Best time to Book? Line?

[tisue2006]

Planning a family cruise to either to Europe or Caribbean. I've noticed that online if you wait to a few months or more before the booked date that they have deals on prices. Is that a good way to book? wait till you see deals? Also I am looking at Carnival or Royal Caribbean, any suggestions? :)

 

Many thanks,

 

- Christina

[celbercrz333]

Christina,

Call the cruiseline's 1 800 number and ask what kind of deals they can give you now. Be prepared. Go to the popular online discount sites and have prices handy so you can ask them if they can "one-up" their competitors.

Either early booking or the very last minute booking will give you the best times to book a cruise. However, doing it early means everything is available and you can chose what room you want. Booking very late means they want to fill in those empty rooms.

[98Charlie]

Christina,

.............. However, doing it early means everything is available and you can chose what room you want. Booking very late means they want to fill in those empty rooms.

This is generally true. But to expand on it, when booking early all categories are available and the choice of specific cabins is huge. So, if you want a specific cabin book early.

 

When the last minute offers come out most or all categories may still be available even if there are only a few unbooked cabins. This is due to the guarantee cabins that have been previously sold. The passengers that book guarantees give the ship the flexibility to offer even sold out categories by upgrading the guarantees.

 

Not all sailings will have last minute offers. So if you are locked into a specific week and wait for the last minutes, your choices may be limited or non-existant. Also, air is usually not available from the cruise line for last minute bookings so you will have to find your own air.

 

Charlie

[eandj]

Because you mentioned a family cruise, I would reserve as soon as you have the cruise and dates picked out. You may have specific room needs and if you wait too long, your choices will be very limited. The Carib and European are very popular family cruises. If you book early and check for price drops, generally you will get the credits before you leave. Last minute waiting is good for people who really don't have any specific needs or wants.

[cb at sea]

You get a better selectionn of cabins the earlier you book!

[Luke gs Daddy]

I would book early. If you book with the cruise line you can watch the prices and if they fall call them and they will adjust if lower. It is this way with RCI and Carnival anyway.

[GORDONCHICK]

I think you could book last minute for the Caribbean if you aren't too picky about the type or location of your cabin. On the other hand, I would not book a European cruise with less than a year to plan!