Most cruisers know that they should never risk flying in on the day of their cruise. If they risk that and something goes wrong, you could miss your trip and end up being out the entire cost of your cruise.
Many people fly in the day before, but that may not be the cheapest option.
Related: Royal Caribbean shares key Labadee news with passengers
Proxy Coupons Senior Deals Strategist Jason Higgs shared his expert advice on the best timing to book your 2025 travel with Come Cruise With Me.
He shared some broad bullet points for cruisers to follow:
Midweek flights (particularly Tuesday and Wednesday) consistently offer the lowest fares.Flexible travel dates can yield savings significant enough to extend your holidaySenior Deals Strategist shares expert tips to snag the best deals
“As soon as the holiday season winds down, summer vacation planning begins,” he added.
For cruisers, the challenge is that added nights in their embarkation location costs money. They have to balance cheaper flights with added costs along with the added value of getting to spend time in port cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, and other beach destinations.
There are, however, some clear ways to save money, according to Higgs.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Book mid-week flights and plan ahead
The middle of the week is your best bet for cheaper flights, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. With weekend flights commanding premium prices due to high demand, shifting your travel to midweek can lead to significant savings. By tracking price patterns for your desired route, you can identify ideal booking times. Plus, midweek flights often offer more availability and flexible options.
Planning three to six months in advance often yields early booking discounts and special promotions. Setting up price alerts on travel sites can keep you informed of price drops and deals.
With some flexibility in your travel dates, you can take advantage of surprise discounts that typically disappear closer to departure. This makes the post-Christmas period ideal for booking, especially if you’re planning a May or June vacation.
“What I’m telling everyone right now is to start their summer planning early. January might feel too soon to book a July holiday, but it’s exactly when you should be looking. The best deals I’ve seen recently have gone to people who were ready to book the moment prices dropped,” Higgs shared.
To book your cruise, you generally want to be at least a year out to get the best prices, although there can be deals closer to the sailing date. That’s generally only true of older, less popular ships.
Travel during off-peak times
Steering clear of major holidays, school breaks, and peak tourist seasons typically results in better fares. January and February flights often cost significantly less than peak August travel. Consider flying on actual holidays – such as Thanksgiving or Christmas Day – for additional savings opportunities.
In addition, flight comparison platforms allow you to evaluate options across airlines, dates, and routes to find your ideal combination. While prices fluctuate frequently, a lot of tools offer price alert features to notify you of drops on your preferred routes, helping you book at the best time.
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
“Being flexible with your dates is probably the single most powerful money-saving tool you’ve got. Even shifting your travel by a day or two can save you enough for an extra night in your hotel. But don’t fall into the trap of waiting for last-minute deals – that’s a gamble that rarely pays off these days,” he added.
Cruises, of course, also cost less when you book them during non-peak times.
Last-minute deals are too risky for cruisers
While airlines frequently slash prices on unfilled seats near departure dates, the last-minute booking strategy comes with risks. During peak seasons or for popular destinations, last-minute booking can leave you with subpar accommodations or locations – or even no flights at all. This approach works best when you’re flexible about both destination and timing.
That’s generally not compatible with cruising since ships have been selling out and prices tend to rise, not fall, as sailing dates get closer.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
