Last minute cruise -good idea?

[KJTex]

I am considering a cruise for the first time. The one I am looking at leaves in 60 days. Are there disadvantages to booking a cruise within 60 days? Is it better if I book something further out instead?

 

[ScooterScott44]

60 days seems like a long time. We have only done a few that were booked out over that with maybe 3 that were a year or more. Our shortest booking was a week out.

There is nothing wrong with planning ahead but for a cruise as long as you can get to the port with some clothes and your passport you will be fine.

 

[vacationer1954]

I am considering a cruise for the first time. The one I am looking at leaves in 60 days. Are there disadvantages to booking a cruise within 60 days? Is it better if I book something further out instead?

We have generally booked cruises a year or so prior, but that is mostly to ensure we can get a decent airfare. Now that we can drive to the Florida ports (at least) we will be more likely to book those cruises closer to 60 days prior.

 

[Otimon]

Book while the booking is good! Life is short.

 

[Tulip2796]

We booked our first Disney cruise (and 1st cruise ever), a 7-night sailing, just 2.5 weeks before sailing. Our kids were only 6 and 2. We got everything we wanted and had a blast! Our 2nd was booked about 60 days out. Again, no issues. Do it and enjoy!

 

[lspst8]

My family booked our first cruise 11 days out and we had a great time. We typically book last minute if we can find discounted rates and have never had a bad cruise. I say go for it!

 

[lorimay]

We have booked as far out as 18 months before and the shortest was 8 days before.
Either way we have great time. 60 days is plenty of time to get things in order and enjoy it all.
If you can do it, do it!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Since you are a new cruiser, first timer, 60 days out would put you just behind other first time cruisers (75 days prior for booking adventures, spa, etc.). As others have stated all you need are some clothes, passport, and a credit card. Go for it !!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

While we book further out (furthest out 23 months), we have booked a cruise on Thursday night that departed on Sunday. Most of the time we book in the 6-8 months out.

Only detriment to booking on short notice, is the smaller selection of rooms, and sold out excursions, in my opinion.

 

[Shanti]

I am considering a cruise for the first time. The one I am looking at leaves in 60 days. Are there disadvantages to booking a cruise within 60 days? Is it better if I book something further out instead?

Go for it! One advantage of a Disney cruise over WDW is there is no need to book it way in advance. We booked our first DCL cruise about a month out & loved it. We booked last December's cruise about 2 months out & it was awesome.

 

[southerngirl528]

I agree with ALL the other posters!! Go for it!!! And have a blast!

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

I just booked a cruise for 3 weeks out (we just returned yesterday)! Our first one several years ago was also 3 weeks out! Go for it!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope you decide to book the cruise. You’ll be surprised at how slow those 60 days will go by!

It should be a Halloween Cruise, those are lots of fun!

 

[darnheather]

There is very little planning when it comes to a cruise. Do it!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Do it!!

Our first DCL was booked 75 days out, and that was plenty of time to get everything planned.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

although we prefer to book further out, we have done a Christmas cruise with just a few weeks out (sometimes you just need a cruise, you know?).

The only real disadvantages are if you wanted to get reservations at Palo, Remy, Senses. Shore excursions rarely sell out since the tour companies will just add another bus.

 

[jimmymc]

There's no issues as long as you're ok with the price and certain you can go, since you won't be able to cancel.

 

[starvenger]

To the OP, if you've got the time, a cruise fits in your budget, and you have the means to get there, I don't see any reason not to book it.

There is very little planning when it comes to a cruise. Do it!

I mean, yes and no, right? You still have to
- pack
- get to port
- figure out if you're doing excursions
- figure out if you're doing specialty restaurants/need to prebook activities on board

It's not a long list, but it's an important one. Then again, I like to plan. Not super-obsessive to the last detail plan, but I need to have at least a basic framework for everything.

Would also recommend reading articles that focus on the first time cruiser.

 

[vacationer1954]

There is very little planning when it comes to a cruise.

Just like a visit to Walt Disney World.

 

[darnheather]

To the OP, if you've got the time, a cruise fits in your budget, and you have the means to get there, I don't see any reason not to book it.


I mean, yes and no, right? You still have to
- pack
- get to port
- figure out if you're doing excursions
- figure out if you're doing specialty restaurants/need to prebook activities on board

It's not a long list, but it's an important one. Then again, I like to plan. Not super-obsessive to the last detail plan, but I need to have at least a basic framework for everything.

Would also recommend reading articles that focus on the first time cruiser.

But you don't have to do any excursions or specialty restaurants and still have a truly wonderful vacation.