When is the Cheapest Time to Cruise

What is the Cheapest Month to go on a cruise?

Is it cheaper to cruise in Winter? Image: Photo by david lindahl on Unsplash

This is one of the most common questions I get asked - and it’s a tricky one to be honest.

There are many variables that affect cruise pricing. For one thing it will depend on which region you wish to cruise, how old the ship is, how close to sailing you book, and of course current availability.

Wave Season

Wave Season is one of the cheapest times to book a cruise.

One of the best times to book your cruise is during the so-called ‘Wave Season’ which falls in the first quarter of the year and spans January-March. As well as advantageous prices, cruise lines will add extras such as onboard credit or all-inclusive packages during this period so worth keeping an eye out for those deals.

Do cruises get cheaper the closer you get?

Sometimes, if you are flexible with your choice of accommodation (grade and location of cabin), you can pick up good last minute deals. However, as demand is currently so high, cruise lines aren’t discounting these sailings as much as before.

Most Expensive Times to Cruise

Christmas is one of the most expensive time to cruise. Image: Ambassador Ambition by Kathy Taylor

Times to avoid if you want a cheaper cruise are the most popular periods such as Christmas/New Year, school holidays, Thanksgiving, Spring Break & Presidents Week (of sailing in the US or Caribbean). Also avoid inaugural or maiden seasons as prices tend to be higher then.

The beginning/end of a season is often the cheapest. For example the summer months are considered off-peak in the Caribbean due to hurricane season (and don’t worry, captains know how to steer around bad weather so you’ll be safe - but risk more rain). May and September are the off peak months to cruise Alaska - the weather isn’t as good as during the height of summer, but chances of seeing the Northern Lights are better. Early spring (March/April or late autumn/fall (late September into October apart from half terms) are cheaper dates to cruise the Mediterranean.

My advice to you is to sign up for alerts on the various cruise line websites and with your favourite travel site/agents which will give you the best chance of finding a cheap deal.

Bon Voyage!