How many days should you book a cruise?

Book last-minute to get a deal. If price is the most important factor to you, booking 45 to 90 days before a sailing can get you deeply discounted fares. Cruise lines will be looking to fill empty cabins once early bookers have paid their full fares and they have an idea of how many cabins have been filled.



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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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Vacations can be expensive, so naturally, whenever there's a study that suggests ways to travel cheaper, it's worth digging into. According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise.

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Cruise prices do not get cheaper closer to the sailing date in all cases. Cruise prices are usually the cheapest furthest from the sailing date when first launched or 60-90 days before the cruise sets sail. The prices of some cruises will decrease last minute – but this doesn't always happen.

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The total savings potential depends on how and when you book your cruise, and what deals you find. That said, it's possible to save 50% or more. We examined several last-minute deals for cruises departing within 30 days and found that some of the best deals offered savings from 60% to 70%. However, savings can vary.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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7 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 6. 8 - 10 Night Cruises - 2 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing. 11 - 14 Night Cruises - 3 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing. 15+ Night Cruises - 3 or 4 Formal Nights, Days and number vary by ship and sailing.

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Storms in August and October have a moderate risk of developing into hurricanes while September has the highest risk of all. For these reasons, September is the worst month of the year to take a cruise.

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What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.

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Every cruise line wants its customers to come back onboard and therefore offers excellent incentives to book your next cruise onboard. Cruisers who know they will sail again can take advantage of these offers and earn perks they otherwise will not receive once they return home.

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Typically the most popular cruise length is a seven-day long cruise, but there are many other varieties worth considering when you want to take a cruise, and many different lengths that will help you plan the cruise that best fits with your schedule. Many people cite that the shortest cruises are three days long.

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7-8 Daytime Outfits On your 7 day cruise, you'll need a casual daytime outfit for each day, plus at least one backup outfit in case you get wet.

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The answer to all of these questions for U.S. citizens is no -- as long as you're taking a closed-loop cruise. Closed-loop cruises travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but start and end at the same U.S. homeport. These cruises don't require a passport.

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Most of the newer ships average around 1050 feet which equals . 2 miles if you were to walk from end-to-end of the ship. Depending on where your cabin is or what locations on the ship you like, that mileage could add up.

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Even if you choose to bring your own stash of snacks or save up a plate from previous meals, there are plenty of 24/7 options on most cruises to ensure that no passenger goes hungry onboard no matter the time of the day... or night.

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Cruise ship workers are not supposed to hook up with passengers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It is rare though – most crew follow the rules because they know they'll lose their job if they're caught. You won't be surprised to hear that cruise lines ban crew from having sex with passengers.

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Most cruise lines charge between $400 and $4,000 for a 7-night Caribbean trip in a balcony stateroom. Remember that these cruise costs are only estimates, and that prices can vary greatly based on the cabin style, time of year, number of individuals in the room, as well as cabin placement.

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Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities. Don't forget to factor those charges into your overall vacation budget.

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Here are seven ways to avoid spending any extra money once you've boarded your cruise ship.
  1. Just drink water, juice, and coffee. ...
  2. Replace a paid shore excursion with self-guided tours. ...
  3. Stay on the ship. ...
  4. Get the most out of included places to eat. ...
  5. Do your homework during the packing process. ...
  6. Save money on laundry.


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Cruise fares are priced based on the assumption that each cabin will be occupied by two passengers. So, for example, if the cruise fare for each person in a cabin is $10,000 then the cruise line pricing assumes they will be paid $20,000 in total fares for the cabin.

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