Cruise Master Middle East director of business development Ashok Kumar.
Cruise lines consider many factors when determining the price of a cruise, including the number of nights, cabin type, advance purchase, seasonality and demand, and many offer attractive early booking fares.
Cruise lines do a good job in managing their revenues. When reservations slow down or large groups cancel, prices drop. When they do, discounted cabins go fast (usually standard interior and ocean view).
Generally, during first quarter of each year, most cruise lines have a ‘wave’ booking period offering attractive deals such as 2-for-1 fares, free shore excursions and onboard credits.
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Other considerations to booking early:
- Is your client cruising with more than two people in the stateroom or with children that need to be in an adjoining stateroom? There are limitations on such accommodations.
- Is the location, type and size of stateroom important? Mid-ship location balconies are generally the first to go. Other factors also weigh into the equation such as easy access to elevators. Last-minute cruise promotions leave the location of stateroom to the cruise line’s discretion, based on availability.
- While $599 may sound great for an inside stateroom on a seven-night cruise, what if your clients want to book a balcony or a suite?
- July and August sailings are very busy due to school holidays. Also take into account the time required to process visas for the countries visited.
- There may be some last-minute bargains on certain cruises but not in the peak season when demand is high. Either you may find no space or your clients end up paying more because the early booking deals are sold out.
- Make sure your consider whether or not the cruise line’s proposition suits your client’s lifestyle, personal preferences and onboard expectations as not all cruise lines are alike.
Service levels, onboard amenities, common area space, quality of food, type of entertainment and the lifestyles of other passengers onboard vary.
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