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
Always looking for cruises. Been on 3 through 118 this year.
Where did u cruise to Jim McHugh? Did u travel in a family group?
Feel free to contact me with very late availble cruise/ holiday offers by email or telephone
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???
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.
looking for a good price on 32 night cruise with the balmoral on the 11th november .
when you find it- tell me please.
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.
feel free to contact me regards last minute bookings
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.
Barb you got a wonderful deal with P&O, how did you find and book it .. I wish i could find these deals !! Richard.
Singles cruises over 50
Hi Robert, I've passed your email address onto our Concierge team, who'll be in touch shortly.
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
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.