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     Cruise Advice On Booking Your Cruise Early Or Late
By Samuel Thompson

Find cheap, cheap cruises by knowing the advantages and disadvantages of booking very early, or by booking very close to your sail date.

There are many scenarios that could provide cheap prices for you. If you Identify only one such scenario (from many, among the various cruise lines) you will find yourself in price paradise. The price, terms and conditions of booking (especially those pertaining to cancellation) will determine if and when you actually make the reservation.

Consider making the reservation if you are guaranteed the lowest price for early booking. This is not necessarily the same as an early booking discount. Others, at a later time, may also get a special (or some other promotional name) discount that is greater than the one you receive. Therefore, look for a guaranteed lowest price.

Another reason for booking your cruise early is to get a desired cabin and or location of your cabin on the ship. Also, keep in mind that a combination of "free" incentives (pictures, drinks and cocktails, etc) are as important as a cash discount in determining the overall value of your cruise package.

You can purchase air tickets separately or you can purchase them as part of your cruise package. Early booking of air travel separate from your cruise package can save you money. (For two or more people the savings can really add up).

The downside is that you pay for your air tickets immediately, even though your cruise is months away. Another downside occurs if you need to cancel your cruise. Low cost air tickets are non-cancelable and subject to change fees plus any increase in price.

If you book your air with the cruise line you will likely pay more, but the upside is that the air cost is part of the package and not immediately payable. Your cost will remain the same, and any cancellation penalties will include both cruise and air. Therefore, you are not stuck with unused air tickets.

Cruise advice on booking close to your sail date:

Cruise lines give steep discounts on unsold cabins. In addition to unsold cabins, individuals or groups (due to many circumstances) may cancel their cruise at the last minute even though they lose money due to late cancellation penalties. Cruise lines can then discount those cabins with little (perhaps no) revenue loses.

A major disadvantage to booking your cruise late is that of air fares. Rarely will a cruise line have "air" to offer with a late cruise booking. Therefore, with late bookings you are often left to get your own air travel to the port of embarkation. This could cost you more money than any savings you receive from your cruise discount.

Also, if you arrive late (perhaps due to air travel difficulty) and the ship has sailed, you must pay for your passage to the ship's next port-of-call to avoid losing out on your cruise altogether. Still, if price is more important than other factors, booking very late may give you the cheapest price between making your reservation early or booking late.

Just know your travel cost, and how you are going to arrive at your port of embarkation before you purchase your cruise ticket.

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