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This is the number two mistake everyone makes. The number one mistake is booking directly with the cruise line or some impersonal online site.
The number one rule is to book with a reputable agent and then let them do all the work for you and find you the best deals.
The number two rule is that the best time to book a cruise is as soon as possible. Don't wait for specials that may never come. Once you decide when, where, and with whom you want to cruise with, then book it; you'll get the best cabins and can begin to make all your plans and arrangements accordingly. Airfare does nothing but go up, so the sooner you book that, the better off you'll be.
Yes, occasionally the cruise line will offer a special for 'new bookings only' that is not available to those who have already booked. If you are flexible, don't need airfare, and can travel without having to make alot of pre-arrangements for work, kids, etc, then sometimes this can be a good thing. Just know ahead of time that you may not get a good selection of cabins.
Most of the time, your agent can get you the special even after you've already booked. And with most cruise lines, they can even get the special after you've made final payment. (This does not apply to NCL or Carnival.)
But what happens if you sit around and wait to see if a special is offered and nothing becomes available or the price continues to go up? Now you're going to be disappointed and sit around wishing you hadn't waited. Not what I want to do with my vacation.
The bottom line here is as I said, if you are flexible and don't mind being disappointed should no specials be offered, then waiting can sometimes get you a good deal. But if you need to plan ahead and purchase airfare, it's not necessarily a good thing. It boils down to what works best for you.
And lastly, don't be duped into those specials that offer "80% Off Last Minute Cruises". They are misleading everyone because they claim to offer 80% off the brochure rate, which no one sells, not even the cruise lines. And the rates they are offering are the same rates available to everyone. It's just an advertising gimmick to get your attention, when in reality they're offering nothing out of the ordinary, while providing very limited personal service.
Pete
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