How far in advance

[Cruiser06and10]

How far in advance do you book your hotel in New Orleans? We are cruising out of New Orleans next January, but have not booked a hotel yet. At what point should we have it secured?

 

Thank you in advance!

[jgmpuma]

January isn't one of the busiest months in New Orleans. Mardi Gras isn't until the end of February, and the convention season is just getting started, so you have some time.

[NightOne]

How far in advance do you book your hotel in New Orleans? We are cruising out of New Orleans next January, but have not booked a hotel yet. At what point should we have it secured?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Since I do not book prepaid rooms I book a long way out in advance. Then I keep watching prices at the place I booked and other places. If I see a better deal/place I switch and cancel the original reservation.

 

I see no real reason to wait if you have no money down on it.

Edited May 24, 2016 by NightOne

[dctravel]

Since I do not book prepaid rooms I book a long way out in advance. Then I keep watching prices at the place I booked and other places. If I see a better deal/place I switch and cancel the original reservation.

 

I see no real reason to wait if you have no money down on it.

 

I agree with NightOne. Start looking now, but only look at rates that DO NOT require prepayment. Then you can keep looking, and if a better hotel or cheaper rate opens up, you can cancel one reservation and pick up the new one.

 

This is especially key if there is a specific hotel you want to stay in. Better to reserve a cancelable reservation now than not get the hotel later.

 

Just make sure you do NOT pre-pay. That would lock you in and make it so you cannot cancel.

[funat55]

I agree with NightOne. Start looking now, but only look at rates that DO NOT require prepayment. Then you can keep looking, and if a better hotel or cheaper rate opens up, you can cancel one reservation and pick up the new one.

 

This is especially key if there is a specific hotel you want to stay in. Better to reserve a cancelable reservation now than not get the hotel later.

 

Just make sure you do NOT pre-pay. That would lock you in and make it so you cannot cancel.

 

I agree with the other posters. I book on a web site that offers one rate if you pay in advance and a slightly higher rate to book without payment. I usually have a preference of where I want to stay so I would rather have the peace of mind that I have the accommodations I want even if it ends up slightly more at the end.

[riffatsea]

We cruise in December and I booked the hotel in June.

I never pay ahead of time so this way I have a hotel at a price I like and IF I find a better option I can cancel and rebook later.

[rtaurus]

I booked for this coming september back in december. the price has kept going up since!