Who has booked last minute in Oct or Nov?

[paminohio]

Wondering the chances of booking last minute for a Oct or Nov sailing. Do the prices drop alot? Or are the ships normally pretty full early on?

Thanks,

Pam

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[bthorn1108]

My son and his girlfriend booked the Victory for it's 9/27 sailing last year just over 3 weeks out and got what I thought was a great price. I believe they got a balcony cabin for just under $700 pp. They took an assigned cat. 8A cabin, however, they probably could have paid less and maybe gotten an upgrade if they had booked a balcony guarantee. We were on that sailing and they wanted to be in a cabin close to us, that's why they booked the specific cabin.

Beverly
Southward 1988, Britannis 1994, Dolphin IV 1995, Star Princess (old version) 1996, Sea Princess 1999, Seabreeze 1999, Rembrandt 2000, Destiny 2000, Seabreeze 2000, Triumph 2000, Norwegian Majesty 2001, Destiny 2001, Sensation 2002, Victory 2002, Destiny 2003, Vision of the Seas 2003, Triumph 2003, Voyager of the Seas 2004,

[voyagerfl]

There is always the chance that a ship could be full.
However there are a lot of good last minute prices (a month to 3 weeks before)
Our friends booked just a couple of weeks before our cruise in NOvember last year and they got a Balcony for around $650 per person. We had paid $750

[GottaLuvCruising]

We booked a 4A guarantee on the Imagination 5 day sailing in October for $199pp. Amazing buy! (And we had a great time).

[Host Caroline]

If you are not set on a specific ship and have a little flexibility you can always find good last minute deals in Sept through November and two weeks before Christmas. Sign up for some email newsletters and they will start showing up. I've already seen 10 night from Lauderdale for 700

Host Caroline
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[cruisemom2]

I agree that if you are flexible about the ship/itinerary/date you can find great deals in the fall. We did a 7 night cruise on the Enchantment of the Seas and paid $377 each (including all port charges and taxes) for an inside guarantee in October 2002. We booked six weeks before the cruise.

Beth
~~~~~~~~~~~

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Emerald Seas 6/86
Emerald Seas 11/87
S.S. Royale 10/88
Celebration 6/97
Grandeur of the Seas 6/98
Sensation 6/99
Carnival Triumph 6/00
Carnival Triumph 11/17/01
Enchantment of the Seas 10/27/02
Carnival Victory 5/25/03
Carnival Glory 5/22/04

[VUCruiser]

We booked the Norwegian Majesty last October on the Wednesday before the Sunday sailing out of Boston to Bermuda. Outside with 2 windows, around $350 each inclusive of all taxes. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif We had flexibility for that specific week so it worked out and drove-so no last minute airfare to deal with. The price has almost spoiled me for future cruises.

Fantasy 1991
Song of America 1997
Norway 2000
Maasdam 2001
Rhapsody of the Seas 2003
Norwegian Majesty 2003

[glrounds]

I, of necessity, must book very last minute (usually a week or less before the cruise).

Most of the time I don't even like to tell other paxs what I paid because they either don't believe me or get upset at Carnival.

Of course, I risk not getting the cruise or itinerary I want, but I'm never that particular anyway and usually pay a much higher airfare because I book so late. And also, cabin selection is unheard of. Take what they "give" you. But, I'm not the least concerned about the location of my cabin.

I think October and November are ideal dates. Lots of people getting ready for Thanksgiving, the children in school, etc. Dates in between Thanksgiving and Christmas are ideal also. January thru April isn't all that bad either. Just avoid times when school is "traditionally" out.

Last October, I cruised SOLO on the GLORY for $604 - 4A including all port charges and taxes ! Booked less than a week before the cruise.

Gary http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.cruisemates.com/animated/Dolphins.gif

[bthorn1108]

VUcruiser, that was a fantastic price, considering port charges and gov't taxes are usually $300 for cruises to Bermuda. If I had seen that, I would have hopped on it also, we only live 1 hour from Black Falcon pier.

Beverly
Southward 1988, Britannis 1994, Dolphin IV 1995, Star Princess (old version) 1996, Sea Princess 1999, Seabreeze 1999, Rembrandt 2000, Destiny 2000, Seabreeze 2000, Triumph 2000, Norwegian Majesty 2001, Destiny 2001, Sensation 2002, Victory 2002, Destiny 2003, Vision of the Seas 2003, Triumph 2003, Voyager of the Seas 2004,

[FlorenceItaly]

Last November, dh and I sailed on the Enchantment of the Seas(5 day itinerary) for $350 TOTAL per person, including port taxes AND INSURANCE. What a deal. It was an inside cabin. We booked last minute, 3-4 weeks out.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

Carnival Miracle -February 2005
RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

[paminohio]

I'm torn between booking something soon, or just waiting. I would like to drive to Port Canaveral (I have an aunt in Cocoa who will take us to the pier) for a 4 night cruise. There are quite a few of them in Oct and Nov on Carnival (have to check RCI, also) and we are pretty flexible so maybe it would be best to just wait and book last minute. Although, I suppose I COULD book something, seeing as the deposit is refundable until x-number of days prior to sailing.

Thanks for the info - it is exactly what I wanted to hear!

Pam

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