How Do You Do It?

Many people that know me are well aware that I have been on nearly 10 cruises in the last two years.  Some people think I am crazy, others think I am lucky.  Every single one of them has asked me how in the world I do it!

So I thought I would dedicate this blog entry to my secret.  Which really is no secret at all!  I will go through each of the last cruises I have been on describing how I was able to get the awesome prices that I did.

Jewel of the Seas- 11-night Ultimate Caribbean & Panama Cruise (Our Honeymoon) November 2009.

This was was booked in April of 2009.  So approximately 7 months in advance.  We paid around $81 per day for this one because we booked it in advance.  The prices went up as we approached the sail date.

Carnival Imagination 3-day Bahamas- January 2010

Booked in July of 2009 with an Early Saver Rate.  About $60 per day.  Not sure of the price fluctuations on this one, but an awesome price!

Oasis of the Seas- 7-day Western Caribbean.  May/June 2010.

Booked on a special rate not available for the public so this one doesn't count.  BUT had I sailed as a regular client I would have paid about $140 per day had I booked.  Which is an amazing deal for a 6 month-new ship that regularly runs close to the $170 range.

Grandeur of the Seas- 4-day Western Caribbean- June 2010

Booked in January 2010. Six months in advance.  Paid $90 per day for a June/summer cruise.  Fabulous deal.


Liberty of the Seas 7-days Eastern Caribbean- November 2010

Booked in January 2010.  11 months in advance.  Paid $64 per day!!


Majesty of the Seas.  3-day Bahamas Christmas Cruise.  December 2010.

Booked in July 2010.  Booked 5 months in advance.  Florida resident rate.  $100 per day.  Great price for a cruise over Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

Norwegian Sky.  3-day Bahamas.  April 2011.

Booked 4 days in advance.  Paid $59 per day.

Navigator of the Seas- 4-day Western Caribbean.  April 2011.

Booked 3 months in advance.  Paid $100 per day.

Coral Princess.  7-day Alaskan Inside Passage.  June 2011.

This is another one that doesn't count.  Booked as a special agent rate.  Sorry.  Would have been $314 per day had I booked it as a regular guest on May 31st.

Allure of the Seas- 7-day Western Caribbean.  December 2011.
Photo Coming Soon!

Booked 18 months in advance.  Paid $100 per day.  Prices went as high as $200 per day from December 2010 to the time it sold out.

So the theme here is- out of all the cruises I have taken in the last two years only ONE was booked at a great rate last minute.  Most of the others were good deals because we booked more than 6 months in advance.

I know that some people find it difficult to plan things so far out in advance.  But if you're willing to book when the rate is good and then wait it out, you too can sail as much as me :)