Yes It Is Launch Time For 2017/ 2018 !

Goodness I cannot believe we are at that time of year again where cruises liners are launching their new itineraries for 2017/ 2018.

To start the ball rolling Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess have already launched their new Itineraries for 2017/ 2018, and next in line we have P&O and Cunard.

P&O Launch Dates Are :  

Sailings : Mar/Apr/May 2017 Mon – 04^th April

Sailings : Jun/Jul/Aug 2017 Wed – 06^th April

Sailings : Sep/Oct/Nov 2017 Thurs – 07^th April

Sailings : Dec/Jan/Feb 2017/18 Fri – 08^th April

Cunard Launch Dates Are :

Sailings for 2017:  Exclusive Cunard World Club Members Launch 1pm 5^th April

Sailings for 2017 : Main Launch – On General Sale 1pm 6^th April

Sailings for 2018:  Exclusive Cunard World Club Members Launch 1pm, 12^th April

Sailings for 2018 : Main Launch 1pm 13^th  April

Ok so now I will have to be honest , I do have mixed views on booking early. I’ve had a few unhappy passengers that have booked as soon as the brochures have been released, then a few months later the cruise liners have decided to bring out either an Early Saver/ Saver Offer or other offers such as Free Upgrades etc. I know you can get some really good prices BUT one thing you have to remember is, all late deals are based on a guarantee basis, which is not always a good situation.

Now on the other side of things, I have a lot of passengers that book with me every year as soon as the brochure is launched because they want to guarantee they have premium seats, they want to fly from their preferred airport , they want their mid ship cabin or even next door to each other. Which I totally understand and they will pay the brochure fare to get exactly what they are looking for.

Now let’s look at the advantages for booking early BUT also the disadvantages.

Advantages :

•  You will get On Board Credit and extra discounts for past passengers.
• Families : Three and Fourth berth cabins are always very had to get hold of and with most ships only a 20% occupancy, so you do have to book early.
• Single cabins and disabled cabins. There are not that many on board ships and single cabins can go up by 100% supplements if left late to book.
• You can actually book your cabin number and know exactly where you need to be on board.
• Confirm dining times rather than being waitlisted.
• If you need cabins next door to each other OR opposite.
• Free parking at port.

Disadvantages :

• Prices being reduced.
• No On Board Credit.
• Cabins being on a guarantee basis, which this means you could be anywhere on board.
• Dining times, not being advised till you are on board.
• No availability for 4 berth cabins and then having to do two cabins on a guarantee basis which could mean that you are all on totally different decks.
• No Free Parking.

Now being honest, if you are travelling as a family or you need a particular cabin or a disabled cabin I would really suggest you book early to get exactly what you are after.