Cruise before or after Thanksgiving?? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

*Lars* · 02-05-2009, 01:18 PM

I have a question for our dear travel agents.

I have booked a cruise in the Mediterranean on the Brilliance of the seas November 6 to 18. This cruise is the voyage just before Thanksgiving.
I am thinking about switching the date to the November 30 - December 12 sailing. Same ship and same itinerary.

Which dates are most likely to drop most in prices??? From your experience are cruises before Thanksgiving or after the most discounted once???

As per today the November 6 sailing isnt discounted. The November 30 sailing has been discounted a little.
I have booked a D1 cabin and the difference in the price at the moment is around $800. (which does not mean anything really as I hope to be booking a suite gty if it comes available.)

Cruise Planner · 02-05-2009, 04:02 PM

In my experience, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the 2nd least expensive time of the year to travel - September will usually produce the cheapest rates.

We have traveled between the holidays on several occasions, most recently this past December the week before the Christmas sailing (12/13 - 12/20) because it's when we get good rates and specials are quite common.

If you have the time, you should not only look at the 11/30 sailing, but also the next one after that.

In my opinion, your chances of getting a special are much better after Thanksgiving than before.

Pete

*Lars* · 02-05-2009, 04:13 PM

Pete, Thank you so much for your answer.

I have looked at the cruise departing after the November 30 sailing and yes, the sailing before the Christmas cruise is even more discounted.
However, its to close to Christmas for us to travel due work etc.
I belive I am ready to switch our voyage to November 30, now

Thank you again, much appreciated.

nealberk · 02-05-2009, 11:40 PM

I agree with Pete on this one. We have had two cruises between Thanksgiving and Christmas and liked both of them. Prices were very good.

Personally I like the second week after Thanksgiving, the ships are beginning to get into the Christmas spirit with decorations everywhere.

MD11F · 02-14-2009, 02:27 PM

We cruised on the Crown Princess Thanksgiving week 2006, and got great pricing on a Mini-Suite.

*Lars* · 02-15-2009, 06:34 AM

I am kinda hoping we get the same prices for a suite gty as last year. $999!!
That was an incredible deal.
The cruise November 6 has not dropped in price since it was released. All others have gone down.
I am also looking into booking a 7 days cruise, either Voyager of the seas or Celebrity Century, which ends in Barcelona the day before we are are embarking the Brilliance of the seas November 30. The prices are OK now but I will not go ahead and book before the prices goes further down. This extra cruise is just to have something to do as we have done the same ports many times.

nealberk · 02-15-2009, 10:47 AM

Lars, keep your fingers crossed. With RCL really trying to make money, the price should go down.... (I hope)

Blizzard · 02-15-2009, 05:58 PM

I totally agree with Pete and the rest.
For many years we cruised after Thanksgiving because the pricing was so good. My D/W now has a job that does not allow vacation during that time so we cannot do that at this time.

nealberk · 02-15-2009, 06:04 PM

And that is a poor time of the year to do a TA or Alaska.

Char · 02-15-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealberk

And that is a poor time of the year to do a TA or Alaska.

That's why they don't do Alaska cruises then, too cold and icy, but there are repositioning TAs coming over into late December!

I wonder if Cunard runs the Shouthampton to NY route in the middle of winter?