It pays to wait for last minute deals…..NOT!

People always ask if they should wait for those last minute deals offered by cruise lines.  The answer is NO!  Yes, sometimes you can get some good deals waiting until the last minute, but then again there are some downsides to waiting.  First, the cruise you want may be full and then not only is there no last minute deal, but there are no deals at all!  Second, what is left may be less desirable rooms, like that room close enough to the Casino that quiet time doesn’t come until 3 am or that room just across from the laundry room and who knew so many people do laundry at 6 am while cutting up with their traveling partner?  Or maybe you want a balcony and all that is left is interior on the lowest level floor.

Booking early has some advantages, especially if you use a travel agent such as Cruise Planners.   As a travel agent, once you pay a full deposit on a cruise, we begin to find those ideal rooms that are available and get them reserved for you.  Second, we monitor pricing for you and if the price drops then we call the cruise line and work to  get your rate lowered, or to get equivalent on board credits for you to use. 

Another reason not to wait, Carnival now offers early bird specials that are up to 30% off of normal pricing if you book a short cruise at least 3 months out and a long cruise (6+ days) at least 5 months out.  What is more, they promise if they drop their advertised rates, they will reduce your rate and give you an on board credit for the difference upon us calling them. 

So book early and save, and remember a travel agent is your friend.  At Cruise Planners, we are paid by the cruise line, not by adding to the price of a cruise we sell.  So let us help you book early and still save!

Below are some sample pricing from Carnival available today if you book early!