Launch 2016 – Should I book or should I wait?

It’s that time of year again, all the cruise lines are launching their 2016 – 17 itineraries, offering a variety of benefits in order to lure you into booking early, free parking, on board credit, free coach transfers. You name it they are throwing everything they have got at it.  And so the dilemma starts! It’s the age old question – do I book now or do I wait for prices to drop?

Every day people ask me that question and the only thing I can do is give them the most honest answer I can and then let them make the decision based on the facts.

If you book at launch you can be sure of the following:

You will get the cabin of your choice on the deck of your choice, you will be able to secure your preferred dinner sitting on a table size of your choice in the dining venue of your choice. You will benefit from free coach shuttles when in port, you will be able to chose from on board credit, free port parking or free coach to the port. If you are booking fly/cruise you will be able to confirm flights from your chosen airport. Yes, you will pay accordingly but you will know that your cruise experience will be everything you want it to be and nothing will be left to chance.

What if you are a last minute Lucy planning on grabbing a bargain?

You will pay a significantly reduced fare that’s for sure, however, as you are paying significantly less than people who booked early you can be sure of the following:

You can chose a cabin grade but your cabin location will be allocated by the ship. No requests can be made for mid ship, near a lift, a quiet location etc. Your cabin, if outside or a balcony, may be obstructed, sheltered or overlooked. Your cabin could be right at the front of the ship or right at the back, under the pool deck or above the disco. Your dinner sitting will be allocated by the ship. Even if you are booking several cabins of people who are travelling together at the same time we cannot guarantee that you will dine together even if we link the bookings. There will be no complimentary coach shuttle in ports of call, no on board credit or free parking, no free coach transfers to the port of embarkation. If you are looking to book fly/cruise, you may be restricted to London flights only which isn’t great if you live in Glasgow – that’s if there are any flights remaining!

You might be saving money but you will still be spending a lot of money (if you get my drift!) so my question is, are you happy to spend all that money on a well deserved holiday that you have worked all year to pay for on something that is pot luck? I know I certainly wouldn’t dream of it but I am not you. I certainly wouldn’t want to spend my 14 night holiday, or how ever many nights not being happy with what I booked just because I wanted to save a few quid!

So there you have it folks, in a nutshell. The choice is yours to make. If you are interested in any 2016 – 17 itinerary please feel free to call me on 0330 303 8184 to discuss the options, prices and the early booking benefits. I am around 9 – 4pm daily and would be delighted to help you book your next cruise.