I realize no one can say for sure...re: price increase

[Liz]

If I am looking to book a cruise in the fall of 2006, how much higher do you think prices will be if I book it in the fall of 2005 as opposed to now? There's always a teacher convention in the fall and I'd like to book then when the kids are out of school for a few days but its too soon to know the dates of the convention in 2006. I'm just wondering if its likely to have gone up by a few hundred or if it would be as much as a thousand or more.

My other option is to just book mid-summer 2006 but the prices are so high its practically not-doable at those rates.

I've never tried to plan something so confusing!

 

[CheapMom]

I think a year ahead of time you will probably still get the early booking discount. I think the prices could go up or down between now and then depending on how many ressies people are making.

 

[PoohJen]

Given the pretty liberal refund policy, you could give the dates your best guess and lock in that date/price now. You still risk a price increase if your date changes later. The other "down" side is that you'll be tying up your deposit $ for two years.

I wasn't planning a second cruise yet (haven't taken the first one!), but when I came across a 2006 date/price that I was really happy with, I jumped on it. I put the deposit on my Disney Visa, so I don't need to pay that off (O% interest) for six months. And though "who knows" what we'll be doing closer to 2006, I feel this was low risk due to the refund policy.

Good Luck and Happy Planning!

 

[myboysmom]

Hi Liz,

I would suggest you call your school district. They do know when those conventions are scheduled. They need to so they can plan out the curriculum for the year.

Our district has a even has a web site with the next two academic years scheduled posted.

Good luck!

 

[gesamom]

According to the UEA, they won't know when the 2006 convention is until about 18 months ahead of time. So those dates will probably be released next spring.

I would take look at a 2006 calendar and make my best guess. You can always get a full refund if you are wrong or tranfer your deposit to the correct week if the price was comparable.

The other option is to wait until next spring. The only problem is "Jersey Week" (New Jersey's equivalent to UEA) may fall at the same time and the ship tends to fill up during that which will increase prices as the time gets closer.

Hope that helps!

gesamom

 

[Liz]

Thanks for the great ideas! Gives me a lot to think about.

Gesamom, is Jersey week ever in October? Our UEA convention is almost always October and very rarely the end of Sept. but I don't think its ever been in November.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[gesamom]

I think Jersey Week is usually the first week of November. I am actually in UT, so I'm not 100% sure. Maybe someone from NJ will post a response.

I only mentioned it because I thought UEA was the first week of Nov. a couple years ago.

gesamom