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

[ManyMore]

We generally book about 3 weeks out but as close as 2 days. We have always gotten amazing deals but we also keep our options open as far as ship and itinerary. This time we booked the furtherest out we have at about 2 months out. We saw good pack and go rates at the time and airfare was down so that made our decison. We got a back to back 5 and 4 night cruise on the Fantasy out of New Orleans from New England for $665 including airfare, not bad for 9 nights! :rolleyes:

[Scott_F]

So, does booking late help you decide to get the insurance or not? I'm a big fan of being self-insured for most of these type things. LCD-TV's and my MacBook are one of the very few things I'll buy extended warranties for.

 

We had a bit of a spat on our June cruise as I didnt' want the insurance and the wife did. I ended up getting a third party plan. But, since we're driving 125 miles to the port, there's no air to get screwed up. I guess if I was flying to Florida for a high dollar week, I'd probably get it.

[vacruizer]

So, does booking late help you decide to get the insurance or not? I'm a big fan of being self-insured for most of these type things. LCD-TV's and my MacBook are one of the very few things I'll buy extended warranties for.

 

We had a bit of a spat on our June cruise as I didnt' want the insurance and the wife did. I ended up getting a third party plan. But, since we're driving 125 miles to the port, there's no air to get screwed up. I guess if I was flying to Florida for a high dollar week, I'd probably get it.

 

I always get the insurance but do it third party and not through Carnival. It covers so much - medical in case you aren't covered out of country (and even we young and healthy people can be in accidents, break bones, etc., while on vacation), trip delays, trip cancellation should you be ill or there be a death in the family, emergency trip interuption should you need to fly home for something, etc. It will also usually cover lost or damaged luggage, theft of personal belongings like a camera, and many offer assistance hotlines for help rebooking or getting home if you need to.

 

I've even gotten it on the last two cruises we drove to - mainly for cancellation reasons and medical. I got a very inexpensive plan that even covered roadside assistance if driving.

[oldmedic]

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.

 

 

that is basically what we did.... we always keep two bags packed of nothing but cruise clothes and when we get a chance to go on a last minute deal, we are mostly packed (except for the formal stuff)

[lalalelemom]

Just booked the Fantasy 10 minutes ago. Leaving the 17th!!! My kids first cruise.

[MszKitty]

This past May, Calif. resident rates on the Paradise were crazy low! We booked on Tuesday night, May 5th...left Friday May 9th. We couldn't pass it up.

[Scott_F]

I always get the insurance but do it third party and not through Carnival. It covers so much - medical in case you aren't covered out of country (and even we young and healthy people can be in accidents, break bones, etc., while on vacation), trip delays, trip cancellation should you be ill or there be a death in the family, emergency trip interuption should you need to fly home for something, etc. It will also usually cover lost or damaged luggage, theft of personal belongings like a camera, and many offer assistance hotlines for help rebooking or getting home if you need to.

 

I've even gotten it on the last two cruises we drove to - mainly for cancellation reasons and medical. I got a very inexpensive plan that even covered roadside assistance if driving.

 

I used Access America in June. Fairly cheap. I just got a quote for a total of $112 for the wife and me.

 

Trip Cancellation Protection Up to amount purchased

Trip Interruption Protection Up to 150% of amount purchased

Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit $25,000

Emergency Medical Transportation $500,000

Baggage Coverage $1,000

Baggage Delay Coverage $300

Travel/Trip Delay Coverage $500

Missed Connection Coverage $500

24-Hour Hotline Assistance Included

Existing Medical Condition Coverage Available/ Conditions Apply

Coverage for Financial Default Available/ Conditions Apply

Online Policy Modification Included

Online Claim Filing And Tracking Included

[Scott_F]

This past May, Calif. resident rates on the Paradise were crazy low! We booked on Tuesday night, May 5th...left Friday May 9th. We couldn't pass it up.

 

I guess I'm a simple guy. But, these are all happy stories to me. :D

[hockeyluver]

We got a new credit card at our bank, it is for traveling and has complete trip interuption and trip cancellation as long as %75 of the trip was paid for with this card. The cruise we are going on in Feb. We paid for ours as well as the other 2 couples going on this credit card so they will have complet coverage also.

 

Because of a loss in the family last year, my brother in law had to cancel thier vacation and they were under the impression that their card covered thier whole trip but they were told it only covered it if they had left for the trip, trip interuption, they were supposed to leave 2 days later ( thier son had been killed in an accident). We made sure, checked and double checked that our card was for BOTH interuption and cancellation.

[The Wolverine]

booked on Thursday, sailed Saturday last time on the Miracle.

[Heirloom]

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

 

$99.00 PP for a OV on deck 5.

 

HOLY SHLAMOLIE !

 

Now THAT'S the kind of deal I'd like to dream about getting !

[jpg1747]

I've done it twice so far. Last January I booked a 3 day Bahamas cruise on the Majesty of the Seas. I got a great senior solo price on an outside cabin ($267 total) and lucked into a good location. I had free airfare so it was even cheaper.

 

Last June, I booked my Elation cruise about 3 weeks before. I was coordinating the cruise date with available dates for free flights on Air Tran coast-to-coast, combining the cruise with a family visit. Tried an inside 1A after years of OVs and didn't mind it at all. Also paid less than $300 for the cruise.

 

Right now I'm watching the prices on the September 3, 4-day Triumph Canada/New England cruise. If any solo price drops under $400 total, I'll book it. If not, no big deal.

[candigirl41]

We booked on Tuesday and left on Friday. Good thing I wasn't working. Packing was easy as it was only a 3 day.

 

Candi

[halos]

Booked a last minute (24 days prior) on an NCL 4 day cruise last year. Had a BLAST!!! :D

 

We usually book 24 months out, so this was so nice.

[glrounds]

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.

 

Out of necessity, I almost always book 3-5 days before the cruise. Once I find a "window" away from my business for a week, I'm online looking for a cruise. Many years ago, I booked the morning of the cruise. Hardest part of the entire process was convincing Carnival's agent that I was indeed quite aware that the ship left that VERY DAY ! ! Once we got that straightened out, 15 minutes of packing, 40 minutes to the port and picked up docs at the pier, and OFF I WENT. :)

Booking last minute has produced some OFF THE WALL cheap pricing also, but there is always that risk of stumbling upon a SOLD OUT SHIP.:( I, therefore, wouldn't recommend this method to people who must plan their vacations months in advance.

I always have a suitcase with all the necessary toiletries already packed. Several shirts laundered and folded already packed. Take the puter and camera and a change of clothes for my carryon. for the checked luggage, throw in some underwear, socks, shorts, t-shirts, polos, and a suit for "elegant" night, and I'm outtahere. :D

[Sierra2]

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.

 

 

How did you get the email? were you on a list? I'd like to sign up for that list....

[Scott_F]

How did you get the email? were you on a list? I'd like to sign up for that list....

 

Probably just the typical Carnival spam list. Go to their website and sign up.

 

 

Little window on right. 'bout halfway down.

 

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[southbayer]

I once booked on a wed, and left on a friday, but of course, I love close to port.:cool:

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. :)

[KCMarie]

Thanks Scott and Fire, appreciate the info!

 

Marie

[Terre]

Yes, we booked our Bermuda cruise with less than 3 weeks before embarkation. That was our first experience with e-docs and I was so paranoid about them. DH had gotten an e-mail from Crucon, I think, and the cabin was on the lowest deck possible just over the engine room. We got it for $573pp.

 

Man did that location rock and roll all night and the noise from the engine room combined with the rocking made some good sleeping. We weren't in the cabin much on this cruise so it really didn't matter where it was.

[Vanessa L]

During the swine flu fiasco we booked an IS on the Fantasy on 5/4, sailed 5/9. Total for the 2 of us for 1 week? $400, excluding tips. We typically have booked about a month out routinely, but with the new ES rates, we booked both the trips we have coming up back in Feb. The rates have since gone up anywhere from $50pp to $110pp, so I am glad that we booked when we did.

[MrsInMS]

My DH booked us on the Holiday this morning with just three weeks until we sail. He was so excited about the December/Fantasy booking he decided he just had to have a pre cruise:confused: cruise.

 

No Cat 12 penthouse suite for us on the Holiday, just an OV:(, but that is fine by me. We will be strolling around, lounging around, laying around or watching the shows. It was a great deal and despite what many say about this older/smaller ship I'm looking forward to the five days of vacation with my DH to celebrate our 31st Anniversary.

 

I'm getting the lists checked and rechecked, the packet from the TA will be here on Monday with the luggage tags, etc. Just trying to keep on top of all the last minute details. It just was a surprise I wasn't expecting:eek: but it's a FUN one!

[tiggerman101]

I saw a 1A become available today on the Imagination cruise in a couple weeks. I checked Delta, saw airfare was really low (RT from Atlanta) and booked it right then. I have wanted to do a trip by myself for awhile now. I called my partner at work and told him. So now I cruise in 17 days!

 

I have to say it is a good feeling.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

No my wife and I like to plan our vacations out. There was just a poll put out a couple of days ago about this, or something close to it.

[island777girl]

Leaving today on Imagination, booked it on Wednesday around lunchtime....getting packed now to be at the port in a couple hours......its good to live in Miami......:)