Flexible Timeline? How About A Last-Minute Cruise?

Some people like to plan their holidays months if not years in advance and plan every last thing to the smallest detail but there are also people who take a totally different approach and book their cruise holiday at the last minute. If you are a parent or someone who has to book time off work well in advance, booking far in advance is obviously the best thing to do. However, if you don’t have any major responsibilities, you can save money; sometimes a lot of money, by booking at the last minute.

Holidays, including cruise holidays, are demand based and often fluctuate in price seasonally. For example, holidays are always more expensive during school holidays and Christmas, so it makes sense to book outside of these times if possible. You can find a last minute cruise by keeping abreast of the latest offers featured on cruise deals websites and booking when you think the price can’t drop any further. All tour operators, cruise lines included, will always prefer to fill their spaces for a discounted price rather than not fill them at all.

How Do I Find A Last-Minute Cruise Deal?

If you want to secure the very best cruise price deal, patience is key. No matter how tempting it is to book up as soon as your leave has been granted, you need to be strong. People who can resist the temptation until the last minute are often richly rewarded and can save hundreds of dollars in the process.

To get the best cruise deals, follow the process detailed below:

1. Find a number of cruise deal websitesand create alerts on all of them if possible. Keep on checking periodically and keep an eye on the cruise you are looking at.
2. Wait until the last minute –A week before departure is generally around the best time to make the kill – remember there will be other people doing the same as you.
3. Make sure you have all the essentials to hand –Items such as prescription medicine might not be easy to source at short notice for a long cruise.
4. Make a second choice –If you have your heart set on any last minute cruises, always have a backup cruise just in case you miss your first choice.
5. Do your laundry –Don’t just look at what’s in the basket – do it now to ensure your holiday clothes are ready to be packed at the last minute.
6. Travel Insurance –In all the excitement of a last-minute cruise holiday, you may forget to renew your travel insurance. The cruise line may offer it as part of your package, but this is subject to age, and any pre-existing conditions and you may pay a premium.

If you are someone who’s prepared to hang on a bit longer than everyone else when it comes to booking a last-minute cruise holiday, you could come up trumps. After all, who wants to pay more than they have to? If you live near a cruise ship port, you are at an even bigger advantage as you won’t have to go long distances in order to make the embarkation in a hurry!