Flash sales
 

We're thinking of taking a mexican riviera cruise for relaxation in Jan or Feb. 07 -- ports are about 1 hr flight and prices look good. Was looking at Expedia and they offered some perks such as free champagne and $credit to onboard purchases and they'd guarantee lowest prices for 24 hrs, except for 'flash' sales. Of course, then I wanted to know what they were and how low they go! Did find something using yahoo search, but wondered if these flash prices really are lower and if anyone has purchased a cruise this way -- and what the upside and downside is. Thanks for any replies that come in!!

Flash sales are generally delivered only to travel professionals at the last-minute. After final payments are made about 60 days prior to departure, the cruise lines look at their capacity and passenger load and try to fill the remaining staterooms. However, most travel professionals have access to shipboard credit, wine and other amenities for their clients and will also apply lower rates to existing bookings on these flash sales. The best staterooms go to the early bookings, but often, travel professionals will apply these last-minute sale rates to those bookings. It means that you would receive best stateroom and best price. It also depends on the travel professional, too, because some don't take time or make time to change the rates.

But, cruise ships are selling out and these last-minute flash rates are becoming rare. Alaska cruises were sold out and/or waitlisted this season!

Julia

Thanks Julie...good information!

If you're concerned about getting the lowest price/best perks, try http://www.cruisecompete.com

You can request quotes and get competing offers. Expedia usually gets beaten pretty handily (make sure you get the price from Expedia including all fees to compare apples to apples...)

Good luck!

Hi!

If you are looking for assistance and best value with the cruise line that is right for you, it is probably best to consult with a cruise specialist who can help you with the details. With CruiseCompete, you need to know which cruise line, which ship, which itinerary. It all depends on your needs as a consumer.

Best Regards,
Julia

I know some lines like Carnival and Holland America do their specials on Wednesdays..

In January we booked a cruise for October of that year... and even at the last minute prices were still above what we paid.. plus the upgrades and the other benefits the cruise line was tossing at us... I'm sure less desirable cabins were much less $$, but when I heard what people were paying and saw last minute prices... I knew we did well. Will book if the price is right in January of next year for December and see how badly they want to sell. There are two cruise ships of the same line doing basically the same itinerary..We found that being an informed buyer with prices from other sources was definetely in our favor, rather than askng them what they have.. we told them what we wanted and got more than we had planned.