Cruises - Booking Early vs Booking Last Minute
Published Friday, November 7th 2014
Categories
The arguement exists with people saying, "book now!", and on the other hand are those who say, "Wait! Let's wait until last minute" to get the best price.
Frankly, I've seen it to be beneficial both ways. It often depends on the cruise line and on the itinerary, and sometimes the roll of the dice.
BOOKING EARLY:
Pros:
1. Selection and Availability
2. Early Bird Pricing
3. Group discounts and amenities
Booking early assures you of the best selection. Especially if you have specific requirements, or it is a special sailing with a theme or special itinerary.
Need a handicapped accessible stateroom? A stateroom for a solo/single traveler? A stateroom that occupies more than 2 persons? Connecting staterooms, or staterooms that will be across the hall from the other (ie: balcony/oceanview with an interior stateroom)? Or a suite? A group of staterooms next door or close to each other? Book as early as you can. These have limited availability. Waiting can lead to disappointment. These do sell out, and some quickly.
Many cruise lines, especially the luxury, upscale and river cruises are adopting an Early Bird policy. The Early Bird price will be the lowest offered for that ship, sail date and stateroom. This policy encourages people to book as soon as the sailings are released. As much as two years in advance of sailing. Prices will remain the same, or will gradually increase as space sells.
Cons:
1) Possible Price Reductions .
2) Missing out on value-add incentives
Price reductions are more common in the contemporary class group of cruise lines. Last minute deals can offer prices and incentives that are only available to "new" bookings only.
Be cautious as many lines add incentives that they feel will encourage people to book, and they do mark up the prices to help cover the cost of the incentive. Very often it works out best to book without the incentives.
LAST MINUTE:
Pros:
1) Possibly the lowest price offered
2) A "stateroom guarantee" may mean an upgrade
Cons:
1) You are getting the leftovers
2) The stateroom(s), and locations that you need or want may not be available
3) Cruise line may reserve the right to assign you your stateroom and you will not be able to change it
It is a proven fact that the more desirable staterooms sell first. There may be only a few staterooms left, and they may not be in a desirable location. Rather it can be in a location that can cause you hours of discomfort and turn what was to have been a relaxing vacation into a restless one.
When the cruise line assigns you your stateroom they look at what is available in their inventory, what category you booked into, and when you booked. Your assignment may lead to disappointment, and can be better than expected.
SUGGESTION:
Consult, plan and book with someone who will offer the complimentary service of monitoring prices for you so you don't have to. Who will modify your reservation for you without a service fee. We at Cruise Planners - Cruise Pros Plus are among those who do.
SUMMARY:
It is my opinion that the earlier you book the better. Especially if you have specific needs and requirements. You can always cancel prior to final payment if you choose not to go or are unable to go for any reason.
Most cruise lines will honor the lower price and pass on the incentives to an existing booking provided it is for a stateroom in its specific category (not general, such an inside stateroom), ship and sailing date. Limitation and restrictions may apply to the promotion or initial booking.
Ultimately, the best time to book is when it is a good time for you. The sailing and stateroom is at a price that you are willing to pay for it when you book in the event the price doesn't change.
Pricing is not controlled by professional travel advisors or agencies, but by the cruise lines. Agencies offering lower prices are less than that being offered by booking direct with the cruise line have special contracts with the cruise line that enables them to offer these specials for a limited time or space availability.
Frankly, I've seen it to be beneficial both ways. It often depends on the cruise line and on the itinerary, and sometimes the roll of the dice.
BOOKING EARLY:
Pros:
1. Selection and Availability
2. Early Bird Pricing
3. Group discounts and amenities
Booking early assures you of the best selection. Especially if you have specific requirements, or it is a special sailing with a theme or special itinerary.
Need a handicapped accessible stateroom? A stateroom for a solo/single traveler? A stateroom that occupies more than 2 persons? Connecting staterooms, or staterooms that will be across the hall from the other (ie: balcony/oceanview with an interior stateroom)? Or a suite? A group of staterooms next door or close to each other? Book as early as you can. These have limited availability. Waiting can lead to disappointment. These do sell out, and some quickly.
Many cruise lines, especially the luxury, upscale and river cruises are adopting an Early Bird policy. The Early Bird price will be the lowest offered for that ship, sail date and stateroom. This policy encourages people to book as soon as the sailings are released. As much as two years in advance of sailing. Prices will remain the same, or will gradually increase as space sells.
Cons:
1) Possible Price Reductions .
2) Missing out on value-add incentives
Price reductions are more common in the contemporary class group of cruise lines. Last minute deals can offer prices and incentives that are only available to "new" bookings only.
Be cautious as many lines add incentives that they feel will encourage people to book, and they do mark up the prices to help cover the cost of the incentive. Very often it works out best to book without the incentives.
LAST MINUTE:
Pros:
1) Possibly the lowest price offered
2) A "stateroom guarantee" may mean an upgrade
Cons:
1) You are getting the leftovers
2) The stateroom(s), and locations that you need or want may not be available
3) Cruise line may reserve the right to assign you your stateroom and you will not be able to change it
It is a proven fact that the more desirable staterooms sell first. There may be only a few staterooms left, and they may not be in a desirable location. Rather it can be in a location that can cause you hours of discomfort and turn what was to have been a relaxing vacation into a restless one.
When the cruise line assigns you your stateroom they look at what is available in their inventory, what category you booked into, and when you booked. Your assignment may lead to disappointment, and can be better than expected.
SUGGESTION:
Consult, plan and book with someone who will offer the complimentary service of monitoring prices for you so you don't have to. Who will modify your reservation for you without a service fee. We at Cruise Planners - Cruise Pros Plus are among those who do.
SUMMARY:
It is my opinion that the earlier you book the better. Especially if you have specific needs and requirements. You can always cancel prior to final payment if you choose not to go or are unable to go for any reason.
Most cruise lines will honor the lower price and pass on the incentives to an existing booking provided it is for a stateroom in its specific category (not general, such an inside stateroom), ship and sailing date. Limitation and restrictions may apply to the promotion or initial booking.
Ultimately, the best time to book is when it is a good time for you. The sailing and stateroom is at a price that you are willing to pay for it when you book in the event the price doesn't change.
Pricing is not controlled by professional travel advisors or agencies, but by the cruise lines. Agencies offering lower prices are less than that being offered by booking direct with the cruise line have special contracts with the cruise line that enables them to offer these specials for a limited time or space availability.
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