The million dollar question, When should I look at booking a cruise?
STOP right there! Put your credit card back in your wallet!
Before you even contemplate paying your deposit for your cruise, there are aspects to ponder over—from the time of year to the region you wish to cruise.
Here are our tips to help you to get the best deal:
Book Early and Save
Most cruise lines promote their itineraries 12 to 24 months in advance, which means you can book your cruise well in advance, and if you require an accessible cabin it’s definitely wise to book your cruise at least 12 months in advance as there are limited accessible cabins available.
Look for early bird rates, which can be up to half off the promoted price. And by booking early, you escape restrictions that cruise lines sanction closer to sailings, such as limiting cabins to just two passengers when the ship is at full capacity.
The wave season—the most common booking period.
In Australia, wave season generally refers to the six months where cruise ships line just about every major port. It runs from about October to April.
The latter half of that, from January until March, is also known for being one of the best times to book a cruise with some of the lowest rates of the year available during this time.
In addition, the cruise lines often add incentives to book fast after itineraries are announced (a year and a half to two years in advance), so they can fill up their ships.
Different Lead Times According to Region
Popular but remote destinations and regions with a restricted cruise season—such as Alaska, where ships don’t sail in winter - always fill up fast.
A general rule is the more secluded the destination, the further out you should book, because more preparation is vital, from airfare to hotel reservations.
When booking cruises to Alaska, colourful destinations such as the Galápagos Islands or Australia, and some European locations—especially in the Mediterranean and Baltic itineraries that include St. Petersburg—plan ahead so you can get your ideal itinerary and cabin position.
For example, the starboard (right side of the ship facing forward) cabins with views of the shoreline sailing north to Alaska can sell out 15 to 18 months before those on the port side (left side of the ship facing forward). However, location may not be as vital as getting an outside cabin.
Groups Should Think in Advance
For groups, its sensible to book up to two years in advance, if the cruise line will allow it.
But bear in mind that you can only book your flights one year in advance, and departure ports are organised around 18 months before sail away.
Booking early will also guarantee large groups get onto a ship with dining rooms that can accommodate them.
Book Last Minute to Bag a Bargain
Booking 45 to 90 days before a sailing can get you overwhelmingly discounted fares (If you need an accessible cabin this might not be ideal) . Cruise lines will strive to occupy empty cabins. Though, even these fares may not be as low as the early booking price.
The drawback is that you may not be able to select your cabin class or location, as many rock-bottom fares are linked to so-called “guaranteed” cabins, which are not stated when you book
If you do choose to go on a cruise at the last minute, check for cancellations. From time to time it’s probable to get a considerable deal that way. But note that the money you save might be lost when you book your last-minute flight.
