Question about booking

[Melody13]

Hi,

I am still very new to cruising...just took one cruise last year, but not with Royal Caribbean. Is it too late to book a cruise in May or June 2013 to go on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas that leaves middle to the end of August 2013? What rooms usually go first? My friend and I want to get a balcony that faces the inside of the ship. Also, how high do the prices go? Would they be higher in May/June if there are any rooms available? What are the possibilities of the price going down closer to sail date?

Thanks,
Melody

 

[bob]

No it isn't too late, but not being experienced, my upfront recommendation would be to use a cruise savvy travel agent. Pricing in this period of time from sailing can fluctuate greatly depending on the popularity of the cruise. Understanding that and staying on top of it is where a good travel agent is worth their weight in gold.

What category cabin you select will definitely reflect price, again, good travel agent will guide you towards the right direction.

Prices can go all the way to what is called "Rack Rate" this it the brochure quoted rates for the cruise, only someone with dementia will pay rack rate. Not to keep harping but booking with a savvy TA that will watch the rates, sales, promotions is of absolute value it a case like this. Prices are negotiable right up till final payment, which you would be getting close to on a May cruise but you have a little slack for a June cruise. This close in, if the ship isn't filling well there will be some deals, otherwise if it is a full booking decent cabins will be at a premium.

 

[Melody13]

Thanks for writing an answer. My friend and I are going on the cruise together...and we'll be booking with a travel agent. That's not what the problem is. I want to book now for an August cruise and my friend wants to wait until May or June to book. That is why I was asking about if it's too late to book. I also don't want to have a problem with the prices being really high.

 

[Cruizer]

Thanks for writing an answer. My friend and I are going on the cruise together...and we'll be booking with a travel agent. That's not what the problem is. I want to book now for an August cruise and my friend wants to wait until May or June to book. That is why I was asking about if it's too late to book. I also don't want to have a problem with the prices being really high.

The longer you wait the less options you will have. I usually book a year out. Also, if you book and the price goes down before final payment, you can ask for the new lower price. If you book and the price goes up, you can keep the old lower price. However, if you don't book and the price goes up, you cannot ask for the old lower price.

In short, there is no advantage to waiting.

 

[Mbandy]

Cruiser makes a very good point. The closer to the sailing date you get the less expensive cabins will be sold leaving only the more expensive ones. You can usually get a lower rate if the price drops. I stress "usually" because certain promotions such as "Happy Hour" specials and a few others are open to "new bookings only" and you can not cancel and re book on the same sailing because their computer system is set up to detect that.

Boardwalk balcony cabins in the far aft of the ship are popular and will sell out early because you have a partial ocean view out the back of the ship and you can see the shows in the aqua theatre from your balcony.

On a side note, triples and quads on Royal Caribbean, particularly Oasis and Allure sell out way in advance. Last September I was booking Oasis for some clients for next September and alll of the ocean view triples and quads were already sold out....a year ahead of time.

Book it now for August before the price goes up...it probably will. :spyglass:

 

[Gayle V]

And even if you weren't hoping for a Park or Boardwalk facing balcony, the choices overall will become slim pickings as you get closer to the sail date. We booked about a month ago, to cruise the Allure in November. Even then, some the the preferred areas were gone.