Cruising is a popular way of traveling, and it’s not surprising that many people wonder if they should wait to book until closer to the departure date to get the best deal. So, do cruise prices go down closer to the departure date? The answer is not simple, but here’s what you need to know.
Factors That Affect Cruise Prices
Before we delve into whether or not cruise prices go down closer to the departure date, let’s first understand what factors affect cruise prices. The price of a cruise depends on various elements such as:
- The time of year
- The type of cabin
- The destination
- The cruise line
- The length of the trip
- The amenities on board
- And more.
Cruise Prices Generally Go Up Closer to Departure Date: Why?
While there are some exceptions, in general, cruise prices tend to increase as the departure date gets closer. Here are some reasons why:
- Cruise lines need to plan ahead – They plan their routes and schedules well in advance and set their prices accordingly. As cabins sell out, they raise the price on remaining cabins.
- They want to avoid empty cabins – If a ship sails with empty cabins, it means lost revenue for the cruise line.
So as they get closer to sailing and still have open rooms left, they may lower the price slightly just so that they don’t have vacant rooms.
- Waiting for last-minute deals can be risky – While waiting until closer to departure might get you a cheaper price on some cruises – there’s a risk involved too. If you wait too long, you might not get the cabin type or destination you want, and you may end up paying more for a less desirable option.
Exceptions When Cruise Prices Go Down Closer to Departure
While it’s rare, there are some cases when cruise prices go down closer to the departure date. Here are some scenarios:
- If a ship hasn’t sold out – As stated earlier, cruise lines generally raise their prices as the cabins sell out. However, if a ship hasn’t sold out and it gets close to the sailing date, they may lower prices slightly just so that they can fill all the cabins.
- If there’s a sudden change in itinerary – If there is an unexpected itinerary change because of weather or other factors, cruise lines may reduce prices to attract more passengers.
- If there is low demand – If a ship has had low demand for an upcoming sailing date, cruise lines may try to fill up their cabins by lowering prices in hopes of attracting more people.
Final Thoughts
So, do cruise prices go down closer to departure? Generally speaking, they don’t.
While waiting until closer to departure might get you a cheaper price on some cruises – it’s not always a guarantee. It’s essential to keep in mind that waiting too long can be risky and might not be worth it in the end.
When booking your next cruise, it’s crucial to consider all the factors that affect pricing and book when you find what works best for you – whether that’s months ahead of time or just before departure. Remember that great deals can be found at any time; it just depends on various factors such as demand and availability.