How far in advance do you usually book a cruise?

Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise?

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i book within 9-12 months in advance. Cruises seems to be cheaper around that time frame. As the sail date gets closer, the prices increases

We usually average 9 months to 1 year. There are advantages... cabin choice, dining choice and you can book early saver and watch the prices.... POSSIBLY drop!!

Go for it!

Catrin

We booked less than 45 days and had no problems

I book 1-2 months out, due to scheduling concerns.

The longest for us was about 60 days the shortest was 3 weeks.

Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise?

 

 

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The furthest out we've booked was 441 days. We usually book way in advance so we can choose just the right balcony cabin on the Lido deck. I watch the prices and contact out PVP when the prices go down. He adjusts them as needed.

Usually about 6-9 months out. In my experience costs do not change a lot, except for last year where there were quite a few price drops before final payment.

I have been booking further and further out with each cruise I choose. Its harder to wait, but the prices are generally lower and you have more time to plan.

We usually book a year out. There are 2 great points to booking this far in advance.

1) If the price goes down before your final payment you can lock in that price and if it goes up you've locked in at the lower price.

2) You get more time to plan what you're going to do while on the cruise and enjoy Cruise Critic & your roll call

About a year in advance.

I've been on about 10 cruises and the longest I've booked in advance was about 4 months, but usually about 2 months. I go on four vacations a year and usually book the next one within a month or two of being home.

Back in June my boyfriend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival and loved it! We're now thinking of taking another cruise November 2014 but, we're unsure of when to book. Last time we booked 6 months in advance, which was plenty of time to book flights, plan excursions, etc. He thinks booking now, early January, is too soon. I think the sooner the better! When do you usually book your next cruise?

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We booked our upcoming February cruise in March of 2012!

We have booked as far as two years out because we can usually book the exact room we want and can get price drops. We have also booked as close as 3 days before and got the last inside cabin on the ship.

Thanks for all the responses! Seems like the general response is as early as possible to get the best pick of cabin and dining time. As long as we do early saver to protect us from any price drops. Carnival allows you to just place the deposit up front, so if we do need to cancel/ change the dates we wouldn't be at a total loss.

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Thanks for all the responses! Seems like the general response is as early as possible to get the best pick of cabin and dining time. As long as we do early saver to protect us from any price drops. Carnival allows you to just place the deposit up front, so if we do need to cancel/ change the dates we wouldn't be at a total loss.

 

 

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I agree with booking early because of the early saver and price drops. However, I've never had a problem getting the cabin location and dining time I want within two or three months of sailing. And I'm picky with my cabin location and always get late dining.

We are last minute cruisers. We book when we see that the price is right for our pockets and when our schedule opens up. So for our cruise history that ends up being between 2-60 days out.

Last cruise I booked was for the Allure and it was 8 days out ... it helps that I live 15 minutes from the pier.

I've booked as late as 5 months in advance and as early as a year. I like to handpick my cabin and give plenty of time to pay & save up. With kids and work schedules, there's no room for last minute. But plenty do it that way. I have a family friend that books days in advance. She just decides and goes. She's also retired with way more money than me.:D

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I am usually about 11 months out. Time to get over one cruise and then book another. It's also good for Early Saver, planning, paying a little at a time, etc.

For a long cruise (14 nights +) at least a year in advance.

Often less for a 7 nighter.

LuLu

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Usually 6-8 months. But booked our last one a year out because we booked Onboard. We are doing a last minute cruise this year also booking 4-6 weeks out.

I've usually booked before I took my next one. I'm currently assessing my options for 2014 and looks like I'm doing MSC if I do a cruise. Carnival isn't in Europe and they (MSC) offer what I'm looking for.

I really like to have another cruise booked before my upcoming one takes place. Makes it easier to come home knowing when I will cruise again.

It just happened that my last cruise and my two upcoming ones were all booked at 16 months out. I expected to be a little more spontaneous now that I am retired but that has not happened yet (I do love the planning and the anticipation:)).

Could be any time between three weeks to six months, depending on the price and our craving for a cruise.