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what's the best time of year to go to get the best price??
Hi - I am wondering what is the best time to book, as I got a couple of quotes, and they were SO high - it would be myself and my three kids - the prices I got were over $4100.00 for only a 4 day cruise for all of us ... that just seems so high....
I could understand that if it was a week long cruise, but I thought the shorter cruises would be less $$
any help would be so greatly appreciated!
PS I now teach in a high school, so I cannot just go whenever - I am limited to summer vacation and school vacations....
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Unfortunately holidays, school breaks, summer tend to be much higher because of the demand of those who can't travel off season.
I know Sept-just before Thanksgiving tends to be a little less expensive but you do have to deal with the hurricane season and be prepared with travel insurance etc.
May wasn't too bad and I know Jan-March as long as its not a holiday week or school break tend to be not overly bad.
I would break it down by day and by the number of people. Price out a land vacation for the same amount of time and number of people and see if it equals out etc. The cruise includes your lodging, your port fees, your food, and most of your drinks (alcohol, and soda ordered at a bar or room service aren't included) so once on board if you limit the arcade, the spa etc then the cost can be kept down.
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We found our trip to be signifigantly less expensive in November (before my oldest was in high school and we could travel then) versus March. March was the least expensive of the school break times that we could book when I did my research (other than August which we didn't consider due to other obligations). Unfortunately, the school break times are much more expensive.
We booked in October for 1/17-19 on a 3 day when my girls are off a Friday & Monday ( MLK Day).
To get a good airfare we are leaving a day early which means 2 xtra days out of school but it is still better then several. The cost for the 3 of us with airfare in a cat 12 is under $2500.
I am already looking at planning further out to get a good deal around Thanksgiving 09. (Unless someone on here reponds and tells me it's too late already!)
We booked at late in August that we could (before the kids had to go back to school) for our cruise There was a big difference between the beginning of the month and the end. We've booked again for 2009 (7-day this time, did the 4-day before) and again, booked August 22nd, so we'll get off the boat the weekend before school starts. Again, there was a big difference between the beginning and end of the month
I know this is probably no help because as you mentioned you are a teacher but we are going on the 1/12 7 day western. Cat 9 (oceanview) We are paying around $1,300 pp plus we recieved on board credits. I say get a few quotes from different TA's and online sites also are you a AAA member? a discount could apply there as well.
I know how the school schedule works though because I just finished my BA and DH is still finishing his masters so we are limited as well. With universities we at least get that Jan break. Good luck!
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what's the best time of year to go to get the best price??
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There was a big difference between the beginning of the month and the end. We've booked again for 2009 (7-day this time, did the 4-day before) and again, booked August 22nd, so we'll get off the boat the weekend before school starts. Again, there was a big difference between the beginning and end of the month 
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