port city residents:inexpensive last minute deals?

[ouse456]

I've heard rumored that local residents (Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, etc) have access to very inexpensive last minute deals to fill up ships that are close to sailing. Is this true? If so, how are they informed. 

[CruiserBruce]

Each cruise line has a policy or procedure for this. Contact the cruise lines you are interested in and ask them how to be on the last minute cruisers list.

[Host CJSKIDS]

It’s the same last minute emails that everyone gets if they sign up for them. 

[VMax1700]

Rumours are great, aren't they? 

[BlueHerons]

Those days are long gone when you could find last minute cruise deals in the Sunday paper.

 

Everyone has access to the same deals.  Find a good, local travel agent.

 

Sharon has found me some amazing deals but unfortunately my family is stupid and I can't get them to book.

[MadManOfBethesda]

2 hours ago, BlueHerons said:

Those days are long gone when you could find last minute cruise deals in the Sunday paper.

 

Everyone has access to the same deals.  Find a good, local travel agent.

 

Sharon has found me some amazing deals but unfortunately my family is stupid and I can't get them to book.

That depends upon how your define "everyone."  Some discounts are reserved for residents of a specific state.  For example, while researching transatlantic cruises this past weekend, I happened across a last-minute sale for a 5-night Celebrity cruise departing from Ft. Lauderdale this Saturday (Nov. 24th).  The sale shows up as a Celebrity "Xciting Deal" for $259pp for an inside guarantee.  However, residents of Florida can book at a further discounted rate of only $199pp. I think that meets the OP's definition of local residents having access to discounted rates for last-minute sailings.

 

(BTW, although we're already booked on a 10-day cruise over Christmas, I decided that this $199 rate was too good to pass up, so my wife I will heading up I-95 from Miami this Saturday and boarding Infinity for a little spur-of-the moment mini-vacation!)

[MadManOfBethesda]

This last-minute, Florida residents only deal just got a little bit better. I was notified today by our travel agent that Celebrity has upgraded us from an inside guarantee to a category 5 outside cabin on Deck 6.  Not bad for $199pp!