Any advantage to making final payment prior to due date?

[racepoint]

I have had my cruise booked/on deposit for a couple of months now, with final payment due January 30th. I want to announce it to the kids for Christmas and am thinking that I may feel better that it's a "sure thing" if I go ahead and pay the balance now. Other than my peace of mind, is there any disadvantage to waiting another month to call up Princess and plunk down the credit card number? Has anyone had a booking that suddenly wasn't there when they went to make final payment?

[dsfitz]

Since you have made a deposit, I believe it would be illegal to cancel your booking prior to the payment due date. I have never heard of anyone having a problem once the deposit has been made.

[dforeigner]

Cruise lines can bump you off just line Airlines. I believe that one of the advantages to paying off outstanding balance before due date will relieve you from forgetting at the end and then definitely getting your cruise reservation canceled.

[johnmik1]

Since you have made a deposit, I believe it would be illegal to cancel your booking prior to the payment due date. I have never heard of anyone having a problem once the deposit has been made.

You can canel your cruise anytime up till final payment with a full refund of the deposit.

[cdnguy]

We usually pay a couple of weeks before final due date. There could be a delay in processing your CC. We also do it early so we don't have to think about it.

[PescadoAmarillo]

It's a "sure thing" already, unless you accept an offer to be bumped, or barring any unforeseen problems (such as operational issues) for which your final payment wouldn't offer any additional guarantee.

 

We always pay at the 11th hour (trying to get that final payment into a later credit card billing period, I guess), and then immediately purchase our travel insurance (since we have no pre-existing health issues). Somehow I just know that if I paid early, I would trip, fall and break a leg the very next day (an action which is unfortunately not unknown to me).

[Lynda90]

If the cost of the cruise goes down, it is much easier to get a price reduction. Once final payment is made--much harder.

[chasetf]

You can canel your cruise anytime up till final payment with a full refund of the deposit.

dsfitz's statement "I believe it would be illegal to cancel your booking prior to the payment due date" was interpreted by me as saving "it would be illegal for the cruise line to cancel your booking....". I know it was not clear, but I think that was his intent.