Booking a cruise involves both strategic planning and adaptability, as prices frequently fluctuate and ships can sell out quickly. This process becomes more complex when there is a need to book multiple rooms for family and friends on the same cruise. To navigate these challenges, it is generally advised to enlist the services of a travel agent. These professionals have access to resources that help secure the best prices and efficiently coordinate group bookings. A proficient travel agent, typically working full-time with an agency that offers nearly round-the-clock support, simplifies the booking process and can often find favorable deals.
Some individuals choose to book cruises independently, utilizing tools that are available both to them and travel agents. For instance, Royal Caribbean provides a feature that allows passengers to place a temporary hold on their cruise reservation. Depending on how far in advance the cruise is, this hold can last 24 to 48 hours, giving individuals time to consult with partners or coordinate with family groups.
Recognizing the need for flexibility, Royal Caribbean has recently extended the duration for which cruises can be held. This extension is applicable to both passengers and travel agents. Previously, a reservation required a deposit to secure the booking, but now, a hold allows the cruise to temporarily be removed from inventory. Although this poses a risk for the cruise line, which might miss out on selling the cabin to another customer, the recent policy updates provide varying hold lengths based on the proximity to the final payment date.
If a cruise is booked more than 91 days in advance of the final payment, a five-day hold is available. For those 46 to 90 days away, a two-day hold is provided, and bookings 31 to 45 days out can be held for one day. No extensions to these hold periods are being offered, and the policy applies to both individual and travel agent bookings.
These hold rules are specific to individual cabin reservations. Travel agents can place longer, 30-day holds on blocks of rooms for groups, while groups requiring more than 16 rooms must make a $50 deposit per cabin. Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean’s sister line, Celebrity Cruises, offer standard 48-hour holds.