When to Book Your Cruise

This article is the first in a planned series of three. It was first published in my newsletter a couple weeks ago for my subscribers, but wanted to republish it here for everyone. The second article, Choosing an Agent: Is Your Cruise Paid For? will be posted on Sunday, November 23. The final installment, How to Compare Prices, will be your "Cyber Monday" post on Monday, December 1. These three articles together are designed to help you navigate the changing pricing and dynamics in the cruise industry, make the most of your money, and feel comfortable with the agent and cruise you select.

Do be aware that since this was originally written for my clients, I do have a bit of advocacy for my services in here. And of course I do hope that you'll give me an opportunity to book your cruise, but most of all, I want to provide the information to help you.

Cruise prices are dropping to levels not seen since just after 9/11, but how can you ensure you'll get the best pricing AND go when you want on the ship you want?

With cruise lines seemingly reducing their fares daily, and for sailings farther and farther in the future, it's time to take a different approach to obtaining your best fare. This article is designed to help you strategize depending on your individual needs, cruise line preference, and time of year you want to sail.

During "typical" market conditions, cruise lines try to offer their best fares up front, to entice people to book early, so they know what revenue they can depend upon. Booking cycles for cruises in places like Alaska and Europe often are 6 months or longer in advance.

However, while people are still cruising now since they understand the value in a cruise vacation, they're booking much closer in, as fears of what tomorrow may bring and long-term financial budgeting are being affected by market conditions.

This raises the question of "when should I book my cruise?" I wish it was a simple answer, but it varies by cruise line, time of year and how flexible you can be. In addition, there's an added component for solo occupancy cruisers. I'll address both booking for couples/families and solos in this article.

In general, I'm usually going to recommend booking as early as possible, to lock in prices to protect yourself from future fare increases (and there are sailings going up in price, even after early reductions), but also to obtain the most favorable cabin selection. However, some lines make this easier to stomach than others with regard to future fare reductions. For solos, this is especially the case on Princess and Holland America, as their reduced single supplements in insides and oceanviews are often removed as you get closer to sailing date.

If you must take your vacation at a certain time, due to work or other considerations, then that's another time to book early, but perhaps to book a line which is more open to fare reductions, even after final payment, such as Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.

If you are booking something with more exotic air, such as Europe, Australia or South America, booking earlier gives you the ability to fare shop on your airfare, or better chances of obtaining those elusive frequent flyer awards.

However, if you can travel on short notice, such as 6 weeks or less, then booking late can reap some amazing values.

If you are looking to cruise during slower periods of the year, rates often start off low, but experienced cruisers have discovered these "bargain" periods, so they can sell out quickly. If there are last-minute specials in these time periods, though, they can be spectacular. These low seasons are fall (September through December 15, excluding Thanksgiving), January up through the first two weeks of February, and the period after Easter/Spring Break, but before Memorial Day.

Below, I've summarized the 6 mainstream cruise lines, with their fare reduction policies, last-minute specials, general recommendations and if cruising solo how their single supplement may affect your decision:

Carnival: Reduced single supplement only in Category 1A for almost every sailing. Fare reductions up to final payment, though certain promotions are new bookings only. After final payment, fare reductions/upgrades/onboard credit sometimes are able to be negotiated. Last minute "Pack and Go" fare sales for sailings within 6 weeks. Recommendation: If you want a Category 1A, book early, as they do sell out. If you are flexible as to date, ship and itinerary, waiting for a Pack and Go fare can reap rewards. But in general with Carnival, book when you're comfortable, and watch for reductions. Overall good for early bookings.

Celebrity: One of the most generous (with Royal Caribbean) on fare reductions. Reductions are allowed all the way to sailing date, with the exception of special sales such as Happy Hour (or similar) events restricted to new bookings only. Reduced single supplements scattered throughout their sailings and cabin categories, often tied to special eligibility such as senior, resident or military. Recommendation: If you want a particular ship/sailing date, feel comfortable booking early, but before you make final payment we can look at how likely the ship is to go on "Happy Hour." One of the two best lines in my mind if you need to book early, yet still feel comfortable that you'll receive the benefit of future fare reductions. If you're flexible on date, ship and itinerary, their weekly "Happy Hour/Xciting Deals" sales are the best deals in the business, and often combine reduced single supplements with the dramatically reduced sale fare.

Holland America: Reduced single supplement standard for insides and oceanviews. Fare reductions permitted almost universally until final payment. After final payment, almost never given, as the fare has to be more than 10% savings off your current rate to be given a refund, plus the fare must not be for new bookings only. In reality, most fare reductions after final payment are "flash" fares which are new bookings only, and usually at 200% single supplement in all categories. Recommendation: If you are sailing solo, looking for specific cabins (such as mid-ship balconies) or wanting mini-suites or above, and especially for balcony cabins or above on Alaska cruises, book early and watch the fares until final payment. For all others, if you can see a lot of availability on your selected ship, and you aren't picky on your cabin, waiting for last-minute flash fares can pay off, especially with reductions in inside and oceanview cabins.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Very stingy on reduced single supplement, and even stingier in giving me notice of a reduced supplement. Does frequently reduce fares overall. Also runs frequent special events which offer booking bonuses such as onboard credit. After final payment, much more difficult to obtain fare reductions, but can be done in the majority of instances. Recommendation: Book early, but if you are booking early, wait for one of their special event promotions so you can get the onboard credit offers or other benefits. No matter when you book, actively watch pricing for applicable fare reductions or upgrade potentials at the same price. Overall good for early bookings

Princess: Reduced single supplement standard for insides and oceanviews. Fare reductions permitted almost universally until final payment. After final payment, almost never given. In reality, most fare reductions after final payment are "flash" fares which are new bookings only and usually at 200% single supplement in all categories. Recommendation: If you are sailing solo, looking for specific cabins (such as aft balconies, somewhat midship oceanviews or the elusive non-obstructed obstructed view oceanviews), suites, or especially for Alaska cruises in balcony or above, book early and watch the fares until final payment. For all others, if you can see a lot of availability on your selected ship, and you aren't picky on your cabin, waiting for flash fares can pay off, especially with reductions in insides and oceanviews.

Royal Caribbean: One of the most generous (with sister line Celebrity) on fare reductions. Reductions are allowed all the way to sailing date, with the exception of special sales such as Happy Hour or WOW Sales (or similar) events restricted to new bookings only. Reduced single supplements scattered throughout their sailings and cabin categories, often tied to special eligibility such as senior, resident or military, and most frequent on shorter sailings. Recommendation: If you want a particular ship/sailing date, feel comfortable booking early, but we can look at how likely the ship is to go on "Happy Hour" at final payment. One of the two best lines in my mind if you need to book early, yet still feel comfortable that you'll receive the benefit of future fare reductions. If you're flexible on date, ship and itinerary, their weekly "Happy Hour/Sales Event Deals" sales are the best deals in the business, and often combine reduced single supplements with the dramatically reduced sale fare.

Luxury and specialty lines: Some lines, such as Crystal, are taking the lead in guaranteeing that the price you pay will be the lowest applicable, even after you book. If Crystal lowers the price on your sailing, they will automatically reduce the price on your booking. Nice!

In general, the luxury lines' passengers haven't changed their habits as much as the mainstream lines, but I am seeing more air included offers and some late-season European specials.

Other specialty lines, such as river cruise lines, are feeling the pinch of the international air fare hikes, and in general are seeing close-in fare sales, sometimes combined with reduced air specials. One exception to this, however, are specialty seasons, such as the springtime "Tulip and Daffodil" sailings in Amsterdam.

For solo occupancy rates on luxury and special lines, such as river cruises, you often do need to book extremely early, though a recent slew of no single supplement offers have been forthcoming in the past few weeks. Lines such as Viking River Cruises will only sell a few cabins at a reduced supplement, then all others are automatically at 200%. There are occasional last-minute solo occupancy fare reductions with luxury lines, especially Crystal, or with expeditionary lines, but overall best bet here is to book early for solos.

And in case you weren't aware, my policy is to pass along all applicable fare reductions to my clients. I do not charge any type of service fees for fare reductions, or any other changes, including cancellations, prior to final payment. I invite my clients to partner with me to find the fare reductions, so we can be sure to catch them, but as long as the cruise line will allow the reduction (even if I have to fight for it), I pass the savings along to you. I want you to book when it's right for you without worrying about incurring fees later if fares go down or if you want to upgrade/downgrade or even change a cabin location or cancel prior to final payment.

Yes, figuring out pricing and strategy is a little confusing. Rest assured that I keep on top of the trends with all the lines, their policies and how pricing and occupancy levels are changing. There's no one right recommendation for everyone, but that's where a professional, full-time cruise specialist travel agent is your best friend. Especially one who is an expert at ferreting out reduced single supplements. Give me a call or email me and we'll work together to determine the right strategy for your situation.