Chances of

[sweetsublissa]

I'm wondering what the chances are of booking a cruise within just a few days of the ship sailing. And if it matters I want a suite but am willing to take what I can get.

[johnthed0g]

Not sure but I read somewhere that they need to know who is on the ship a fair time before the sailing date due to security.....I think you can book about a week or so before, someone will be more help I hope!

[fun2cruiz]

It is very possible to book a cruise up to the morning of sailing (yes naysayers it can be done and I can contest to this happening with clients and friends !)....but that is if there is availability.....but as you said, you have to be willing to accept what is available when you inquire.

[sweetsublissa]

Would I just need to call the cruise line for that or is there a travel agent you could recommend?

[fun2cruiz]

I would call the cruiseline direct.... no need for a TA on this last minute decision.

[sweetsublissa]

ok thanks to both of you :-)

[johnthed0g]

Originally Posted by fun2cruiz

It is very possible to book a cruise up to the morning of sailing (yes naysayers it can be done and I can contest to this happening with clients and friends !)....but that is if there is availability.....but as you said, you have to be willing to accept what is available when you inquire.

Are cruises booked this late bargains or full price?

[fun2cruiz]

depends on the sailing... some have been reported as fantastic deals..... some not so good !

[sweetsublissa]

So let's just say I get lucky, do you think I'll end up getting completely screwed?

[johnthed0g]

I know if you want to upgrade at the last minute it is full price+

[Cruznut2]

There is always the possibility you won't get a room on the ship. I would rather book early saver and keep an eye on the price. I booked Carnival Liberty for $480 last year that included port charges and taxes. I watched the price and saw a drop. I called the TA and she got me an OBC of $160.00. Not too bad, a 7 day cruise for $320.

Laura

[sweetsublissa]

Normally we do try to book early but my husbands been out of the country for 11 weeks and we only have a 3 week window in which to do a cruise and then I have surgery. As of yet we're not sure when he'll be back, thus the last minute, luckily my surgeon is flexible

[fun2cruiz]

Originally Posted by sweetsublissa

So let's just say I get lucky, do you think I'll end up getting completely screwed?

I would not call it scr_ _ _d....unless the price is higher than what you are willing to pay and yet you still pay the price....in that case...you scr_ _ _ d yourself !

Keep an eye on rates close to sailing to gauage if the going rates are favorable or not within your budget is the best advice I can offer !

[sweetsublissa]

Will do, thanks for all the advice!

[Donna]

I would think the chances of getting a suite a few days before a sailing are next to nothing....Those book pretty fast....

[Mike M]

If you are flexible on cruise line and ship you will be able to book up to the day of sailing.

There was a VERY short period of time after 9/11 that you could not book after 72 hours before sailing. That was only in effect for a couple of months but many think it is still in effect. Each cruise line is a bit different on the time they will accept bookings but if you book 24 hours or more before sailing you are fine.

Now for the good news and the bad news. The good news is that you can do it. The bad news is that there may not be much to choose from. There may be some high end suites available or low end cabins. By the time of sailing the cruise line's inventory management systems have basically moved people around so that most the mid-level cabins are occupied.

There are the stories of people walking up to the pier and booking a suite for $300 but those days are long gone. You may find a suite but you will pay the going price for it.

My best advice is to call a TA, give them the date range that you can sail, the type of cabin you want and a cruise line preference and let them take it from there.

Take care,
Mike

[Fern]

"My best advice is to call a TA, give them the date range that you can sail, the type of cabin you want and a cruise line preference and let them take it from there."

What Mike said! From what I've seen and heard over the years, the "lowest cabin, cheapest fare" is the best way to get an upgrade (usually only from an inside to a higher inside... :???.

Before 9/11 last minute bookings were available. Now, not so much .

[sweetsublissa]

Thanks Mike and Fern, I really don't mind paying the going rate, just wouldn't want to pay double or triple. I'll see what I can find travel agent wise.

[sweetsublissa]

So I'm thinking about booking a balcony since that particular date has already sold out of suites, and requesting to be put on a wait list if a suite becomes available, has anyone done this?

[fun2cruiz]

Originally Posted by sweetsublissa

So I'm thinking about booking a balcony since that particular date has already sold out of suites, and requesting to be put on a wait list if a suite becomes available, has anyone done this?

What ship were you able to get on ? Balcony would be a great stateroom to start with and waitlist a suite. Just remember that you will not know the "suite price" until the waitlist clears.....if it clears at all.

[sweetsublissa]

The Conquest

[fun2cruiz]

nice ship.... what date ?

[sweetsublissa]

Oct 9th, 33 days from now! how do i do the little countdown thingy? not sure what it's called?

[sweetsublissa]

When do they normally clear the waitlist?

[fun2cruiz]

Unless they have changed, I am unaware that CCL offers a "waitlist" and it would be to have your TA or PVP keep checking on availability of suites.

[sweetsublissa]

Ok great, the PVP seems to have it under control I hope,

Thanks again

[flowers]

I took booked a cruise the day of a it leaving .. but almost missed the ship. My PVP didnt get in until 10 am and then it does take a little while to finalize the booking.

I used to hear of unadvertised prices that you could only get direct from Carnival, often about 8 days out. But mostly whatever prices you see on the site are going to be the price you pay.

Iv had similar reasons for booking last minute..my dad having surgery and couldnt book until it was over, or whatever. Didnt necessarily get a great price, but got one I could live with. .. but have also gotten some really good last minute prices. Carnival doesnt lower last minute prices so much lately, they try and upsell people to higher priced cabins and open the lower priced cabins, so people cannot price match to lower prices.

I would check out the pack n gos and also RCL's tuesday sales for last minute bargains too... and start keeping an eye out for bagains.

[sweetsublissa]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for future cruises, hopefully he'll be back to his normal 28 on and 28 off rotation after this and it won't be such a problem.

[cruised1014]

We booked 3 days before the ship left Miami. We got a inside cabin and paid
$329.00 per person 7 days on the Valor April 3rd 2011. We paid Catagory 1A for
(bunk beds) and were up graded to the 7th floor regular inside. Plus the price of the cruise dropped before the ship sailed so they gave us $25.00 extra ship board credit to make up for the lower price.

[Edited for content - no travel agent names & numbers allowed here - sorry!]

[fun2cruiz]

Originally Posted by cruised1014

We booked 3 days before the ship left Miami. We got a inside cabin and paid
$329.00 per person 7 days on the Valor April 3rd 2011. We paid Catagory 1A for
(bunk beds) and were up graded to the 7th floor regular inside. Plus the price of the cruise dropped before the ship sailed so they gave us $25.00 extra ship board credit to make up for the lower price.

Interesting they gave you an OBC for a lower price after final payment was made.... being that you booked last minute and not ES (which would stand to reason for the obc based on that promo)Don't see why you would have been entitled to the OBC. But Congrats on the nice upgrade and the OBC !