How close to departure date should you book a cruise?

We're want to do a last minute family cruise and we're looking at Eastern Caribbean April departures from Florida. Is there any reason not to book so close to a date? We've only done one cruise a couple of years ago on RCL. Thanks!

No. I booked an Alaska cruise on a Wednesday and we sailed Sunday.

If you have to fly to reach the port, last minute plane tickets may be expensive.

If you are looking for next month....then anytime is good to book. The cruise will already be inside its final payment period which means you will be required to pay in full at time of booking (or within a day). This is also a good time to look around for bargains...which means you should shop around among some major high volume (reputable) cruise agencies.

Hank

Depends on if you are picky about the level, type and location of your cabin. Your choice may not be good.

Or...there may not be any left in the time frame you have available.

As mentioned, last minute airfares can take a bigger bite.

All depends on your flexibility.

When i live in city with many cruise lines. I pick up my cell and called ship line.

Monday book ship with up grade and cash back for less money and sail off on sat or sun on same week.

Now, living sea lock, but have plane and we can fly to any port city in usa.

What ship line did you booked?

How was alaska cruise!

Thank you:)

no. I booked an alaska cruise on a wednesday and we sailed sunday.

If you have to fly to reach the port, last minute plane tickets may be expensive.

You can get great deals by booking close to the sailing date. If flights are needed, higher flight costs may offset any cruise savings though.

I have friends who are very flexible with their work schedules and rarely book more than 2 weeks ahead. They just watch for a great deal and go, but live within a 10 hour drive of 5 departure ports and don’t mind driving.

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The closest to departure you can legally book was 72 hours last I checked. Your issue is finding cruise with whatever number of cabins you need, in what ever configuration need.

Thanks for all the replies. There are 5 of us going. Myself, Husband and 3 - 20 year olds so I hope you can find the right cabins for all of us. Hoping all the balcony type cabins aren't already sold.

I would book as early as you can.

The lower price rooms go first.

The ones in optimal locations go pretty quickly.

And always consider flights and hotels.

Keith

Thanks for all the replies. There are 5 of us going. Myself, Husband and 3 - 20 year olds

Triple occupancy and Quad occupancy cabins are limited on every ship and are often hard to find on close in sailings.

April is also spring break in a lot of areas, so pickings may be slim.

The closest to departure you can legally book was 72 hours last I checked. Your issue is finding cruise with whatever number of cabins you need, in what ever configuration need.

Must have been a while since you checked. The manifest goes in to CBP 60 minutes before departure. On Carnival, you can call and book in the morning and sail in the afternoon. Most other lines allow you to book the night before. the 72 hour thing is an urban legend with no basis. EM

As most ships sail full your challenge will be the limited cabin choice thus close to sailing as well as it being a popular vacation time. Good luck!

Is there any reason not to book so close to a date?

Yes, you miss to have something nice to look forward to for a long time.

the 72 hour thing is an urban legend with no basis. EM

Followed your lead and find reference to the 60 minute limit currently. Knowing of everyday computer and web issues, just wondering what happens when clearance not possible within that 60 minutes. As far as the 72 hour rule, Princess did have it on their web page and access to pax "personalizer" page would lock three days prior to embarkation.

Just booked our side by side balcony cabins!

Our cruises booked 3/4 months before sailing have been our best deals.

The ones booked 6 months before and over have been an amazing wait though....especially booking the Vista when she became available. Was fun seeing her get built then sailing on her in her inaugural season.

I generally wait until after the final payment date to book our cruises. That's when the big bargains happen. But it's also when prices can go up for ships that are selling well. It's always a risk. I booked the cruise we took last month at the end of December--52 days before the cruise.

We do the same. Book in the final payment window. We always want a balcony. We determine a strike price. Then we narrow our choice down to two or three ships. We follow the peicing closely since price changes can occur for one day only, up or down. When our price hits, we book immediately through our on line TA. Three days prior has been the closest for us.

The trick is to understand what a good price is, select several ships that you would be happy with, and be patient. This has worked for us countless times. And after the buy, stop looking at prices. Chances are if you expect to get the very lowest price you will be vacationing in your back yard. Like air, there is always someone who paid more, and someone who paid less. This is what first caused us not to be loyal to any one cruise line.

Before it departs is best. :p - Generally at least 3 days before but you cannot be fussy with cabin location.

I book as soon as the cruise is available, usually 18-24 months out.

If you are wanting to ge in April 2018 you had best hurry. :)

Just booked our side by side balcony cabins!

Now start getting excited! :D