Last Minute Cruise Deals - Has anyone booked one? (cost, vacation, plane)

[jm1982]

I just saw a list of some last minute cruise deals. The prices are super low.

Has anyone booked one of these ? Sure they are last minute, but cost per day on some of them is super low.

Is it the kind of thing where there aren't really that many cabins available?

Looks like as low as like $105 or four nights,
Last Minute Our Best Last-Minute Cruises at Cruises.com

Have last minute cruises always been this cheap or are the cruiselines really hurting for business?

[flyonpa]

Yes did a 7day out of Port Canaveral with my son,

Yes, they are that cheap, Thy will do almost anything to get the cabin filled, Once it sails, it lost revenue,

They actually plan to make at least 2x what the cabin costs with On-Board Revenue. (Upgraded Dinner, Drinks, Excursions, Casino, Etc.)

$1400 in 2008, so 1400/7day = 200 / 2People = 100/day per person (Total of all costs) (and this was durring School Vacation week) We had a balcony room.

[Jkgourmet]

Yep. We booked a 21 day Mediterranean cruise last january with 2.5 weeks notice for less than $800 each (plus auto gratuities of about $12/day pp, port charges, taxes, etc). The RT airfare to Rome cost more than the cruise.

That $105 for a 4 day cruise per person will end up at about $350-$400 for the both of you after port charges, taxes and auto gratuities. Still, a very good deal (except that Bahamas itinerary. Ugh.)

For most people, there will be extra costs on board (speciality dining, excursions, alcohol), which is how the cruise line makes money PLUS you are paying the auto gratuities which is, essentially, the paycheck for the cabin and dining room staff.

Remember that last minute plane fares can be ridiculously expensive. Remember that the 'better' cabins are probably sold.

Just make sure you book thru a reputable company or agent, preferably the latter. PM me if you want the one that I use.