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Last-minute fares are right out in the open, along with other sales a cruise line might be holding. Get free upgrades and $50 to spend on board per stateroom. It could also be located in a relatively undesirable location. So you have to balance the possibility of a less-desirable stateroom against the low price.
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For instance, if you don't want it on embarkation day, you can start it the next day. One of your best bets for a cheap Carnival cruise is to check out the line’s drink packages. You're probably wondering how much money you can save by booking a last-minute cruise. The total savings potential depends on how and when you book your cruise, and what deals you find. Traveling during peak season is more costly because of demand. Booking a cruise during the shoulder season — the time between peak season and low season — can be beneficial because demand is much lower, and cabins go unfilled.
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Many cruise lines offer significant discounts to cruisegoers who book a year or more in advance. But that doesn't mean you should ignore a last-minute cruise deal that interests you. And if you aren't too picky, there are some amazing last-minute cruise deals. You might even be able to snag a week in the Caribbean for less than $400 per person. Yes, being flexible with your travel dates and destinations can lead to significant savings on last-minute cruise bookings.
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But talk to enough cruisers, and you’ll hear lots of talk about the last-minute cruise they booked. Some upgrade offers are within like categories only – moving from a cheaper inside cabin to a pricier or more desirable inside cabin. These promotions can be misleading if you don’t read the fine print. You can also preorder a water package after you book your Carnival cruise. These are a bargain compared to what they charge per bottle on your ship.
Ever dreamt of sailing away on a spontaneous adventure at sea? I’m talking about those irresistible last-minute cruise deals that pop up, offering the chance to escape reality without breaking the bank. Carnival Cruise Line specializes in creating these unforgettable getaways, and I’ve got the inside scoop on how to snag these hot deals. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Other lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, allow booked passengers to bid on potential upgrades.
Book a repositioning cruise to save more
Cruise lines have incentives to fill as many beds on their cruise ships as their capacity allows. Greater numbers of guests leads to more money spent onboard on drinks and extra-fee dining, spa treatments, the casino, shore excursions, and souvenirs. Finding last-minute cruise deals can be a great way to save money. But it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting — and what you’re not — for that bargain-basement price. The most obvious incentive is a “free upgrade” promotion, where you can book an outside cabin for the price of an inside or a balcony cabin for the price of an outside.
Last Minute Cruise Deals
Booking last minute may offer fewer cabin choices, potential itinerary changes, and limited preparation time. However, these are often offset by the reduced pricing and exclusive deals available. A cruise ship holiday means you can choose to do what you want, when you want. All the restaurants, entertainment, activities, and fun are right there. Or you can find the best cruise deals to some amazing locations such as Noumea, Cairns, Auckland, Mystery Island, and Airlie Beach.
Because that’s usually the time frame when final payments are due for booked passengers, and it’s when cabins start to open up at lower prices. Unless the situation is dire, you are not going to find crazy promotions such as a weeklong cruise for $70 or a suite listed at inside cabin prices. Cruise lines try to protect their pricing, especially on balcony cabins and suites. They don’t want cruisers to expect discounts on the top staterooms or get used to booking last-minute to get the lowest fares.
Each adult (age 21 or older) in your party can carry onboard (in your hand luggage) one normal-sized bottle of wine or Champagne. If you drink it in your cabin (remember to pack a corkscrew, too), there is no charge. Options range from five professional portraits in the studio to paparazzi-style photo shoots with posed and candid photos that’ll set you back hundreds of dollars.
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Norwegian includes a "last-minute cruise deals" category on its online deals page.
If still a lot of inventory is left, you’ll likely see some good deals crop up. “Cruise lines do a good job of protecting this information on their consumer booking engines,” Beci Mahnken, president and CEO of MEI-Travel, says. “Some will allow you to see available inventory during the booking process while others will only show you a handful of options.
“You might see a rate reduction on the softer selling categories, which can result in a higher category than you booked actually selling at a lower price,” says Mahnken. When you see a drop, ask the cruise line to switch your booking to the nicer room. Just watch out because the switch might make you ineligible for your original booking perks. Starting the online booking process is your best bet at getting a glimpse of how many cabins are available. Sites like Costco Travel and Best Price Cruises do a good job of showing full deck plans with available cabins, though you’ll need to manually check all the categories and decks for available rooms. On the other hand, if you do happen to purchase your drinks package onboard, you do have the option of starting the plan at a prorated rate whenever you want.
Our cruise deals could include up to 50% off your total cruise fare plus hundreds of dollars in onboard credits and discounted specialty restaurant packages. You'll also be able to find deals on that perfect last-minute cruise to Cozumel, the Bahamas, or Alaska. And if you're looking for a cruise you can drive to, check out options for last-minute deals from Galveston or Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Port Canaveral.
If you’re particular about your cruise experience, book your cruise early. Cruise lines try to offer the best rates to those who book months in advance, hoping they won’t have to contend with discounting unsold cruise cabins. It’s worth paying a little more for the vacation you want rather than nabbing a low price on a less-than-ideal cruise.
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. If you are looking for a last-minute deal on a route where a passport is required, such as Alaska, make sure your documentation is up to date. Renewals can take months, so don't count on that happening 90 days or less before a cruise.
That means you could wind up with an obstructed view or beneath a bowling alley. It’s not uncommon to see deals priced as low as $25 or $30 per night per person for a last-minute three-day cruise. But you will need a passport if you’ve grabbed an amazing deal on a transatlantic cruise or another one-way sailing. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your cruise. By sending these offers directly to repeat passengers, they can reduce their marketing expenses and reward frequent sailors with a good deal. When you see an email with subject lines like “Pack and Go!
