When are cruise fares usually at their lowest?

[thermal]

Novice cruiser here. 

 

When are cruise fares usually at their lowest?  When a cruise schedule is first released?  A few days before the cruise begins?  Somewhere in between?   

 

I'm trying to understand cruise pricing changes and would appreciate any insights.  

 

Thank you. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

49 minutes ago, thermal said:

Novice cruiser here. 

 

When are cruise fares usually at their lowest?  When a cruise schedule is first released?  A few days before the cruise begins?  Somewhere in between?   

 

I'm trying to understand cruise pricing changes and would appreciate any insights.  

 

Thank you. 

Not easy to answer because it varies from cruise line to cruise line (including industry segment to industry segment) snd itinerary to itinerary.

For example, our preferred cruise line sells out some of its most popular itineraries within a couple of weeks after they’re first announced. And, even though there may be some passenger cancellations (e.g., prior to Final Payment being due), the prices on those cruises will never be reduced - rather, they’ll only increase.

If you’ve got a particular season and/or itinerary and/or “segment” (Mass Market, Premium, Luxury, Expedition) in mind, contact a cruise savvy TA and they may be able to share some CLIA data about pricing trends or key factors to consider.

[wowzz]

The other issue to consider is that certain cabins/suites sell out extremely quickly due to their popularity. 

Whilst you might get a "good " price by waiting until the last minute, your choice of cabins will be limited.

[Essiesmom]

For the largest, mass market lines, the highest fares are summer and over holidays, when kids are not in school and families can travel.  Some of the least expensive times are between Thanksgiving and Christmas, just after New Years…. Prices also drop a bit after Labor Day in September when most kids go back to school.  One of the paradoxes is that shorter cruises can be more expensive than a cruise a day or two longer.  For instance, my closest cruise port is Jacksonville, Florida.  The ship there does four and five night cruises.  The cruise that leaves Monday and returns Saturday is less expensive than one that leaves Thursday and returns Monday, because the shorter cruise requires fewer days off work or out of school, so more families book it.  EM

[wowzz]

19 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

For the largest, mass market lines, the highest fares are summer and over holidays, when kids are not in school and families can travel.  Some of the least expensive times are between Thanksgiving and Christmas, just after New Years…. Prices also drop a bit after Labor Day in September when most kids go back to school.  One of the paradoxes is that shorter cruises can be more expensive than a cruise a day or two longer.  For instance, my closest cruise port is Jacksonville, Florida.  The ship there does four and five night cruises.  The cruise that leaves Monday and returns Saturday is less expensive than one that leaves Thursday and returns Monday, because the shorter cruise requires fewer days off work or out of school, so more families book it.  EM

I think the OP is asking when it is the best time to physically book a cruise, not the cheapest time to actually take a cruise.

[Honolulu Blue]

4 hours ago, thermal said:

Novice cruiser here. 

 

When are cruise fares usually at their lowest?  When a cruise schedule is first released?  A few days before the cruise begins?  Somewhere in between?   

 

I'm trying to understand cruise pricing changes and would appreciate any insights.  

 

Thank you. 

As others have said, it depends on many factors.  Here are a few generalities, worth about what you paid for them:

 

• For SOME cruises on SOME lines, the only way you'll get any cabin is to buy when it's first available.  They can sell out, and if they don't, the available cabins will have spiked in price.  Examples include world cruises and grand voyages.
• For some categories of cabins on some cruise lines, a similar thing applies - they can sell out fast, and if there are any remaining, their price will go way up.  Examples include suites and solo cabins.
• Generally, when there isn't a pandemic going on to gum things up, the price when cabins are first released is the price it will stay at for a while.  There will be some wobbles due to sales and such.
• Speaking of sales, sometimes cruise lines offer better prices than others.  There's no telling when they will be.
• Cruise prices usually drop immediately after final payment is due - roughly 60 to 90 days before cruising
• You can get a great deal a few days before a cruise if you're flexible.  But these days, if you want that kind of deal, you really have to be prepared to sail anywhere, in any cabin, and possibly have to travel a long way to get to the embarkation port.

[Mary229]

If you are in the US and looking for sales I have found some of the best sales on Black Friday weekend following Thanksgiving.  4th of July weekend was really good prior to the pandemic.  Then there is wave season in January/February, that is the traditional sale months but I have never found any great sales then.

[Joebucks]

I'd say cruise prices are at their lowest when they are at their lowest.

 

In all seriousness, it can vary. Outside of summer and holidays, prices are generally much lower. In advance is often going to have better prices (and more room choices). I usually watch the prices for a few weeks then book it when it falls to its lowest point. 

[iancal]

When they have too many unsold cabins and the cruise line's revenue maximization algorithm for the particular ship/itinerary indicates to their pricing team that now is the time to drop prices (or increase them).

 

We book most of our cruises inside the final payment window.  Anywhere from 60 days out to 3 days out depending on price, available cabins, embarkation port.

 

IF you are waiting to get the absolute lowest possible price on a cruise (or an airfare) then be prepared to spend your vacation at home. Chances are you will have waited too long.

 

We establish a target price.  When it hits we buy immediately.  In our experience low prices can take a sudden turn upward  the same day or overnight just as easily as high prices can drop.

Edited August 24, 2022 by iancal

[Flatbush Flyer]

4 minutes ago, iancal said:

When they have too many unsold cabins and the cruise line's revenue maximization algorithm for the particular ship/itinerary indicates to their pricing team that now is the time to drop prices (or increase them).

 

We book most of our cruises in the final payment window.  Anywhere from 60 days out to 3 days out depending on price, available cabins, embarkation port.

 

IF you are waiting to get the lowest possible price on a cruise (or an airfare) then be prepared to spend your vacation at home.

 

We establish a target price.  When it hits we buy immediately.  In our experience low prices can take a sudden turn upward in with in day or overnight just as easily as high prices can drop.

The same is somewhat true for airlines with all the major players now using dynamic pricing for both $$ and FF seats. 

[*Miss G*]

Agree with most everything others have already stated.  Keep in mind that you can book and then refare if you see a price drop prior to final payment.  Results will vary depending on the terms you have booked under.  For example, if you chose a non-refundable deposit, you will have to forfeit that deposit to book under the new terms.  In my experience with Holland America, if you book directly with a Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC) they will work to provide compensation if there is a price drop after final payment.

[ldubs]

I'm not constantly looking but it seems I bump into a lot of really good cruise fares for dates one month out.   

[Flatbush Flyer]

14 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

Agree with most everything others have already stated.  Keep in mind that you can book and then refare if you see a price drop prior to final payment.  Results will vary depending on the terms you have booked under.  For example, if you chose a non-refundable deposit, you will have to forfeit that deposit to book under the new terms.  In my experience with Holland America, if you book directly with a Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC) they will work to provide compensation if there is a price drop after final payment.

Some cruise lines will have a “book onboard” perk of “price drop match” up to the day of embarkation.

[iancal]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

The same is somewhat true for airlines with all the major players now using dynamic pricing for both $$ and FF seats. 

Absolutely.  When we are shopping for attractive last minute offers we are also shopping airline prices if it is required.  We also shop air for different convenient gateways.

[Flatbush Flyer]

5 minutes ago, iancal said:

Absolutely.  When we are shopping for attractive last minute offers we are also shopping airline prices if it is required.  We also shop air for different convenient gateways.

And hopefully you compare multi-city to “one way” fares (which can be very surprising).

[iancal]

8 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

And hopefully you compare multi-city to “one way” fares (which can be very surprising).

Always because we often do one ways. 

 

 We went to Portugal in May June.  Plan was to fly to LIsbon, then on to Madeira.  It was $100.  less expensive to fly to Madeira through Lisbon and then carry on to Lisbon on the same very same Lisbon flight/carrier we first considered.

 

 It was considerably less and much more convenient to fly home one way on a different airline from Faro that it was if we had purchased return tickets from out outbound carrier.

Edited August 24, 2022 by iancal

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, ldubs said:

I'm not constantly looking but it seems I bump into a lot of really good cruise fares for dates one month out.   

That seems to be the time range for good deals (on unpopular itineraries) — of course it is also the time range when some desirable cruises (as well as preferred accommodations) are sold out.  

[Ilovesailaway]

OP sign up with the lines you are interested in. Poke around a bit but don't book. You should get some special offers sent to your email

[ldubs]

29 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

That seems to be the time range for good deals (on unpopular itineraries) — of course it is also the time range when some desirable cruises (as well as preferred accommodations) are sold out.  

 

"(on unpopular itineraries)"

 

This is exactly opposite of the truth. Most of these deals, while likely not appealing to you, will be from the most popular ports.   In addition to the busier US ports, they are also seen for European and Asian itineraries.    The point being if someone has the flexibility these might work for them.

 

You do understand, I think, that nothing is going to work 100% of the time for everyone.     

 

   

 

[iancal]

You can sign up for late deals by geography at Princess.  Celebrity and RCI publish 'Tuesday' specials.  We check one of the '90 day lists' and get email from another very large on line agency with their late booking offers on all lines.

 

If we were interested in a late booking our former TA would check and sometimes come back with a more attractive offer that was not advertised, was about to be advertised, or a fare that she had knowledge of it being reduced again within a few days.  Alas, we are on our own for the next one!

Edited August 24, 2022 by iancal

[wowzz]

6 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Keep in mind that you can book and then refare if you see a price drop prior to final payment.  

Not in the UK! 

[*Miss G*]

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Not in the UK! 

 

Yes, sorry, the UK has restrictive laws to protect the consumer but they also eliminate the flexibility we receive in North America.

[navybankerteacher]

3 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

"(on unpopular itineraries)"

 

This is exactly opposite of the truth. Most of these deals, while likely not appealing to you, will be from the most popular ports.   
 

...

 

 

   

 

Hardly!  

An “unpopular itinerary” is simply one which has not attracted many buyers- while the unusual itineraries are the ones which generally sell out earliest,

 

It has nothing to do with my preferences.

 

An itinerary whose fares have been cut significantly in the weeks before sailing is one (regardless of line or ports) is going to be one which has not attracted many buyers (i.e. “unpopular”)  while the itinerary which is sold out, or close to sold out, well in advance has to be seen as “popular”.

[wowzz]

23 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Yes, sorry, the UK has restrictive laws to protect the consumer but they also eliminate the flexibility we receive in North America.

Hmm - not sure about restrictive !

Consumer rights are far stronger in the UK than in the US.  Is that restrictive? 

[*Miss G*]

9 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Hmm - not sure about restrictive !

Consumer rights are far stronger in the UK than in the US.  Is that restrictive? 

 

Poor choice in wording.  How about protective?