What's the best time to pay for your cruise??

[upsman1986]

Should you pay for everything up front, or pay the deposit, then pay by the deadline. What, if any, are tha advanages?

[2Littletime]

We normally just pay the deposit, leave the rest in savings or short term investments and make a little money on it then pay it when the final payment is due. Our old PVP told us that the people that pay in full long before the final payment date are the first to get upgrades but we haven't really been able to prove that having tried it both ways without any sort of consistency from the upgrade fairy.

[Donna]

There is no real advantage to paying it early, might as well wait until its due and pay then. You can be earning money on that and the cruiseline doesn't give you anything extra for doing that.

[spencercoop]

I think if they give people an incentive to pay within like 2 weeks after they book a lot more people will do that and then they can have their money way before people cruise.

[rosetattoo]

I really can't see any advantages to paying for the cruise in its entirety when you book, except to put that behind you and start saving for other expenses (transportation, parking (yikes), gambling, drinking).

I booked a cruise for late November in the spring and only paid the deposit. Since I booked this cruise, Carnival has lowered the price twice prior to my final payment due. If your cruise cost is lowered and you have already paid in full, how would your booking agent refund the monies?

[ferrangi]

Originally Posted by rosetattoo

I really can't see any advantages to paying for the cruise in its entirety when you book, except to put that behind you and start saving for other expenses (transportation, parking (yikes), gambling, drinking).

I booked a cruise for late November in the spring and only paid the deposit. Since I booked this cruise, Carnival has lowered the price twice prior to my final payment due. If your cruise cost is lowered and you have already paid in full, how would your booking agent refund the monies?

My agent said I would either get an upgrade or OBC if the price of my cabin went down. It didn't so I don't have any first hand experience, but that is what she said.

[Kuki]

Have no idea why anyone would want to pay their cruises off in advance of final payment date.

A few days before, just so you know it's done is fine, but KEEP YOUR MONEY in the bank until then.

Even those who make payments on their cruise along the way, should put those payments in the bank and get something for your money.

[Mike M]

Originally Posted by upsman1986

Should you pay for everything up front, or pay the deposit, then pay by the deadline. What, if any, are the advantages?

I know of no advantages for paying your cruise off early other than the cruise line can use your money for a long time before you cruise.

Pay it off with a credit card or cash when the final payment is due. If you are saving, or don't want the large payment on your credit card than put it in a bank account. Even 2% interest is better than nothing.

Take care,
Mike