Opinions on booking Alaska cruise May 2008. Now or next year?

[chemist661]

I was thinking of waiting after final payment date to book Alaska cruise for May 2008. Prices are better than June/July. For mid May 7 day to/from Seattle, oceanview (obstructed) with online agency is approx $660pp before taxes/$50 Alaska fee.

 

With the upcoming fuel surcharge of $49pp/week, should we book now or would the price come down more than the fuel surcharge. I already purchased the $250 deposit on board on our last cruise.

 

What has been last year's prices for going in May? Any great deals on Alaska cruise from last year?

 

Bottom line: Should we pull the trigger or wait?

 

Thanks. :)

[salty dingo]

I would book now, and save the surcharge. Prices tend to go up, not down, as sail date approaches, unless the ship is not selling well. Alaska is a pretty hot ticket right now, so I hear. We booked over a year out for our Alaska cruise next year.

[El-Bac]

May is cheaper than July/August because it's much colder.

 

I did a RCCL cruise and on August 1st I was in standing in the Yukon looking out accross the endless tundra. Temperature: 58 F. Windchill: 45 F.

[Toyz711]

you may want to go over to the alaska boards:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

and do some research. may weather can be fine, but what are you interested in doing at the ports. way too early for any bear tours,

the white pass train (in skagway) doesn't start it's trips until may 15th, some of the views will still be ice covered (last year the lake at mendenhall glacier...in juneau..wasn't thawed until after june 1st)

if your cruise goes to sawyer glacier (tracy arms), last year none of the cruise ship got within viewing range until after the 1st of june...too much ice for the ships to get through.