Early Saver Ideas
It seems like we're always talking about last-minute deals, but most of the time the best values are to be found by booking in advance -- so I want to talk about that today.
Right now I have a classic case of a client who knows exactly the cruise she wants, but we waited too long and now it's not available in her time-frame this year. All we can do is wait until the 2011 European season opens up and then book the cruise immediately (and hope that the same cruise itinerary is still available).
See, that's one of the problems -- you never know from year to year what the itineraries are going to be. True, some cruises are classics and hardly ever change, but with Europe, Alaska, South America, and other exotic routes -- who knows?
So -- advantage #1 of booking far ahead: you can get the cruise you want, in the category of stateroom that you want.
Advantage #2: many cruise lines offer "Early Booking Discounts." And it's not just the luxury lines -- although Oceania, Regent, Paul Gauguin, Crystal, and Silversea are the best at getting ahead of the "sales waves" and selling out their top cruises a year in advance -- Carnival recently began an "Early Saver Discount" program that guarantees you the lowest rate if you are willing to put up your (non-refundable) deposit early.
Advantage #3: group and block-space rates are locked in VERY early (sometimes more than a year), but have a limited shelf-life before prices start to go up. And prices always go up -- it's a simple matter of "supply and demand" because the passenger capacity of a ship is obviously fixed. Extra amenities, gifts, shipboard credits, and upgrades are often tied to block-space rates, so once the space is sold it's too late to get those wonderful "extras." Wouldn't YOU like to be the one bragging at dinner about your free wine, better room, and free money that you got to spend on shipboard fun?
Now I'm going to note an advantage that particularly applies to Princess:
Princess offers their past passengers EXTRA discounts up to a certain point ahead of their cruise (usually 9 months or more). They also allow us agents to set up exclusive sales during which you only have to put down $100 per person for your deposit -- this is a fabulous deal when you are booking for "next year" and don't want to tie up a bunch of money "now."
PLUS -- all their benefits are combinable -- you can get your past passenger discount; group space benefits such as upgrades, shipboard credit, wine, and other gifts; AND the reduced deposit sale (that comes with onboard coupon booklets, too)! Want even more? Book your next cruise while onboard, AND you get additional shipboard credit! Princess is SERIOUS about enticing you to book early.
So don't wait until the last minute thinking there will be a better deal. Oh sure, some deal might be out there, but is it the cruise you really wanted? Is it the right week, the right cabin category, the right itinerary?
You know what really happens? People wait and wait and wait, then when the "deal" turns out to not be exactly what they were hoping for, they end up not going anywhere at all. That, my friends, is a travel tragedy -- don't let it happen to you.
Would you like the best advice on when to book and when to wait? Someone who's on your side and not just trying to "push" something on you? Please call us -- we work for YOU -- not the cruise line.
In a few months, when most of the 2011 Europe and Alaska seasons open up for booking, we're going to host at least one "Early Booking Party" to showcase all the early-bird savings and amenities that you can get, plus offer reduced deposits for as many cruise lines as we can (Princess, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival for sure and hopefully some others).
Keep checking back for news on when booking is available, and watch for your personal invitation to our events and sales. Thanks and talk soon -- Janet
