Question for cruising gurus

[ottawamom]

I am looking at taking a cruise up the coast of Norway with Holland America in May 2026. There is a "deal" on now for free crew appreciation, reduced deposit and slight reduction in price of cruise (Boxing week special) and I get an onboard cruise cr credit if I book another cruise before the end of the year.

Should I hold off and wait to see if better deals come out in the new year? We've only taken one other cruise so I'm not sure about the "deal" cycles with cruising etc. Anyone have insight into the ebb and flow of the cruising world that can help me decide whether to book now or wait. There seemed to be lots of other offers last year after I booked (May for a September cruise). Is this normal or is now a really good time to jump and book. I'm accustomed to booking Disney a year out. Year and a half out for a cruise is new for me.

Input greatly appreciated.

 

[tgropp]

I follow Sue Holland “WDW1972” and she cruises two times a year. She is on a Holland America cruise now and she reported that a month ago she saw a significantly better deal. She was allowed to cancel her booking and get the new deal. You can ask the cruise operator if they would Honor future discount. Royal Caribbean did it for me on one cruise with them. Good Luck ! That cruise would be amazing

 

[damo]

sorry I accidently posted in the wrong thread

 

[kuhltiffany]

There are “deals” constantly. Free airfare, % off, B1G1, free onboard credit, internet, excursions etc.Black Friday deals are likely to get better next week so check daily.

Holland America is also known as an “old people” crowd, you might want to check other cruise lines for similar itineraries too. When our kids were young we cruised DCL, but now they’re older we use Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.

 

[ottawamom]

Unfortunaltely I do fit "the old people" catergory (today with my aches and pains I feel 20 years older than my actual age). We are at the younger end of the range but we're there. I enjoy having a quieter holiday when I'm not go go going on a Disney holiday.

Thanks for the info on sales etc. I will hold off until later next week before I dive in. I have until Dec 1 to take advantage of this particular offer so I have time.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Unfortunaltely I do fit "the old people" catergory (today with my aches and pains I feel 20 years older than my actual age). We are at the younger end of the range but we're there. I enjoy having a quieter holiday when I'm not go go going on a Disney holiday.

Thanks for the info on sales etc. I will hold off until later next week before I dive in. I have until Dec 1 to take advantage of this particular offer so I have time.

When I say older, I mean 75+ Even my parents won’t go on them!

 

[ottawamom]

I won't argue with your view of the cruise line. I like keeping it my little secret. (ie we've enjoyed cruising with them but I'm not a real partier so it suits us)

 

[optstud]

We took our 5 children, ages 7-14, on a 25 night Holland America cruise and they loved it. There were probably only half a dozen other kids but they were fine.

If there is no penalty then I always book now and reprice later. Happy travels!

 

[ottawamom]

Just to update for those who may search for this in the future. Holland America has a Cyber Monday sale (or it might have been Travelling Tuesday) with crew appreciation paid, reduced fare and $25 pp deposit. I would have appreciated that. My deposit (for 2) was $800ish.

Offer is on until Dec 5th.