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Is it true that you can great last minute deals on cruises?

I've heard that you can get great last minute deals on cruises if you are in town the day before or the day of departure. A) Is it true? B) Are there any websites or newspapers that you can find information about the deals?

Public Comments

1. Book early...unless you live in the city the cruise is leaving from.
2. In the old days you could but not since 911 happened, you can't Cruise ships must have a passenger list 72 hours before the departure of a cruise ship. It is a homeland security rule now. So any cruise less then 5 days from now d is not possible to get on board at the last minute. But for more then 72 hours and last minute cruise deals check into "Vacations to go" and click on their 90 day ticker. These are all the cruise that still have cabins for the next 90 days.
3. Well you can get great last minute deals if you book last minute, because you live in that departure city. But the cruiseline has to have all the names and information of all its passengers 72 hours before it sails I believe. People used to just go to the ship the day of and get an amazing deal but because of 9/11 and customs its almost impossible to do that anymore.
4. no not after 9/11/01. Govt. must have passenger lists 5 days before sailings. So "last minute" to the cruiselines means 90days before the cruise leaves. talk to a good travel agent. they should help you with what you would like.
5. As others have mentioned it's not as good as in the "old days" before 911 but if a ship has empty cabins a week or two before the cruise they will want to fill them and may lower prices. Here's a website where you may be able to find some bargains a few weeks before departure: http://vgsims.traverustravel.com/cruises.asp
6. You will do much better by just booking as far out as you can. By doing this you will get the lowest cruise fare plus have a good selection of what type of cabin you would like and where it will be. In addition since the attorney general went after the cruise lines about changing the fuel surcharge fee after clients had paid deposit, once you book and pay the down payment you are not subject to the increases that come along due to fuel surcharge after you book.
7. If you call the cruises last minute, they will often give you a deal.
8. You have to book at least 72 hours in advance, but sometimes there are great deals available for the last minute sailings as long as the ship is not full. You just have to make sure you have all of your identification with you cause booking at that point is non-refundable unless you take out insurance. Right now there are some great cruise deals going on for sailings in the next few weeks. Good luck and have fun!
9. Yes sometimes, best deals I got from is at http://www.vacationsnbeyond.com Request a quote from them, there having a huge sale right now on Norwegian Star line