Last minute cruising from Tampa?

Question

I have heard of people getting great steals on cruises by going to the port and booking last minute. Is this fact or fiction? I am guessing that the cruise lines would want to fill any empty cabins, so, it makes sense. What would be the best time of year to attempt this?

Answer 1

I actually checked on this and you can't ( to my knowledge)There's a travel agency located inside the building next to where you enter and check in for the cruise ship but they told me they didn't offer come and buy and go. We have called even 1 week prior to departure and never have been given any deals. The best we have found are in the Sunday paper.

We ahve booked a few months in advance and found that the early prices are sometime better than what the latter one are advertised for.

God Luck. If you find anything I would be interested.

Thanks.

Answer 2

Every cruise ship leaving the US has to submit its passenger list  72 hours before sailing. So going to the dock is not an option since 9-11. You can get great deals slightly before that though.

Answer 3

Carnival also has IS and OS cabin fares.

Inside guarantees and ocean view guarantees that are discounted. Not always available though.

Answer 4

Last minute deals are possible, but probably not at the port.  When cruising, you will be entering different countries, which means that your passport information will need to be available for the cruiseline to share with the countries that you will be visiting.  Prior to your cruise, you will have tons of paperwork to fill out for your trip.  Most of this can be done online, but it has to be done well before your cruise date.  You might be able to find something within a week of the trip, but online.  

Just keep checking with the cruise lines, as they definitely want to fill those rooms.  Also, don't forget that you will need plenty of time to get all of that paperwork done ahead of time.  

The summer time is probably the best time for deals, as it is simply too hot for us northerners to visit.  We prefer the fall, winter, and spring.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It's a fact.  If you can get to Tampa/Miami or any of the ships homeports the same day the ship is leaving you have a very good chance of getting a fare for next to nothing.  Like you said, they just want to fill up an vacant cabins so you can get really good deals by that point.

Well I can say the worst time of year to do this would be Christmas and spring break as they're usually fully booked at those times but any other time especially now (hurricane/rainy season) there will most definitely be some vacancies. I wouldn't recommend going during hurricane season though cause often the weather is terrible and the seas are rough... it's not a fun experience to say the least.

Hope this helps. :o)

Answer 6

There really is not good time of the year.  You may be able to find deals the last couple of weeks before in the off season, generally in the fall after school starts.  Summer is the peak season, and it is always the most expensive time to cruise, except for Christmas week.  But most of the time, the ships are booked full before well in advace of the departure date.  I have never been on a ship that was not full.  I have a friend who cruises on RCCL 6-8  times a year, and he told me that all of his cruises are always full.

I have a cruise booked for Sept, and the ship is already almost full.  As far as the paperwork goes, it only takes a few minutes to take care of as long as you have your documentation.  The cruise line only has to verify it before you board the ship.

Answer 7

I found that to be a true statement only because of the economy. My daughter and I just came off of a Mediterranean Cruise for 12 days (a bit too much for me) June 18-30. I just got home the 1st and a lot of the people waited until the end. They didn't get the best rooms, but they got the best price.Call and make sure or go on this website listed below. Happy Sailing-PS I heard Disney was very expensive!!!