Ever booked a cruise with less than 3 weeks to Embarkation?

[Scott_F]

I did today. Cruising with my fantastic wife on 8/23 on Conquest. We've always been balcony folks, but this time, spur of the moment, we decided to squeeze one more week of vacation in.

 

The only balcony room left were right under the pool deck. Been there, done that. Got woke up every AM with deck chairs.

 

Window cabins were all first deck. My knee has been injured a bit lately, so anything over a flight or two of stairs wont' be fun.

 

Interior cabins... the cave... dark and as cold as you want it... seems like a good fit since its just us, no kids, no travel partners, no getting up early... so sleeping late seems good...

 

Six rooms left on panorama deck, got one further back, more under the spa and not the gym.

 

So, first time in the Cave. Should be great and going as cheaply as possible opens up more casino money. :)

[cruiseaddict05]

We came really close this time but I think we booked with a little under a month to go... never again will we do this as it has been way too stressful! I think that DH has learned the lesson of waiting til it gets closer:rolleyes:

[firefly333]

Last cruise I booked very late Thursday night that left the following sunday, also on Conquest. I dont see the problem. I keep a small suitcase packed with our bathroom cruise stuff, we just pack clothes and jump in the car.

 

With 6 Carnival and one RCL cruise this year, plus a few road trips, Next one a week from Saturday, we just keep some stuff always packed. I love to go .....

 

Iv booked within less than 4 days on RCL, Wednesday night, so this last time was more than 30 hours later, 10 pm Thursday night, new late record.

 

Iv known a few who booked the morning of the cruise who post here.

[Socref124]

I did today. Cruising with my fantastic wife on 8/23 on Conquest. We've always been balcony folks, but this time, spur of the moment, we decided to squeeze one more week of vacation in.

 

The only balcony room left were right under the pool deck. Been there, done that. Got woke up every AM with deck chairs.

 

Window cabins were all first deck. My knee has been injured a bit lately, so anything over a flight or two of stairs wont' be fun.

 

Interior cabins... the cave... dark and as cold as you want it... seems like a good fit since its just us, no kids, no travel partners, no getting up early... so sleeping late seems good..

 

Six rooms left on panorama deck, got one further back, more under the spa and not the gym.

 

So, first time in the Cave. Should be great and going as cheaply as possible opens up more casino money. :)

 

Booked our Feb Destiny cruise at the end of Jan. Took an inside on Lido Deck. To many doors slamming shut for us. I would prefer to have inside on Riviera Deck than Lido Deck. We usyally have a balcony on 7 day cruises and inside on the shorter cruises. This way we can squeeze an extra cruise in every year. We like to walk the stairs, however, when on Riviera Deck we do use the elevators.:) Looking for a shortie in mid Oct now. Might even do RCL:eek: if they are cheaper than CCL.

[Th3BuffetAssassin]

I booked the last cruise 4 weeks before embark and had everything planned out 3 weeks before leaving. The long waits kill me. No time is too short for booking a cruise. Once I get more vacation time from one of my jobs it's hopefully gonna be more last minute bookings.

[crookedhalo]

Shortest was 2 weeks out last summer:p Had planned to do something else with family members and they bailed, so I jumped to the ship:D

[fllady61]

Booked on Friday, sailed on Thursday. talk about packing in a hurry. but i have a list i go by to pack. i print it before each cruise, and check mark it off.

[shawnie]

We booked last minute a couple of years ago on a Wednesday and the ship was sailing on Saturday. Made for one crazy day on Thursday getting ready since we were flying out on Friday.:eek:

[Skywench]

The last cruise I did I booked about 2 1/2 weeks before sailing. I found out at the last minute that I had got the time off work, so decided to find a cruise to fit in. Hope to be able to do the same again later this year.

[Essiesmom]

Booked a Mexi-not B2B on Splendor on May 7, sailing May 17. Booked a 3day on Sensation Sunday evening, sailing on the following Thursday. EM

[KCMarie]

I'm curious, do last minute bookings for a cruise cost less?

I've got oodles of vacation time at work and am contemplating going as a single sometime.

Thanks!

[Scott_F]

I'm curious, do last minute bookings for a cruise cost less?

I've got oodles of vacation time at work and am contemplating going as a single sometime.

Thanks!

 

I'm too new at this, but my guess is no. Granted, sailing out of Galveston on Carnival, when they're the only game in town, has been more expensive in general when compared to other ports.

 

My clue is that the only inside cabins left were the higher decks (which I'd guess are a tad more expensive). I've heard of people showing up at the docks the morning of departure and trying to get a last minute deal, but I'm wondering if that's just an urban legend.

 

We didn't have many choices left with 20 days to go. But, I like it up high in general so we should be in good shape.

 

I'm stoked and can't wait to go do... nothing.

[firefly333]

I'm curious, do last minute bookings for a cruise cost less?

I've got oodles of vacation time at work and am contemplating going as a single sometime.

Thanks!

 

Sometimes. The last cruise in May I did, they heavily discounted because of the swine flu, or if there is a hurricane it might get discounted. Voyager on RCL I couldnt book until after my Dad's surgery, but RCL has a tuesday list of last minute cruises for first time bookings only, cant get those prices except last minute. Carnival has guarantees on pack n go specials that are similar, last minute deals, they start on wednesdays and go until they sell out or its friday, they cut off each week.

[Froufie]

Miracle March 2008....booked 8 days before leaving - so sick of all that snow and cold!!! Carnival had a 6 category upgrade!...and some sort of canadian residents special - good pricing - my friend ended up in a 5A (french doors)....and I lucked out with a HC/obstructed view cabin...huge room and gym size bathroom!

 

We had a blast - and needless to say not a speck of snow in sight! I was smling the whole time :D:D

[lostfancruiser]

We booked a cruise on Carnival Victory on a Thursday and sailed that Saturday! We were told we got the last room available which was an inside but when we got there we had an oceanview. It was exciting getting ready at the last minute. We had procrastinated on what to do for our vacation and this worked out great. Went to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and had a wonderful time.

[jetskier]

Most ships sail full so last minute discounting is usually not necessary. Occasionally they will do what they have to for filling a cabin hoping that they make it up with onboard spending.

 

I have booked within a week of sailing. Right now my fun is that we get off the Holiday on a Saturday and then on Tuesday get onboard the Fantasy. Get off the Fantasy and six days later get on the NCL Spirit.

 

This is much better than Jan 07 where we had 1 1/2 days between each sailing and did three ships in three weeks.

 

Dave

[vacruizer]

We booked our last cruise on the Pride with about 4 weeks to go. The cruise before that we booked at about 2 months. The Pride we weren't really planning but both of us had really rough spring at work and decided to squeeze in an extra vacation.

 

Someone else mentioned stress booking that late. It actually ended up being about the most stress free cruise yet. Probably because we drove and didn't have to deal with airlines. But we've also done the cruise thing enough now it's easy to just throw everything in the suitcase and go since we already have all the clothes needed, passports, travel size everything, etc. Book, fill out funpass, pack, arrange a petsitter and leave. :D

[oldmedic]

I did today. Cruising with my fantastic wife on 8/23 on Conquest. We've always been balcony folks, but this time, spur of the moment, we decided to squeeze one more week of vacation in.

 

The only balcony room left were right under the pool deck. Been there, done that. Got woke up every AM with deck chairs.

 

Window cabins were all first deck. My knee has been injured a bit lately, so anything over a flight or two of stairs wont' be fun.

 

Interior cabins... the cave... dark and as cold as you want it... seems like a good fit since its just us, no kids, no travel partners, no getting up early... so sleeping late seems good...

 

Six rooms left on panorama deck, got one further back, more under the spa and not the gym.

 

So, first time in the Cave. Should be great and going as cheaply as possible opens up more casino money. :)

 

 

I booked our last cruise less than 24 hours before we left.... actually my pvp

called and asked if we were interested in leaving on a 5 day ecstasy bumped to a 7 day...on a friday and we left Saturday...

[Scott_F]

I booked our last cruise less than 24 hours before we left.... actually my pvp

called and asked if we were interested in leaving on a 5 day ecstasy bumped to a 7 day...on a friday and we left Saturday...

 

That's frickin' awesome. Our youngest will be a sophomore in college starting in a couple of weeks. THe wife and I have enjoyed the newfound freedom to do crap like this. Life is good.

[Scott_F]

We booked our last cruise on the Pride with about 4 weeks to go. The cruise before that we booked at about 2 months. The Pride we weren't really planning but both of us had really rough spring at work and decided to squeeze in an extra vacation.

 

Someone else mentioned stress booking that late. It actually ended up being about the most stress free cruise yet. Probably because we drove and didn't have to deal with airlines. But we've also done the cruise thing enough now it's easy to just throw everything in the suitcase and go since we already have all the clothes needed, passports, travel size everything, etc. Book, fill out funpass, pack, arrange a petsitter and leave. :D

 

My wife was laughing in that she's still only 1/2 unpacked from our late June cruise. Just toss it all back in the suitcase and do it again.

[Heirloom]

But....can you get a HUGE DISCOUNT by commiting so very late ?

 

You know, like really cheap ? If so, I might start thinking about doing this also !!

[richstan]

We usually book about 4 weeks away----we are currently booked on the Legend's 9/13 sailing--the waiting is getting to me!

[TahoeBob]

I booked a cruise the Thursday before Mothers day for the following Monday a 4 night on the Paradise.

 

I got a email from Carnival about some blowout prices for the 4 night out of long beach Thursday morning, Looked at the bank account then begged the boss for the week off. Drove to LA on Saturday and Sunday (8 hour drive) got on the ship on Monday drove home on Friday. $99.00 PP for a OV on deck 5.

[hockeyluver]

I did today. Cruising with my fantastic wife on 8/23 on Conquest. We've always been balcony folks, but this time, spur of the moment, we decided to squeeze one more week of vacation in.

 

The only balcony room left were right under the pool deck. Been there, done that. Got woke up every AM with deck chairs.

 

Window cabins were all first deck. My knee has been injured a bit lately, so anything over a flight or two of stairs wont' be fun.

 

Interior cabins... the cave... dark and as cold as you want it... seems like a good fit since its just us, no kids, no travel partners, no getting up early... so sleeping late seems good...

 

Six rooms left on panorama deck, got one further back, more under the spa and not the gym.

 

So, first time in the Cave. Should be great and going as cheaply as possible opens up more casino money. :)

 

As a matter of fact yes :p LOL booked this morning for a cruise on the Holiday leaving 3 weeks today.

 

 

But....can you get a HUGE DISCOUNT by commiting so very late ?

 

You know, like really cheap ? If so, I might start thinking about doing this also !!

 

We got our OV cabin at an excellent rate $229 pp with a residents rate. Not to shabby for a 5 day cruise. I would say that booking late worked out great for us.

[jljlinda]

We booked the above pretty much as an experiment to see how booking a very last minute cruise would work. Amazingly, everything seems to have worked perfectly. Our e-tickets were on-line within a few hours after giving our travel agent my credit card number last Friday. The first review of the ticket showed that our cabin was TBA and that we were waitlisted for early seating for the dining room. Within a couple of days, our e-ticket had been revised to relected our assigned cabin number AND confirmation for early seating for dinner. Just today, our stockholder OBC appeared on our e-ticket which made our total cruise plans complete. All this happened in just four days. Just moments ago, I printed our luggage tags, our "fun pass" and our e-tickets. We are ready to roll!!!!

 

Jerry & Linda