When to Book a Cruise
The age-old question that has plagued travelers for years is, when is the best time to book a cruise? The answer is more challenging and not as straightforward as you might think. In years past (i.e., pre covid), deals were readily available for those flexible cruisers looking to take advantage of last-minute reduced-priced inventory. Fast forward to cruising post-Covid, and things are changing quickly. Deals on last-minute cruises have all but disappeared, and if you happen to find a sailing with an open cabin or two, the prices are at some of the highest per diems we’ve seen in a very long time. Forget picking a favorite cabin or category, you are lucky to get a cabin, let alone your preferred type. It’s sort of hunger games for cruise cabins. Have a family of three or more? Be prepared to book multiple cabins, as you are more likely to find a golden egg than a triple or quad cabin unless you book 8-10 or more months in advance.
What’s Changed
We all know that cruising was shut down effectively for two years during Covid. During that time, many cruisers with canceled sailings opted for future cruise credits (FCC) to take advantage of the bonus offer made by most cruise lines. This group then turned around and booked another cruise for the following year, only to have that canceled again and another FCC issued. They say the third time is the charm. Well, here we are…cruisers then booked 2023 sailings hoping to see a more normal return to sailing and travel.
To add into the mix now, we’re also seeing a ton of travelers wanting to book new trips that may not have necessarily been willing to book a year or two ago. Whatever the reasons may be, there’s a new group of travelers out there who now feel a level of comfort in booking and going on cruises once again. With all the FCCs that cruisers need to use, coupled with pent-up demand, and the return to normal vacationing, we now have the perfect storm…lots of demand, not a lot of inventory.
When To Book
Think you can book a cruise less than six months out? It’s still possible, but much more difficult.
Ideally, for the best selection of cabins at the best rates on your preferred cruise, we suggest booking at least a year in advance. For some destinations, such as Australia/New Zealand and other exotic destinations, two years in advance may be needed for your preferred line, itinerary, and cabin type.
For families needing triple and quadruple cabins or adjoining rooms, planning 12-18 months prior is quickly becoming the norm. If you wait longer, it's likely you won't get exactly what you want, especially when it comes to stateroom preference. Now is the time to start planning Summer 2024 and even 2025 vacations to ensure your preferred cabins are available.
Similarly, for groups traveling together and looking for cabins in the same area of the ship or even in a row, be sure to plan as early as possible for the best selection of categories and cabins.
Search for a Cruise Deal
Still not sure you are ready to plan that far out? Be sure to set a FREE price alert for all the ships and sailings you are interested in. Be alerted via email when the price changes!
Flexible Cruisers
For those travelers who can pick up and go anytime and want to take advantage of last-minute deals if they become available, we suggest the following options:
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Search for Last Minute Deals - Search for all cruises available 90 days or less out.
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Sign up for Deals Emails - We will send you weekly cruise deals from the top lines, plus special offers from our partners.
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Set Price Alerts - Receive an email notification whenever the price changes on a specified sailing.
While the last-minute cruise deal opportunities are significantly less than in years past, you never know when you might uncover a great price.
How to Get the Best Deal
Using the various tools on Cruiseline.com and Shipmate app is a great place to start your search. We recently rolled out a new Cruise Pricing Search feature on Shipmate (available on iOS) to make it easier than ever for you to search and filter top cruise deals. You can learn more about this tool here.
Additionally, we suggest working with a travel agent who specializes in cruises. Their knowledge and subject matter expertise are invaluable in getting the best deals.
When you see a cruise deal, it’s important to remember that sometimes the best value isn’t always the lowest price. Many times a cruise line will offer value-added promotions, including things such as drinks packages, wifi, gratuities, specialty dining, or other options. It’s important to look at the total “all-in” cost, not just the upfront cruise cost itself.
Related article: How to Save Hundreds On Your Next Cruise
The bottom line…if you find a cruise you love at a good price, book it immediately! Chances are, if you wait, you will spend more later. Now is the time to break out the school calendars and plan early for 2024 and 2025 Spring Break and summer vacations.
For those looking for more adult (only) cruises, we suggest booking a cruise when the kids are still in school or looking at adult-only cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages or Viking Cruises. Additionally, the premium and luxury lines don’t really cater to families. Some lines to consider are Oceania Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard, and Ponant.
See all Premium and Luxury Lines
Read Related Articles:
The Best and Cheapest Times to Go on a Cruise
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