Best time to book?

[Salt Lifer]

My husband and I are considering booking an Alaskan cruise for May 2024.  These are not yet available on the Celebrity website but we periodically checking for when they get scheduled. We also have a Caribbean cruise booked for next April.  

 

My question is, based on your experiences, would we be financially better off booking the 2024 cruise as soon as it is available or would we be better off waiting until we are on the April cruise so we can get the added OBC?  Are prices known to increase much once posted or do they typically stay consistent.  We don't want to hold out for the extra OBC if the cruise price would likely increase.  

 

Thoughts?

[Arizona Wildcat]

If booking in the shoulder season or live where you can get to the port easily and are not picky about your cabin - wait till the last minute.

Middle of July etc then book immediately.   The key is to book paying a price that makes you happy.

No way to predict future prices.  You already said what usually happens.

[jelayne]

We almost always book when itineraries open.  Until final payment we can get a price reduction should prices drop, but more often than not they just go up. 

 

[CruseKrazy]

We booked an October cruise on Beyond in May of this year.  The price now for the same cabin class has more than doubled.  I think pricing trend depends on how well the cruise is selling.  Ours is 90% plus sold now.  My two cents.

[LGW59]

For me it’s quite simple.  When I find the cabin I want, on the cruise I want, I just book it, then don’t second guess myself.  If I find later that the price has been reduced, I ask my TA to take care of it.  I call it personal peace of mind.

[LB_NJ]

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

If booking in the shoulder season or live where you can get to the port easily and are not picky about your cabin - wait till the last minute.

Middle of July etc then book immediately.   The key is to book paying a price that makes you happy.

No way to predict future prices.  You already said what usually happens.

 

Even mid-June would be iffy to wait.  You can sometimes get great deals by waiting to the last minute but you have to be flexible with what cruise line you are willing to sail, what itinerary you will get, what class of cabin you are willing to take and what port you sail out of.  This is not the Caribbean.

 

Having said all that the month of May is way early for an Alaska cruise (weather iffy and some areas may still be iced in/not open) so shouldn't book up as fast.  If it is a small premium book fully refundable, give you more flexibility.  Then just keep checking prices and ask for price adjustment as necessary.  Personally, I have never found a good travel agent great if you have one, last 2 cruises I booked were direct with Celebrity.

 

FYI, as a complete guess you may get a better deal on Black Friday then waiting till you get aboard..

[Jim_Iain]

I find it best to book immediately when cruises are released and use a refundable fare.   If prices drop prior to final payment you can call in and get a price adjustment.   You can maximize that by buying a Future Cruise Booking on a current cruise and get the extra OBC.    Usually Alaska cruises are released in November

[Dancing Shoes]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I find it best to book immediately when cruises are released and use a refundable fare.   If prices drop prior to final payment you can call in and get a price adjustment.   You can maximize that by buying a Future Cruise Booking on a current cruise and get the extra OBC.    Usually Alaska cruises are released in November

 If I buy the future Cruise Booking to get the OBC and the price drops, can I keep the extra OBC because of buying this way?

[wrk2cruise]

Yes.  Onboard booking OBC is attached the the reservation and is not part of pricing/promo.  If you reprice or even change sailing/ship the onboard booking OBC will remain but will be adjusted to the amount appropriate for the number of days and stateroom of the sailing.

 

Booking onboard also has the attraction of reduced deposit.

 

To answer OPs question directly I would book refundable when they first come out if you are comfortable with the price.

 

Then in April while onboard I would evaluate the pricing and decide if it was in my best interest to cancel the first reservation and rebook onboard.

 

 

Edited September 25, 2022 by wrk2cruise

[miched]

Same as others.   When I find the cruise I want and category I book it.  If it goes down in price you can get a adjustment.   You can always cancel and lose only $100 pp.  For me that is cheaper than paying for the refundable price or insurance.  I don’t book with the intentions of canceling.  I don’t take the cruise insurance as I get a yearly travel insurance policy that covers me for what I need.  

Or I can say 1:59 am on Sunday night when they lower the  prices  for a weekend special that last for 3 minutes.  🤗🙄.  It is like the stories you would hear about playing the slot machines between 3 and 4 am because the casinos adjust the machines to pay off more during those hours because not many are playing and they need to pay off to keep the winning payoff percentage within the gaming commission regulations. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Lastdance]

1.  Book when first available either RFD or NRD, depending on a variety of things

2.  Send to TA within 30 days.

3.  Always check for price drops.

4.  Get the perfect cabin/suite for you.

5.  Do your research early, before cruises are available.

6.  Plan your tours and/or just enjoy the trip.

7.  Join the roll call.

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Dancing Shoes said:

 If I buy the future Cruise Booking to get the OBC and the price drops, can I keep the extra OBC because of buying this way?

Yes.