tigers44

[tigers44]

Why do people who book early for thomsons cruises have to pay £380 per couple more than the people who book 1 week before ?

[kruzseeka]

The higher early prices sometimes have AI included which is worth quite a bit depending on your drinking habits. Also there may be concessions regarding free port parking/travel offers.

Prices go down nearer to departure if there are quite a few cabins and flights available. It's a gamble though, and I suppose what you pay for when booking early is the date you want, the departure airport you prefer, cabin type you want and peace of mind that you 'have it in the bag'!

Waiting can bring bargains - but also disappointment as you aren't able to get your choice of the above or even the holiday if it suddenly becomes fully booked. It's worth going through a 'mock' booking process too to see if there are hidden extras on top of the advertised price e.g flight supplements for specific airports. We were once quoted £460 more (for two) to fly from our local airport as compared with Gatwick!!!! We went to Gatwick!!!! If there are no basic cabins left and you have to pay a lot more for an up-grade the difference in price may not be so apparent (although of course you'd have the benefit of a better grade of cabin.)

Also, you can't guarantee the price will actually go down - if they've only got a few cabins left, it's not unknown for the price to go up just before departure to see if anyone will 'bite'.

There is also a 'ticket pick-up' charge for late bookings - but only a fraction of £380!!!!!

I know how galling it can be to see your holiday advertised cheaper. :mad: Sometimes we've 'won' by getting a good deal like that - other times we've paid considerably more than some fellow passengers.

We're of the opinion that the only thing to do is weigh up how important a holiday is to you - decide on a price you're prepared to pay, then forget about costs. Otherwise it can ruin your holiday!!!! For holidays we really want to do we usually pay more - others we've had at a bargain price are usually a last minute bonus and helps average out the loses and gains.

Sorry, that doesn't really help - but I've tried to give you a flavour of the 'ups' and 'downs' - you could make it a full time job trying to work out what's going to happen to prices - and then not get it right!

[rosiemaisy]

Why do people who book early for thomsons cruises have to pay £380 per couple more than the people who book 1 week before ?
we booked last Nov and up to last week we still paid less total price even when the main price went down and this week we would'nt be able to book for the two weeks

[helenchickchick]

Hia

Ours has gone down a little now since we booked (it did go up a month after we booked). Its not alot difference by time you have to add car parking at port and insurance (which we got included in price). Just trying to save up for any spending money now.xx

[jenny wren]

the secret is not to look at the price after you have booked it!!!!!!!

[tigers44]

Thanks for the advice I just hope no-one asks me how much I have paid whilst onboard thomson celebration 3/4 . I will have to lie.

[mtt]

The only thing with booking late, no offers on AI

[tigers44]

No offers for booking early (november) price was still nearly £170