How to get a REAL last minute cruise

[ChrisB123]

My husbands work place has closed down, until further notice. When I went looking for last minute deals, there weren't any that I would consider "last minute."  Everything seemed to be 3 or more months away, or a travel agent wants your phone number.  Any other ideas?  

[Shmoo here]

1 minute ago, ChrisB123 said:

My husbands work place has closed down, until further notice. When I went looking for last minute deals, there weren't any that I would consider "last minute."  Everything seemed to be 3 or more months away, or a travel agent wants your phone number.  Any other ideas?  

Right now, with COVID running rampant, with the subsequent restrictions, and some cruise lines delaying cruises, I'd be surprised if there were many cruises available in the next couple of months.

 

But, just looking at ads, you're going to get generic "contact your TA" type ads.  You'd do better checking each cruise line's own website.

[slidergirl]

The only thing I could suggest would be to do the old Internet search for "last minute cruises" and see if anything offered is earlier than 3 months.   Or, as above, look at the cruise line websites.   I just looked at Princess quickly and saw several cruises out of Los Angeles/San Diego (saw you are from Lancaster) that are in January and the beginning of February.

 

[donaldsc]

13 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

The only thing I could suggest would be to do the old Internet search for "last minute cruises" and see if anything offered is earlier than 3 months.   Or, as above, look at the cruise line websites.   I just looked at Princess quickly and saw several cruises out of Los Angeles/San Diego (saw you are from Lancaster) that are in January and the beginning of February.

 

 

I found a bunch of cruises departing January 14.  That is 3 days from now.  I even found a couple of them departing January 13 which is 2 days from now.

 

DON

[firefly333]

40 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

I found a bunch of cruises departing January 14.  That is 3 days from now.  I even found a couple of them departing January 13 which is 2 days from now.

 

DON

Yep rcl for one has plenty departing after mid January that can be booked. A few cant, but a lot can be booked.

 

Agree with above, pick a cruiseline and look yourself. Do a mock booking. 

[LocoLoco1]

Simple. Call a cruiseline. Have a credit Card and a valid Passport. Done. 

[whogo]

Carnival Conquest departs 14 January, three nights, $104.

[navybankerteacher]

I think the OP was looking for last minute DEALS - not just last minute bookings --- there seem to be a number of last minute bookings available --- and a "DEAL" is just in the eye of the beholder.

[shipgeeks]

ChrisB,  Is there a port (or ports) near enough to you that you wouldn't need to fly to a cruise?  Could you use that as a starting point?  If so, but if you aren't familiar with what cruise lines depart from there, ask here!  Someone is sure to know.

 

[iancal]

50 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

ChrisB,  Is there a port (or ports) near enough to you that you wouldn't need to fly to a cruise?  Could you use that as a starting point?  If so, but if you aren't familiar with what cruise lines depart from there, ask here!  Someone is sure to know.

 

Several years ago we picked up a bargain Australia/NZ 21 day cruise.  Last minute-two weeks or so prior to sailing.

 

I happened to look at the Australian section on this CC form. There was a string of postings of last minute cruise prices by CC members.   We were considering this cruise and it was mentioned in a post at a fare considerably lower than the late booking fare on North American TA sites...or the RCI NA site.

 

It was thanks to that forum , and that particular CC post, that we contacted RCI's call center in Sydney, Australia.  We realized a 30 percent plus saving over the North American price quotes...same ship, same cruise, same date, same balcony cabin cat.

 

Without a heads up for another CC member we may have missed this one OR paid considerably more than we needed to. 

Edited January 12, 2022 by iancal

[Hlitner]

Just use a reputable discount cruise agency.  That normally gets you the services of a decent cruise agent who is familiar with the entire industry, not just a single cruise line.

 

Hank

[iancal]

31 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Just use a reputable discount cruise agency.  That normally gets you the services of a decent cruise agent who is familiar with the entire industry, not just a single cruise line.

 

Hank

Ditto. 

 

More than once when calling our TA to book a last minute deal she was able to tell us about another, better offer on a different ship/different cruise line, same timeframe and same itinerary,  that we were not aware of. 

 

On one occasion she steered us away from a ship that we had intended to book because of multiple customer  complaints about the service and the significant issues with the AC and water leaks in some cabin areas.  

 

A cruise line rep would NEVER have done either.

Edited January 12, 2022 by iancal

[SuiteTraveler]

Here, the deals to be found are on the individual cruise line's websites.  I've done a lot of comparisons for last minute cruises and there are amazing deals - but you need to be able to grab them when you see them.

[umograd83]

I booked a cruise on Tuesday which is less than two weeks out from sailing.  I booked directly with Carnival.  I am a solo in a suite.  $352 for a four night cruise.  That includes port charges and gratuities.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, umograd83 said:

I booked a cruise on Tuesday which is less than two weeks out from sailing.  I booked directly with Carnival.  I am a solo in a suite.  $352 for a four night cruise.  That includes port charges and gratuities.

 

Congratulations!  That's a very good price.  Enjoy "rattling around" in all of the space!  

[iancal]

One thing  we like is that it can happen so quickly.  You decide to shop for a deal on a whim, either from home on while travelling.  The next minute you are booked on a cruise leaving in three days or two weeks.

 

Sometimes one has to take advantage of a great offer and jump on it even if it is not planned weeks in advance with every port stop worked out detail.

Edited January 14, 2022 by iancal

[Hlitner]

Just a suggestion about giving out an e-mail to those who prefer not to get flooded with lots of e-mails.  Simply create a new e-mail account (G-Mail, Outlook Mail, etc are free options) that you only use for travel sites.   Many discount agencies will also request your address (or at least your State) since that information is sometimes necessary in order to qualify from regional special rates that are offered by some cruise lines.  Folks looking for the best deals (and last minute deals) should also understand that the more a decent cruise agent knows about you (job, veteran, volunteer fire fighter, etc) the better the chances they can find you a truly special deal.  There are all kinds of cruise deals that target certain groups and this is a case where knowledge is power.   As a very simple example, I have saved thousands of dollars (over many years) simply because I am an honorably discharged veteran.  Princess gives veterans (who have registered with the line) an On Board Credit of up to $250 per cruise.  Some lines have special fares for teachers, police, etc.

 

Hank

[iancal]

Depending on embarkation and whether we need air, o/w or return, we make a habit of checking cruise air on any of our shortlisted last minute cruises. 

 

 We picked up great last minute cruise fare a few years ago.  The added bonus was a surprising good one way cruise air home.

 

We were somewhat surprised that this cruise air fare was available and priced the way it was.

Edited January 14, 2022 by iancal

[sanger727]

If you are looking for a cruise out of California, the options are alot more limited than Florida. Check the Princess Majestic and Carnival Panorama. They both have cruises out of California over the next two months.

[Joebucks]

Depends what your idea of a "last minute deal is". If you think a TA is going to waste their time finding you a $200 cruise, you might be disappointed.

 

The best "last-minute deals" are a week or two away. Check multiple companies. Check same or next month.

[iancal]

On 1/16/2022 at 12:57 PM, Joebucks said:

Depends what your idea of a "last minute deal is". If you think a TA is going to waste their time finding you a $200 cruise, you might be disappointed.

 

The best "last-minute deals" are a week or two away. Check multiple companies. Check same or next month.

Exactly.  For most of our last minute deals we found the cruise by shopping the web. 

 

  Emailed our TA for a firm net net quote inclusive of all cruise line and TA discounts/OBCs.   Checked on air.   Called the TA with our credit card.   Unless we wanted to hold the cabin for a few hours while we found air, the transaction was over in less than an hour.     An email,  phone call, then an invoice an hour later from the TA with the details including cruise line reservation number.  Done deal.

 

Never $200 though.   Anywhere from  $600 to $1500  for an unobstructed  balcony.

 

You have to be willing to do your own research and you need to flexible.

Edited January 17, 2022 by iancal

[donaldsc]

On 1/16/2022 at 11:57 AM, Joebucks said:

Depends what your idea of a "last minute deal is". If you think a TA is going to waste their time finding you a $200 cruise, you might be disappointed.

 

The best "last-minute deals" are a week or two away. Check multiple companies. Check same or next month.

 

Assuming that you could actually find a $200 cruise, I wonder what their commission such a cruise would be.  Maybe $20 if that.  I also wonder what the cruise company profit would be.  It would probably be better to leave the cabin empty.

 

DON

[navybankerteacher]

 While an unsold cabin is a loss for a cruise line, there has to be an absolute minimum at which a line will sell a cabin.  The last thing a line wants to do is make it attractive for prospective passengers to hold off committing in hopes of better deals the last couple of days.  Of course, peoples' wish to get the accommodations they want, and to be able to make plans, will make them want to book earlier rather than later.

 

Since bargain seekers who want to wait for a last minute deal are unlikely to be willing to spend much on the cruise in addition to their fare (such onboard spending being a major source of lines' revenue),  most lines will happily sail with a few empty cabins rather than slash prices below whatever formula level their bean counters set.

 

Yes, there is a chance of getting a lower fare by waiting for the last week --- but much of (if not more than) the savings can be offset by higher costs of getting to/from the port.

[sanger727]

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:

 

Assuming that you could actually find a $200 cruise, I wonder what their commission such a cruise would be.  Maybe $20 if that.  I also wonder what the cruise company profit would be.  It would probably be better to leave the cabin empty.

 

DON

its never better to leave a cabin empty. Even on a $200 cruise (and yes, they are out there), the cruise line can make money on onboard spend. They will often give cabins away through their gambling programs since they know they will make their money back off the cruiser in the casino.

[Joebucks]

14 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

Assuming that you could actually find a $200 cruise, I wonder what their commission such a cruise would be.  Maybe $20 if that.  I also wonder what the cruise company profit would be.  It would probably be better to leave the cabin empty.

 

DON

 

Carnival definitely has them. From what I have seen, they are direct VIFP offers for select cruisers. Some less than $200. These do not include gratuities or taxes/fees. I don't know if the TAs would have access to them, or again, be interested. One of my friends showed me a $60 interior offer he got this morning.

 

I'd imagine that if they are offering this price, it is somehow in their interest vs leaving it empty. Perhaps it is a "marketing budget" to get people trying cruises again. Perhaps it targets big spenders who have traditionally purchased a lot of excursions, drinks, gambling, etc.