Cruise ships have a finite amount of space.
A ship can actually cruise at more than what would be considered a full passenger load because capacity is based on double occupancy and some cabins can accommodate more than two people.
But at some point all cabins are sold and no more can be added even when demand from would-be passengers is heavy. Cruises growing in popularity have generally led to higher prices.
Related: Why Royal Caribbean's cruise prices keep rising
In nearly all cases, the best time to book a cruise directly from a cruise line is as soon as possible. The days of last-minute deals and prices going down, at least for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships, have largely gone away.
Your travel agent might be able to get you a deal if they booked blocks of rooms in advance, but prices generally go up, not down, when you book directly from a cruise line.
And if you book a cruise and the price falls before the final payment is due, you can ask for your cruise to be repriced. (This is something a good travel agent checks regularly.)
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
Royal Caribbean has been selling out many of its cruises and that led Chief Executive Jason Liberty to discuss what can be taken as advice during his cruise line's first-quarter-earnings call.
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Image source: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean cruises are filling fast
During the call Liberty said consumers have been very eager to cruise.
"All of our commentary around our bookings, the strength that we're seeing, not only relates to 2024 but also to 2025," he said. "And we're getting close to the point where we'll soon be taking more bookings for '25 than we are for 2024.
"And so when we look into the booking behavior, ... the booking window continues to extend. So guests are making their decisions much further out."
He suggested that many passengers seem aware that booking early gives them the best chance to get the exact trip that they want.
"When we look at the repeat rates that are going on and the dreaming that our guests are doing to make sure that they're getting the vacation experience that they [want, it's] really all leading to very, very strong demand trends for 2024 as well as 2025," he added. "And by the way, we're also taking bookings into 2026."
Cruise bookings generally enable you to pay over time — Royal Caribbean partners with the buy-now-pay-later company Affirm. That means that booking a cruise further out gives you not only more choices but also a longer time to pay.
Royal Caribbean passengers booking on-board items sooner
Liberty also noted that passengers are booking everything from excursions to internet and drink packages sooner. The cruise line has encouraged these efforts and not just for the obvious economic reasons.
"We're also seeing very strong booking behavior precruise and, again, making sure that our guests [are able] to get their first day of their vacation back by planning their on-board activities and shore-excursion activities well in advance," he said.
If a customer makes specialty dining and excursion reservations before they board, they don't have to stand in line to do so once they get on the ship.
That's an area Royal Caribbean has been seeking to improve, both for added-fee and included parts of the cruise (like being able to make show reservations in advance on Oasis-Class ships).
There are, of course, some financial benefits for the cruise line when people book their added-fee experiences early.
"And that's also not only helping our ability to yield-manage on the on-board experience, but it's also improving our customer deposits, which is also rising due to that," Liberty said.
"So all in all, things just continue to accelerate and the thirst or hunger for our brands and their experiences just continues to grow."
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser
