How Far Out Do You Book Cruises?

[jhannah]

While every booking may be slightly different, how far in advance on average do you usually book your cruises? I ask in light of an article in the new Vacations-To-Go newsletter. Here's part of what it said:

This year is starting strong for all the major cruise regions, with both bookings and prices ahead of last year's pace. Last year at this time, people were booking cruises an average of 72 days before departure; this year, they're booking an average of 94 days before departure.

While these are overall averages, I'm thinking those of us who frequent Cruise Critic are more likely to book even farther out. This poll should tell us if that assumption is correct or not.

[doone]

Jim, I book my cruises around 12 months or so out. I do this, as most everyone knows here, because I like to get the cabin I like in the area I like. Also, it helps with booking airfare so I can get the best possible deal. AND then I have something to talk about and look forward to.

[peaches from georgia]

We usually book 6-11 months out, but would not hesitate to book closer to sailing as we are retired and can go at a moment's notice. But under NO conditions do we book any cruise anytime unless we get the cabin we want right at the time of booking. ;)

[bepsf]

First Cruise - 1 year in advance
Second Cruise - 1 month in advance
Third Cruise - 18 Months in advance (booked the week before I left on the first cruise...)
Looking for number 4, if HAL will get their website and pricing in order...:rolleyes:

[trubey]

We just booked for the November Prinsendam Transatlatic and darn glad we did! We got the LAST available booking -- and for a guarantee, at that -- in the class we wanted!

Lane

[Orcrone]

First Cruise - 1 year in advance
Second Cruise - 1 month in advance
Third Cruise - 18 Months in advance (booked the week before I left on the first cruise...)
Looking for number 4, if HAL will get their website and pricing in order...:rolleyes: Brian,

So you're the one who screws up the statistics.;)

[localady]

Just booked the Statendam 10/06 Australia/NZ cruise which is 21 or 22 months away!!! That is the fartest out we have ever booked, but we got the cabin we want, on the side we want, and hopefully the dining table we want!!:cool:

[watchdiva]

We also book at least 6 months out - we prefer specific cabin types/locations and its easier to "get whatcha want" when you book further out.

Lin

[Orcrone]

One cruise we booked about 2 - 3 months in advance. The other three have been about 7 or 8 months ahead of time. It has nothing to do with pricing or cabin selection. That's not just limited to cruises. All of our vacations that require reservations are planned out that far in advance.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Jim, This is a tough one to answer. Mine have been all over the place.

1st cruise - 4 months
2nd cruise - 2 months
3rd cruise - 8 days
4th cruise - 11 months
5th cruise - 6 months
6th cruise - 10 months
7th cruise - 12 months
8th cruise - 16 months

:rolleyes: Hmmmm I think I see a pattern here.

[KAJOKG]

We also book at least 6 months out - we prefer specific cabin types/locations and its easier to "get whatcha want" when you book further out. Lin

This is exactly the reason I just booked on the Volendam for Oct. 2005. We usually book only about 2 months in advance, but things have sure changed. We love the Volendam, and were itching to sail on her again, but we wanted a specific cabin (or Category) and did not want the hassle of having to beg for early seating once on board. So, we have the cabin, early seating, and they said they will get us a table for 2 (our preference). When we sail Princess, we will book closer to the sail date because of PC dining.

[Bill S]

We like to book as far ahead as we can, given our work schedules. We learned the hard way after booking our first cruise about 6 weeks out to Alaska, for peak season! We have booked as far ahead as 16 months for our SA cruise, but most others we have booked anwhere from 6 to 12 months out. Having said that, we have nothing booked for 2006 . . . . . . . yet!!!

[RuthC]

Lately I've been booking the next cruise while aboard the ship, so that makes it about one year out. But I start planning long before that so I know what I want when I see the Cruise Consultant.

I'll be booking 2006 Alaska when I'm aboard the Maasdam this July.

[Sierrachik]

Our first cruise was 4 months out, our second one was 10 months out.

[iluvcruzin]

I can't remember each and everyone. All of you that can - wow! I would say the longest time frame was 14 months out. The shortest 3 weeks (it was a fantastic deal back when they tried to fill the ships up with dirt cheap pricing).

[RevNeal]

Booked? If one is talking about putting down money on the deposit line, I've done that as much as 14 months in advance -- once. On average, however, I suppose about 10 months in advance is about right. My cruise next month on the Oosterdam was booked all of 5 months in advance; Hawaii had been booked 12 months in advance, while Panama Canal was booked 10 months in advance of the cruise.

I usually have to have about 10 months head-start in order to have about 7 months in order to PAY for the cruise. :)

[ColoradoJuli]

I usually book about 6 months out. I just can't make a decision sooner than that. I guess if I got my butt in line I could get some better pricing, but...oh well...

The cruise that I was going to take in May was the shortest time frame and since I have cancelled that and booked a Sandals vacation I am only giving my 3 months to pay that one off. Anyway - I have the money from the cruise that I had saved.

[Aussie Gal]

We have always booked between 12 months and 17 months in advance due to my DH having to organize a locum but now that we are both retired we will be able to go at much shorter notice and therefore may be lucky and find a bargain or two though we still have to get air flights and that can be tricky.

Jennie

[jhannah]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. More are welcomed.

At this point, it does appear that the vast majority of us who frequent the board book far beyond the reported average of 94 days. As a whole we obviously prefer 180 days and more. In our case (DW and self,) we have to work within work time off periods. And we also prefer to choose the cabin and location we want. That means getting with it early to assure that what we want is available.

[lipoppop]

Once when the snow started to fall I called the TA and started to pack.

Once 18 months in advance. That is for the November 2005 Amsterdam circle Pacific cruise. I knew it would sell out quickly and even then was only able to get an A guarantee, no choice of cabin.

Most often about six months out. :cool:

[RuthC]

Once when the snow started to fall I called the TA and started to pack.
And to this day (especially today) this remains a good idea!

[Druke I]

Generally book out a year to a year and one-half - would go farther out if companies would release their schedules sooner.

[Sea Island Lady]

How about 4 weeks away? :eek: We just put a hold on the 2/26 Oosterdam...whoohoo!
Never done anything like that and I am getting nervous.

When is the deadline for filling out online documentation?

[localady]

For us how early we book also has to do with the complexity of the trip and distance to be travelled. We book a NZ/Australia trip 20+ months out, and a Caribbean 4 months out due to the complexity of the arrangements to be made. Some venues, like Europe are better travelled after a good deal of research and reading......JMHO:cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

For certain cruises like the Caribbean where there are a lot of choices in itineraries and ships, we book usually 6 - 7 months in advance.

But cruises that are offered only once a year, we book them at least 18 months in advance.

[tree25]

Personally, I think Value is the most important factor when booking a cruise so I always wait until the last minute deals and usually book less than 2 months away..

Although I did just book the Zuiderdam this week, which is 7 months in advance, but we are getting married on that cruise so we only booked ahead so our guest can have ample time to plan and book as well

[dexter]

For the next cruise (2/6) we booked just two weeks prior. We have booked up to 7 months before.

[ExpCruiser]

We usually book 3-6 weeks prior to departure. Yes,weeks not months. Never really had a problem . . . except with getting dining times that we prefer.

[edpeeks]

My wife, kids and in-laws are going on the Glory April 9, 2005. We have had that booked since Oct. 04. Usually, I have booked 6-9 months out. We have been on over a dozen cruises. However, on the first week of July 2005 my wife and I are going by ourselves somewhere. Since it will be 4th of July week, we cannot use FF miles and so we will drive to port. We live in TN and driving is not an issue especially with the hassles of flying (and cost which one must factor into the price of the cruise, I would reather by more cruise than pay for an airline ticket and become "theirs" for the time I am at the airporr and in the air. Then luggage, rental car, etc., the actual "net" time saved is not worth the $).

Anyway, I will get back to the point of this thread. Since will have been 16 months since our last cruise. (Lord willing, that will never happen again. We took five in 2003 and 0 in 2004). I know, I know. My observation is, since I do something with research or druise dreaming every day, what about all of those "last minute deals" on EVERY cruise website? I would like to have the courage to mark out the time in my office for that week, July 2 - July 9, and wait til the last possible mintue to find that "unbelieveable" deal. do they actually exist? Since I have never done that before, I simply do not know. Everyone is spending a lot of time and internet space advertising these cruises, what does everyone think? Are the last minute deals, deals? I have read that Carnival for instance has their prices all over the place. When you book, is the price you get. If they lower them in the future, tough. You cannot take the lower price. Other lines will automatically lower your prices. Also, another factor, and I am not trying to wimp out, is with this being a "holiday" week (4th of July) does any of these factors remain germain or is it one had better get while the getting is good?

I wold like to heard some experienced cruisers give me their opinions and their experiences. As usual, thanks so much for the time and the effort to sit down and write.

[edpeeks]

Please forgive with the typos in my last message. I hit "submit" instead of "review".

edpeeks