Timing everything for booking cruises
You get the best prices on Thursday and save big if you go last-minute
Looking to take a cruise anytime soon? Avoid Wednesdays, but set your alarm on Thursday morning.
According to a recent study by CruiseWatch.com, prices for cruises drop the most on Thursdays. The cruise search engine analyzed more than 600,000 cruise price reductions during the last year. The data suggested there were more than twice as many price drops on Thursdays than on the slowest day, Sunday.
The study found that Wednesday had 34 per cent more price hikes than any day of the week, while weekends were quiet.
“Cruise prices fluctuate with demand and supply,” said Britta Bernhard of CruiseWatch.com. “When a sailing isn’t sold out, most cruise lines will discount the cabins rather than sail empty. These price drops can make for some incredible deals. But you need to find them and book quickly.”
CruiseCritic.com editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown suggests booking a cruise as early as possible or just before sailing to save money.
“Beyond any particular day of the week, the tried-and-true tip for scoring the best deal is to either book as early as possible, or just before the cruise,” she said via email. “If you want added-value extras — like airfare, gratuities or cabin upgrades — bundled into your fare, book early. If you’re after the cheapest possible price and don’t care what kind of cabin you have — or whether you have access to sold-out restaurants and tours — then book late to take advantage of last-minute deals.”
Booking during so-called “shoulder seasons” is often a great way to save on a cruise. Cruises in July and August can be expensive, but September and October offer better deals. January, February and March are high season for folks wanting to escape to the Caribbean, so booking in April could save you lots of money.