As a professional travel agent and Couples Travel Concierge, one of the most commonly asked questions I get, is:
When the best time to book my travel?
There is no one single answer to that because it can vary significantly depending on the type of travel and the destination. Let’s look at some different scenarios and see if I can shed some light on this for you.
Honeymoons: The best time to start planning your honeymoon is 6-9 months prior to travel – possibly longer for some more exotic options! Can it be booked in less time? Sure!
However, keep in mind, the flights may be limited and higher priced (especially for popular destinations or destinations that do not have daily flight service), and the room type or even the resort you want may not be available for you.
Destination Weddings or Celebration Travel for a group: 9-12 months if you have a very specific date in mind. Many resorts do not allow more than 1 or 2 weddings on any given day, and the venues sell out quickly. Also, if you will have a number of guests traveling with you, we need to secure the room space well in advance to make sure we have space for everyone.
As for flights, those can only be booked at a maximum 9 – 10 months out (can be as low as 6 months for some destinations) but the flights can be added later. The important thing is to secure the resort and the wedding day.
Cruise: While it is true that you can book a cruise up until the week of sailing, this is not a good idea. The myth of last minute “cheap” pricing is just that – a myth. Booking at the last minute (considered within 30 days of sailing) basically gives you access to what staterooms are left – or what no one else wanted. These are most often not desirable locations on the ship. The best recommendation for pricing and the availability of the accommodations you want is 6 months prior to sailing. If you are part of a group and want to organize a group cruise, you need to plan at least 9 months prior, preferably one year if itineraries are available.
River Cruise: The best time to plan a river cruise is as soon as the idea enters your head, book one! River Cruises are in high demand and sell out very quickly. One year in advance is the average booking window.
I have several clients that have already booked for September of 2015! Yes, 2015!! Sadly, I had to disappoint another couple this week because they wanted to cruise this June and the earliest availability for their chosen itinerary and stateroom type is in October!
All-Inclusive Resorts: Much like a honeymoon, the best time to start planning is 6-9 months prior to travel, especially if traveling during the holidays or peak season for the destination.
Europe Travel: The 6 month window is a great timeframe for most European Travel.
Exotic Destinations: Are you thinking about the South Pacific? The Maldives? Asia? An African Safari? Australia or New Zealand? These are best planned 8-10 months in advance .
Obviously this is just a general overview and certainly does not encompass all situations. For advice regarding your specific vacation dream, call me today and let’s start planning your future memories!
Safe Travels!
When it comes to Celebration travel (such as Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, milestone birthday or anniversary celebrations), planning your travel in the appropriate time frame is of the utmost importance to maximize your vacation experience and your value.