cruise lines have an early booking fare that is available about a year or more before the cruise.  Then  the prices start to go up and they go higher as the cruise date approaches.  But there is no firm scale of when the price will adjust up.  Much of it depends upon how well the cruise has sold.  

As a general rule the price of a cruise at 3 months or less before the date is almost always higher than it was 6 months to a year before the cruise.

So book early for the best price.

Answer 3

It all depends on Cruise Control Inventory (number of cabins sold/available on each particular sailing).

Sometimes you can get great deals if you wait and book at last minute. Visit http://www.vacationstogo.com for last minute deals.  The prices quoted are usually for the cheapest category which is usually bunk bed rooms.  Sometimes you can upgragde.  If you have money in pocket and the time to up and leave then check out the last minute specials offered through cruise lines and Vacations to go.  Last year I went on a 5-Day Cruise from Galveston for $300 p/p.  We booked about 2 months in advance and recieved a past guest upgrade to a higher deck level. http://www.carnival.com.  Keep in mind, if you are booking last minute then you have to pay the full cruise amount.

I prefer booking in advance to get the best deal.  Especially do this if you are booking a 7-day cruise with a desirable destination or leaving out of a port that does not offer many sailings, or planning to sail in the booming/high demand summer months or holidays.  Many times, when you book in advance, you can always apply any promo rates you come accross later (upgrades, onboard credits etc.).  You can almost always get the best deal by booking early, not to mention you can pay it all out and you get a better selection of rooms to choose from.  I am currently booked on a 7-Day Western Caribbean out of Galveston and am paying $555 per person for a January 11th cruise.