Is March 2005 too late to try to book?

[momof2minnies]

I was wondering if it is too late to book a 3 or 4 day cruise for this coming March? I have been on the fence about a cruise, we have never done one before so that is why only a short one to start. We have a party of 7 what rooms do you suggest for first timers?
Linda

 

[poconoboatniks]

I would contact a TA to check prices and availability. We booked our first cruise (7days) in Nov. for March cruise (week between Palm Sunday & Easter). This was 2 yrs ago and had no problem except with the flights. We could not get a direct flight because we booked too late. Our flight orignated in Phila. went to Detriot and then to Orlando.

You pay more because you are booking close to cruise time and you may not have too many choices. We took what we could get and ended up booking same room and deck for our second trip.

Enjoy!
Pocnoboatniks

 

[tink11]

We just booked a cruise for February two weeks ago. Got the catagory we wanted. We booked through allseasravel and got a really good price. Good luck and go for it!!

 

[chasbos]

I say go for it now - you are not too late! I was also told you had to book eary to ensure a great rate. WELL - I booked last April for our 4 day Wonder in January and every time I check the rates on the Disney web sites they are the exact amount that I paid 6 months ago. So, so much for early booking!

 

[westjones]

Booking early makes a difference for peak times. March is a peak time this year because of spring break and Easter. January and February are not peak.

For the past 5 years we have gone in September, and prices hardly changed. Then this year we booked a December 19th cruise. We booked in 2002 and the price has gone up $2000!!!!

So it CAN make a difference to book early depending on when you are wanting to sail.

DJ

 

[soleglo]

If u are going around Easter, the price is HIGH!

 

[ljm]

Our kids' Spring Break is in March, and we tried to price/book, but it was sold out and/or prohibitively expensive (think Christmas rates). I think if you were to try for EARLY March, it wouldn't be as bad (I was looking at mid-March). Try Costco Travel - they had the best rates by far when I was looking. We ended up booking for Martin Luther King week instead - at least this way the kids don't miss as much school (although I would have preferred Spring Break myself - that's what we did last year, and it was great!).

As for cabins, we had a cat 6 on our first cruise (6544), and loved the location. In Jan. we are trying a cat. 8 (trying to save a little $$).

Not sure if this is what you wanted to hear, but just my $.02

 

[soleglo]

Try All seasons travel also.............Hey I'm on the Wonder on the 16th of January also. I wanted to go for their Spring Break in March, but I couldn't justify that price gouging. (OUCH) How much school will your kids be missing?

 

[treloarf]

We just booked the 4 night for Feb. 6 & got a great rate! My only problem is getting there. We're from Pgh. & I want to fly USAir but I don't know if they'll be around by then. I'm praying that they will.

 

[soleglo]

Are you going to buy tix on that airline. I need tix from Chicago and I was going to fly ATA but I am SCARED to buy tix from them.

 

[ljm]

Originally posted by soleglo
Try All seasons travel also.............Hey I'm on the Wonder on the 16th of January also. I wanted to go for their Spring Break in March, but I couldn't justify that price gouging. (OUCH) How much school will your kids be missing?

Our kids are off for MLK day, so we'll only be missing three days instead of four. My DS's b-day is the 12th, so the teacher was understanding that we wanted to do something special for his b-day.

For our March cruise last year, we booked very early and got a good rate, but their break was March 7th last year, and the 15th this year - a HUGE difference in price for the two weeks.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could try planning a fake trip on expedia.com to see if the date you want to travel is available

 

[mom_rules]

momof2minnies-I sent you a PM

 

[staylor]

go to cruisecompete.com and you'll get rates from many agencies.
Also try southwest.com
Staci