Booking a cruise at the very last minute can sound risky. However, it can actually be one of the smartest ways to travel, especially if you know what you are doing. Surprisingly, many cruise lines drop prices as they get closer to departure dates. The underlying reason is that they want to fill empty cabinets, which is fair. Flexible travelers can actually win big.
We booked our Alaskan cruise about a month before sailing out of Vancouver. We booked our Mexican cruise about a week before sailing out of San Diego. On both cruises, we got incredible last-minute deals just by watching the prices and being very flexible about when we traveled.
The trick is to balance smart planning with excitement. Of course, last-minute deals can save you money, but rushing into a booking without planning can only lead to stress, extra costs, and a missed opportunity.
Read on to learn more.
Staying Flexible with Dates
Do you know what your biggest advantage is when it comes to booking a cruise late? It comes down to traveling with flexibility instead of looking for one exact date. This way, you have far more options. You can also consider nearby departure ports, as sometimes a cruise leaving from a different city is much cheaper than one leaving from your nearest port.
Our first cruise was for our honeymoon, so we had specific dates on which we could travel due to the wedding planning and the time we’d taken off work. Our second cruise happened during a Reading Week break, so we again had a narrow window of opportunity. However, our attitude for that cruise was more like “if it works, great, if not, fine.” If we couldn’t get the booking we wanted, we would have planned something else for that week, so we were willing to wait longer to risk getting a really good deal (that we could afford as two broke students!).
If you have to fly to or from a cruise port, your dates may be more limited. For example, we booked flights from Edmonton to Vancouver for our Alaskan cruise–and barely made it from the airport to the port after our flight was delayed. The airline had zero sympathy for our stress over the delay and told us that we should have booked our flight a day before our cruise left. While watching cruise deals, you’ll also want to check flight deals to ensure that you can reasonable travel to and from your port of call.
The golden rule here is to be open-minded so you can find the best deal.
Comparing Cruise Lines
A lot of people make the mistake of only checking one cruise company. You should know that last-minute deals can vary, depending on the destination and cruise line. Some travelers prefer bigger ships with more entertainment. However, others are looking for smaller ships that are quieter. With that said, if you’re open to different experiences, you can actually increase your chances of finding something that is affordable.
For instance, Royal Caribbean cruises often offer last-minute promotions that include onboard activities, family-friendly perks, and amazing dining packages. Ideally, you should not miss out on the best promotions, which is why you must keep an eye on deals from popular cruise lines like this.
Booking a Good Cabin Type
Now, when you end up booking late, your cabin choices can be limited. However, it does not have to be necessarily a bad thing. Just ask yourself what you really need. Will you be spending most of your time exploring, lounging, or enjoying excursions? An inside cabin can actually be a smart way to save money.
On our Alaskan cruise, we booked an outside cabin because it was our honeymoon and we felt like splurging a bit. At the end of our cruise, we realized that the window hadn’t really mattered much. The time we spent in our cabin was mostly sleeping; if we really wanted to watch the ocean, then we went up to one of the decks or restaurants. When we booked our Mexican cruise, we just booked an inside cabin.
Perks to an inside cabin: you sleep better because the cabin is dark at night, even if you’re docked in a busy port! This was great when we cruised with kids for our second cruise. There was little argument about bedtime because they were tired at the end of a busy day and our cabin was dark as soon as we turned out the lights.
You can always upgrade later if the cruise line offers discounted upgrades. So, for now, skip all over thinking and book whatever is available and affordable.
Packing Light
You should know that last-minute travel means you might not have time for detailed packing. With that said, your best bet is to learn the art of packing smart and simply. For instance, pack clothes that you can mix and match. Also, don’t leave your comfy shoes behind, as you will need them for walking during your shore excursions.
In many cases, traveling with only a backpack is enough for a short cruise. Rest assured, packing light makes your trip faster, smoother, and less stressful (especially if air travel is involved before or after your cruise).
Understanding Hidden Costs
You should know that a cheap cruise fare can look amazing on the surface. However, you must realize what is not included. Before confirming your bookings, make sure to check some common extras, such as Wi-Fi charges, exclusion prices, port fees, and specialty dining. Just as airlines add extra taxes and fees to your airfare, so do cruise lines!
Sometimes it is better to pay slightly more for a deal that includes perks, such as free upgrades and drink packages. For example, on our first cruise, meals at certain restaurants were included and meals at two other restaurants were an extra fee. Drinks were always extra, except for the champagne at the captain’s welcome party on the first day.
More importantly, make sure to read the fine print, as it can help save your budget.
Without a doubt, booking a cruise at the last minute can feel like a huge leap. But it is your chance to score an incredible location for less. Just make sure to stay flexible, select the right cabin, pay attention to extra costs, and pack light.
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