j3000 Posted October 22, 2018 #1 Share Posted October 22, 2018 we just now booked a cruise, kinda last minute. (Celebrity 4-night for November). just for "fun", I checked pricing on the exact same cruise,- same ship, same room- for next March. without quoting actual numbers, the March price was DOUBLE what we're paying. Is this the norm...book late, not early, for better pricing? Does it have anything to do with the season November vs March? just curious. Comments?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted October 22, 2018 timing can matter ..March many schools are out so more people to cruise 😉 but also if the late booking is soon they are just trying to fill cabins so will discount the price sometimes you get a deal & sometimes not just depends on your risk factor if you do not care when/where you sail or where you sleep it can be a good deal booking late JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted October 22, 2018 #3 Share Posted October 22, 2018 10 minutes ago, jargey3000 said: we just now booked a cruise, kinda last minute. (Celebrity 4-night for November). just for "fun", I checked pricing on the exact same cruise,- same ship, same room- for next March. without quoting actual numbers, the March price was DOUBLE what we're paying. Is this the norm...book late, not early, for better pricing? Does it have anything to do with the season November vs March? just curious. Comments?? March is prime spring break time. I would not surprise me to find the price double, unless you are sailing over Thanksgiving next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j3000 Posted October 22, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted October 22, 2018 when is your Thanksgiving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic6318 Posted October 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Hi The pricing for cruises with departures in late Nov. and early Dec. are typically as low as they get. Booking in advance with a rate that allows for price drop matching will most often give you the best prices possible. More important for some, is that it allows you to pick your preferred cabin location, as opposed to getting what is available. hope this helps have a great cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted October 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted October 22, 2018 As per normal it depends where in the world you are sailing. In Australia it is likely to be the opposite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted October 22, 2018 #7 Share Posted October 22, 2018 US Thanksgiving is Nov. 22. Cruises just before the holiday cruises, and those between the Thanksgiving cruises and Christmas cruises often are the lowest of the year. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted October 22, 2018 #8 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Early November is “low season” - also, if cruise is not selling out, fare reductions are common. When I was cruising solo, I regularly booked less than a week in advance (and was willing to not sail if price wasn’t right) - and usually paid 50%-75% of quoted fare - with no single supplement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco Posted October 23, 2018 #9 Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Cruise fares are kind of like airfares. Sometimes I can fly to Fla for under $100, but Thanksgiving week, some flights are around $400. All depends on demand at specific times. Cruise fares to the Caribbean historically seem to be at their lowest from mid Nov to just prior to the Christmas/New Year's cruises. Edited October 23, 2018 by marco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted October 23, 2018 #10 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Celebrity would be including perks in the price for next year but not if you booked last minute for this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 23, 2018 #11 Share Posted October 23, 2018 There is no "normal" when it comes to cruise prices...just like there's no "normal" when it comes to airline prices! I can guarantee no 2 cabins pay the same thing....they price according to what they think they can get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted October 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted October 23, 2018 You can find bargains by booking last minute but you may not find just the itinerary, ship and cabin class you're hoping for. If you're flexible there are good prices a but if you have your heart set on a Holland America Panama Canal transit in March (for example), you should book early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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