Last Minute Cruises

[Iggipolka]

I've recently seen a few posts where people book a cruise 2 days to a week prior to departure date. I'm green with envy at being able to receive such instant gratification! However, I was wondering a couple of things. First, I thought that after 9-11, such nearly immediate cruise departures weren't possible anymore. Second, are there good/great deals to be had for booking so close to when the ship leaves?

Thanks!

[Sea Island Lady]

I think a month out or so is your best bet. You can book up to a couple of days ahead, but the prices are up by then because there are very few staterooms available and come at a premium. Plus, unless you live near a port, you have to factor in the flight cost and at last minute, they are usually high.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Since 9/11 all ships do have to turn in their manifests at least 2 - 3 days before the ships sails.

For those who live right in the ship's departure port, they may be lucky to book a good deal 5 - 7 days before the cruise leaves - if there any available cabins left. If you are looking for a good deal on a suite - forget it!

And for those of us who have to fly to every port - last minute air deals - forget it. What you may save on the cruise, the airlines will rock you.

[Sea Island Lady]

Last week, I noticed about 150 cabins left for our 2/26 Oosterdam...mostly oceanview and insides. This weekend, they are all gone! :eek: I wonder if all the San Diego locals scooped them up last minute.

[yes2sail]

We've taken several "last minute" cruises and got GREAT prices. Is it right for you? All depends. Cabin is not important to us. Having said that we got some of the best locations on the last minute deals ... Had a "family cabin" for two of us, giving us lot's of space and extra closets. Sometimes getting the dinner seating of choice may be a challenge on last minute bookings. Our last cruise cost $50/day!!! not bad, right? But I agree, the closer it gets to the departure, the prices may go higher ias the cabins fill. Good luck and try it to find out if its right for you.:)

[RedmondCruiser]

For some time the best time to book is two months prior to sailing. Travel agents who book blocks of cabins have to return them to HAL or suffer financial penalties. Two months out generally gives you a good shot at the best price. If you wait until the day before, "forget it". The cruise lines have to forward their manifest to Home Land Security for their inspection.

The very best deals on cruises were in 2002 and 2003. Now prices are firming and the ships are filling up. Therefore less deals. World cruises are now booked up six to eight months prior.

Auctions were a good bet ( I got an Alaska cruise for $90 per person + port charge last summer) but those deals are now few and far between now.

Unless the cruise lines start a new ship building craze prices will be fairly firm with few real deals.

One interesting point -- On a 2003 on the Amsterdam the lines president, Kirk Lanterman, did a very interesting Q & A session. He stated that most cruise bookings will turn over 110% prior to departure. Therefore you may never know when a good price can show up.