Last minute cruise?

[browerjs]

I’m looking at a cruise on the Sunrise in October out of MIA for two and am wondering if it may pay to wait till a week or days before embarkation before booking?

 

1. I do not care if it sells out and I can’t go

2. I already have airfare booked on Southwest, since I was able to snag a good deal yesterday.  Booked on points, so fully refundable.

3. I will want a balcony.  It appears that there are a bunch (50+) currently available.

 

so basically I guess I’m asking is it typical of non sold out cruises to offer considerably cheaper (currently around $700pp) balconies as you get closer to sailing.  How much cheaper?  And how close to the sailing?

[mz-s]

Typically the good deals for last minute cabins go to casino guests, but you can always try.

 

If you book a rate with price protection, you can get a price adjustment if the price goes down.

[ray98]

There are no guarantees in this cruise market.  Not a single cruise I have tracked in the last year had any noticeable price drop near the sailing date and many sold out.

[jsglow]

I'd guess you'll get your best deal right after Final Payment. Also, the place to look isn't Carnival directly. "Deals' (if they exist) are more likely to appear with a handful of online TAs. I agree with @mz-s that true last minute stuff will be casino giveaways although I'm starting to wonder if those have lost a bit of their luster.

[Bill Miller]

Spend a couple of bucks. Enjoy the anticipation of going on your cruise. Life is uncertain and short. Bon Voyage.

[browerjs]

2 minutes ago, Bill Miller said:

Spend a couple of bucks. Enjoy the anticipation of going on your cruise. Life is uncertain and short. Bon Voyage.

Already going on one over Christmas, so I already have the anticipation.  Just thinking this may be an option for

a week that I have off of work if I can get a deal.

[BlerkOne]

Carnival has listings on their website for Pack and Go and also Last Minute Cruises you can monitor and see if prices decrease and when. You can select just Sunrise. October isn't available yet.

[Cruising_Addict]

11 hours ago, browerjs said:

 

3. I will want a balcony.  It appears that there are a bunch (50+) currently available.

 

 

You likely won't be able to get a balcony if you wait to book last minute. Carnival works like crazy in the last weeks before a sailing to upsell people into the higher tiered rooms so that only insides are left because they are easier to sell. They also do their darndest to make sure that all sailings sell out.

[mz-s]

Typically the longer you wait, the more you pay.

 

May the odds be ever in your favor.