Best Way To Find Best Value Cruise

[okprofit]

With so many options, I have spent hours trying to find the best deal on the best cruise. What is the best way to find the best deal on the right cruise? We want a 6 to 10 day Southern Caribbean leaving any East coast or any Florida port. It is just two of us and do like the night life, but also some quite time. We would like to cruise in January or February. We want to avoid the spring break full ship times. Is there deals on last minute cruises, go through a travel agent or sift through all the pop up pages of deals? Thanks in advance!!!

[pris993]

Have you cruised before? if yes, check out lines you have been on, if not... ??

 

Generally right after new years there are deals.

 

This site has a search engine for cruises, I would start there to see if you find something and then check other sites or talk to a TA to compare.

[MCC retired]

Early January should get you the better rates right now.

Check cruise line online rates , choose a cruise that meets your liking , then contact a TA who is a Cruise Specialist , and recommended by your friends, family , coworkers , neighbors , for "their deal" . Should always be better than what is offered by booking direct .

[CruiserBruce]

With so many options, I have spent hours trying to find the best deal on the best cruise. What is the best way to find the best deal on the right cruise? We want a 6 to 10 day Southern Caribbean leaving any East coast or any Florida port. It is just two of us and do like the night life, but also some quite time. We would like to cruise in January or February. We want to avoid the spring break full ship times. Is there deals on last minute cruises, go through a travel agent or sift through all the pop up pages of deals? Thanks in advance!!!

 

 

Lets sort through a couple points here. First, very early January can be a good price time, but after that, demand grows. Last minute deals start after final payment- 60-75 days prior to sailing. You need to be watching then, and you are coming into that window right now. However, this is no guarantee there will be a great deal on any given cruise. When you are shopping for last minute deals, flexibility is requirement#1. Last minute deals can move very quickly- literally 30 minutes can make the difference between getting a great price, or not. You need to be able to jump on one when you have the chance.

 

 

Secondly, ships sail full all the time, not just at Spring Break. You should expect any ship you might be on to be full, (in part due to last minute deals)or so close to full you can't tell the difference.

 

 

Thirdly, while getting last minute deals can be worthwhile and very satisfying, last minute airfares can be the exact opposite. Particularly in winter travel months. So the savings you get on that last minute cruise can be easily eaten up by last minute airfares. And winter flying requires much patience and flexibility.

 

 

Fourth, every ship has things you can do. Or, if you so chose, you can simply relax. No activity is required, except for the life boat drill, and getting off on the last day. So I wouldn't worry about doing the things you would like to do.

 

 

Lastly, there are really two ways to find these deals. Research, or a travel agent. Really isn't any magic way around this.

 

 

Good luck.

Edited October 26, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[buggins0402]

A 10 day Southern Caribbean from Florida exists. Six days does not. And, from East coast you need to go up to 12 at least to do a Southern.

 

Also note....value does not equal best price. Sometimes paying more for what you want is the best value.

[Essiesmom]

I find that the best deals come to my inbox from the cruise lines. Go to the websites of all of the lines that interest you and sign up for their email notifications of sales/specials. EM

[CPT Trips]

I find that the best deals come to my inbox from the cruise lines. Go to the websites of all of the lines that interest you and sign up for their email notifications of sales/specials. EM

 

And then once you know the cruise line best price for a cruise you want, go to one of the big on-line TAs or a reverse bid site. They'll meet or beat the cruise line price and possibly toss in some extra perqs

[Nic6318]

Just so you will know for next year, this time of year up until Christmas is when you will typically find the best prices.

 

As far as the trip you are planning, there are a few other considerations as far as price.

 

A big one is airfare. If you are planning on flying you need to check the air price in conjunction with cruise price. The difference at that time of year could be hundreds of dollars per person between one week and the next.

 

So check air price difference between different departure ports. Remember you need to plan on transfers to and from the port.

 

Now if you are planning on arriving the day prior to sailing the hotel cost can also be a larger than anticipated expense at that time of year (especially Fort Lauderdale and Miami).

 

Find all the cruises with itineraries that might interest you and determine the cost of the cruise, add the airfare, hotel, and transfer costs if applicable. Now you will see which is the most expensive choice and which is the least. The final decision is to pick one and book as soon as possible. If you can book a cabin with price protection, great, but if not don't worry about it. You are only 3-4 months out and prices are more likely to go up than down at this time.

 

Have a great cruise

[78232]

While you are thinking of a cruise within the next few months, don't forget to book a hotel room. Hotels in Florida tend to fill up quickly during the winter.

 

Marcia

[Flatbush Flyer]

A 10 day Southern Caribbean from Florida exists. Six days does not. And, from East coast you need to go up to 12 at least to do a Southern.

 

 

 

Also note....value does not equal best price. Sometimes paying more for what you want is the best value.

 

 

So true.

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you need help finding a cruise, you can go through a cruise specialist as many are telling you above. And if it's your first cruise, that would probably be the way to go as you may need some additional help with the planning and details. Won't cost you to use this help.

 

And don't forget to fly to your embarkation port at least a day ahead as you're talking about weather as well as other possible causes for flight delays.

[BlueRiband]

With so many options, I have spent hours trying to find the best deal on the best cruise..!

 

If a last minute "deal" is your make or break priority there are some things to keep in mind:

1) Lowest price, over any other consideration, is your priority.

2) You can accept a category guarantee - that is the cruise line picks your cabin and you don't.

3) You are not tied to one specific sailing date.

4) You can accept that the fare might instead go up or the ship sells out and you don't sail.

5) Airfare is not an issue. Last minute air tickets can cancel out any last minute cruise deals.

[FlyerTalker]

OP: What you are actually asking for is where to find the best price. Value takes into account your own personal perception of the product received. While upper tier and luxury lines may "cost" more, they provide a higher "value" as well.