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Bellaocchi
Hope Faith Love
Member since 2/07 5694 total posts
Name:
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Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
I've pretty much made up my mind on which cruise line to go on. However, family members are telling me to wait until a couple weeks before the ship sails, which would be on 9/1 so that I could get a lower rate.
It's a newer ship and I've read that newer ships rarely come down in price. It's also when the kids go back to school so, I'm thinking not many families will be booking a lot during the 9/1-9/8 time frame. Which could make the prices go down because they will need to fill up the ship.
What do you experienced cruisers think?
Do you typically wait until last minute or does this theory I spoke of even matter?
Also, my mom said she and my dad have a transferable $250 on board credit that she wants me to use so that they don't have to take so many cruises next year.
Can we use that in conjunction with another on board credit we will have?
Thanks in advance.
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Posted 8/2/13 9:46 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
If I remember correctly, you are doing the NCL Breakaway?
I honestly don't know if I would roll the dice with that one. The ship is new so demand is high, and Bermuda is definitely one of the popular destinations. Also keep in mind many schools this year don't go back until 9/9, so in theory families with school-aged children could still be sailing.
How particular are you about your room?? The longer you wait the less choice you will have. We are sailing the NCL Gem the end of August and as of a few weeks ago there was extremely slim-pickings with the rooms, and our destination (FL/Bahamas) is way less popular.
It's hard to tell with the credits - some you can combine and some you can't. I would definitely call NCL direct for that answer.
ETA: I just went on ncl.com and for 9/1 on the breakaway Inside, Oceanviews and Studios are all sold out. I definitely would not wait to book.
Message edited 8/2/2013 10:15:10 PM.
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| Posted 8/2/13 10:12 PM |
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Bellaocchi
Hope Faith Love
Member since 2/07 5694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Karen: Oh my! I didn't know that some schools aren't opening until 9/9.
Thanks!
Have you ever cruised in September? I'm sort of worried about it being hurricane season.
I hope I'm making the right decision.
This is the only time hub can take off work.
I guess I better jump on booking.
Do you know if I'd get best price booking direct with the cruise line? I've checked other sites and it seems to be near the same price...
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| Posted 8/2/13 10:21 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
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| Posted 8/3/13 9:16 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by Bellaocchi
Karen: Oh my! I didn't know that some schools aren't opening until 9/9.
Thanks!
Have you ever cruised in September? I'm sort of worried about it being hurricane season.
I hope I'm making the right decision.
This is the only time hub can take off work.
I guess I better jump on booking.
Do you know if I'd get best price booking direct with the cruise line? I've checked other sites and it seems to be near the same price...
I cruised Labor Day week in 2010. There was a hurricane the week before and one the week after. We got lucky! Just be prepared to go with the flow if there is a hurricane. I'm going the week before and whatever happens happens!
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| Posted 8/3/13 2:53 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
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| Posted 8/3/13 5:15 PM |
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
I'd book earlier. Usually the prices are lower way in advance and then if they are still underbooked you can always ask to upgrade or change for a discount. MIL and FIL go on a lot of cruises and they are routinely offered upgrades and special deals when the cruises aren't full and they get better rooms for better prices even though they already have reserved/booked something in advance. It's better to do it that way than wait and maybe lose a room you'd want, etc. and with the credits, I would call the cruise line directly. some even have live chat on their websites during the work week and you can just text your question and they will respond.
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| Posted 8/4/13 1:59 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
Really? Interesting because we always get quotes on there and we mostly cruise Norwegian. The quotes come from various travel agents.
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| Posted 8/4/13 10:12 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
Really? Interesting because we always get quotes on there and we mostly cruise Norwegian. The quotes come from various travel agents.
They are not even an option to choose from on that site. Apparently they pulled out from there a quite sometime ago.
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| Posted 8/4/13 10:57 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
I would not wait to book on the Breakaway. We cruised in June and I kept looking for price drops and it infact increased. The boat was completely sold out by the time it sailed. The $250 credit, I believe is towards a deposit. It is not money that can be spend onboard. We just used the $250 for our 2014 cruise.
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| Posted 8/4/13 11:44 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
Really? Interesting because we always get quotes on there and we mostly cruise Norwegian. The quotes come from various travel agents.
They are not even an option to choose from on that site. Apparently they pulled out from there a quite sometime ago.
As of April.
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| Posted 8/4/13 11:55 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
Really? Interesting because we always get quotes on there and we mostly cruise Norwegian. The quotes come from various travel agents.
They are not even an option to choose from on that site. Apparently they pulled out from there a quite sometime ago.
As of April.
That's so disappointing for future cruises. Thanks for info!!
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| Posted 8/5/13 7:18 AM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Experienced cruise takers! Please come in!
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
I always book extremely early because I find that to be the best price. My friend who is a travel agent says that the best prices are always early bird
But that is not to say that you can't get a last minute deal. I would try cruise compete before booking just to make sure. All nyc public schools start September 9. But most people don't want to go just before school starts.
NCL doesn't work with cruise compete.
There have been some really inexpensive last minute deals on sailings out of NY. A few weeks ago there was one as low as $549 inside for 7 nights on the Gem. I always look at them, but just can't pull the trigger on booking a cruise yet (never been). That first week in September on the Breakaway was $699 inside at the beginning of the Summer. I see it has gone up a bit, I guess due to more people realizing that school doesn't start back for many until the following wee.
Really? Interesting because we always get quotes on there and we mostly cruise Norwegian. The quotes come from various travel agents.
They are not even an option to choose from on that site. Apparently they pulled out from there a quite sometime ago.
As of April.
That's so disappointing for future cruises. Thanks for info!!
Oh wow... I didn't know this as well! That def is disappointing! If anyone is looking for an agent for ncl, I have used directlinecruises.com in the past and liked them. They are based out of hauppage so they aren't some random Internet company
Message edited 8/5/2013 8:24:03 AM.
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| Posted 8/5/13 8:22 AM |
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