One Day Of The Week Is Better To Book A Cruise And Here's Why
With the continuous soaring of travel costs, a shift is happening among savvy travelers: many are realizing that cruising may be a more economical option than flying. The allure of cruises lies in their all-inclusive packages, a stark contrast to the hefty cumulative cost of trips that involve flights, accommodations, rental cars, tours, and more. Opting for cruises is also often stress-free since, more often than not, they're a one-and-done deal. Plus, there's apparently a way to stretch your dollar further, and that's booking your cruise on a Thursday.
Remember the myth that Tuesday is the best day of the week to book flights? It has a cruise counterpart, and this one holds water — no pun intended. A 2018 study by CruiseWatch found that travelers would be wise to book cruises on Thursdays, because it's usually the day when cruise lines offer solid bargains. The caveat? You have to act fast to get first dibs on the best ones. "When a sailing is not sold out, most cruise lines will discount the cabins rather than sailing empty. These price drops can make for some incredible deals. But you need to find them and book quickly," CruiseWatch co-founder Britta Bernhard explained in a statement.
In case you're unable to secure favorable deals with this route, there are more ways to reel in your next cruise at a price your checking account would be happy about. It actually involves a two-pronged approach: booking early and keeping your eyes peeled for promotional periods.
It's always wise to book early
This is not a hack per se, but many travel experts have long recommended that you book earlier rather than later. Travel agent Karen Malone told Cruise Critic that if you stall on booking, you'll be left with slim pickings when you finally get around to it, and more often than not, you'll be forced to select from less desirable cabins. "More and more, we're seeing limited availability closer in [i.e., 60 to 90 days from sailing]," she noted. "Perhaps only inside cabins on lowest decks." Meanwhile, Jo Ann Buening, who also works as a travel agent, suggests timing your booking based on the ship's size and cruise line. "Book nine to 12 months out for smaller ships, and six to nine months out for mega-ships," she advised.
Jennifer DeLaCruz, a vice president at Carnival Cruise Lines, corroborated this claim, telling Frommer's that booking your cruise at least half a year ahead allows you to select from a more diverse range of options. "It's best to book a cruise six to 12 months out to ensure you get an optimum selection of cabin types, preferred itineraries, and special promotional rates," she said. And if you're worried about losing out on deals after booking, the good news is many cruise lines offer price matching. Some also offer reimbursements in the form of cabin-type upgrades or onboard credits.
Take advantage of wave season and Travel Tuesday deals
You know how you wait around for end-of-season sales or Black Friday to come around so you can get the best deals on items you want? You can apply the same principle with booking cruises. In the cruising world, the golden period for deals is called "wave season," which typically runs from January to March each year. This is when cruise lines unveil their most attractive offers, ranging from discounted fares to perks like stateroom upgrades, beverage packages, and even promotions where kids sail free. "Wave season basically is like Black Friday shopping for cruisers," Scott Campbell, manager of cruise relations at AAA, told USA Today.
Then there's Travel Tuesday, the travel industry's answer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It's not as popular an event as the two, but it's gaining traction over the years, with many travel companies using it as an opportunity to drop a deluge of deals on flights, hotels, and, of course, cruises. It falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and it's prime time for snagging major savings and piling up perks for your next cruise. Just be careful about what you're buying, though, and take time to understand the fine print. As the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.