Fall is time to find deals on cruises
Caribbean cruise prices always are low in fall because summer vacations are over, kids are back in school and some people are leery about going to sea during hurricane season.
And more cabins are available in fall because cruise ships are returning to the region from summers spent in Europe and Alaska.
This year, early indications were that fall prices would be even lower than usual because the demand for Caribbean cruises had fallen off. But that hasn’t happened.
“There are no $399 fares out there” for seven-night Caribbean cruises, says Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise expert.
Usually in autumn, he explained, some cruise lines will drop their fares to that level.
Why hasn’t that happened?
“I think we’re seeing a pent-up demand,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Carnival Cruise Lines.
Still, you can find a few $449 fares for seven-night Caribbean cruises and quite a number at $499. The same rooms in other seasons, or on holiday cruises, could be priced several hundred dollars more.
Low fares like these are for inside rooms. Ocean-view and balcony cabins are priced higher, but this is where fall cruisers may score. Upgrades are easier to obtain and price differentials between inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins are more affordable in autumn.
On several seven-night Holland America sailings this fall, for example, the fare for an ocean-view (window) stateroom is $549 – only $50 more than the inside rate – and a balcony cabin goes for $749. Princess also has some $499 cruises where an outside cabin is only $50 more.
A tip for those who want balcony staterooms: They are cheaper and more available on ships that have a lot of balconies (generally the newer ships), says Miami travel agent Lila Tell of New World Center.
Autumn cruises tend to see more young couples, singles and seniors.
“It’s a great time for singles – and sometimes cruise lines even drop the single surcharge,” says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of Cruise Critic, an online cruise magazine.
What you won’t see many of in fall are school-age children – except on weekends and holidays. One exception: Disney Cruise Line gets kids all year long, Tell says.
Just getting a cruise for a low price doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a great time, of course. It’s fine to cash in on the season’s lower prices, but first you need to choose the cruise that’s right for you.
Seniors, for instance, are great cruisers, but many won’t enjoy adventure cruises that involve a lot of physical effort.
Singles should look for cruise lines that attract a younger crowd, among them Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
And here’s a tip for single men from Art Sbarsky, a former cruise executive turned cruise writer: “Go on Disney. There are a lot of single moms aboard.”
Families with children will enjoy the great youth facilities on board Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships. If you want superior service and understated elegance – and can afford it – the luxury cruise lines are for you.
Even though more cruises are available in autumn, it’s advisable to sign up for your cruise well ahead of time.
“People are booking further ahead now,” Carnival’s Freed says. “You get better cabins, better locations.”
Sbarsky agrees that buying further out is best, but adds: “You never know. You might get a good last-minute deal.”
The best deals come between Thanksgiving and Christmas, he says: “People are preoccupied thinking about Christmas.”
Cruise Critic’s Brown adds that the first two weeks of January also are good. But holiday sailings – those at Thanksgiving or in the Christmas-New Year’s period – are priced substantially higher.
With more cruises to choose from in autumn, what’s the best way to get the best deal?
“I tell people to do research online, but don’t book the cruise online. Talk to a travel agent,” says cruise expert Chiron.
The reason: Besides having specific knowledge of and contacts with cruise lines, agents have access to discounts and deals that aren’t online – particularly at this time of year.