How long in advance does a cruise have to be paid for?

Question

We purchased a cruise in March with a deposite. The cruise is not until the end of December. How far in advance does it have to be paid in full? When should we get our passports if the cruise isnt until December? This is our first cruise and we are lost. I have email the cruise line to ask when it needs to be paid in full but no one has answered it has been 2 weeks.

Answer 1

For most cruise lines, final payment is due 30-45 days prior to departure date. I wouldn't wait any longer than August to get your passports, as you never know how long it's going to take, and you don't want to have to pay extra to expedite it.

Did you book it through a travel agent? If you did, they can provide you with all and any information you'll need, including shore excursions and when the earliest time is to book those. If you didn't book through a travel agent, whatever site you booked through should have provided you with final payment info. What cruise line are you sailing and what website did you book it over? If I know that, I can probably tell you where to get info from. Email me if you want - I've been a travel agent for 12 years.

Answer 2

Which cruise company is it?  They should have sent you a receipt with the final payment due date on it.

Passports are not necessary for Caribbean cruises this year.

Answer 3

Normally it needs to be paid in full 45days prior to sailing. It can fluctuate depending on if you are getting group rates or if you are using travel agent but that is the norm.

I would apply for passports perhaps end of September (or early if you can afford it) it is taking about 12wks to get them back right now and that waiting time frame is taking longer and longer.