Latest you can book your cruise

[Immebsmom]

Ok, this may sound like a dumb question, but how far in advance do you HAVE to book your cruise? If one of our family members decided to join us last minute and there was availability, what is the drop dead date they have to book? 2 weeks, 2 days, 2 hours? Can anyone help me out here? Thanks so much!!!

[paul929207]

We see different things quoted on here, but most seem to day you need to book at least 48 hours before sailing, checkin at least 90 minutes before sailing and be on board 30 minutes before sailing.

[airboss]

It completely depends on the scenario, but traditionally most now are a few days out.

I had a rare exception on the MSC Musica where we "booked" on-board the cruise ship, 5 minutes before sail away.

[sfo2008]

yeah when we were on the Crown Princess the week before thanksgiving they were trying to fill the following week (thanksgiving week) at steep discounts to people on board. So there will be exceptions from time-to-time.

[Barry H]

After 9/11 the cruise lines departing from American ports are required to submit a passanger manifest to Homeland Security 48 hours before the cruise. Gone are the days when you could walk up to the ship and try to get a cabin last minute. Depending on the cruise Princess waitlists the whole ship about a week before the sailing date.