Should You Book Your Next Vacation or Wait???

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In the days during the pandemic, one of the most common questions we receive is; do we go ahead and schedule that cruise or wait and see what happens first?  Some people are concerned over when they will start cruising again, some are even concerned about the cruise lines surviving, and some think the prices should just be a little better.  So we are going to break this down and discuss each of these points.  

How secure are the cruise lines?  This question just seems to be fanned by the YouTubers and magazines that want a good headline more than they want to give the truth.  In all fairness, we haven't looked at the financials of each of the cruise lines, but we do know they have each secured cash to get them through this crisis.  They are also reducing headcount and expenses to help getting through these times.  Also, keep in mind that most of these ships are owned out right, so even if they mortgaged one or two of them, it would keep them afloat, pun intended, for quite a while.  The idea that they are going out is pretty far fetched as far as I am concerned.  So much so that I bought a ton of their stock when their stock price plummeted.  

What happens if the pandemic doesn't end or their cruise gets cancelled or I just change my mind?  All of the cruise lines have implemented special cancelation policies that help their guests feel a little more comforable about putting money down.  From making the final due date closer to the sailing date, to fully refundable options, to so many more, they have made it about as easy as possible to cancel if you change your mind.  

These prices seem kind of high, aka, shouldn't they be trying to get me back with crazy good deals?  The short answer is yes.  We feel the same way at times.  The cruise lines are focused on the thousands of cruises they are having to cancel and taking care of those customers, instead of trying to get more so their promotions have just been their standard promotions.  We also aren't convinced some of them, that will remain nameless, haven't increased their prices to offset the additional future cruise credit they gave and the extra discounts they are giving to rebook.  

So what's our opinion?  (take it for what it's worth, but here it is)  If you have a vacation you want to take, here is our advice and why;

• Put the deposit down so you can lock in the cabin you want to get.  But only put the deposit down.  If you only put the deposit down, you can always negotiate a better price or extra perks if they offer them later.  Or we can do it for you if you book through us.
• Wait for a better price.  Our agency checks every one of our bookings to current promotions every day to ensure our clients always have the best price and alert us if the price goes down or we can get extra perks or an upgraded cabin for the same price.  We then go ahead make that change automatically.  If you don't book with us, check the prices and promotions often because they change all the time.  
• Know the cancelation dates and policies.  In the end, even if you think the price is too high, go ahead and hold the reservation with a deposit and cancel if you still feel the same way when the final payment date get close.  
• Cruise Lines sales are Up.  The sales for 2021 are up over 20% from this same time last year so they are feeling kind of comfortable.  Between all of the passengers that took cruise credits and everyone else that has been pent up and wants to take a vacation, 2021 is looking to be a busy year for cruisers so if you don't hold your cabin, it just may be sold out when you decide to book.  
• It's not happening until you make that first move.  I always say, the vacation is just a dream until you make that first commitment.  That can be holding a hotel room, putting a deposit on a cruise or booking the flight, but once you do that, it becomes real and you can get start getting excited.  I always have something to be excited about.  

In the end, we recommend you put the deposit down, they are usually small, and cancel if it doesn't work out.  Odds are good that it will.  Remember that this was a once in a lifetime, (hopefully) event.