Is there a deal to be had booking last minute

[NatalieDavin]

I have never been on a cruise at all but my girls are anxious to go. Can you give me tips and tricks to booking last minute? We are really flexible on dates and they are not wanting to wait a year. Does it even happen? Thanks!!!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have never been on a cruise at all but my girls are anxious to go. Can you give me tips and tricks to booking last minute? We are really flexible on dates and they are not wanting to wait a year. Does it even happen? Thanks!!!!

On those cruises that DCL deems as "not selling well" they might release some last-minute "reduced" rates. I say "reduced" because, in most cases, these prices are still higher than the price was for the same room on opening day. So, not the best price, but lower than the prevailing prices.

Also, those last-minute rates (called *GT rates) you can only select a type of room - Interior, Oceanview, Verandah. DCL will assign an actual room at a later date (usually just before the cruise).

 

[NatalieDavin]

On those cruises that DCL deems as "not selling well" they might release some last-minute "reduced" rates. I say "reduced" because, in most cases, these prices are still higher than the price was for the same room on opening day. So, not the best price, but lower than the prevailing prices.

Also, those last-minute rates (called *GT rates) you can only select a type of room - Interior, Oceanview, Verandah. DCL will assign an actual room at a later date (usually just before the cruise).

I have no idea how any of this works. It is stressing me out LOL! San Diego is cheapest for us to get to and they really want the wonder

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have no idea how any of this works. It is stressing me out LOL! San Diego is cheapest for us to get to and they really want the wonder

Typically, the lowest prices for any given cruise are the prices offered on the day the itinerary is opened. As the space onboard the ship fills, the prices go up. On some cruises, as I noted, DCL might offer last minute rates (after the paid-in-full date - about 90 days out) on those cruises that aren't selling well. But the price, while lower than the prevailing rate, isn't usually lower than opening day prices.

Sometimes there are military discounts. Or Florida resident rates. Or Canadian resident rates. Nothing for California residents, though

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I have no idea how any of this works. It is stressing me out LOL! San Diego is cheapest for us to get to and they really want the wonder

Generally the San Diego cruises on the Wonder sell really well and fast, your best deal would definitely be booking on opening day for a cruise the following year.

 

[lanejudy]

The Wonder is typically the only ship that cruises out of San Diego, as I believe it's the only one that still fits through the Panama Canal to get to the west coast. Your choices are somewhat limited because the San Diego cruises are sandwiched between the Panama Canal cruises (spring/fall) and Alaska cruises (summer) -- so April/May or Sept/Oct time frame.

If you want one this fall, there's only a couple of choices left before the Wonder heads back east for the winter. One is just a 2-night, which I wouldn't recommend for a first cruise because it's simply to short to get the feeling of cruising, but of course if that's what fits your schedule it'll be fun for the short time. The other is a 7-night and I'd be highly surprised if any "new" discounts are released for that one since it appears to be pretty full.

Whether you consider something a "deal" or not is somewhat relative to your budget and perspective. *GT (IGT, OGT and VGT) offers, if available, typically come out less than 60 days prior to sail date. A *GT offer will be less than the standard fares for that cruise at that point in time, but as a PP mentions DCL cruise fares increase over time so booking early might be less expensive than a last-minute special offer. But if you can't book that far in advance, *GT might be a good deal for your situation.

I suggest you check out the cruises out of San Diego for spring 2018. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jimmymc]

Basically what you said: if you're flexible with your dates and sailing location, you can find some last minute deals. I've seen a lot happen in October/November and January/February timeframe. Some unusual cruises, like Alaska and Europe, have sales for the beginning of May.

Right now, cruises this fall out of NYC are being discounted for everyone.

 

[Trera]

Used to be some good deals on the Wonder out of Galveston if you want to take a quick flight to Texas.

 

[houseofduck]

There are *GT discounts available on the 12/1/2017 and 12/15/2017 Wonder, 7 night cruises out of Galveston right now. And, the *GT rates are lower than opening day pricing for these cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The Wonder is typically the only ship that cruises out of San Diego, as I believe it's the only one that still fits through the Panama Canal to get to the west coast.

The Wonder got her ducktail at her re imagining last October. She has to use the new locks now.

All the Disney ships can go through the new locks.