Last Minute or Plan Ahead?

[CarolAnnC]

I am facing some choices. I have the possibility of planning a March cruise or possibly looking to next November for a cruise. On the one hand, I love the excitement of last minute booking and the heightened excitement of a quickly approaching vacation.

But, there are merits to planning far in advance and preparing oneself fully while relishing the thoughts of counting down the months then weeks and finally days.

So which do you all prefer? Do you have success with booking a month or two out? Or do you go for the one year or longer reservations?

 

[SeaSpray]

Pricing aside, I think a cruise in March still leaves you with plenty of time to plan and research! We booked our Aug. 28th, 2004 cruise over a year out, and while it is fun to know we're going on a cruise this summer, it's an awfully long (but fun!) wait.

Personally if it were me, I'd see which month had the better prices and also how well each of those dates fit in with other plans such as work, school, etc. Also check out the weather for those times of year. All things being equal, it'd be up to you, whether you think a couple of months is enough time to research and plan.

Either way, Happy planning!!

 

[mike2beach]

March is a popular time for schools to have spring break. If you have kids you may want to check availability. After they reach the max number of kids, they only take adult only reservations.

 

[AnnMorin]

well I think a lot depends on where you live.
For us Novemeber is cold while March starts spring. I personally would rather go away when everything is dead and cold then when starting to emerge after a long winter in the spring.
That said though I certainly would not say no to a spring cruise!
Either way you can't go wrong!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I agree- I think either way you can't go wrong, except ofcourse on PRICE! LOL Because it is a LOT cheaper to book further ahead than last minute....

But it really depends on the person, what style of vacationing they have/desire, and also what they plan for the vacation. If price isn't an issue- AND you aren't into making lots of excursion plans, learning everything to do on the ship so you can make sure you do it (much like trips to WDW for some), etc.- then I think it would be a lot of fun to do it last minute!

For instance, our first trip to WDW was spur of the moment- and our first trip ever. We didn't know diddly- I didn't even find this board until we were back from our trip! We had a wonderful time- but not a whole lot planned ahead of time/etc. So for some that wouldn't have been as much fun (going without PS's for things/etc.)

But then our next trip we took recently- we booked that about 9mo ahead of time... and that was fun too! I had plenty of time to "plan" how our trip would be, plan PS's but not too many (wanting to relax a bit on this trip), etc. It was fun planning ahead and making sure we got the most out of our trip (including relaxing because PS's were already made/etc.)

Either way is fun!

 

[KathyTX]

Carol,

I think you should do BOTH!

Then you can weigh the pros and cons, and report back to us.

 

[ivanova]

my preference is planning ahead - better opportunity to save $$$ for excursions, tips, and other related expenses.

 

[kcashner]

You are planning ahead either way!!!! I consider "short notice" to be the one I did on 48 hours of notice, and that included a 16 hour drive to the port.

You get the best "early booking' credit by planning ahead...unless last minute bargains become available.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Thanx for sharing everyone! My dilemma also involves sorting out school vacations for my high school senior and college sophomore. Of course their weeks off never coincide. lol.

 

[AnnMorin]

well then I think you should be a "good mom' and go both weeks, one week with each child!!! (wouldn't life be grand )