Saving money feels good — almost as good as sitting on the top deck of a Caribbean-bound cruise with a co*cktail in hand. But why not have both? Saving money on that Caribbean cruise (or any cruise for that matter) is easier than you think — you just need to know how the industry works, including the best time to book a cruise, when you can score an upgrade, and how to get the sailing you want without breaking the bank.
Pricing fluctuates based on itinerary, the ship's age, the type of cruise, and how soon the vessel 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.
When to Book Early
If you have your sights set on a high-demand sailing — on a new ship or during school holiday dates — the best time to book a cruise will be as soon as fares are released. This is the only way to guarantee a spot (and secure a particular cabin location).
Cruise Critic explains that many popular sailings offer their best rates when fares first go on sale and then increase prices as the ship fills up. This rule is especially true for luxury itineraries, Disney cruises, and new ships.
If you're not interested in high-season travel or experiencing the latest cruise ship, you can play the waiting game and pounce as soon as fares drop. As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship.
While holding off may result in a once-in-a-lifetime deal, keep in mind that your cabin and category choices may be minimal and there's no guarantee you'll be able to book at all. This approach works best for people with flexible work schedules or retirees who can adjust their dates to snag these less expensive fares.
The only way to really know the best time to book a cruise is to track fares, which is not an easy task. Luckily, rate tracking on the Shipmate app and Cruise Critic make it a bit more realistic. They'll let you know if there's a price drop, taking some of the extra work off your plate.
Best Time of Year to Book a Cruise
The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly. It's also a good time to find booking promotions, like free upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or onboard spending money.
Best Time of Month to Book a Cruise
While there isn't a "best time of the month" to book a cruise, monitoring fare changes over several weeks can help you spot any price drops. Cruise prices fluctuate frequently based on availability, demand, and special deals. Unless you're interested in a high-demand sailing, be patient and look out for flash sales.
Best Day of the Week to Book a Cruise
People often wonder if there is a specific day of the week when cruise prices consistently drop. Unfortunately, fares don't rise and fall on a set schedule, and it's impossible to predict when they'll change. One 2016 study by CruiseWatch.com found that, on average, cruise fares dropped the most on Thursdays. The data also found that Wednesdays were the worst for price hikes. These data points are constantly fluctuating so your best bet is to track fares throughout the week.
Why You Should Book Your Next Cruise on a Thursday
Understanding When and Why Cruise Prices Drop
Wave season may be a popular time to find cruise deals, but not every company releases its best deals and promotions during that period. Sales (or lack thereof) are often based on what is and isn't selling. If a cruise is filling up quickly, the company has no reason to release a sale to entice customers. But if a cruise's departure date is fast approaching and the ship is only partially booked, prices will drop and complimentary add-ons will increase, resulting in some happy customers.
21 Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts
Beyond holiday periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day when there may be some flash sales, January and February are particularly good times to book a cruise, as the first two months of the year are considered “wave season” in the cruising industry.
Beyond holiday periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day when there may be some flash sales, January and February are particularly good times to book a cruise, as the first two months of the year are considered “wave season” in the cruising industry.
January, February and early March are wave season: the time of year when cruise lines offer the best deals because they want to fill their ships. These deals can include: Discounts on the fare itself, or on the fares for additional guests. Discounted or free amenity packages, such as upgraded drinks or specialty dining.
The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly.
Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.
According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise. Prices associated with travel are always in flux due to supply and demand, so the prices of a cruise can change daily. Prices could spike on a Wednesday and drop, well, on a Thursday.
Cruise lines generally release their lowest fares when itinerary schedules are first published, and then run sales every so often to encourage bookings. As cabins fill up, the prices go up.
When is a cruise-ship balcony worth the splurge? Sometimes booking a private veranda is a no-brainer for the vistas, the quick access to fresh air, lots of light, and the extra real estate. But sometimes, because of weather or your itinerary, a balcony may not be worth the extra cost.
Cruise lines work closely with travel agencies and allow them to sell cruises at lower-than-published rates by booking groups of cabins in advance, as well as other incentives, says Payne. “This is especially true when booking six months or more before the cruise,” he says.
Still, Carnival Cruise tends to be very affordable overall, most of the time with great options like the Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Horizon. Royal Caribbean is also another fantastic cruise line offering great deals if you are watching your budget.
It's not uncommon to see temperatures in the high 90s, coupled with high humidity, during July, August, and September. During the 2023 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Idalia disrupted numerous itineraries, such as Disney Cruise Line's Disney Fantasy.
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean are generally during the peak hurricane season. This period lasts from August to October. During these months, the Caribbean region is more prone to hurricanes, which can lead to rough seas, poor weather conditions, and potential itinerary disruptions for cruises.
Cruise ships have a unique problem on their hands - what to do with unsold cabins. It turns out, they use a combination of opaque travel agencies and last-minute sales to offload these unwanted rooms. These agencies specialize in selling unsold cruise inventory, often at heavily discounted rates.
There is a cruise price drop after your final payment.
Either you take your chances with paying the cancellation fees and re-booking (making sure the difference works in your favor, which it only rarely does), or you can call the cruise line or your travel agent to politely bargain on your behalf.
Normally, without a promotion, booking airfare through a cruise comes with a cost. But often this cost is cheaper than what guests can find on their own through the airlines.
In general, the price when the cruise itineraries are first released is the cheapest that they'll be. There are exceptions with last-minute deals but for the most part, cruises are cheaper when the itineraries have just been released.
It's also pretty safe to assume prices usually go up as availability goes down the closer you get to your sail date, so booking ahead is a surefire way to lock in a great rate.
Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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