Last minute gamble?

My wife and I have cruised many times. Some with > a year advance planning, and others with < a month (we live in south Florida). We are now planning a cruise in Hawaii - NCL Pride of America on 1/21/17. We've already purchased the airline tickets and are committed to going.

We went on this exact same cruise 10 years ago for our 50th birthdays, enjoyed it greatly and are doing again for our 60th. 10 years ago however NCL had two ships doing this route and the prices were about $500 lower. What I've noticed however from watching the cruise booking sites, is that the prices drop significantly when you get to within a month or two of departure. So...this has me wondering how big a gamble it would be to wait until mid-December to book the cruise? As a veteran of cruising I understand this means having no control over cabin choice or even cabin category. Normally that would be enough to keep us from going this direction - but given the itinerary and the fact that very little time is spent at sea, these concessions don't bother us. We'd even be happy with an inside cabin located anywhere on the ship and I suspect those are the hardest to fill on these cruises. But...I don't want to be faced with a sell out of all cabins.

Does anyone have an opinion on this strategy, or have any information that helps quantify the risk?

Gene

As each cruise sells differently, there is absolutely no way to predict what might happen on your targeted cruise. What happens if it sells out 60 days in advance? Change to a land vacation?

I was going to say,...if the cruise prices don't get into a good area for you...just do a land based! So much to see and do in Hawaii...it's a shame to waste more than 1/2 your time floating about!

Most likely won't sell out overnight. Just spend a minute or two each morning checking price/availability.

I was going to say,...if the cruise prices don't get into a good area for you...just do a land based! So much to see and do in Hawaii...it's a shame to waste more than 1/2 your time floating about!

Actually, you spend a lot of time in port on this particular cruise. It functions as your transportation between 4 islands, your hotel for 7 nights and your meals - at least those you choose to eat aboard. The time spent at sea is very scenic as well - cruising the Napali coast, viewing an active volcano, etc. All that said...yes plan B would be a land vacation.

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Most likely won't sell out overnight. Just spend a minute or two each morning checking price/availability.

That's the plan. From what I've seen, prices drop about 60 days out from the target date. Given our flexibility I think I'm going to roll the dice and have a tentative plan B in place. I know that I'd want to get to the other islands so I'll have to research transportation options.

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That's the plan. From what I've seen, prices drop about 60 days out from the target date. Given our flexibility I think I'm going to roll the dice and have a tentative plan B in place. I know that I'd want to get to the other islands so I'll have to research transportation options.

 

 

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I'm thinking of gambling this way also for a September 2017 cruise. I would love to know what you find out about transportation options between islands if we wind up on a land vacation.

Usually 74 days out after final payment the price drops. Especially Hawaii where the wages are on the American wage scale.

So, I look at prices that are on the same cruise with a date of 30, 60 or 75 days out from today and see what the prices are (so today I would be looking at early Dec or Jan) so I can get a target price. Then I check in every so often and see what the prices are. When it hits my target - or close enough to it - I book.

Holidays and high occupancy times rarely are a factor for us but should be considered.

For instance, my target price for a balcony is $1499 and through my travel agent it shows $1699 right now. I still have a few weeks, we aren't going for 4 months.

Good luck!

Vic

What is the cancellation policy? Can you book now and then cancel and rebook if price drops?

Book a balcony room. The Port side is better for the Na Pali Coast and Hilo Port. Starboard is better for the possible Volcano night viewing, Maui port view & Kauai Port view. Either side is good in Honolulu. I felt the balcony was worth it. We spent at least two hours on our balcony each day. Almost an hour early mornings before breakfast and an hour before dinner each evening. Do not book an 10th floor aft balcony as the 11th floor bar overlooks the balconies and therefore there is no privacy.

I never saw the price drop on the cruise we booked in August of 2016. I booked very early as I wanted a specific cabin.

What is the cancellation policy? Can you book now and then cancel and rebook if price drops?

 

 

Book a balcony room. The Port side is better for the Na Pali Coast and Hilo Port. Starboard is better for the possible Volcano night viewing, Maui port view & Kauai Port view.

Confused a bit by "Maui port view", as staying on the starboard side will afford you a view of the port and island. Stay in a port side cabin and you will have a view of the dock and the ocean beyond it.

As this is a frequently asked question on this board, when we went on our cruise in August/September I made a point to check the better views on each side of the POA ship at each port. In the Maui and the Kauai ports the views from the starboard side where much nicer. As you stay over night there it may be important to some. Sitting on the deck with a view of the dock was not the greatest view. It was fun to watch the folks run to catch the ship on the last night at each port.

We stayed on deck 9. But I noted the views in the mornings.