Best Time to Book a Cruise When to Book and When to Wait

Table Of Content

• Free Vacation Planning Services
• Another Reason to Book Early: Price Protection If Prices Fall
• When to cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas for the best weather
• Consideration of Cruise Destination
• When to Book Mediterranean Cruises
• Popular Travel Insurance Plans
• Late vs. Early Booking: When to Book a Cruise for the Best Price

After making the payment for your cruise tickets, it’s time to await the confirmation of your booking. The confirmation serves as proof that your reservation has been successfully processed and provides important information regarding your upcoming cruise. Once you have identified a few potential itineraries, compare them in terms of cost, included amenities, and any exclusive experiences they may offer. Consider any special promotions or deals for specific itineraries as well. This will help you narrow down your options and choose the itinerary that provides the best value for your money.

Free Vacation Planning Services

Even better, most lines only require a small initial deposit to hold your cabin, so if your plans change in the following months, you can cancel without a hassle. That being said, if you don’t want to monitor cruise deals for four months straight, the single best window of time to keep an eye on them may be from mid-November through mid-December. That’s when you’ll see Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals that will likely sell out well before wave season can even begin. 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.

Another Reason to Book Early: Price Protection If Prices Fall

Transiting the Panama Canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean is a bucket-list trip for many travelers. Panama and the bordering countries in Central America have a tropical climate with lush landscapes and rainforests, so you can expect wet weather at certain times of the year. The height of the Panama Canal cruise season is between October and April.

When to cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas for the best weather

Google Price Guarantee apples to two different flights on this routing, one on Spirit and one on Alaska. The trouble is that much of this is based on assumptions, old information and good ol’ self-fulfilling prophecy. To save you the hassle, SmarterTravel investigated the glutted space of cheap cruise sites to determine which are worthy of listing as the best cruise websites; below are a few that come highly recommended. It can be a complicated, time-consuming process that involves dozens of open tabs and maybe a spreadsheet or two. Expert travel tips, dream destination inspiration, and timely travel news delivered to your inbox daily.

When to Book Christmas and New Year’s Ocean Cruises

Confirm that the payment amount and details are clearly communicated and that you receive a receipt or confirmation of the payment. If you are making the payment online, navigate to the payment page provided by the cruise line’s website. Ensure that the website is secure by looking for the padlock symbol in the URL bar and checking that the website is using encryption to protect your personal information. If you only have a deposit down, and they won’t work with you on the price difference, determine the refund policy to see if it is worth it to cancel your original trip and re-book the cruise at the lower rate.

Consideration of Cruise Destination

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It’s crucial to resolve any discrepancies before your cruise to avoid any complications during the embarkation process. We’ve spent years studying the cruise industry and have come up with our best rules to follow to make sure you’re getting the absolute best rate with as little headache as possible. It’s enough to make your head spin… and that’s before you actually purchase your fare. If you are retired and love to cruise, you could get to a Florida port from most places in Florida with a quick drive. Image waking up and just hopping on a Caribbean Cruise from your back door. So, I always suggest to my guests to let me know well in advance what cruise they are interested in.

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Finally, special occasions and holiday cruises can also affect ticket prices. If you have a specific date or occasion in mind for your cruise, such as a birthday, anniversary, or holiday celebration, be prepared for potential price increases. Demand for cruises during these peak times tends to be higher, and cruise lines often capitalize on this by adjusting their prices accordingly. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, opting for non-holiday periods can help you secure better deals. The best time to book a Caribbean cruise depends on when you want to sail.

Popular Travel Insurance Plans

Peak leaf season begins around mid-September and runs through October. If fall colors are your goal, resign yourself to cooler temperatures on your sailing, especially in the evenings. You will, however, want to avoid booking a cruise around the holidays at the end of the year and during spring break (March and early April). Springtime will be the quietest time to visit the Aloha State, although you might find an uptick of families traveling for spring break during March and April. The summer is the busiest time for vacationers, and the winter months bring whale-watching enthusiasts and surfers.

The initial interface comes off a bit clunkier than, say, Expedia’s or Kayak’s, but the tradeoff is that you can quickly search by cruise line, both standard and luxury, as well as by cruise length and departure port. Remember, a cruise vacation is not just about the destinations you visit, but also about the journey itself. Embrace the opportunity to relax, unwind, and connect with fellow passengers, cruise staff, and the beautiful surroundings. As you prepare for your cruise, remember to take the time to familiarize yourself with the ship’s amenities, pack smartly, and make any necessary arrangements.

You have a much better chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location. Generally, the most expensive and the least expensive cabins are the first to sell out. So if you have your heart set on a big suite or a budget-priced interior cabin, book soon. You have successfully completed the journey of buying cruise tickets. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you have taken the necessary steps to ensure a memorable and enjoyable cruise vacation.

Considering the best time to buy your cruise tickets can help you save money, secure desirable cabin options, and enhance your overall cruising experience. It’s crucial to weigh various factors such as early booking benefits, last-minute deals, shoulder seasons, and off-peak periods when making your decision. Cruise lines lose money on empty cabins, so they’d rather sell discounted fares than accept a less-than-full ship.

To find deals, travelers can sign up for email newsletters from various cruise lines, as the companies often send out updates on flash sales. You can also search the cruise line websites—some, like Holland America, have pages on their website dedicated to last-minute deals. If pricing is more important than preferred accommodations, travelers can opt to wait until closer to the departure date to see if they can take advantage of any last-minute offers. And, in the 11th hour, flights to the port might be more expensive. Cruising during a special occasion or holiday can be a truly memorable experience. While these cruises may come with higher costs due to increased demand, the added festivities, themed events, and unique entertainment options can make your celebration even more special.

The cruise season in Canada and New England begins in May and ends in October, with a few ships even making the voyage in April. You'll find more ships in this region between August and October as it gets closer to peak leaf-peeping season. December, March and April also offer nice weather, although the rainy season sometimes starts as early as mid-March before continuing through the fall. The two shoulder seasons – from April to early June and September to October – offer comfortable temperatures, but you'll need to dress in layers. For example, a seven-night round-trip cruise in November or early December 2024 with Norwegian Cruise Line starts at $1,649.

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. 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). Tracking prices allows you to watch the rise and fall of cruise fares over time, so when the fare drops, you'll recognize the price as a deal and be able to pounce on it.

Most airlines release their flights for booking almost a year in advance, but there doesn’t seem to be any price benefit in booking so early. Incorporating the data from the Expedia and Google studies, here’s what we recommend in terms of how far in advance you should make your flight reservations. Or, maybe an airline priced flights too high for too long and has a lot of empty seats on a flight that’s departing soon.

Cruise 101: When is the Best Time to Book a Flight?

Table Of Content

• Last-Minute Deals
• How to bid on a cabin upgrade
• Step 4: Selecting the Cruise Itinerary
• Must-See Destinations for the Holidays

Having all the necessary paperwork organized will make your pre-cruise preparations more convenient. Upon successful payment, you will receive a confirmation email or booking reference number. Keep this information handy as it will be essential for future communications with the cruise line, as well as for any pre-cruise preparations. And while you want to book your cruise once you’ve found a rate you’re happy with, we recommend NOT paying in full. A room with two people being charged an extra $5 per person, per day would rack up $10 per day — or $70 in room location charges over the course of a week-long cruise. That may not sound like much to some of you, but that comes about to about 4-6 drinks from the bar if you were to want to spend your money on alcohol instead.

Last-Minute Deals

Sometimes you may be forced to choose between the cheapest possible fare and one that offers a greater total value, given the included perks. Knowing when cruise lines will likely run promotions will help you strategize, but sales can pop up anytime — and not every promotion offers the cheapest fares. Booking a cruise just days before sailing should only be attempted by travelers within an easy drive of the cruise port. You should also make sure that you have time to get any necessary documentation, as well as make related travel plans.

How to bid on a cabin upgrade

Furthermore, check for any special promotions or deals that may be offered during specific dates, allowing you to make the most of your budget. The first step in buying cruise tickets is to research the various options available. Are you looking for a tropical getaway in the Caribbean, a cultural immersion in Europe, or perhaps an adventure to Alaska? Different cruise lines specialize in different destinations, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your preferences. Travelers who are less concerned about deals and more focused on a specific destination or making sure they get choice accommodations may want to take a different approach to booking a cruise. Cruise companies open up bookings for sailings as early as two years in advance.

Step 4: Selecting the Cruise Itinerary

Balancing your budget and preferences, choose the booking option that suits you best. You might have heard of “wave season.” This time of year — running from January through March — is supposed to be when the cruise lines offer the best deals. That’s due to the cold weather in most of the country making people think of warmer places combined with the passing of the Christmas holiday. It is definitely true that more booking activity goes on during this period. Timing your cruise during shoulder seasons or off-peak periods can offer benefits such as lower prices, a more relaxed atmosphere, and favorable weather conditions. Considering the destination is also crucial, as popular destinations often come with higher ticket prices.

With proper planning and a bit of flexibility, you can enjoy a fantastic cruise vacation without breaking the bank. Cruise lines often offer early bird discounts and promotions to encourage travelers to book their tickets in advance. By securing your tickets early, you can take advantage of lower prices, have a wider selection of cabin options, and even benefit from additional perks such as onboard credits or complimentary upgrades. Regardless of the reasons, cruise lines realize not many people are booking cruises during these times so you can often find the best deals of the year. Cruise lines typically provide good sales in January to encourage potential cruisers to fill their ships.

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Cruising off season can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It’s when companies are looking to base load their ships for the year. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, the end of the year is one of the most popular travel seasons.

Cruise Critic has tons of filters and sort options to help you find what you want, including everything from cruise line to cruise style (family cruises, luxury cruises, cruises for the disabled). Each itinerary clearly lists what is and isn’t included in the fare; Wi-Fi, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, and port taxes and fees are among the common exclusions. Avoya’s team of staffers and wide network of independent agencies make for a cruise booking website that’s a bit different from the rest.

In our experience, there isn’t much difference in the time of year that you book. For example, the same cruise isn’t automatically cheaper if you buy in January versus if you buy in July. There are rules and stipulations for each cruise line as to whether your fare is eligible to get refunded should the price goes down. You’ll want to make sure you read all the fine print of your fare before you buy.

When to Book Mediterranean Cruises

The green hills and beautiful cliffs of Northern Europe appeal to cruisers who wish to visit Britain, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Some cruises also sail to Norway, Sweden, and The Netherlands on Northern Europe itineraries. If you’re researching European cruises, going to the Mediterranean has likely crossed your mind. You can visit countries like Greece, Croatia, and Italy along the southern coastline of Europe.

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.

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If you book early and the sailing goes on sale, you miss out on the savings, conversely, if you wait to book, the airfare may increase and offset potential savings. For many cruise lines that means the flexibility to jump to a better promotion later if one comes available. Savings, sure, but also bonus amenities or whatever else might be valid and on offer with the promotion.

Or, the cruise line may offer its best fares in a one-off sale at another time of year. If you suddenly get the urge to travel, then likely your best bet is to jump onto Google Flights and use the Explore tool. You can set your departure city and your desired dates and Explore will display the lowest fares for destinations all over the world. Set a filter for the maximum price you’re willing to pay to see what’s possible within your budget.

For bookings made within the same year you want to sail, secure a reservation as soon as possible, as much as ten months out. However, don’t be surprised if cruises are sold out by then or have limited availability. For the best options, book as far out as one year to 18 months in advance. That would lead to fewer people booking throughout the year; instead they would wait until that one time a year when cruises were cheaper.

Generally, you’ll find that the opening advertised price will be the best price for that cruise. As the ship’s staterooms start to fill, the cruise price tends to go up, and it may not go down if that sailing stays in high demand. April is one of the best months to sail to Bermuda as the temperatures are pleasant and in the 70s, and it's one of the driest months of the year, along with May. May and early June are great options for cruises to the archipelago, and you can expect highs in the low 80s by June. Summertime is busy in Canada and New England because of the optimal weather and family vacations. You can also expect more ships and crowds in town during late September and October at the height of the leaf-peeping season.

Traveling during shoulder seasons and off-peak periods can be an excellent choice for those looking for a more relaxed, budget-friendly, and intimate cruising experience. By avoiding peak travel times, you can enjoy lower prices, less crowded ships, better service, and more favorable weather conditions. Take the time to research the perfect timing for your desired destinations, and plan your cruise accordingly to make the most of these off-peak periods. Traveling during shoulder seasons or off-peak periods can offer several advantages.

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. For example, Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion currently includes six booking perks (free beverage package, shore excursion credit, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, extra guests and buy-one-get-one-free airfare). For the real procrastinators out there, the absolute last day you can book a cruise before its departure has changed over the years.