What months are cruises the cheapest?


What months are cruises the cheapest? The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly.


What time of year is cheapest for Mediterranean cruise?

When is the best time to find special offers to the Mediterranean? Similar to those trying to avoid crowds, the best time to sail to the Mediterranean for cost savings is during the shoulder seasons (April to May and September to November), when there is a slightly higher chance of rain and cooler weather.


What months to avoid Caribbean cruises?

What months should you not go on a Caribbean cruise? You can expect the highest level of rainfall in the Caribbean between the months of May and November. September and October are peak hurricane seasons, so there's a higher chance of disruption and some ports of call may be cancelled or changed.


What is the cheapest month for a European cruise?

Northern Europe - May or October In other words, going during shoulder season while the temperatures and demand are lower will help you lock in some of the lowest prices of the season.


What is the best month to go on a Mediterranean cruise?

The best time to take a Mediterranean cruise, however, is in the spring (May-June) or fall (September-October). Temperatures are comfortably warm, the sun is bright, and the crowds are far, far fewer than in July and August.


Why are cruises cheaper in September?

September is a month when many schools are back in session and the summer vacation season is over. This means that demand for Caribbean cruises drops, and cruise lines lower their prices to attract more customers.


Do cruises go on sale often?

The cruise lines are like department stores — they constantly run sales and special offers. Sometimes it is 50% off the second fare. Sometimes it's lower deposits. Sometimes it's onboard credit.


Do cruises get cheaper closer to time?

Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.


Can you negotiate with cruise lines?

Prices, for instance, can't be negotiated. While some cruise lines, particularly river cruise lines, may give you a set discount, most ocean lines expect you to sell your group space at the current prevailing rate (though that can include any current promotions).


Is it better to fly the day before a cruise?

If you're catching a plane, when to fly in for your cruise depends on several factors. I always advise flying in at least one day before you're scheduled to embark, just in case you encounter any delays or cancellations. That way, you have time to rebook yourself on a different flight if something goes wrong.


Why are cruises so cheap in January?

Taking a Cruise in January Cruise lines typically have discounted rates to fill up the ship in January; the same cruise departing at the height of the busy summer can cost hundreds of dollars more than in January.


Why are cruises so expensive 2023?

While the cruise lines have been sailing around 60-80% capacity in 2022, some are predicting they will reach 100%+ occupancy by the middle of this year. So, with more individuals wanting to cruise, this means higher cruise fares. We are already feeling these effects when trying to plan trips for the year ahead.


Why are cruises so expensive for 1 person?

A few cruise lines feature a limited number of cabins designated for single occupancy sparing the solo cruiser from having to pay double. While cruise lines advertise these single cabins as having no supplement, the single rate is usually slightly higher than the per-person rate of comparable double occupancy cabins.


What is the off season for cruises?

You can often land deals if you travel during the early weeks of December and in the later spring, when weather is still mostly calm and dry. The cheapest time for Caribbean cruises runs from late summer into fall, when hurricane season is at its peak.


Is it cheaper to book a cruise while on a ship?

The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.


What day is the cheapest day to book a cruise?

Vacations can be expensive, so naturally, whenever there's a study that suggests ways to travel cheaper, it's worth digging into. According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise.


Do cruises get cheaper closer to the date?

As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship.


How far out should you book a cruise for best price?

Booking a cruise one to two years in advance is not practical for many families, so a great time to book a cruise is between six and 12 months before sailing. In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve.


Are cruises cheaper in the winter or summer?

Prices. Summer cruises tend to be the most expensive, even for the Caribbean during hurricane season. Winter cruises can be a great deal, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is a slow travel period.


What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.