Cruise fares move with demand, so the price for your cabin type can drop after you've booked. The good news: before your final payment date, you can often have your booking moved to the lower fare, or get the difference as onboard credit, depending on the cruise line and the fare you booked. After final payment, a lower price usually can't be claimed. So the weeks before that date are the ones to watch.
Why prices drop after you book
- A sale starts. The big ones are wave season (roughly January to March) and Black Friday to Cyber Monday, but lines run promotions all year.
- A new promotion is launched soon after you book. It happens often enough that the first few weeks after booking are worth watching.
- The sailing isn't selling as expected as its own final payment window approaches.
Sometimes the fare doesn't drop, but the perks get better: onboard credit, a drinks or Wi-Fi package, or a reduced deposit. Those can be worth claiming too.
When you can claim it
- Before final payment: this is the main window. Many lines will reprice to the current fare for the same cabin type and the same fare type.
- Fare type matters. Some lower-priced or non-refundable fares limit changes, or give the difference as onboard credit rather than money back.
- Same cabin type. The lower price has to be for the cabin category you booked, and your exact cabin may need to stay the same.
- After final payment: usually not, though it never hurts to ask.
The rules differ by cruise line and change from time to time, so treat this as the general pattern and check your line's current policy.
How to ask
- Find the current price for your exact sailing, ship and cabin type, with the same fare type and number of guests.
- Compare like with like: the fare itself, not taxes and port fees, which are usually the same either way.
- Contact whoever booked it. If you booked directly, call the cruise line and ask to be moved to the current fare. If you booked with a travel agent, ask them; a good one watches for this anyway.
- Ask whether it's a fare change or onboard credit, and get the new total in writing.
Keep an eye on it
Check every couple of weeks after booking, weekly in the first few weeks and again as final payment gets close, and once at the start of any big sale.
I haven't had a fare drop after booking myself, and honestly, checking is the hard part. Finding the same cabin type on the same deck at a lower price is difficult and tedious to do on your own. It's much easier when a travel advisor is watching it for you.
Want a second pair of eyes? Tell us what you paid and we'll compare it with today's fare for your cabin type, free: Already booked?. For more, see What if the price drops after I book?.