How far out should one book a cruise to get the best deal?

Question

The last cruise we took we booked 3 mos out but it was all ready a reduced and lower market field. Just wondering if anyone had more experience than one cruise.

Answer 1

best to wait for promos and low season. so you can have a cheaper and great deal.

Answer 2

I have found that it is cheaper to book well in advance, our last Cruise we booked in Jan for Sept and watched the price rise the closer we got the the date, in the end it was more than twice what we paid, and when we sailed it was sold out.

our next cruise is booked and is for Dec

Answer 3

I actually spent some time analyzing cruise line pricing data in business school and unfortunately the answer is: Just like the airlines, it depends on supply and demand.

Sometimes the "early saver fare" really is the cheapest and the price only rises, sometimes they lower the prices mid-way and then fill up so raise them again, and sometimes they can't fill the cabins and they do a big price-drop at the last minute.

That said, for good prices your best bet is in October, November, February and March because school is in session so families aren't cruising.

I think the best advice is: if you're picky, book as soon as you know what you want.  If you're flexible and willing to go in the off-season, wait and see what's available a month or so before sailing.

You can check out other factors that affect the price, check out this article: http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/ch...

Answer 4

The problem to waiting for last minute deals is you then can't be picky about what kind of cabin you get. Often, all that's left are inside cabins, or obstructed views. If that's for you, then go for it. I guess I'd rather have a sure thing with the kind of cabin I want, not what's left over. Some cruises are so popular, that they sell out very fast like the one we took from Australia to Los Angeles(29 days). We booked 1 year in advance and still were put on a waiting list which did open up a few weeks later.

Answer 5

To get the best deals and steals, and to be able to choose the cruise you want, it is best to book your cruise a year in advance.

Answer 6

We had a travel agent friend looking out for special deals - and ended up getting a balcony room for $20 extra!

Answer 7

You should book about a year in advance to often get a low price.  Also, Dec. & Jan. are discounted months to book in advance for less than one year.  If you book way in advance, you can always cancel it and get a full refund (except on Cunard Line); and then rebook it if the price comes down 60 to 70 days prior to departure when the final payment is due.

You can sometimes get a better discount within 60-70 days if you plan to cruise off season, the ship never sails full, its not a popular destination, ship or cruise line, go with a group, etc.

A good travel agent that handles cruises can help alot.  You don't pay any more if you use one, its better than doing it online.

Answer 8

If you really want the best deal on cruises, go as part of a group.  As a travel agent I offer anyone who brings a group to me, a FREE cabin for their use.  Can't beat FREE.  however, if you can't do that, there's a list of group cruises on the web where you can go with the group rate, WITHOUT being part of a specific group.  Sometimes groups will get extra rooms to get better rates, so they NEED you to help them as much as they're helping you.

check out www.getset2cruise.com and click on groups, and you'll find literally hundreds of groups doing just that.

Good luck and happy cruising.

Steve

Answer 9

I have been on about 20 cruises on 4 different cruise lines and the last 10 to 12 of them I discovered that you always get THE best price when you book very early and very early means close to a year, or more, in advance.  You will definitely pay more if you wait until 3 to 6 months before the cruise.  Celebrity cruise line has this stated on its web site; it may also be on others.

The second way to get great deals is to go to the cruise line web sites and look at the "specials' or "deals" being offered.  All of the cruise lines post their special and reduced price cruises right on their web sites, until they sell out.  I like Royal Caribbean and Carnival best for finding their online specials.  You can also sign up on the web sites for emails of their specials and they will send them regularly; I get them via email all of the time.  You can also sign up to receive emails of last minute deals if you are available to go about any time.  They will ask how much notice you need to be able to go.  But I have NEVER gotten one of these emails

Finally, another way to get reduced fares is to book your next cruise while you are on a cruise.  They cruise line will usually give you a discount and/or an on board cruise account credit of $50 to $100 per person, depending upon the length of the cruise.  AND, be sure to join the cruise line cruise club.  Its free and once you have a few cruises with them they will give you an automatic discount on every cruise.  And in many cases the cruise club account is recognized on other cruise lines that they partner with.  My Royal Caribbean account is recognized at the same level on Celebrity.  Since Carnival is partnered with Princess, Holland America, and Cunard you will probably get credit of some type on all of those lines.

Answer 10

usually a year or so out is the cheapest price. the cheapest months are usually sept-feb except holiday and school break times.

also some lines will reduce your rate if you booked it and the price falls. royal caribbean and carnival both do this

Answer 11

I book as soon as I can.  If the price goes down before final payment is due, then I just asked for the new lower price.  If the price goes up, I get to keep the old lower price.  

I have received hundreds of dollars back by doing this.  If the price is for new bookings only then you cannot get the lower price.  However, if the price goes up, I get to keep the old lower price.  If you wait and the price goes up, you cannot ask for the old lower price.

I just check the websites every once in a while to see if the price has changed any.  Then if the price goes down I just give my agent a call.  

Not only have I saved hundreds of dollars this way, but I also have a cabin for $6,000.  The last time I checked the cabin was going for $10,000.  I kept the old lower price.

Twice I have booked 25 months in advance.  I have been on eight cruises and have five more booked.

As an added bonus, by booking far in advance I get to choose the cabin I want.  I don't have to take what is left, which is what happened to me when I booked a cruise about seven weeks in advance (it was more or less a last minute decision to go on the cruise).