How to Get Last Minute Cruise Discounts

Cruise lines discount travel up to three months prior to departure.

Cruising is a popular way to travel and vacation with over 10 million passengers cruising from North America in 2009. Many people enjoy the ability to control costs on a cruise, since meals and activities are often included in the price. While cruising can be a reasonable vacation normally, discounts are available for those willing to look. Booking a cruise at the last minute can net significant discounts, and there are lots of cruise deals and discounts available if you know where to look.

Instructions

1. Contact the Cruise lines directly. Trips within one to three months of sailing are likely to be deeply discounted, with some of the best deals within a week of departure. Visiting the cruise line websites can often yield last minute deals, or you can call and have a reservation agent search for the best deals.

2. Enlist the help of a travel agent. Once cruise lines know how many confirmed cabins they have sold, they discount the ones that are still empty and often send lists of these availabilities to travel agents. In addition to having access to last-minute discounted fares, agents can also help with transportation to and from port.

3. Search online travel sites. Like brick-and-mortar travel agencies, these online agencies often have access to deeply discounted cruises for last minute travel. Sign up for newsletters from multiple sites to see who has the best selection and price.

4. Consider a one-way cruise. Also known as repositioning cruises, these trips depart from one port and end in another port so the cruise line can move the ship. Repositioning cruises are often cheaper, particularly at the last minute, but the cost of returning home from the new port should be considered.

Tips & Warnings

• Last minute discounts are more difficult to get during peak travel seasons when ships have higher occupancy and don't have the need to discount last minute purchases as deeply.

• Because of heightened security measures post 9-11, cruise ships must submit passenger manifests to the Department of Homeland Security at least 24-hours prior to departure, so going to the port the day of departure is no longer an option.

References

• Cruise Critic: Last Minute Deals
• Street Directory: Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association: Cruise Industry Overview 2010