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Most cruisers prefer sailing in the warm summer months, but prices are much higher. If you want to snap up a bargain cruise to Alaska, your best bet is to choose the first or the last month of the season. I love booking cruises in September because it’s typically still warm and you can find rock bottom deals. Even though there is the threat of cruising during hurricane season, if you are flexible you will be fine.
Wave Season
This usually means there are no or limited balcony rooms, and the locations of available rooms are often less desirable. While the lure of last-minute cruise deals tempt people, data actually suggests that it’s a much better idea to book as far in advance as possible. Entry-level suites on the nicest ships are not the windowless closets you'll find on some of the mass-market ships. They're spacious cabins with either windows or private balconies and separate sleeping and sitting areas; many have nicely appointed, reasonably sized bathrooms and often walk-in or large closets. You'll get the same personal service, have access to the same gourmet dining and can enjoy the same ship amenities (a spa, a serene pool deck, social lounges and more) as folks in the top suites.
We Studied 16 Months of Sailings to Track The Cheapest Time to Cruise
Christmas and New Year's cruises, top suites and limited specialty cabins (such as solo and family cabins) also tend to sell out early. The most economical sail times pleasantly coincide with when children are tucked away in classrooms and the chaos of holiday travel has subsided. At this time, the cruise low season welcomes fewer tourists, translates to lower prices, and opens up a greater variety of available cabins. For those who thirst for tropical destinations, finding cheap cruises in the Caribbean becomes particularly feasible during this period.
Why Cheap Cruises Are Dead (For Right Now)
If eating and drinking are how you spend your money on a cruise, you may save by bundling your purchases. Look for daily drink specials or happy hour deals that will save you money on those tropical drinks that are the hallmark of a Caribbean vacation. Or ask at your favorite onboard bar if they ever run drink deals, and plan your visits around those times. Parking a car for a week is almost guaranteed to be cheaper than airport transfers, flights and a pre-cruise hotel for a family of four.
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Meanwhile, colder destinations like Alaska present a different seasonal pricing model, which is best taken advantage of outside the summer peak. When asked when the cheapest time to cruise is, my answer invariably falls within the first quarter of the year. Cruisers in the know often refer to this time as the “wave season,” a span between January and March rich in cost-saving opportunities.
For example, as of March 2023, I can book a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line through spring or fall of 2025, depending on the ship. The cheapest months to cruise are usually September and October, known as the shoulder season, offering lower prices and fewer crowds. For cheap cruises in the Caribbean, the consensus among seasoned travelers is to aim for the best time to cruise to the Caribbean, which typically falls during the wave season. Going during the shoulder season while temperatures and demand are lower will get you the lowest prices of the season. Alaska has a short cruise season that lasts from late April through October. June through August is Alaska's high season, when weather is warmest and summer vacation season is in full swing.
And even if you book farther out and the price drops, you can often be compensated for the lower price. Considering it’s been eight years and one industry-shattering pandemic since that data was collected, it may no longer be relevant. Today, cruising is an $18.6 billion industry with countless players competing to fill ships as quickly as possible. That means there are eye-popping deals to be found, with thousands off your ideal floating vacation. For example, an entry-level suite on luxury line Seabourn's Seabourn Encore is a veranda suite measuring 246 to 302 square feet with a 68- to 83-square-foot private balcony.
Is January a good time for a cruise? - Royal Caribbean Blog
Is January a good time for a cruise?.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you have to sail during the summer or holidays, expect to pay a premium. That would lead to fewer people booking throughout the year; instead they would wait until that one time a year when cruises were cheaper. That’s why there’s not a best time of year to actually buy your cruise. Truth is that cruise prices will vary, but tend to hover around the same price point, whether the trip departs next month or next year. The best overall credit card for booking a cruise may be the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for a few reasons.
January, May, September through November
To get a great price on a high-end cruise ship, you might want to reconsider your aversion to booking the cheapest rooms. Regarding our top picks, we almost always point towards November and April, as they provide the least precipitation, the calmest waters, and plenty of sunshine. These are also some of the most expensive months to travel, so you may want to pick some other time during the dry season. This gives you that perfect blend of warm and sunny weather while minimizing your risk of rainfall and severe storms. Nighttime temperatures are also pleasant during these months, rather than muggy and humid. If you do choose to book one of these discounted cruises, we highly suggest getting travel insurance.
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Once you reach July, you are at the very peak of the Caribbean’s wet season, which means you can expect high temperatures, plenty of rain, and humidity levels that can be uncomfortable. During these mid to late summer months, the Caribbean is also at the greatest risk of experiencing tropical storms, multi-day rainfalls, and even hurricanes. If nothing else, these knowledgeable advisers can save you from making costly mistakes on the wrong cruise purchases, and that is a value in and of itself.
And the truth is that you can get the same exact cruise for hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of dollars less just by sailing during the right part of the season. The general consensus seems to be that there isn’t one best month for booking cruises. The best deals tend to crop up throughout the period between mid-November and Mid-March. Cruisers are drawn to the destinations, whether they're checking exotic ports off their bucket list or love spending time on the beach. It's no surprise, then, that longer-than-average itineraries with few to no port calls are not warmly embraced by many cruise fans (except for devoted sea-day lovers).
While summer in Alaska can be spectacular, prices during June, July, and August surge due to high demand. Booking during the early months of the year, especially from January through March, can secure you a cheap cruise in the Caribbean. This period is often punctuated by a lull in demand post-holiday season, making it the best time to go on a cruise to the Caribbean if you’re on a budget.
The beginning of the Bermuda cruise season usually begins in May, so prices will be lower due to it being the shoulder season. Regardless of when you're booking a cruise, you'll want to know if the fare you're paying for your vacation at sea is a cheap deal, average or overpriced. Booking a cruise just days before sailing should only be attempted by travelers within an easy drive of the cruise port. You should also make sure that you have time to get any necessary documentation, as well as make related travel plans.
This way, if storms impact your travels, you will not have to worry about losing money due to issues such as travel delays, port changes, or cancellations as a result of potential bad weather. Cruise ship internet access is pricy; you might pay more for a week on board than you do for a month at home! If you don't have to be connected at all hours, skip the cruise ship Wi-Fi plan and seek out free or cheap Wi-Fi in port. Many port terminals have free Wi-Fi, or you can grab a cup of coffee or a drink at an establishment in town with complimentary Wi-Fi for customers. Your cruise ship's spa or boutiques will often host seminars about wellness practices or understanding gemstones. These events are really marketing plays to get you to sign up for spa treatments or buy shoe insoles or jewelry.
You’ve got a better chance for warm weather if you travel from late June through early September. However, if you’re interested in foliage viewing, you’ll need to go in early to mid-October. May and late October sailings will offer the lowest rates, but don’t expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much. In other words, if you’re looking for the best time to book, then focus on buying earlier and sailing when school is in session. Those factors play a much bigger role than constant sales offered up by cruise lines.
Unlike many other cruise destinations on this list, there’s really no super-cheap way to do it. But the busy season is also the hottest, and you’ll encounter scorching temperatures and blazing sunshine when you cruise the Med in July or August. To avoid the worst of the hot weather and save some money, consider cruising in the off-peak months. Bargain Mexican Riviera cruises can be up for grabs during the slower season from the end of July through November. But the weather can be hot—an August sailing will save you money, but be prepared for 90° (32°C) temps during your days in port.
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