It’s a Good Time to Take a Cruise

It is a good time to take a cruise.  No the economy has not been miraculously healed. And you didn’t win the lottery.

A combination of factors have made it a buyer’s market for cruises this year.  First of all, the slow economy has meant that the number of people traveling has fallen drastically.  This includes the number of people taking cruises.  Also, cruise lines think it is a good time to expand.  New ships and new routes are now competing with the old.

You’ve already missed the November sales, which included seven-day cruises in the Caribbean for less than $200.  But all is not lost.

Just remember that prices are not set in stone.  Cruise lines are looking into the future, trying to decide if and when prices can be raised.  Therefore, it is best to book sooner, while companies are using low prices to attract customers.  Of course, that said, there may be better deals on the horizon.  It is impossible to predict, because all those factors that are now forcing prices down could change any day.  Prices are in a constant state of fluctuation, making booking a cruise kind of like a poker game between budget minded travelers and cruise lines.

Cruise lines are using the internet to fill up ships by offering mini-sales and selling dirt cheap tickets for anyone who wants to leave on short notice.  Internet savvy cruisers who are willing to put in a little legwork should be able to find some great deals on last minute tickets.

Of course, there is also an advantage to booking early.  Those who take the chance and book early will have the first choice of rooms and be first in line for possible upgrades.  Sure, there might be some cheaper last-minute fares, but the people who take advantage of those won’t have a chance of being upgraded to a stateroom or have a choice on where their room will be located.