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August 15, 2013  |  By Emma Smith In Industry

Why booking late can be great

Cruise destinations

Sometimes, you just want to pause life and jump straight into a holiday at the last minute. We’ve all had that urge to just throw caution to the wind and book an escape leaving in the next few days without much thought or pre-planning, and sometimes it’s a good idea to listen to that urge.

It’s true that there are a lot of reasons to plan ahead when it comes to cruise holidays, and a number of advantages to doing so, but by the same token there are many benefits to late bookings too, with the chance to grab yourself a real bargain.

It’s not always true that the later you leave a cruise, the cheaper it will be, so straight away you should know you aren’t guaranteed a bargain. You’ll need to do some shopping around, or of course get someone (like Cruise118, hint hint…) to do it for you.

Sometimes it may just be that a cruise hasn’t sold out and the cruise line wants to fill up the remaining places, or it could be a popular cruise that’s had a late cancellation, but on some occasions you may be able to grab a very good price.

The downside to this though is that you are booking what’s available – it might be that you don’t get the stateroom that you want because it’s already sold out. So in the end it comes down to the type of person you are – if you’re happy taking a bit of a risk, not entirely sure what’s going to have availability and what kind of staterooms will still be on offer, a late booking can sometimes get you a real bargain.

There are other caveats too, such as meaning you’ll need to pay in full when you book, and you may be limited in terms of destination choice if you haven’t much time to plan flights. Yet it’s still worth keeping an eye out for a last minute offer, as it could be just the thing if you’re desperate for that relaxing escape.

By Ian Lewis
Google

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Emma Smith
Emma has more than seven years' experience as a writer and has been in the travel industry for nearly five years. She loves learning about new places and cruise ships coming to market, as well as discovering fun and exciting activities to do while you sail. She has cruised with Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Avalon Waterways and Royal Caribbean and is looking to get something in her diary for 2024! Her favourite things to see on a ship include excellent entertainment, a delicious cocktail menu and extraordinary dining venues.

Comments: 15 replies added

  1. Jim McHugh August 24, 2013 Reply

    Always looking for cruises. Been on 3 through 118 this year.

    • Anonymous September 2, 2013 Reply

      Where did u cruise to Jim McHugh? Did u travel in a family group?

  2. John Yapp August 24, 2013 Reply

    Feel free to contact me with very late availble cruise/ holiday offers by email or telephone

  3. John Hobbs August 28, 2013 Reply

    I AM LOOKING FOE EITHER A CARRIBEAN CRUISE ( 14 TO 15 NOGHTS ) FLIGHT TO/FROM GATWICK /HEATHROW or I did notice a 21 day cruise with JetLine flights included ( united airlines, 3 night las Vegas, 14 day cruise to Hawaii and 2 day in San Francisco then flights home - but advised weather foggy / colder in Jan /Feb this is when the offers are on for the Grand Princess. Any Ideas???

  4. Ian August 29, 2013 Reply

    Hi John Hobbs, thanks for your comment, I've passed your details onto our Concierge team - they're the experts and they'll get in touch with you soon with some great ideas. John Yapp, we've also passed on your details to see if there's anything our team can recommend.

  5. dorothy sneddon September 2, 2013 Reply

    looking for a good price on 32 night cruise with the balmoral on the 11th november .

    • joan missira May 31, 2014 Reply

      when you find it- tell me please.

      • Ian June 2, 2014 Reply

        Hi Dorothy and Joan, You'll find a great collection of up-to-date deals on Balmoral cruises if you follow this link - http://www.cruise118.com/cruise-ship/fred-olsen-cruises/balmoral/deals/offers/ Alternatively, give a Cruise Concierge team a call on 0808 1234 118 and they'll talk you through what is available.

  6. ricky marshall September 2, 2013 Reply

    feel free to contact me regards last minute bookings

  7. barb September 2, 2013 Reply

    Just booked P&O Acadia 24 nights balcony cabin. Get away price £1799. From full price. 3759 OK so we have to wait to see which cabin but I would rather the money in my pocket not theirs.

    • Richard Wakefield September 6, 2013 Reply

      Barb you got a wonderful deal with P&O, how did you find and book it .. I wish i could find these deals !! Richard.

  8. Robert Smith October 30, 2013 Reply

    Singles cruises over 50

  9. Ian October 31, 2013 Reply

    Hi Robert, I've passed your email address onto our Concierge team, who'll be in touch shortly.

  10. Peter Smith May 17, 2014 Reply

    We had been used to spending xmas and new year in the caribbean but there does not seem to be any departing from uk or am I not looking correctly would appreciate some guidance please in anticipation Peter Smith

    • Ian Lewis May 19, 2014 Reply

      Hi Peter, I've passed your email address onto our Cruise Concierge team - they'll be in touch to help you find what you're looking for.

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