When it comes to finding cheap cruises, timing can make all the difference.
Fares vary based on numerous factors, from cruise line type to cabin category – and sailing date. Setting sail at peak times can be significantly pricier than other times of year.
“Summertime is going to be the most expensive, holidays (are) going to be the most expensive,” RacQuelle Major-Holland, owner of Major Adventures Travel Agency, told USA TODAY.
The departure date isn’t the only one that matters, either. It pays for passengers to be strategic about when they make reservations as well.
Here’s what travelers booking a cruise should know.
“The cheapest time, typically, is going to be off-season, which will be usually any time kids are in school,” Major-Holland said. Travelers are likely to find lower prices on cruises departing from around mid-September until just before Thanksgiving, for example, or between January and March before spring break.
That can vary by destination, though. During the Alaska cruise season, which runs from around mid-April through September, that means passengers can find more affordable rates on the front and back ends of that window.
“The challenge with that, though, is sometimes you may not see as much wildlife, or it may be a different experience than if you go at peak time, which would be like that June, July time,” said Major-Holland.
The same is true of cruises in Europe. While technically a year-round destination, the shoulder season months there tend to be in April or May, “before it gets too warm,” along with September and October. “So you’ll see, not only the cruise cost … being cheaper, a lot of times the flight cost is cheaper as well,” she added.
Ships and destinations will also likely be less crowded. However, Major-Holland warned that travelers may find fewer tours and activities available, since some operators close during off-peak times.
“Generally, the pricing is cheaper the earlier you book,” said Major-Holland. “There’s a huge misconception out there that if you wait for last-minute deals, you’re going to get the best deal. That’s not always the case.”
She suggested booking at least one to two years in advance. That also gives passengers a better shot at getting their desired cabin – especially if you need an accessible stateroom or other special accommodations – and if the price drops before the final payment due date, Major-Holland added, most cruise lines will honor the lower rate.
Travelers can also find deals during wave season, which typically lasts from January through March, when cruise lines offer discounts on fares or bonuses such as onboard credit.
“The cruise lines offer those types of promotions off-season, but it’s more common during that wave season,” Major-Holland said. During Black Friday, cruise lines may also slash prices on add-ons like drink packages or shore excursions, she said – though in her experience, the cost of the cruise fare itself usually isn’t much different.
“So, (during) wave season, you will find some discounts on cruises, but usually it’s the added bonuses that the cruise lines will offer, whereas with Black Friday, some people wait thinking cruise prices will go down during Black Friday, and that is not true.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
