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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.
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