🛳️ Best Time to Book a Cruise
The early bird, the late bird, and the fare-watching bird can all win
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13 TIPS
There is no “best” time, just the one best for you. So determine what’s important. Are you constrained by cruise line, ship, cabin class, cabin location, when, where, and how long you can sail? Is price most important? How flexible is your scheduling?
There also is no one price. Create a budget so you know what to expect. The base cabin fare is just a start. Are you a regular drinker? Do you want a drink package. Will you need Internet? Where do you stand on Automatic Gratuity or not to Gratuity. Do you always go on a port tour? Your affordable cruise may cost 200% more than you think! 😱
It’s the total price that counts. Cruise lines play marketing games with onboard credit (OBC) and pricing for add-ons like drinks, wifi, and gratuities. Regular and holiday promotions may provide OBC or add-ons at a reduced price or even free on your initial purchase and after booking. So be sure you’re always comparing total prices.
Do your homework, if you can. Cruise fare tracking and analysis are an excellent guide on when to book.
Determine your risk tolerance. You may not have the time or interest to study cruise history. You may want or have to decide quickly and saving a few hundred dollars on your booking isn’t critical. Maybe you don’t want to risk the chance that the ship will sell out. In these cases, buy immediately and don’t wait.
Plan for seasonal pricing. Prices rise with demand. They’re higher over major US holidays and when kids are out of school like spring break. They start high in the summer in June and start to drop in August.
Ignore old advice. There used to be a time when experts told cruisers to buy as soon as the sailing was released because the price would only go up. But there are over 300 ships sailing worldwide for the major cruise lines now. Many routes are competitive. So that blanket rule is no longer valid.
Book popular cruises early. The advice to buy early does apply in certain cases. Do buy at least a year before sailing to reserve a new or in-demand ship, cruise over the holidays, or for specialty sailings.
Book special cabins even earlier. If you need an accessible cabin, connecting rooms, or a specific location, book as soon as the itinerary is released. These cabins are limited and can disappear long before the ship sells out.
Why it’s ok to book early. Many cruise lines will provide price protection before you make the final payment 3 or 4 months before departure. But you have to ask. It’s typically best to work through your travel agent. Be sure to look at pricing for the same cabin class to see if you’re eligible and take a screenshot of the quote and terms so you have evidence.
Ask even after the payment deadline. It’s less likely that the cruise lines will reimburse you for lower prices. But they have been known to do it, though it’s typically non-cash like OBC or a service.
Surf the Wave but be careful. Cruise lines traditionally promote heavily from January through March (the Wave Season) to kick up the sales for the upcoming year. It can be an excellent time to buy, just like Black Friday and semiannual sales. But compare total price as it may not be the lowest overall price.
Book last-minute deals if you’re flexible. Prices can drop after the final payment date (generally 90 days before sailing) when cruise lines know how many unsold cabins they have to fill. Sometimes the prices can be real Steals.
Includes tips from Gary Ward’s Optimal Cruising video, “Score The Best Cruise Deals By Booking At This Time.”