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Booking a last-minute cruise means you are late to the game when it comes to booking cruise addons like shore excursions and dining packages. By the time you book your cruise, you may find much less availability on excursions and dining packages may be sold out. Cruise pricing is extremely dynamic and quite unpredictable, so just because a cruise is departing in a few days does not mean the price will always be cheaper than a cruise several months later. In fact, the cheapest cruise fares are usually found right when Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries, which is usually around two years prior to the departure date. The biggest benefit is the lower price available, meaning you can save more of your cruise budget for things like drinks, shore excursions, and specialty dining. Royal Caribbean regularly sends information to travel agents about deals on upcoming cruises.
Great savings
Expect very few cabin category choices, and even fewer choices of where it's located. Even if you do spot a great price, it's not uncommon for travel agents to be able to find a better discount on top of it and sweeten the deal. If you're looking to book a cheap cruise with just weeks to go before you get onboard, you're going to need some good internet searching skills, flexibility, and a little bit of luck.
Be flexible
Royal Caribbean has so many fun activities and experiences onboard, that I wasn’t sure how I would fit in all of my favorite things in just 3 nights. Using Vacations To Go’s 90 Day Ticker is a valuable resource for those without a set plan for a last-minute cruise. Hundreds of cruise itineraries are on the ticker, which gives you the chance to discover the best deals much easier than you could by visiting each cruise line’s website individually.
Sail to the South Pacific
I can easily take a weekend cruise, without the hassle of multiple travel days, taking up my PTO. If you’re planning to book a last-minute cruise, consider the following factors when booking to ensure you don’t end up disappointed with your options and cruise fare cost. Amp up your vacation with limited time deals on amazing bucket list adventures. Visit the South Pacific Islands and channel your inner explorer and immerse yourself in the diverse cultures and untamed fauna that make each island so unique.
I paid $99 per person for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Here's what this cruise is like - Royal Caribbean Blog
I paid $99 per person for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Here's what this cruise is like.
Posted: Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Caribbean, from Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Where to find cheap last-minute cruises - Royal Caribbean Blog
Where to find cheap last-minute cruises.
Posted: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I figured if I had to pay to fly down to the cruise port, I may as well book for at least 7 nights to make the travel time worth it. The term “last-minute cruise” can make some cruisers think they are getting the best deal out there, but this is not always the case. Just because a cruise is departing in a few weeks does not always mean the price will be cheaper than what you could have reserved several months in advance. If you prefer to sail midship or want an aft-facing balcony, there’s no guarantee these categories will be available when booking at the last minute. You may find that the only cabins available are located under the pool deck, far forward, etc. We recommend checking the Going, Going, Gone flyer late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
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We spent most of our day at Coco Beach Club, but on our way back to the ship I started to realize that the crowd on this short cruise was leaning towards a younger age, with more of a party vibe. While some cruisers may not care where their cabin is located on the ship, others may prefer having complete control over cabin location. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. If you're headed down the "cheapest vacation as possible" road, then now is a good time to cash out those credit card points. By bringing your own soda and a couple bottles of wine, you can really save money without having to skip out on these items.
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Another consideration is if you are booking a cruise after the final payment date, you will need to make a full payment up front, rather than a deposit and then the rest later. The most common repositioning cruises are when ships move from North America to Europe (and then back again). If you live in the area, or don't mind flying (more on that later), prices tend to be lower for cruises leaving from here and a last minute deal is more commonly found.
+ Kids sail free*
That being said, there’s no perfect time to book a cruise, and you may find that the cons of booking a last-minute cruise vacation outweigh the pros. It’s important to remain flexible when booking at the last minute, and if you are set on a particular ship, itinerary, or stateroom, it’s probably best to book further in advance. Instead, you can search for the cruise directly on Royal Caribbean’s website or contact your travel agent to book the cruise for you. Because these tools are free, they provide an easy way to find cheap deals, but it’s up to you how you would like to book the cheap sailing you find. If you keep your mind open to a wide variety of destinations, ships, and sail dates, you can almost always find a great deal. Vacations to Go has a "90-day ticker" with a list of sailings of cruises departing within the next 90 days .
If you initially paid $1500 for a 7-night cruise and the price drops to $1200, Royal Caribbean will refund you the difference in fare. There are plenty of ways to get more bang for your buck when you sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every ship in the fleet offers a range of delicious complimentary dining options, but you can dig into even more crave-worthy flavor by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package for less ahead of your cruise.
Be sure to cross-reference airfare prices before committing to a cruise fare. However, a last minute cruise deal is not unheard of, because there can be cancellations, itinerary changes, or simply weak demand for a sailing. The only downside to repricing a cruise is that you are unable to reprice the cruise after final payment date.
The reality is these ships still offer plenty to do, just not as much as the newer ships. Royal Caribbean's marketing is so effective that most cruisers tend to gravitate towards the newest ships so they can enjoy all the bells and whistles these ships offer. You’ll also have less choice when it comes to booking a flight schedule and hotel, which can lead to less than ideal scenarios. If you are hoping to book a balcony, you may find that only interior cabins and suites are available, leaving you to sacrifice on either comfort or budget. Venture further and save even more when you level up on deeper discovery with exciting weeklong itineraries to thrilling destinations. From snorkeling the azure waters of beautiful St. Thomas to dog sledding across massive glaciers in Alaska, chase the thrill of adventure on a weeklong vacay that brings on the bold.
If you notice the price has dropped on something you purchased, simply cancel the add-on on the Cruise Planner website and rebook it at the lower price. While most room categories will not sell out very far in advance, certain cabins are more likely to fill up than others. Suite categories in particular are known to sell out, so if you know you want to book a certain suite it’s important to do so far in advance.
More often than not, sailings sell out in the weeks and months before a cruise is set to begin, leaving little to no opportunity to book a cruise closer into the sail date. While add-ons like beverage packages and internet will always be available, others, like shore excursions and dining packages, can sell out. Royal Caribbean can also change itineraries and cruise departure dates without warning. Earlier this year, the cruise line announced that several sailings on Mariner of the Seas would be canceled and modified due to “itinerary planning”. While refunds and alternate sailings were offered to guests, there’s always the chance of an unexpected change when booking so far in advance. Unexpected events, scheduling changes, ship charters, and other unpredictable scenarios can cause your cruise vacation to change.
With these unbeatable last minute cruise deals an incredible vacation is just a click away. On the ticker you’ll find a long list of sailings organized by destinations around the world. Most cruise lines require final payment to be made days before the cruise departs, and if they haven’t sold enough cabins by this point, the price may drop. Royal Caribbean cruise deals aren't hard to find, but sometimes they're hard to decipher.
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