When you go on a cruise line's website to begin planning your vacation, you may notice that you have a wide range of dates to choose from. You can search from cruises departing the same month or over a year in advance.
Most cruise lines release new sailings a couple of times per year. Royal Caribbean, for instance, opens up new books in the spring and fall.
Depending on which cruise line, you may be able to book as far as two years in advance! While that may seem like a long time to have a vacation countdown, it gives you ample time to pay off your cruise fare, as well as budget for other add-ons, such as shore excursions, specialty dining, and drink packages.
Just how far in advance can you book a cruise, and why should you book your cruise as far in advance as possible?
When do cruise lines open bookings for future sailings?
Generally speaking, you can book most cruises 18-24 months in advance. Cruise lines will release itineraries through a certain date a few times per year; the exact date can vary by destination.
As an example, Royal Caribbean released Fall 2024 - Winter 2025 sailings for cruises sailing to Alaska the week of November 7, 2022, while summer sailings to the Caribbean came out nearly a month later during the week of December 12, 2022.
Sometimes, a cruise line will release future bookings for a new ship separate from other sailings. On March 29, MSC Cruises opened bookings for MSC World America, their newest ship that is set to sail from Miami beginning in April 2025. As of now, there are no other sailings on MSC ships available past November 2024.
As of April 2023, many cruise lines have released their schedules through April 2025. Some exotic destinations can be booked through the end of 2025, such as Hawaiian cruises onboard Norwegian's Pride of America.
The best way to keep an eye out for new sailings is to sign up for a cruise line's newsletter, which will let you know in advance when they plan on opening sailings for booking.
Some may even post about it on their social media. Disney Cruise Line, for instance, made a post on Facebook on March 30 alerting the public about their new Summer 2024 bookings, which include visits to their brand-new private destination: Lighthouse Point.
Early access for those who are loyal to a specific cruise line
Those with loyalty status may be allowed to book brand-new sailings before the general public, which is something to keep in mind, too.
Pearl Members, the highest tier of Disney's Castaway Club, are able to book new sailings four days prior to the general public, while Silver Members, the lowest tier, can access these bookings one day before the general public.
Likewise, Royal Caribbean usually allows members of their Crown & Anchor Society access to new bookings 24 hours ahead of others. That being said, anyone is eligible to become a loyalty member; you just will not reach the first tier until after the completion of your first cruise.
Even if you are unable to book a cruise earlier than everyone else, you may be the first to hear about upcoming sailings and new ships. Plus, you can often book onboard entertainment, shore excursions, dining reservations, and activities first, too. Note that benefits vary by cruise line.
Why should you book your cruise in advance?
More options
Booking your cruise in advance gives you the most options when it comes to cabin availability. If, for instance, you have a preference in location or specific cabin category that you are interested in, you are almost guaranteed to get a stateroom that meets your needs.
Likewise, those looking to travel in exclusive suites will want to book early. Since there are a limited number of suites on each ship, they tend to get taken pretty quickly. In this instance, it is also helpful to have a good relationship with a travel agent, as they can worry about the logistics and timing of snagging the cabin that you want.
Sailings on brand-new ships also tend to sell out quickly. In fact, when Royal Caribbean opened up bookings for Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage, it sold out in less than 24 hours!
Time to save up and make travel arrangements
If you live on the East Coast and are planning a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas, you might not need as much time to make travel arrangements as you would when planning a cruise to Europe or Alaska.
While cruises are great budget-friendly vacations, you have the option to splurge in a variety of different ways, whether that be on a luxurious suite, once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions, specialty dining, etc. Giving yourself ample time to save up for your vacation means that you can make it even more memorable!
You cannot forget about other logistical arrangements, either: flights, a pre-cruise hotel, parking at the port, etc.
Plus, the further you book in advance, the more time you have to pay off the initial cruise fare.
Best available rate
If you want to save money on your cruise fare, the best way to do so is by booking in advance. As staterooms start to sell out and availability decreases, cruise lines will increase the rate of other rooms.
Depending on which cruise line you are sailing with, you may be eligible to reprice your cruise through the final payment date. If you happen to notice that the rate decreased after booking, simply call the cruise line and see if you are able to lock in the lower fare. If you book with a travel agent, this is something that they will be watching for and take care of!
Read more: The 13 best cruise tips the pros use all the time
Are there any perks for booking in advance?
For the most part, no. Booking a cruise in advance does not usually come with any additional onboard perks. It depends on what promotion the cruise line is currently running; however, the promotion will apply to most sailings, even ones departing in the coming months.
That being said, if you choose to book another cruise while onboard your current one, you can often snag some extra onboard credit or reduced deposits.
Additionally, staying loyal to a travel agent can be rewarding in the long run. While they cannot offer you any sort of major discount, they can pass on onboard credit or another extras, such as a specialty dining meal or bottle of wine.
Will I still get a good rate even if I am unable to commit two years in advance?
Absolutely! With school and extra curricular schedules, as well as requesting time off from work, planning a trip two years in advance is not practical for most families.
Still, though, you will want to plan your vacation somewhat in advance. You will still be able to find a good rate with cabin availability between six and twelve months before sailing. The more popular the week, like spring break or Christmas, the further in advance you should try to book.
Read more: 10 cheapest spring break cruises
Can I take a cheap last minute cruise?
Can you book a cheap last minute cruise? Yes, but that does not mean you should rely on it. If you are wanting to take a last minute cruise, chances are that you will have to be flexible with your travel arrangements, and you may not get your first pick for stateroom, ship, or itinerary.
Today, more cruises are sailing close to or at full capacity. If you are trying to travel during a popular holiday, you may be disappointed to see that cruise you were eyeing is completely sold out!
Plus, you may find that many onboard experiences are sold out (i.e., you may not be able to secure a reservation for the steakhouse or Italian specialty restaurant that you would like to try).
When it comes to last minute travel, you should also consider the costs of getting to the cruise port. Will you have to arrange last minute airfare, or can you hop in the car and be there in a couple of hours? Sometimes, the cost of paying for a last minute flight is not worth the cheaper cruise fare, and you are better off taking the time to plan something in advance.
Some people, though, are just happy to be on a cruise! They do not care about what cabin they are staying in or where they are going.
Read more: What to know before booking a cheap cruise
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
