Are you thinking of going on a cruise but not sure if you should wait for last minute cruise deals? Booking your cruise in advance can often be the better option. From getting the best cabins to locking in early bird discounts, there are many compelling reasons to book your cruise early.
Early Bird Discounts
One of the main reasons to book early is to take advantage of early bird discounts. When cruise lines release the cruises for the following year, they often give discounts and deals to encourage early bookings. It’s smart to take advantage of these early bird discounts because even if the cabin price goes down, you can always ask for a price match.
Adjoining Cabins
One of the main reasons to book your cruise well in advance is if you need adjoining cabins. These types of cabins are limited on cruise ships, so if you’re traveling with kids and need to them, it’s a good idea to make your reservation early.
Your Vacation is Confined to School Holidays
One compelling reason to book your cruise early is if your vacation days are confined to school holidays, meaning you’ll always be traveling during the peak season. Many families with school-age children face this problem since their vacations are limited to busy times like summer vacations, spring break, Christmas, and New Year. If this sounds familiar, it’s important to reserve your cruise ahead of time since you don’t have the flexibility to wait to book last minute cruises.
Book Holiday Cruises
If you’re thinking of cruising during the peak holiday seasons, especially Christmas week or New Year’s week, you need to book early! Many travelers book their holiday cruises early. As a result, these cruises fill up fast. If holiday cruises are the only time you can get away, you should plan to book at least a year in advance. By booking early, you’ll have a better chance of getting a good cabin. Procrastinating will leave you with the worst cabins or even worse, it will be sold out.
Big Groups
If you are cruising with a group needing multiple cabins, booking your cruise early is a good idea. That way, you can choose cabins that are located adjacent to each other or near each other. Waiting until the last minute isn’t a smart move! If you wait too long, you will end up with the worst cabin locations, and you won’t be able to book cabins that are near each other.
Spread Out the Payment
A reason to book your cruise early is that many cruise lines offer lower deposits for booking early and payment plans so you can spread out your payment over time. This makes it financially more comfortable for many people. Check out How Much Free Onboard Credit Do Shareholders Get on Cruises?
Better Airfare Prices
One reason to book your cruise early is that you can make flight reservations early, which usually means you can get better airfare prices. If you wait until the last minute to plan your cruise, you risk facing sky-high prices for last-minute flights. Check out Should You Prepay Gratuities on Cruises? Pros and Cons
Accessible Cabins
If you need an accessible cabin on your cruise, you need to book your cruise early since they can sell out fast! These accessible cabins are designed for guests with mobility challenges and are more spacious to accommodate wheelchairs. They also have features like roll-in showers, emergency call buttons, and lower grab bars in these cabins. Check out 10 Worst Cabins on a Cruise- You’ll Regret Booking
Book Shore Excursions Early
A reason to book your cruise early is that you can book your shore excursions early. Many popular shore excursions tend to fill up quickly, so if you wait too long to book your cruise, you might not be able to book your first choice shore excursions. Check out 10 Shore Excursion Mistakes that Will Ruin Your Cruise Vacation
Best Cabins
One of the main reasons to book your cruise early is that you’ll have your pick of the best cabins. Many popular cabins, such as family cabins, hump balcony cabins, and spa cabins, can sell out quickly. You need to book early to get these highly sought-after cabins. Check out 14 Things You Get for Free in Your Cruise Cabin