Is it better (price wise) to book a cruise...?

Question

way in advance or wait until closer to the cruise date to get last minute deals? Also, is it better to go through the cruise line or a site such as travelocity or expedia?

Answer 1

Well this is a question that a lot of folks have, so I'm glad you asked it. Based on my experience, you're better off booking a cruise in advance. Last minute deals, as sweet as they can be, often aren't going to be for exactly what you want. If you want to go to Alaska, the only last minute deals may be to the Caribbean. Or, if you want a balcony room, the last minute deal may only be for inside staterooms. Some cruise lines (I believe Royal Caribbean and Celebrity) will refund you the difference if for some reason the price for the same category of room you're already booked in drops as the date of the cruise nears.

It never hurts to shop around. Definitely get a quote from a real human travel agent. The cruise industry (unlike the airlines) still pays most travel agents a commission and is typically more generous with agent discounts, so the agent at least will have tried the cruise out and be able to offer you advice.

Also, try entering the cruise you want into a website like www.cruisecompete.com (or some others like it), which will then submit your request to several online travel agencies (like Cruise Value Center and Vacationstogo) which will then "bid" for your business. Take the best bid you get, go to one of it's competitors and ask if they'd be willing to match or beat it. Usually, if they match it, they'll throw in something a little extra (bottle of champagne, spa treatment, bath robes...) to win you over to their side. Sometimes they'll beat it by a buck. Sometimes by a hundred bucks or more. Remember, they're fighting for your business, so make them really slug it out.

Do check either expedia, travelocity or orbitz, though it's not necessary to do all three. If you need airfare with your cruise, go through orbitz, since it was started by a consortium of airlines and tends of offer slightly cheaper fares than it's rivals (usually $5-$20 cheaper, but hey, that's five bucks you could use for a drink on the ship...).

Also, don't get suckered into booking a higher category room than you need, unless you're really getting a truly amazing deal. Oftentimes the "higher category" room will be in a worse part of the ship (at the extreme front or back) and will probably only be a foot or so larger than the lower category room.

Pick a room as close to the center of the ship as possible, and as close to the waterline as possible.

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 2

If you are a first time cruiser I would highly recommend going through a travel agent, as they can tell you things that you might not realize about cruising for the first time and all the other requirements about cruising, and if you book in advance the rates can be cheaper, but some cruise lines offer really good deals in advance and then as the cruise gets closer the rates go up dramatically but if you do wait until the last minute you can get good deals but you might not be able to get good flights to whereever you are needing to go at the price you want, so thats something to consider, but I would book in advance so save you time and money I think in the long run, and never do anything without booking travel insurance as it is crucial, book through the cruise line or Travel Guard as they are both wonderful and recommended and the cruise line may be a tad bit more exspensive but its whatever, and its about the same everything is included, except for beverages, like beer, wine, coke, etc, and the gratuities, are not included as you have to tip certain people a certain amount, for a certain amount of days, depending on the length of your cruise, and I would go through the cruise line instead of a travel site, but I would use them to check the prices and call the cruise lines 1-800 number if you do not wish to use a travel agent.
Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Disney are all family-oriented and have great programs for kids. Of those four, Disney is the most expensive, and Carnival tends to be the least expensive. Price depends on length of cruise, type of cabin (interior, oceanview, balcony, suite), itinerary, and even the ship you're sailing on. Generally, the newest ships cost the most. Prices are highest during times of highest demand - summers and school breaks. And during the summer, the cruise lines send many of their ships to Europe. Reduced supply contributes to higher price as well. You need to know that cruise ship cabins are smaller than many hotel rooms; four people in one cabins is... quite cozy. So one thing you may want to look into is side-by-side cabins with a connecting door (much like you can find in some hotels). Some ships have family cabins, but those often have a minimum occupancy of 5. Cruise prices are quoted per person, double occupancy, excluding taxes and fees. If you take a cabin that can sleep four, the third and fourth people in the cabin generally pay a lower rate. There generally are not child fares. Obviously, if you book two cabins, you're not going to get that lower rate for the third and fourth person in the same cabin. Cruise fares include lodging, meals, and onboard entertainment (including the kids' programs) but do not include alcoholic beverages or shore excursions. Most lines also do not include soda in their fare either; you can buy a pass that's good for unlimited soda for the length of the cruise, or pay by the can (and these passes cannot be shared).

Answer 4

Its best to go thru a good travel agent who knows the ins and outs and has cruised alot....most good ones have. Price wise, it depends on where and when you want to go and how important it is to go on specific dates. If you wait, it may not be available and the cabins wont be in a very good location on the ship, if that matters to you. Holidays & new ships need to be booked way in advance. Same goes for cabins during spring break, cabins for 4 during the summer, etc. You cant get this info from online, so see a travel agent.

By booking in advance, you can often get a low rate andif it goes lower, you can always cancel and rebook it at no additional cost.
Its a bit of a hassle doing it with an online booking. A good travel agent will do it for you.

Prices are the same if you book online, directly with the cruise line or a travel agent; unless you're fitted into a group.

Answer 5

It hard to say, I got a real great deal on a cruise out of Florida. I found out if you are a resident of that state, you pay less. Lucky me I have family in FL.

You need to do some research, look on the web.... call the cruise lines.... travel agent....package deals can cost more, find your cruise, ask for the price package deal and with out package deal. Look for the cost of an airline ticket, some times the cost of a plain ticket and the coast of a cruise ticket are cheaper than the cruise package.

It's all about doing your home work for your trip....

Answer 6

Most cruises sell out well before they sail. It is best to book as soon as you can. A cruise line can give you all the info you need. Travel agents are ok however most have never been to where you are going and only know what they read and hear. If you belong to AAA they can also save you money.
Good Luck.

Answer 7

We always book last minute. Very happy with the deals.
11 cruises

Answer 8

I once booked well in advance (1 yr) and my agent allowed me to make payments, $150.00 per month until paid. She was a friend and informed me if prices were to drop she would adjust my price, honor it. This allowed me to choose my destination, price, and make payments versus charging it.

Check with a travel agent, jus FYI. Waiting until the last moment may or may not be ideal as it may be booked, at a higher rate, and the room you want or you may be unavailable.

The travel sites are good, if your available at the time.

Answer 9

I would wait until the four week mark. Any less than four weeks and you cut it too close, but prices tend to be a bit higher if you're booking more than six weeks in advance. Cruisecompare is great - it saves you maybe twenty dollars per person, but that's liquor or gambling money!

Answer 10

best use a travel agent....most websites dont tell you all the little details about where you are travelling to....for example.....In Jamaica, the taxi fare to go from montego bay to negril is $100.00 one way..the trip is only 47 miles.....travelocity wont tell you this....good luck