The winter months are fast approaching and now is the right time to start looking for a getaway destination for the holidays. If you do your research well, you can land excellent last minute cruise deals that will guarantee you a fun-filled holiday without breaking your wallet.
Here are four tips for finding discount last minute cruise deals.
Book Three Months in Advance
Most cruise lines allow travelers to cancel their reservations two to three months to their travel date. And some travelers do cancel their reservations, for example, due to unexpected events. When there are cancellations, you want to be the first one to know about them.
When reservations are canceled, cruise lines often advertise the open spots as last minute deals on their websites. Sign up for the cruise’s online newsletter to get alerts of last minute deals as soon as they are offered.
Go Cruising During the Off Season
The holidays are peak cruise seasons. It is understandable why many people go cruising during the holidays. However, since the demand for cruise vacations is high during the holidays, fares are also astronomical.
If you want to get the best deals, consider booking a cruise during the off-peak season. This is a few weeks before the holidays (mid-November to mid-December) or just after the holidays (from mid-January). During these off-peak months, cruises struggle to fill capacity and reduce their prices to attract customers.
Book a Repositioning Cruise
Getting the best cruise deals is all about going against the grain. For example, consider getting a repositioning cruise, i.e. a cruise that sails from one region to another for the season. Such cruises tend to be long and hence would be suitable if you have an extended vacation.
The majority of people book cruises that make multiple stops in as many places as possible within a short time. But what’s the point of going on a rush vacation? You’re going on a vacation to enjoy yourself. If you don’t mind being onboard the ship for weeks, you will find dozens of great deals that most travelers overlook.
Sail from a Nearby Port
If you live near a port, book a cruise departing from the port. The last thing you want is to have to drive for hours to reach the port.
Moreover, sometimes, last minute deals are only available for a day. You can enjoy great savings if you can rush home quickly, pack your stuff and show up at the port in hours before the cruise line departs. Most ships offer significant fare cuts to avoid leaving with empty spaces.
Scour the Internet for Deal Alerts
The internet is your friend; use it to find cruise deal alerts. There are tons of websites that aggregate cruise vacation deals. Check the websites for deals you may be interested in. Also, go the old-school way and email the cruise lines customer support desk for deals. You’ll be surprised how many cruises offer in-house deals to customers that simply ask. You can also sign up for premium deals’ newsletters for exclusive deals that may not be advertised publicly.
Going on a cruise vacation is the best way to relax your mind and rejuvenate your soul. If you are flexible with your schedule and are ready to do some online sleuthing, you can uncover great deals that will save you a heap of money for your next trip. And if you are not sure where to head next, get inspiration from this list of amazing places to spend the holidays.
Book a cruise today; there’s a whole world out there to be explored!