When is cheapest time to cruise?

[GottaKnowWhen]

Generally speaking what would be the cheapest time of year to cruise ...is it the same time of year for all cruise lines?

 

 

The cheapest cruises will be those that go to places most people don't want to go to at a time that isn't wonderful. A Christmas cruise to a warm area will have higher demand and higher prices than a cruise to the same places in mid-summer. Note that Australia, South America etc. have reversed seasons so high season in the Caribbean may overlap with high season further south. Look for the least popular destinations.

[iancal]

When demand is low for the itinerary/ship that you are looking at.

 

We have enjoyed extremely attractive blow out pricing on balcony cabin on 14 day Caribbean Christmas cruises and late Sept/Oct Med and Adriatic cruises.

 

All based on supply and demand. But we usually book inside the final payment window-usually 45-60 days out. The shortest has been 3/4 days out and a few at 2 weeks or so.

 

The best advice would be to look at the shoulder seasons of those cruise areas that you wish to experience. So for Caribbean check out the early December pricing (or the first week of Jan. sometimes).

 

The best prices will be on outside obstructed and inside cabins. As an example, Alaska cruises are often blown out at $299$399 for a 7 day trip from Vancouver. These are insides/outsides in prime time...middle of summer. There has been overcapacity on the itinerary for the past several years. The trick is to get either a good return cruise or good air.

Edited July 1, 2016 by iancal

[Jimnbigd]

The cheapest rates I've seen are usually the two weeks after Thanksgiving. January usually has a some low rates too...

I agree. Just to clarify, this is USA Thanksgiving -- the fourth Thursday in November. Try the first 2 weeks in December. The ships are usually decorated for Christmas by then.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Jimnbigd