When is the best time to book a cruise?

“When is the best time to book a cruise?” is a question lingering in every cruiser’s mind before booking. Whether you’re new to cruising or an experienced cruiser, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the best deal you can when booking your getaway. Here, we give you some top tips on the best time to book your next adventure: 

If you’re looking to head off as soon as possible, then a last-minute cruise is ideal for you. Last-minute cruise deals are negotiated by our dedicated team so that we can ensure we bring you the best possible price on the remaining spaces onboard. Last-minute cruise deals are perfect for those who: 

• Are spontaneous: Often, when you book a last-minute cruise, you can end up travelling to corners of the world you didn’t expect. These last-minute bookings are a great way of tapping into your spontaneous side and letting the cruise dictate your destinations.
• Live near the port: Living close to the port is always an advantage for cruising, but especially when looking at last-minute cruises. This means you don’t need to organise other, longer-haul travel such as trains or flights which can be cheaper when booked in advance. 
• Are able to travel at the drop of a hat: Last-minute cruises are great for those who are lucky enough to be able to just get up and go. If you’re flexible, a late cruise deal can mean you’re able to get a bargain and not have to be dictated by your schedule. 
• Are looking to travel closer to home: Far-flung cruises are usually more likely to sell out earlier, which leaves more localised cruises open to late deals. If you’re looking to travel around Europe, a last-minute offer could be perfect for you. There are still last-minute deals for more far-flung cruises, however, so keep your eye out for those too. 

The early bird catches the worm and he who hesitates is lost, a familiar saying to most and a good rule for cruising. Early booking is the best way to get a great deal on your dream cruise and ensure your perfect cabin. Booking early is perfect for those who: 

• Are looking to travel further away: As a rule of thumb, the further away you are looking to travel the further in advance you should book. Not only do far-flung cruises often sell out quicker, but some locations like Alaska are also only sailed to at certain times of the year so there are fewer cruises available.
• Live further away from the port: If you do live far away from the port you may need to arrange additional travel. When looking to book trains, hotels or flights to get to your port and home again, booking earlier can mean better deals on those sections of your trip as well. 
• Know exactly where they want to go: If you know exactly where you want to go, what’s stopping you from booking early? It means you’ll ensure you get the cruise you want at the time you want, and you won’t need to worry about cabins selling out before you book.
• Know what cabin they want: Often with last-minute cruise deals, the cabins available are limited. If you are determined to get that Ocean View Stateroom, then booking early can ensure you get the cabin you want at the best price available. 
• Are travelling with a large group: If you’re intending to travel with a large group and will require multiple cabins, booking early can ensure your cabins are all on the same deck. Leaving it late may mean limited availability and can potentially affect your group.