How much do cruise prices increase over time?

[catali150]

We are cruising March 2021- first cruise.
I want to book a Halloween cruise in October 2021 or 2022.
october 2021 cruises will be posted soon, I’m assuming as the prior month (September) are already posted.
Will the October 2021 cruise price increase by at least 10% by the time of our first cruise on March 2021, negating the 10% savings we would get if we booked while on board?

 

[DCSWO]

Fall '21 cruises will be announced in May-ish.

 

[Qbie]

Price increase is really difficult to guess at. Ultimately, it depends on how popular that itinerary is. If this is a unique sailing (ex. double dip at Castaway) then it could easily go up the 10%, but if it's a typical sailing (4 night Dream) it will not likely go up by much (if any).

 

[MomOTwins]

Nobody knows. If the cruise is not selling well, the price may not go up much if at all. If it is more in demand, it may go up more, maybe by 10%, maybe not. It may go significantly down if they offer discounted and/or *GT rates. It's a dynamic pricing system.

If I had to guess, since that is peak hurricane season and therefore typically low prices and low demand, I doubt the price will go up that much. But you never know.

I think the best advice I can give is book it early, and cancel and rebook it on your cruise if the price has not gone up much before then.

 

[lanejudy]

I think the best advice I can give is book it early, and cancel and rebook it on your cruise if the price has not gone up much before then.

^^ This is the best advice. Book later this spring when fall 2021 cruises are released (probably May but keep watch). Then when you are onboard next March you can "re-shop" - which essentially means have them price out an Onboard Booking and compare to what you already have. If the price has increased enough, skip the OBB; if the price hasn't risen much, you can go ahead with the OBB and cancel the original booking when you get home. I would expect in ~10 months time the fares will increase - whether it's more than 10% may depend on circumstances (itinerary, date, and how well cruises are selling in general a year from now).

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[fredandkell]

October is typically not a super popular time to sail (hurricane season!). However, I have a bad feeling that all 2021 cruises will be expensive because everyone is canceling this year and will want to go next year instead.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Although the best option is always, *buy now- make changes or cancel later* ...
The cruise industry could/is suffering from, (now this second ship with a virus), a slowing/canceling of reservations. If a larger company goes under, that may leave others to scramble for a vacation. Or if they all stay afloat(forgive my pun) they might have to give away the trips at cost to regain the public’s trust as a safe vacation.
I can’t believe a friend of BF is trying to get someone to join her for a Royal Caribbean cruise for only $175! Nobody wants to join her! I need to find more details. I know the lady, but I just went in January my husband would have a cow!