It may no longer be possible to show up at the dock, suitcase in hand, hoping to obtain the best last minute deal (cruise lines are required by law to submit passenger manifests within 24 hours before departure), but getting a last minute cruise is easier than you may think. Here are my top tips of getting the best deals:

When is the best time to book……

One of the best times to find last minute deals is between 60 and 90 days prior to departure. The reason? This is when the balances are due and when clients can cancel and lose their deposits before they incur higher cancellation charges. The cruise lines will know at this point how many cabins are left and will quickly reduce the fares so they can sell out the ship.

Don’t expect Christmas, New Year, School holidays and Easter offers, these tend to sell out as soon as the brochures go on sale and usually has a waitlist.

If you are not restricted to dates, don’t mind not knowing your cabin number, then yes. However if you have very specific requests then maybe it’s not. On a lot of deals, your cabin is on a guarantee basis. You will know at the time of booking if it is an inside, outside or balcony cabin but the deck and cabin number will be allocated nearer the time of sailing.

Many cruises are often heavily discounted as soon as the brochures go on sale, you may have onboard credit, free parking or coach travel to the port or airport included, which may be more beneficial than waiting for a late deal.

Our website cruise.co.uk has all the latest offers and availability, we also email our clients on a regular basis updating them with all our up to date cruise deals and news.