It Pays to Book Early

[Mebert]

Sometimes last minute fares are great for some unexpected savings, but some cruises are hot and the savings come through early booking.

On my particular sailing of the Mediterranean and Greek Isles aboard the Carnival Freedom the fare for an oceanview stateroom is $3,749. Ironically, a balcony is running $2,149 and a suite is $3,249. That oceanview stateroom must be a special category.

By booking early for a category 5A (Porthole) Guaranteed (Possible Upgrade) I paid $1,236.60, including insurance.

This price was less than the original price quoted by the agent.

I hope I'm not dreaming or that this is not some terrible mistake, but I'm glad I booked early in this case.

The last minute cruise bargains will just have to come as a wonderful surprise if I can take the time off.

[rogue]

Booking early does help, but be aware that there could be price drops after you book your cruise. For our coming Alaskan cruise, I constantly checked the prices on line at a few different locations. I noticed one day that there was a $600 drop in the price, and called my TA. We're taking one of our sons, and she found out that they were running a special for a couple of weeks where the third person in a cabin was free. We got the savings, but I'm still looking for more.

[cruisetarp]

The price of our Explorer cruise has doubled since we booked it 15 months early. I still check daily though for any discounts that we might be eligible for.

[Mebert]

rogue,

You are absolutely right about price drops. It pays to have a TA who can negotiate the refunds for you in case the price drops. That's why I checked the latest price for my particular cruise. Congratulations to you on getting that great discount.

The price of our Explorer cruise has doubled since we booked it 15 months early. I still check daily though for any discounts that we might be eligible for.

cruisetarp,

Congratulations on your early booking and your savings. It looks like we're both lucky this time.

I forgot to mention, and please don't think I'm bragging, I just want to pass on information, I also got a $200 on board credit for booking early.

[SMB]

Mebert, will you be my TA?

[cruisetarp]

Mebert - I also got the $200 OBC.....in fact they gave it to me for both our cabin and the cabin we booked for the twins. Sure does come in handy. We always try to book our next cruise while onboard.

[Mebert]

SMB,

It was just luck. When I saw the initial price for the 12 night cruise last May, I remembered that I paid $2044 a couple of years ago for another 12 nighter on the Carnival Liberty. I said to myself there was no way I was going to pass up a fair of $1400. It turned out that the price had come down even more in addition to the on board credit.

Mebert - I also got the $200 OBC.....in fact they gave it to me for both our cabin and the cabin we booked for the twins. Sure does come in handy. We always try to book our next cruise while onboard.

cruisetarp,

You are doubly blessed. You are rolling in the dough. Please don't gamble it away. I like to hear when Cruise Crazies find bargains.

Hindsight is 20/20. At the time that I booked the cruise I did not really realize what lied in the future. Had I known I would have posted my actions on the board. If I come across something like that in the future I'll post something about it.