'Seize the day and book a cruise'
Why now's a great time to book a cruise, even if you don't plan to set sail just yet, says Edwina Lonsdale, managing director of Mundy Cruising.
Thinking of booking a cruise? With gloomy economic news from every quarter, you might be tempted to wait, thinking fares will come down. But my advice is don’t delay – because the likelihood of falling prices, especially in the luxury sector, is minimal.
Why? First of all, because of exchange rates. With so many cruise companies based in the US – including the big three of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL – the majority of cruises are originally priced in dollars, so as the pound falls in value, British customers will pay more.
For example, if a cruise line budgets for a daily fare of $650, that’s a sterling equivalent of £450 at pre-Brexit rates but £580 as I write this. Then there’s the rising cost of fuel, with knock-on effects especially for luxury fly-cruises (a club class flight to LA could easily cost £5,000 today, when not long ago it was half that).
Yes, cruise lines have previously cut prices to sell remaining space in the final weeks before departure. But currently, they would rather sail under capacity, rather than upset key high-spending clients with late discounts.
Find your ideal cruise
Search for the best luxury cruises
Finally, with inflation running at over 10 per cent, cruise fares will tend to rise like any other consumer item.
Cruising is still great value, especially compared with equivalent hotels (think of all those amazing inclusions). If fares do fall, then your agent will work with the cruise line to ensure you are not disadvantaged. And remember, even if the cruise itself is reduced, the cost of flights might bring the total back up to where it is today.
So if there’s a cruise you’ve set your heart on, or you’ve spotted a great bargain, I’d say go for it. Then you’ll have something to look forward to – and we could all do with that right now.
Edwina Lonsdale is MD of Mundy Cruising, specialists in luxury travel
About Vicky Mayer
Vicky began her career working on young women’s magazines before moving on to TV and entertainment titles. Her passion, though, has always been travel, so as Editor of World of Cruising, she combines her love of magazines with the chance to shout about cruise holidays around the world.
Dog-friendly cruises: Can you take a dog on a cruise? Guide to dog cruise holidays
Why a Canadian river cruise should be top of your bucket-list
Exciting reveal from Marella Cruises: what’s in store for Marella Discovery 2?
How to pick a river cruise cabin - best cabins and what to avoid
MSC cabin types: Everything you need to know about cabins on MSC Cruises ships
Ambition cruise ship review: Guaranteed best value at sea
