As a Travel Advisor, I am constantly asked the question from clients and prospective clients, “when is the best time to book a cruise?” Well to this question, there are several good times to book a cruise. Shopping for the best cruise prices and packages takes lots of work and time. That is why it is important to work with a professional Travel Advisor rather than trying to do all of the research on your own.
Your Travel Advisor will go over all of your favorite places you like to cruise, any bucket list places you might have, the time of year that you want to or can travel, your budget and then put all of this information on your client profile. They now have all of the information needed and your best interests in mind when they are researching for the deals available. Now you can sit back and let your Travel Advisor do all of the hard work.
Saving money feels good almost as good as sitting on the top deck of your Caribbean-bound cruise with a cocktail in hand with wind in your hair and the gentle sounds of the kettle drums playing in the background. Saving money on a cruise isn't just about when you choose to travel, it's also about when you choose to book your vacation and using promotions throughout the year the cruise industry offers.
The cruise industry has peaks and valleys in travel capacity, and knowing when the best time to grab the best pricing and added perks is vital to a great beginning for your trip. Cruise pricing fluctuates based on itinerary, the ship’s age, the type of cruise, and how soon the ship is scheduled to sail. But the best time to book a cruise depends heavily on YOU; when you want to travel; what you want out of the experience, and how comfortable you are waiting until the last minute. So let’s take a look at some of the best times to book a cruise so you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Wave Season
Wave season is the big promotional period during which cruise lines offer their best booking deals. This promotion generally extends from January to March of each year, and can be the best time to find discounted early-bird fares, two-for-one deals. Coupled with other enticements, such as onboard credits, free gratuities, drink and meal packages, free cabin upgrades, and free WiFi can make for a great cruise experience and be easier on your wallet.
Book Early
Right after a cruise is announced for that cruise season prices are generally at their lowest because the ship is empty and not too many passengers have booked. Many cruise lines offer big discounts for booking early, because fares tend to rise as the sailing date approaches, booking at least six to nine months or longer in advance can provide you the best deals. It is not unusual to get rock-bottom pricing but also 4-6 extra free perks as well.
You also have a better chance of getting the exact stateroom and location on the ship you desire, a better dinner time slot that you like, the shore excursions you want to go on during your trip (some of the really good ones fill up very fast) and booking early guarantees you a ticket rather than a waiting list. Booking early also provides the best chance for free cabin upgrades to make your experience even better.
Book During A Promotion
Cruise lines always run promotions during the year, so be ready to grab up deals during holidays like Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. You don’t have to be ready to jump on the ship because of these holiday sales, but you can put down a deposit and pick the time you want to travel during that promotional time given on the sale. Your Travel Advisor can monitor the sales further for you if there are any changes from the sale price to provide with even further discounts or upgrades.
Drop & Go’s
When the sailing time of the ship is getting closer to the departure date (usually within 60 days) and there are empty cabins to fill, the cruise lines will generally discount those cabins even further to make sure the cabins are booked prior to sailing. Drop & Go’s are a great way to snag some great prices, but the one downside is that you better be able to pack and leave within a short period of time period. Hence the term, Drop & Go.
The pricing may not be as low as wave season or a promotional sale, but you can still save from $50 to $100 per person or more. These prices just depend on the time of year and the popularity of that particular cruise.
Book Future While Onboard Ship
Cruise lines work hard make to make you want to come back and take another cruise, so your loyalty will pay off. Some great deals can be found while you’re already on board a sailing enjoying your current trip. A quick visit to the ship's cruise desk will entice you to reserve your next trip. Deals typically include a lower cruise fare, reduced deposits, and significant onboard credits, which you can put toward things like drinks, excursions, gratuities , meal packages, spa discounts.
Don’t pass up this opportunity to grab some handsome discounts coupled with extra perks. Generally it is just a deposit you have to put down and is not cruise specific. So you can go back home and work with your Travel Advisor and specifics for your next great adventure.
So now you have the strategies you need to know to get the best possible cruise fare or decadent onboard perks that can make your feel like a VIP. Contact your Travel Advisor and get started on planning that next great adventure to see beautiful spots, the world has to offer.