More than a quarter of UK cruisers are last minute cruise bookers, yet 40% book at least a year in advance, reveals Cruise Critic

LONDON, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Critic revealed that 27% of cruisers are last minute planners, booking within weeks of their cruise, while 33% book a few months out. Over a third of respondents (40%) like to be more organised and make reservations at least a year (or more) in advance, according to a recent poll.

Adam Coulter, UK editor, Cruise Critic, commented: "Those who can be flexible can find some excellent last minute deals, which could get you to your dream destination for a lot less. If you are a planner and like to book much earlier, you should look for added value promotions. You may not find the very cheapest fares when a cruise first goes on sale, but you will often find incentives, such as upgrades, or kids-sail-free offers, that save you money overall."

Whether you're planning for next year, looking for a last minute summer deal, or a winter break, Cruise Critic gives tips on how to catch the perfect deal: 

- For first-sailing announcements, book in advance
For those who are able to plan a year (or more) ahead, which accounts for 33% of cruisers polled in Cruise Critic's survey, savings can be found as and when the cruise first goes on sale. Cruise lines tend to offer a number of added-value promotions, which includes anything from drink packages to gratuity or airfare – all added costs that cruisers will usually end up paying anyway, and could save hundreds of pounds.
Ideal for: Advanced planners

- Book anytime for off-season savings – but be flexible!
Destinations have high and low seasons – with cruise fares following suit. By booking a cruise during a destination's low season, cruisers may have the option to visit their destination of choice at a much lower cost - and without the crowds. Examples include Alaska in May and September, the Caribbean in late spring or winter (holiday weeks, excluded) or the Mediterranean in the autumn.

Repositioning cruises also offer money-saving opportunities. From September to November numerous ships cross from Britain to the US to follow the sun, while during the Spring many ships travel back to Britain via the Azores and the Iberian Peninsula after spending winter months in the Caribbean and South America.  These one-way voyages are often sold at a discount, as they're not part of regular sailing schedules.
Ideal for: All types of planner – but only if you're flexible

- Look for industry-wide sales in late September and January - March
Two of the biggest industry-wide cruise sales are held in late September and January - March. The cruise industry's national cruise week will be held September 27^th – October 5^th, 2014 in the UK, with cruise lines and agents offering a wide range of promotions. "Wave Season," beginning in January, is an annual period of three months where cruise lines offer special promotions during one of the more popular times for cruise shopping to begin.
Ideal for: All types of planner

- Book a few months or weeks out for last minute deals   
For those who like to be spontaneous, good bargains can be found on a sailings leaving within 90 days. This is the deadline for those who book in advance to cancel without penalties so cabins often open up at the last minute.  However, don't forget to factor in last minute airfare, which may cancel out any savings, plus you may have the limited selection of cabin locations and dinner seatings. But, if you're flexible and can sail from a UK cruise port, it's a great way to save.
Ideal for: Last minute/spontaneous planners

Please contact:
UK PR Contact:
Vikki Bulbeck, Cruise Critic
Tel: +020-3194-2137
Email: vbulbeck@cruisecritic.co.uk

About Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.co.uk)

Cruise Critic® is an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travellers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 100,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travellers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching nearly 260 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 150 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 42 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.lafourchette.com, www.niumba.com,  www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn. 

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, Q1 2014 **Source: Google Analytics, average monthly unique users, Q1 2014; does not include traffic to daodao.com

SOURCE Cruise Critic