Everybody likes a good deal but it can come at a price if you’re not careful. One of the most common ways to secure a deal on your next cruise vacation is by waiting for last minute liquidation sales.
Why Wait
The cruise lines want every room filled when their ship embarks on a trip. The overhead costs associated with sailing cruise ships are by in large fixed and independent of the number actual guests aboard the ship. On the other hand, the revenue associated with a cruise line is directly related to the number of guests aboard the ship. Although you might think the biggest profits are earned by cabin rentals, the majority of cruise vacationers aboard “all inclusive” cruise ships spend nearly three times the cost of their room on entertainment (shore excursions, gambling, souvenirs, alcohol, tipping). So, it’s no wonder that cruise lines offer drastic discounts (up to 45%) when they need last minute bookings.
Why Not Wait
Many cruise ships sell out months before they embark. There is no guarantee that waiting for a last minute deal will pan out. In fact, the majority of cruise lines offer early bird deals to fill their ships sooner rater than later. The last minute deals are just that, last minute. This means you will not know if you are going until days before the start of the cruise. Many people with jobs (like me) do not have the flexibility to just pick up and go at a moments notice. Finally, airfare discounts are much easier to find if you plan in advance. Some times the last minute airfare can exceed the cruise ship savings.
Next time you search for a cruise deal, weigh the options of last minute cruise deals. You may need to compromise to make it work in your favor. I would recommend that you Google for “last minute cruise deals” … you are sure to find plenty of options.
The Contemporary Cruise - Editor Recommeded Book
Cruise Vacation Deals
Part 1: Last Minute Booking
Part 2: Off Season Discounts
Part 3: Finding the cheapest price
Part 4: Price Breaks Beyond the Ship
