How far in advance should I book a cruise?
How to Book a Cruise and how far in advance should I book? Most cruises can be booked anywhere from 18 months to one week ahead of sailing. When you choose to book the cruise is up to you, but there are pros and cons for booking early or late. Booking further ahead gives you more choice when it comes to cabin location. So, if you want a specific cabin or even a particular category that happens to be popular, you’ll want to book as soon as possible.
The closer to the date of sailing you book, the less cabin choices you’ll have, but the more likely you are to save money. With the exception of high-demand sailings, the prices on most cruises tend to drop as the sail date approaches.
Whether you are booking early or late, you’re liable to get extra perks. Cruise lines use incentives to get people to book early, and close-in when ships haven’t sold out. Perks can include extras like prepaid gratuities, free drink cards, or on board cash for spending. Ready to take a cruise? Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
Do I need to pay for my cruise all at once?
No, you do not. You will be required to put down a cabin deposit, which can range anywhere from $50 (during a special lowered-deposit promotion) to a few thousand dollars for a round-the-world cruise. A deposit can range of $250 to $1,000, depending on length of cruise and cabin type. The rest of the payment is usually due one to three months before the sailing date. Check with your cruise line or travel agent for specifics, as some cruise lines have stricter rules. Disney Cruise Line, has final payment dates much further out, from 75 to 150 days prior to sailing. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
Shop During Wave Season
Wave season is busy promotional period that goes from December or January to March. This is a great time to book not only for price, but to book for availability. This can be a great time to put down a deposit on your summer vacation, securing the space you need in the cabins you want months ahead of time. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
What is a guarantee cabin?
You face two big questions if you take the risk of booking a cruise cabin guarantee. Do you really save enough money to make the not knowing worth it? And most importantly, what are the chances you’ll wind up with an upgrade? You are guaranteed a cabin in the category you’ve chosen, and there is always the possibility of an upgrade. The real risk is giving up the chance to pick your own cabin location, mid ship, high deck, low deck, etc. You might end up with the oddball cabin no one wants because it’s a strange shape, under a noisy deck or a long trek from the elevator. If you really don’t care where the room is, and price is all that matters, then booking a guaranteed room will work for you. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
How do you save money on a cruise?
- Never pay the cruise brochure rate. The glossy brochures with “sample” pricing looks great but unless it’s a very special high-demand trip, do not pay the cruise brochure rates.
- Be flexible. If you are willing to travel at the last minute and have the flexibility to wait, you could find the best rock-bottom fares.
- Book early. Cruise lines are luring “advance planners,” those who book a cruise and pay a deposit six to 18 months in advance, by offering great fares and throwing in upgrades and value adds such free or reduced airfare, free specialty dining, beverage packages, shore excursions, prepaid gratuities, and cabin upgrades.
- Look for sales. The cruise industry is full sales; some lines offer short-term promos. Wave Season (January through March) offers an outpouring of sales. The internet has some of the best mediums for finding
deals, ranging from last minute to two years out. Note that most of the online cruise site offer VERY similar, if not the same bargains. Scouring every cruise site will generally not get you a better deal, just maybe fill your inbox up with promotional emails. I like Avoya travel, and have used them to book cruises before. - Cruise close to home. Cruise ships depart from cities all along the U.S. coastline. You can cruise from just about anywhere in Florida year-round, as well as New York, Boston, Baltimore, Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans and Galveston.
- Book on board. If you book your next cruise while on board your current one, you can take advantage of reduced deposits, fare discounts and possibly free on board credit. Deposits are usually refundable, and you can choose or change itinerary later.
Don’t fly in the same day you set sail!
Get your vacation started at least one day before your cruise by booking a hotel room near the ship, This way you won’t have to worry about flight delays, or traffic delays getting to port. Enjoy your morning at the hotel, feel rested and relaxed, and ready to head to the cruise port. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
Know your dining options.
In addition to table size, there are usually two basic dinner choices that you will be presented during the booking process on most of the mainstream lines: One of two set dining times in the main dining room—usually around 6 and 8 p.m.—or an open seating option, whereby you can have dinner in the main dining room any time from about 5:30 to 9 p.m. Once you lock in your choice for a set dining time or the open plan, it is not always possible to switch it after embarkation, so consider this before you book. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
The open seating option might seem to be the easiest pick, allowing the greatest flexibility. But at prime time (around 7 p.m. for most cruises) there may be a wait for a table, especially for parties larger than four. You will be seated in a different location nightly and, unless you request a private table which are not always available, and you’ll be dining with different guests nightly. If you opt for the traditional set meal times you’ll be assigned the same table and waiters each evening and break bread with the same fellow cruisers nightly.
Know what’s included.
Cruises used to be a fairly inclusive product, but cruise lines have figured out that one way to increase overall revenue is to lower the upfront price of a cabin, and then charge for extras we used to take for granted. The the list of inclusions varies with each cruise line. Most charge for sodas, but Disney Cruise Line doesn’t. Celebrity charges for pay-per-view movies on your TV, but Holland America has an extensive DVD library on each ship, delivered to your room. All of them include meals at the main dining room and grazing at the buffet, but they charge for specialty dining. And don’t forget to check airfares before booking your cruise. A great deal on a Mediterranean cruise during peak season isn’t that hard to find, but Europe’s summer airfares may give you heart palpitations. Get the Best Cruise Vacation Tips Here.
Really good info. I had no idea that I had to choose dining options. I also didn’t realize I could put down a deposit. This info is really valuable, because I want to take a cruise next summer with my family and I like the option to book early without having to put all the money down. great site! I’ll be back 🙂
Great Lisbonam! I am glad you found the information on how to book a cruise useful!
Wow ok, I just learned I’m slightly ignorant to cruise travel! I want to take my 4 children and Wife next Summer. I didn’t realize that you had to choose different meal options. I also had no idea that I’m allowed to put down a deposit. I like this so I can book something 6+ months before my trip.
Can you recommend a cruise with children?
I did write a post that goes over which cruise is best for children, singles, romance, etc. I have the cruise lines listed that would work best for you. You can find this at How to choose a cruise 🙂 Yes, you can reserve now, put down a deposit, and pay in full before you cruise. I am glad you found the information helpful.
I have always wanted to do a cruise. I liked how you broke things down and gave great tips. I wondered if there was like, The ideal cabin position? Never having been on a ship I don’t know how they set the cabins out. I guess a window one would be best, but are there some that don’t have a window? Are there different sizes too?
Well, a cruise is on my wish list! I am in a landlocked country – Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, but as a child we went often to South Africa to the sea. I sometimes miss the sea and memories of those holidays. Are there cruises from South Africa do you know?
Thanks for stopping by and reading about how to book a cruise. As far as cabins go, length of cruise and what cruise line to pick, please visit this post where I have it all broken down for you 🙂 The port you would leave out of in South Africa would be Durban. So yes, there are cruises leaving out of your country 🙂
I love how this article breaks down the time that you should consider when booking a cruise. As I had previously traveled with my parents (and they booked everything), I didn’t know there was so much to know :). I especially like your tips on how to save money when booking. If I ever decide to take another cruise, I’ll use this as my reference!
Great Christen 🙂 I think if you follow the tips, you can save quite a bit actually. I am heading on a cruise in October, and I am actually going to wait until very close to when we want to leave. Because prices will be awesome! Thanks for stopping by and visiting how to book a cruise.
So many great tips you shared. Before reading your post, I have no idea about how to book cheap and guaranteed cruise. Will always come back and check for most updated travel tips for both saving money and get better travel experience. Thank you
You are welcome Peter, and thanks for stopping by How to book a cruise. I hope I have covered everything for you. When you are ready to book, I would be glad to help you set things up 🙂
Great tips and useful video. I always try to book early my trips (cruise or plane tickets) as the price can go very high near the departure date. I didn’t know Avoya travel, I will look into it. Thanks for those helpful reminders.
You are welcome Benjamin, thanks for stopping by.
I have booked a cruise which i’m going on in 5 weeks. I only wish i’d read your post before I booked. There are some great tips and options I didn’t realize. But when I book my next cruise, I will be coming back to this page and following your suggestions.
Great post and advice.
Chris
Yes, there is a lot of info and options that people don’t know about when booking. I am sure you will still have a fantastic time. Please stop back by when you return and let us all know how it was! Thanks for stopping by!
I have always wanted to go on a cruise, saying that, thank you for the wonderful information on how to do this and how I can save money. I have found the idea of booking a cruise somewhat intimidating and not sure of the steps to go about doing this. This information has helped alleviate some of that fear.
Great Taianne! Thanks for reading how to book a cruise. And yes, it can be intimidating because there really are a lot of choices. You can easily book online once you know what type of cabin you want, how many days, and out of what port you leave. I live in Florida and always leave out of here. So I look for a cruise from my port, and I always cruise generally for 7 to 8 days. I have done a 4 day cruise before, and it was way way to short. If you have any questions, or need any help, please feel free to ask.
I have never been on a Cruiser and I would love to try it at least once. I live in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, and many Cruisers come to the city. Is it possible to book a Cruiser and start my trip from here or do I have to go to the city where the cruise starts the route?
Hi Ruben and great question. I went ahead and did a search for you and I could not find a cruise that starts in Mazatlan. That does not mean there isn’t one. You might want to check with a travel agent to see. But there are cruises that include airport to and from the port, and this could be the way to go for you. Thanks for reading and I hope you do give cruising a try. It really is a great bargain, not to mention so much fun !
Leahrae,
Room choice seems to be the biggest thing after choosing where to cruise at. Thanks for your tips about how to get a room that you will enjoy, if you do not like the room, you may not like the cruise.
The dining would be better for me to have a different bunch each day, as you meet a lot of people this way.
Thanks again for your detailed information.
John
I am glad you enjoyed reading about how to book a cruise. You are right, if you do not like your room, it might just put a damper on the cruise. There are some that don’t care where they are, it is just a place to shut their eyes. I prefer to be closer to the action and away from the noise 🙂
Very informative webpage. All the best information on when and how to book a cruise. Great information for first timers and experienced cruisers. A great tip on never pay the cruise brochure rate. Most travelers probably have never heard of the “brochure rate” and how to avoid paying it.
Very true Mick. I even think that travel agents charge too much, LOL….almost like paying the brochure rate. If you know what kind of cabin, cruise, etc, then it is much better to purchase online in my opinion. I get the best deal this way. Thanks for visiting How to Book a Cruise.
Leahrae,
I’d never heard of the “wave season” before and it totally makes sense to try and book then. I haven’t been on a cruise in ages. I had so much fun and it was so luxurious. I think one of the best parts of my cruise was that everything was all inclusive-w/ the exception of alcohol. But I have friends that have purchased their tickets with drinks included as well. I’ll have to check out the link you posted for Avoya. My summer plans are looking up now! Thanks:)
Great, you will love going again. And I really do think that you can get the best deal with Avoya, I did and continue to look to them for the best prices, wave season or not! Thanks for reading how to book a cruise.
These are some amazing suggestions on how to book a cruise and avoid paying higher fees and getting ripped off by the fees listed in the color brochures. Not sure about the cabin guarantee, though. I wouldn’t want to take the chance on a less-than kind of room, far away or an odd size — as it is I struggle with motion sickness, so I would want the option of picking my best position for a cabin. I also didn’t know that January through March have the best offers and sales. That is great to know, and I have bookmarked your site for additional info, once I am ready to book!
Thanks Amy, and I don’t do the guaranteed room either. It really isn’t that much of a savings, and I want to know exactly where I will be on the boat, and have some control over that. Thanks for reading about how to book a cruise.
How to Book a Cruise and not pay full price is the way I see this titled 🙂 You mention there is a way to get a cabin upgrade but it’s a gamble. Any idea on how often people do this or any numbers that you can try to figure out the odds of it happening? I don’t mind walking a little further or a noisier room because I can use headphones and noise doesn’t prevent me from falling asleep. As long as there isn’t some really nasty possibility of being crammed into a room with lots of people.
You will never be crammed into room with others. When you book a guaranteed room, it is only for you, unless say you also book your wife or significant other. I personally don’t spend any time in the room, and would rather have this savings to use on board. It can be quite a bit of a savings. I don’t know of any statistics on odds of getting an upgrade, but I am guessing that this percentage is pretty low. Generally, a guaranteed room is not in an ideal location on board. Buy hey, I am just sleeping there and I can’t hear, so the noise is no problem!