Is there a best time of year to book a cruise?

Question

We're planning on going on a Hawaiian cruise next summer on NCL. They've now posted their prices and they're almost DOUBLE what they were for 2008 when I checked. I looked at 2008 prices back in November. Do the prices fluctuate at different times of the year? I know that they took one of their two ships out of commission, but they would not say that was the reason for the fare increase. Is there a best time to book a cruise?

Answer 1

I'm guessing here. Summer is peak travel time, so it would be very likley to see higher prices at that time. I would also guess that inflation is facorted in ie. higher fuel costs, higher costs associated with supplies including food. I would also speculate that the loss of one of their ships is limiting their capacity while demand remains high.

As for best time of year...I worked in the travel industry for 18 years and can tell you 99% of the time, the earlier you book the better rate you'll find. I would have people that would check a fare, like it, but not book it. Then a few days later they go back and the fare is higher. I would at that point tell them if they keep waiting they will continue to see the fare continue to climb.

Answer 2

We just returned from our seventh cruise. February is definetly

the best cost-efficient time to cruise. I would not recommend going during Spring break. Last year we went and it was our absolute worst cruise ever. I suggest February because the weather in the Caribbean is wonderful, the weather in Hawaii is wonderful and the weather in Mexico is great. If you wait until the summer the price will be about $200-$300 more.

You will have a crowd on a cruise ship in February but no where as crowded as June July or August. Take lots of pictures and enjoy

Answer 3

Reducing the number of rooms to fill certainly inflates the price of the ones remaining. But, also look at the gas pumps. Much of their pricing is based on fuel contracts that expire over time.The fuel surcharge doesn't begin to cover the increases that they are now seeing. Then, understand that, unlike foreign flagged vessels, the NCL America ships are subject to US minimum wage laws which has recently been increasing.

Traditionally, there has been a booking "wave season" varying from a few weeks to as many as 10 during the January through March time frame.

Other than that, I often find deals within 70 days of departure. Since it costs almost as much to run the ships full as empty, the lines will make an effort to keep them full. Of course, if you do this you take the chance that the price will go up instead. But, studying price cuts over time, you usually can tell which ships they are having trouble filling and book accordingly.

One more comment. If you are already fixed on the trip that you want to take, check the cruise line's policy if the fare goes down. Many lines will refund the difference until final payment is made (70 days prior and it is your responsibility to bring this to their attention). If you do not book direct with the line, also check your TA's policy. Some will be an advocate for you, others pocket the difference themselves...

Answer 4

the prices are really high around President's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, and during June and July

they are lower during January, May, September, October, beginning of November, and early December

any other times during the year are just kinda in between high and low prices

if you want to go in the summer i would suggest you wait until August to go