Booking early or Last minute?

[chromered7]

We have always booked our cruises early primarily to ensure we get the cabin we want . For our cruise next year we are going to wait. We will book our holiday time from our respective jobs and then surf the net for the best deals. They are some pitfalls with this approach but we have noticed recently while checking various cruise lines that they are cutting their prices for last minute bookings.

What do you think is best as the cost of cruising appears to be rising for cruises booked in the UK?

 

 

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[morbihan]

I am going to go last minute after this next cruise.

 

If I really, really, wanted a specific cruise I might still book early though:D

 

Those bargains are just too tempting.

[villauk]

We have always booked our cruises early primarily to ensure we get the cabin we want . For our cruise next year we are going to wait. We will book our holiday time from our respective jobs and then surf the net for the best deals. They are some pitfalls with this approach but we have noticed recently while checking various cruise lines that they are cutting their prices for last minute bookings.

What do you think is best as the cost of cruising appears to be rising for cruises booked in the UK?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I think if there are only two of you and you're not concerned which line or cabin you have, then there are some good deals. You have to be prepared to also fly to Europe to board, rather than banking just on a UK sailing.

 

We found that at certain times of the year, cruises leaving from the UK never appear to drop very much i.e. around October half term. If you're flexible and not stuck to popular weeks, then you'll stand a better chance of getting that bargain. Remember if you're going from Europe, then the flight costs may have risen quite dramatically over the time period - especially if using budget airlines.

 

We usually book early and catch the price drops, however, we considering waiting for next summer. Having said that, the cruises I have been watching on X for next August have disappeared off the inventory - perhaps more charters are being planned for these ships, resulting in less choice for the offering ;).

Edited May 14, 2015 by villauk

[benjoon]

We booked a suite on the Constellation Jan 2017. There are now only two or three suites of any type left. There are also 3 accessible sky suites left. So we are glad that we booked early.

 

I forgot to say also that the price has gone up $1300 Australian since we booked. It's a repositioning so no perks are involved in the price change.

Edited May 14, 2015 by benjoon

[butterflymama]

We booked last October for our upcoming May trip. After booking I strongly considered cancelling and just waiting for a last minute deal based on lots of posts on here.

 

The fact that we booked one of the newer cabins and not wanting to lose that kept me from doing it.

 

Glad I didn't. The price never went below what we paid even without the bev package included. It would have been a gamble and I would have lost!

 

Guess that is another reason I stay out of casinos! :rolleyes:

[4774Papa]

I book early, sometimes shortly after the cruise is announced. This can be 1.5 or almost 2 years in advance.

 

For our Around the Horn and Black Sea cruises, booking early really paid off, prices increased significantly, since the cruises were popular.

 

On our British Isles and Australia cruise, the prices did drop right up to final payment, but I called and we picked up the new lower rate. After final payment on the BI cruise prices were slightly below what we paid (only cruise so far out of 8 on X), but I called and upgraded to Aqua.

 

Booking after final payment may work for Caribbean cruises, where we can drive to the port from Georgia, but we don't do Caribbean.

 

Booking early allows you to plan and find the best airfare.

Also, you get to pick the cabin of your choice.

[Wanderlost]

We booked a British Isle cruise sailing on July 15th for The Open and to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It was booked onboard another Celebrity ship over one year ago. We booked Aqua class which priced out over $8000.00 but rationalized we would not have another 20th. After watching airfares, we came to our senses and cancelled the cruise last fall.

I recently snagged two tickets to Amsterdam using AA miles and decided to rebook our anniversary trip after the final payment window closed. Last week the priced dropped for an Aqua guarantee which saved us about 45% over the original booking. I think the bargains can be found but it can be a little stressful watching prices go up and down within a 24 hour period.

[chemmo]

We are early bookers almost every time! We are quite picky about rooms and if we really fancy a cruise we do not want to risk compromising it. We tend to get a good deal and have rarely seen the rooms we want come down in price. Both room categories for our next two cruises (2016,2017) are sold out already. Other rooms are still available but I would have to compromise....

 

The bonus of booking early is that you can sometimes get really good deals on flights as you look for their special offers.

 

The real bonus to me though is I love those months of looking forward to....checking out ports of call, browsing the Internet for details, following the CC reports and comments about the boat I am travelling on.

 

Vacation value to me is not just about what the cruise costs you. For me it comes down to the pleasure of looking forward to, enjoying the moment to the full and then looking back at the happy memories.

[teecee60]

For the best in relaxation and value, repositioning cruises just can't be beat.

 

15 nights Southampton to FLL on Constellation for $609pp with $400 OBC

 

15 nights FLL to Rome on Silhouette for $599pp with $350 OBC

 

15 nights Rome to MIA on Reflection for $449pp with $250 OBC

 

23 nights San Francisco to Sydney on Century for $799pp with $250 OBC

 

14 nights FLL to Amsterdam on Silhouette for $699 with $450 OBC

 

These are just some of the deals I've gotten in the last 4 years. ;) :D :cool:

[morbihan]

I would love to do a TA but my husband won't fly.

 

I have even checked out cargo ships! Going both ways! I don't mind which way I go.

 

I have also never found the info about the new cruises on offer 18 or 24 months in advance. Hopeless.

 

Our cruise booked on board which we leave on shortly - if you believe the site - had doubled in price but, really, it is still a lot of money.

 

We leave in a few weeks and have no intention of booking onboard but well, you know what it is like!

[4774Papa]

For the best in relaxation and value, repositioning cruises just can't be beat.

 

15 nights Southampton to FLL on Constellation for $609pp with $400 OBC

 

15 nights FLL to Rome on Silhouette for $599pp with $350 OBC

 

15 nights Rome to MIA on Reflection for $449pp with $250 OBC

 

23 nights San Francisco to Sydney on Century for $799pp with $250 OBC

 

14 nights FLL to Amsterdam on Silhouette for $699 with $450 OBC

 

These are just some of the deals I've gotten in the last 4 years. ;) :D :cool:

We have done two TAs and both times spent around $800 pp for a balcony, yet we booked early.

 

How much did your airfare cost in connection with these cruises?

[HokiePoq]

I would love to do a TA but my husband won't fly.

 

I have even checked out cargo ships! Going both ways! I don't mind which way I go.

 

I have also never found the info about the new cruises on offer 18 or 24 months in advance. Hopeless.

 

Our cruise booked on board which we leave on shortly - if you believe the site - had doubled in price but, really, it is still a lot of money.

 

We leave in a few weeks and have no intention of booking onboard but well, you know what it is like!

 

Met a couple in a similar situation on one cruise. To solve the problem, they go over on a Transatlantic and then, after touring in Europe, come home on Cunard which I think runs year round TA.

[teecee60]

We have done two TAs and both times spent around $800 pp for a balcony, yet we booked early.

 

How much did your airfare cost in connection with these cruises?

 

Just got back from FLL to Amsterdam on Silhouette. Balconies went as low as $649pp! $699pp-$799pp for balconies on other trips.

 

We always use Choice Air for incredibly low one way prices even "last minute." (10 days to 10 weeks prior)

 

$394 Minneapolis to London for the Constellation. $508 Fargo to Rome for Reflection. $619 Sydney to LAX for Century. Return from Amsterdam was $550pp.

Edited May 14, 2015 by teecee60

[TRAVELBABE1]

We booked a British Isle cruise sailing on July 15th for The Open and to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It was booked onboard another Celebrity ship over one year ago. We booked Aqua class which priced out over $8000.00 but rationalized we would not have another 20th. After watching airfares, we came to our senses and cancelled the cruise last fall.

I recently snagged two tickets to Amsterdam using AA miles and decided to rebook our anniversary trip after the final payment window closed. Last week the priced dropped for an Aqua guarantee which saved us about 45% over the original booking. I think the bargains can be found but it can be a little stressful watching prices go up and down within a 24 hour period.

 

Glad to hear you will be joining us in the British Isles! Come on over to our Roll Call...

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/celebrity-silhouette-july-15-2015/

[yorkyred]

We booked early for November in the Caribbean even though we know the prices will drop. Why, because we wanted a midship inside cabin and we booked the last one. If you don't care about where you are wait until the last minute and save money.

[Redtravel]

If you are flexible in your dates/ports, you can find some good deals. Check prices constantly for changes. There are programs that can monitor changes. When you see a good deal, be ready to book. Also, check transportation costs. Choice Air may or may not be a good option. A cheap cruise with an expensive plane ticket is not good. My best late booking cruises were from ports that I could drive to. Also, be patient. Do not get upset if the cruise that you want gets sold out. There is always another cruise. If you book early, you get a good cabin selection. If you book late, you get left over unbooked cabins. They may or may not be in good locations. Often, there are people who have to cancel close to the embarkation. Snag one of those cabins can be a real deal. Last year, I booked a cruise a week before it sailed. I booked a GTY veranda and got a concierge cabin in a fabulous location. Good luck.

[wallie5446]

Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw, early or late, friends have gotten great deals both ways, while others would be hosed to the max if they choose to go. Or feel they did for booking too soon. What to do, what to do?

 

If ya like the deal enough to book, do it, and accept that is what you have and be okie dokie with it. Just like buying a car and the next month they put another $1000 rebate on the model you bought.;) ERRRRRRRRR but nutting you can do.

 

We booked on the Equinox last Nov for a return this Nov. We got all 3 perks with double OBC, here is whaere it is at now for an Aqua 2:

Original Fare per person $2,149 USD*†

Savings per stateroom $700 USD*†

Cruise Fare avg per person

$1,799 USD*†

This is still $175 higher with no perks! Will it have different offers attached later? Maybe, again, the luck of the draw.

[teecee60]

Here's a PERFECT example of an UNBELIEVABLE last minute (3 weeks prior) bargain... (although not on Celebrity this time)

 

My favorite online site has two consecutive 7 night cruises on Coral Princess for $399 each... with $335 OBC each! :eek:

 

A 14 night Alaskan Cruise for $798pp with $670 OBC is the type of deal that keeps me cruising!

Edited May 14, 2015 by teecee60

[Tangocherie]

Here's a PERFECT example of an UNBELIEVABLE last minute (3 weeks prior) bargain... (although not on Celebrity this time)

 

My favorite online site has two consecutive 7 night cruises on Coral Princess for $399 each... with $335 OBC each! :eek:

 

A 14 night Alaskan Cruise for $798pp with $670 OBC is the type of deal that keeps me cruising!

 

 

Teecee,

 

Here is my email : lmarchil at yahoo dot ca

 

Please send me your TA's coordinates! Thanks.

[Tangocherie]

I have just seen a 12 day Baltic cruise. leaving May 20 on the Eurodam , OV for $799 Canadian! WOW!

[mskaufman]

I have done both. When I book early it is because I think the price has hit bottom early and I can usually change if it goes down before final payment (once I got a refund when it went down after final payment). I have also seen great last minute bargains and booked late.

 

I am usually not particular as to cabin so I don't worry about where they will put me.

 

In the last few years we have booked guarantees and have hoped for the best.

[BosoxI]

I am going to go last minute after this next cruise.

 

If I really, really, wanted a specific cruise I might still book early though:D

 

Those bargains are just too tempting.

 

If we absolutely must take a specific cruise, we'll book early. That rarely happens. Otherwise, I spend hours searching for the best price or we'll wait till the last minute and hope for the best. Cabin position means nothing to us and at times we'll book a guarantee if the price is right. We do have a distinct advantage that allows us some freedom in that we have flight privileges not generally available

[morbihan]

Everything ruined now as read a review about MSC yacht club.

 

Ooh! Just downloaded their brochure.

 

Want want want.

[Beamafar]

Everything ruined now as read a review about MSC yacht club.

 

Ooh! Just downloaded their brochure.

 

Want want want.

 

YC is a fantastic experience for the price! I've booked a Sky Suite for next January so will get a chance to compare - I'm reading as much as I can here and am looking forward to trying Luminae out.

[morbihan]

Husband won't fly so departures from France are ideal.

 

Rome. Venice. Just go a week oe two before.

 

Jet lag:D

 

Just going to check out 2017. A cabin has our name on it.