Is there a best time to book a cruise?

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned traveller of the high seas, finding the best time to book your next cruise can seem mystifying – and it’s an all too common question cruise retailers are often asked.

Ashkan Ghasemi, Dreamlines’ Managing Director for Australia and the UK, has answered this burning question, telling 9Honey that it’s all about avoiding that last-minute booking.

“Last-minute bookings can sometimes offer some good bargains, but not always,” Mr Ghasemi said.

“To secure the right flights, itinerary and date we suggest confirming your booking as soon as possible.

“However, if you have flexibility in regard to your destination or type of cabin, then there are often some amazing last-minute deals available to get you on board.”

Mr Ghasemi added that the best deals can often be found online and recommended that travellers do their research, compare, and not be afraid to ask if a dedicated cruise company can match or beat a competitor’s quote.

Packages can also be a source of some savings, particularly where your cruise, flights, accommodation and tours are packaged together.

While booking early is best, Mr Ghasemi said that you can often find good deals during sale periods throughout the year, with offers often including onboard credits, discounted rates, free Wi-Fi, shore excursion credits, and speciality dining, among others.

“Each year, we’re seeing the cruise lines offer extra specials for sale periods including Wave Season, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and others,” he said.

He noted that discounts do vary, and that it’s worth forging a relationship with your cruise agent to secure a good deal.

“For a cruise-only booking, you can find up to 15 per cent discounts in a sale or if it’s an exclusive package deal, you can expect up to and even more than 50 per cent versus packaging a cruise holiday yourself, which may take hours online,” he said.

“[Online platforms] like CruiseAway and Cruise1st work closely with the cruise lines and other operators including airlines to source the best rates possible.”

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