Unused placeholder needs "Best Value/out of season" recommendation.

[Snowwhyt]

We need help finding a low price 7 day cruise to use a placeholder. The placeholder expires July 9, 2018. DD-17 doesn't want to go so I thought I could try and use off-season prices to take my mid 70's parents for a week. But since this is an extra vacation coming out of the budget I really need to keep it under $2500. We paid $5900 to go on a New Year's cruise and the very next week would've been $1800+ to take the exact same cruise.

So here's where I need help. Unsold cabins, on off peak season, can be lower in price closer to the sailing date. I know some last-minute discounts you can't use with a placeholder. When should I make a reservation with my placeholder, for a undersold cruise price advantage.

So far we have sailed Thanksgiving week, New Year's Eve week, and 4th of July week, so we could take my daughter because of school. I'd really love to get a big savings to compensate for the holiday prices I've paid.

Can anyone tell me what I need to consider?
What ships give the best discount on off peak times? (I suspect it's Magic and Wonder)
I'd really appreciate understanding how are you have been able to save. Thank you in advance, Karyne.

 

[Quellman]

We need help finding a low price 7 day cruise to use a placeholder. The placeholder expires July 9, 2018. DD-17 doesn't want to go so I thought I could try and use off-season prices to take my mid 70's parents for a week. But since this is an extra vacation coming out of the budget I really need to keep it under $2500. We paid $5900 to go on a New Year's cruise and the very next week would've been $1800+ to take the exact same cruise.

So here's where I need help. Unsold cabins, on off peak season, can be lower in price closer to the sailing date. I know some last-minute discounts you can't use with a placeholder. When should I make a reservation with my placeholder, for a undersold cruise price advantage.

So far we have sailed Thanksgiving week, New Year's Eve week, and 4th of July week, so we could take my daughter because of school. I'd really love to get a big savings to compensate for the holiday prices I've paid.

Can anyone tell me what I need to consider?
What ships give the best discount on off peak times? (I suspect it's Magic and Wonder)
I'd really appreciate understanding how are you have been able to save. Thank you in advance, Karyne.

The wonder out of galveston, tx has historically been one of the cheaper cruises to sail.

 

[dcassetta]

The wonder out of galveston, tx has historically been one of the cheaper cruises to sail.

I agree. I would also look at the San Juan or Miami sailings. Often the cheapest seem to be the weeks directly before or after a holiday week, so the third week of November or the second week of January.

 

[Snowwhyt]

The wonder out of galveston, tx has historically been one of the cheaper cruises to sail.

Good thing I asked I had no idea. Thank you.

 

[Quellman]

Good thing I asked I had no idea. Thank you.

You are welcome. The cruises out of there are usually during slower periods of the year and don't sell well, because well, who wants to visit galveston when they could visit orlando or miami?

 

[Snowwhyt]

I agree. I would also look at the San Juan or Miami sailings. Often the cheapest seem to be the weeks directly before or after a holiday week, so the third week of November or the second week of January.

Flying into Miami would be cheaper for us than flying into Texas. About how long do you think I'd have to wait before the price would drop?

 

[dcassetta]

You are welcome. The cruises out of there are usually during slower periods of the year and don't sell well, because well, who wants to visit galveston when they could visit orlando or miami?

I think the original issues were not with Galveston itself, but rather poor marketing decisions.

 

[Snowwhyt]

You are welcome. The cruises out of there are usually during slower periods of the year and don't sell well, because well, who wants to visit galveston when they could visit orlando or miami?

I suppose that's why the airfare is so much more for me from Milwaukee. I'm going to have to price out the difference in savings with the airfare factor. Which airport is used for Galveston?

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

About how long do you think I'd have to wait before the price would drop?

Your best bet is to book ASAP. Odds are prices on unrestricted fares won't drop. If I recall correctly, you won't be able to use your OBB on *GT rates, so waiting doesn't help you.

 

[dcassetta]

Flying into Miami would be cheaper for us than flying into Texas. About how long do you think I'd have to wait before the price would drop?

Disney prices generally don't drop until you get to possible GT offerings, which you cannot be booked with a placeholder. A quick search for 2017-1028 winter shows sailing out of Galveston and San Juan under 2700 for 2 adults.

 

[dcassetta]

I suppose that's why the airfare is so much more for me from Milwaukee. I'm going to have to price out the difference in savings with the airfare factor. Which airport is used for Galveston?

You would use either Houston Bush or Houston Hobby.

 

[Trera]

right after labor day seems to be a good time to always go if price is a concern.