The main benefit of a last-minute cruise is the potential for getting a good bargain. When cruises lines have a large number of staterooms to fill for a particular date, they may steeply discount those rooms as the date draws closer. If your schedule is flexible, you can save hundreds of dollars off the original price by booking one of these cruises. Once you have paid the cost of the cruise, your accommodations, food and many of your activities are included so you won't have to pay much more unless you do shore excursions, purchase souvenirs, book spa treatments or do other extras.
You can locate last-minute cruise deals by visiting travel websites and cruise forums like Cruise Critic. You can also work with a travel agent who specializes in finding last minute cruise bargains. It should not cost you any money to work with an agent, as she gets a commission from the cruise line.
When you book a last minute cruise, you will typically be required to pay in full at the time of booking. Cruise lines have a certain timeframe, such as 75 or 90 days prior to the cruise date, in which you can get a full refund if you decide to cancel the trip. However, when you go on a last minute cruise, you will normally be past the cancellation date when you book it. This means you will lose most or all of your money if you cancel. Many last minute cruisers purchase trip insurance, which will reimburse them if they cancel for a covered reason, such as an illness.
Some cruise lines put certain restrictions on their last-minute cruise deals. For example, you may have to live in a certain state, be a senior citizen, be a member of the military or have a certain profession such as firefighter, police officer, teacher or travel agent. You will be required to show proof that you belong in the designated group in order to get the discounted rate.
Even though you will most likely save a lot of money by taking a last minute cruise, you may end up in an undesirable stateroom. Last minute cruises must often book a "guarantee" stateroom. This means you select a certain category, such as an interior room or one with a porthole. You don't get a room assignment at booking, but you are guaranteed to get at least the category you booked and possibly an upgrade. However, the room might be under a nightclub, near a laundry room or elevator or in another area that could have a lot of noise.
If you don't live within driving distance of the cruise port, you may lose much of your savings by purchasing last-minute plan tickets.
