Best time to book?

Hey everyone,

It's been a while since we cruised, and I'm looking to book an 8-day cruise on the Magic out of Fort Lauderdale for next May, 2019. I was curious to know when everyone finds the best deals, or the best time to book a cruise. We are VIFP members, and members of Costco Travel, so there's discounts to be had there. However, does anyone find any special deals a certain time of the year? Does Carnival ever do a "free tips" sale?

There isn't any real best time to book. It varies from person to person. Some people book a year or two in advance because they want a certain category of room on a particular ship in a particular location. Some people book the cheapest room and don't care where it is located.

The best time for you to book would be when you find a ship and/or itinerary at a price that you are happy with. If you like what you see and it fits in your budget, then book it. If you wait, the prices may have gone up or your room that you were hoping to get may be gone. Of course, if you wait the price may also have gone down. So there is no telling. Just book when the cost is at a price point that you are happy with.

We find that it's best to book early. In most cases the prices will go up, not down, and even if they do go down you can always price match. :cool:

We find that it's best to book early. In most cases the prices will go up, not down, and even if they do go down you can always price match. :cool:

We like to book around 9 months out. Since CCL started to use a computer algorithm to set cabin prices it seems that in all of the cruises we've taken in the past 3 years there have been no significant price decreases, and indeed many times good sized increases with no big offers on tips or perks. There are some with low deposits but at this time in our lives that's really not a factor that influences DH and I.

I also concur with booking early. If you book Early Saver, and the price of your cabin category goes down, you get the difference as onboard credit, which is very good. I have claimed almost $400 for one cruise in OBC because I booked a cruise they really couldn't sell out, and the price was heavily reduced on day and I caught it. Plus, if you're booked early, you could get booked with FTTF or ship-sponsored excursions first, and not run the risk of either being sold out. Plus, if you need hotels or airfare, you can likely save a ton by booking early with those things as well. Best of luck!

I like booking early once I find a cruise I like and the dates. You have good choices of cabins and like others have stated prices tend to go up. Happy planning!!

We know our dates and usually book ES. Never have seen free tips on Carnival

For the last 2+ years the prices for cruises I have booked have crept, or leapt, up.

Booking Past Guest as early as possible, without the restrictions of Early Saver, has worked for me.

Though I get price protection, until final payment with Past Guest, so far no reductions at all, only increases.

Book as early as possible with early saver. You can always price match if it goes down.

Looks like the consensus is early! Thanks, everyone! :cool:

Book as soon as you get a decent early saver offer with OBC. You can do price matching if the price drops. It is harder to come by OBC offers.

I cannot book early... I am not a long planner. That being said...I start looking about 3 months out and usually book 60-75 days before sailing. Never have a problem finding a cabin I like...I always book through Internet Agencies so I get mega OBC ....and yes sometimes free tips. They just add that money to the OBC amounts. My biggest challenge booking around 60-75 days out is not the cruise fare...its the airfare especially during Spring Break and Holiday cruises.

Book early if you want a certain stateroom, important for staterooms that are limited. Book late if your staterooms isn't a major factor. We have found that the early saver price (no early saver benefits) is often offered again shortly before sailings. The earliest we have purchased a cruise was 1 year the shortest two weeks. In all cases we felt the cost was good a good deal for us and we always enjoy are time relaxing on the ships.

I'm starting to think I'll really consider booking around eight to ten months out. Unless, of course, there's a great deal. Nonetheless, I have my eyes on it, and check prices every few days. Thanks for everyone's input! :cool:

Yep book early with Early Saver and choose from a greater selection of cabins and just submit price adjustments as the price drops.

We did this with my next cruise and locked in an ideal cabin for us and over the course of the last 8 months our total fare dropped $230.

Now our cabin category is sold out so we aren’t going to see any more reductions but I can still potentially upgrade if something comes up.

Hey everyone,

 

It's been a while since we cruised, and I'm looking to book an 8-day cruise on the Magic out of Fort Lauderdale for next May, 2019. I was curious to know when everyone finds the best deals, or the best time to book a cruise. We are VIFP members, and members of Costco Travel, so there's discounts to be had there. However, does anyone find any special deals a certain time of the year? Does Carnival ever do a "free tips" sale?

Are you planning on the May 25th cruise? If so, come join us. We just booked this cruise last week, using Early Saver. Carnival had a special going. 50% deposit and $50.00 OBC. I don't know if that's still being offered, but it might be worthwhile to call Carnival (or your PVP if you have one) and ask if it's still available.

I like to book as early as possible (even 2 years out)... I agree that it seems now the earlier you book the better the prices. I haven't been able to snag any price reductions since starting this as the price has always stayed higher.

I also like to book early when their is a reduced deposit sale (like $50 per person)... that way absolute worst case scenario if I have to cancel I don't have a lot of money tied up...

Finally, I like to book earlier because there are specific rooms that I really like that are very limited and the only way to get these rooms is to book pretty much as soon as they come up.

Check your emails and various discount offers through the page periodically. We’ve found some good deals through casino offers and early saver.

The cheapest cruise the hubs and I booked was last minute last fall after the hurricane disrupted itineraries in the eastern Caribbean. We got a 7-day out of Miami for $25 pp with OBC! We are lucky that we have jobs where we could swing that. Anyway, my advice is to find itineraries you’re interested in a stalk the website for a low deposit you’re comfortable with ($99 or less).

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Are you planning on the May 25th cruise? If so, come join us. We just booked this cruise last week, using Early Saver. Carnival had a special going. 50% deposit and $50.00 OBC. I don't know if that's still being offered, but it might be worthwhile to call Carnival (or your PVP if you have one) and ask if it's still available.

I am considering the May 25th sailing... I'm keeping an eye on it, hoping to confirm/book it late summer or early fall. We might just see each other there, start the countdown now!

Check your emails and various discount offers through the page periodically. We’ve found some good deals through casino offers and early saver.

The cheapest cruise the hubs and I booked was last minute last fall after the hurricane disrupted itineraries in the eastern Caribbean. We got a 7-day out of Miami for $25 pp with OBC! We are lucky that we have jobs where we could swing that. Anyway, my advice is to find itineraries you’re interested in a stalk the website for a low deposit you’re comfortable with ($99 or less).

 

 

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Wow, you got a deal! Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for low deposits.