Find out when is the best time to book a cruise to get the best cabin selection, destinations, and price!
Knowing the best time to book a cruise can help you get the exact options that are most important to you. Whether you are interested in finding the lowest price, are looking for a specific itinerary, or are concerned about booking your favorite cabin type, booking your cruise at the right time can help ensure you enjoy your dream vacation. To help you find the best time to book your cruise vacation, CruiseExperts.com answers the top questions about when to book a cruise.
When is the best time to book a cruise for the best cabin selection?
Book early. If you are particular about cabin selection, or desire to sail on a specific cruise ship, you should book your cruise as early as possible. Cruise lines begin booking as early as two years in advance for some destinations and sailings, so you can start planning your trip well in advance of your sailing date. For most cruises, booking at least six to twelve months in advance will ensure you have your choice of cabin types. Be aware that balcony cabins sell out particularly quickly on any ship travelling in rich landscape areas such as Alaska cruises, Mediterranean river cruises, and fall foliage cruises.
When is the best time to book a cruise for holiday vacations?
Holiday cruises typically sell out early. If you want to take a cruise on Christmas/New Years, during Easter week, for Spring Break, or on other popular holiday dates, you should book your cruise at least 9 months to a year in advance to avoid disappointment.
When is the best time to book a cruise for popular destinations?
Depending on the destination you have in mind, you may need to book months in advance or risk missing your chance to visit a particular country or port on your cruise. If you want to take an Alaska cruise during peak whale watching season July through September, we recommend booking 9 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Bahamas / Caribbean cruises offer a slew of departure dates, so you only really need to book early for holiday cruises to these destinations. You can find great pricing on Bahamas / Caribbean cruises if you are willing to book during hurricane season in September and October.
When is the best time to book a cruise to get the best price?
Book early or book late. Booking a cruise early will allow you to take advantage of Early Bird discounts and pricing incentives. Travelers who are planning on sailing from a distant port and need to figure airfare prices into holiday plans may find that booking early may be the ideal choice to get the best price. During wave season, the three month booking period that begins in January, cruise lines offer competitive pricing and you can find incredible deals.
If you are flexible about destination and sailing dates, booking your cruise within 90 days of the sailing date allows you take advantage of deep discounts. Cruise lines try to make sure all their cabins are sold before sailing so they offer great deals to fill vacancies left by cancellations and unsold tickets. You can save as much as 80% on cruises when you book a cruise through CruiseExpert.com’s Last Minute Deals. CruiseExperts.com can helps you save even more on exclusive pricing incentives and deals available through our Price Advantage Alerts, where you can find deals that are much lower than those found booking directly through cruise lines.
If you are ready to book your cruise vacation, or want more tips on the best time to book your cruise, call CruiseExperts.com today at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784). Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and join our InnerCircle for exclusive offers and cruise news you can use! Also, check out our new Resource Center, where you can receive expert knowledge from us before your next cruise or cruisetour!