How far in advance you have to book your cruise?

[Anonymous]

I am looking at August 2019 and a lot is sold out already. I want to cruise Nothern Europe with kids. So tired of going to Rivera Maya.

[Anonymous]

Wow, a year and a half out and you are not seeing availability?

I typically book a year or so out. Usually don't have a big problem getting the type of cabin I'm looking for (basic balcony). Those cabins that are most desirable go fast.

[Anonymous]

That is bizarre. I’ve never booked a cruise less than 4-5 months in advance and always been able to get what I want. It’s possible that cruise isn’t even “for sale” yet, often they don’t open bookings until 18 months out.

[Anonymous]

I booked a Baltic cruise for July in late May and got all we needed a two adjoining cabins etc. I can’t imagine it’s actually sold out.

It was fantastic, btw. Definitely do a couple of days in Copenhagen if that’s where it departs from. It was fabulous especially with kids.

[Anonymous]

Is the cruise actually sold out or is the cabin type in the location you want sold out?

[Anonymous]

Thank you. It is the type of the cabin. When I click on a particular floor, a lot of cabins are not available. I have no experience with cruises. Generally speaking prefer stay on land, but for Nothern Europe I think I’d want to do a cruise. Easier to get around with kids.

[Anonymous]

Which cruise lines are good for touring Northern Europe anyway?

[Anonymous]

You could contact a cruise specialist travel agent. THey might buy up blocks? Not sure.

We booked our Alaska cruise the day they were released 17 months in advance since that cruise line had limited inventory of the type of cabin we wanted. We booked a spring break cruise 13 months in advance to get adjoining cabins.

[Anonymous]

Cabins that fit 5 book quickly. Otherwise that seems odd.

[Anonymous]

Disney? Its only 1 ship and only a few weeks of certain itinerary.

[Anonymous]

LOL at tired of going to Maya.

[Anonymous]

Holland America has a new ship (came out a year or two ago) sailing Northern Europe that looked really great. Call the cruise line and see—maybe they have t released all cabins yet. Or put a bid request on cruisecompete.

If you’re a family, you may want to look at two adjoining balconies rather than a big suite—they definitely have more of those.

Also check out the cruisecritic forum for Northern Europe cruising. Those people know everything.

[Anonymous]

In my dreams someone recommends the perfect highish-end ship and best time of year to travel for Alaska and Europe. Anyone wanna make my dreams come true?

[Anonymous]

We did the Baltic cruise on the Regal princess 3 years ago in July. The ship was great though I prefer Celebrity in general, however my kids adored the ship and keep asking when we can go back. We did a Celebrity Cruise in the Adriatic a year or so before and I felt the caliber of the food and staff was higher overall. The Princess itinerary was fantastic, however and I would definitely recommend it.

For Alaska you also want to do July or August. My husband took his mom last year and they were on a Celebrity boat and said it was fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did the Baltic cruise on the Regal princess 3 years ago in July. The ship was great though I prefer Celebrity in general, however my kids adored the ship and keep asking when we can go back. We did a Celebrity Cruise in the Adriatic a year or so before and I felt the caliber of the food and staff was higher overall. The Princess itinerary was fantastic, however and I would definitely recommend it.

For Alaska you also want to do July or August. My husband took his mom last year and they were on a Celebrity boat and said it was fantastic.

I’m one of the Alaska know-nothings and after just starting research last night determined the least week of May - first week of June to be optimal. But you’re saying July-August?