Best time to book a fly-cruise-stay

Hope this is the right page to ask this question

I am thinking of booking a Caribbean cruise for Feb 17. We have found an itinerary that we like (fly into Miami, 1 night stay in Ft Lauderdale, 11 night cruise with Royal Caribbean and a 2 night stay in Miami to finish off). We have popped into the local VH shop and got a decent quote (we think). I've done some shopping around (Royal Caribbean site, is much more expensive for instance). We visited a local independent travel agent and although they could price up the cruise and stay part, they said flights could change as they aren't available yet (not necessarily VA of course), but they did recommend booking everything together rather than booking cruise separately as if flights changed and we missed the cruise, we'd be stuffed, but if we booked the whole together, we would have protection?

We obviously want to get good value for money, but at the same time don't want to miss out on our choice of cabin for instance.

I've looked on the VA site and flights for Feb 17 aren't showing as yet (although when we spoke to the adviser in the VH shop, she could quote us a price for the flight)

When are flights generally at their cheapest, should I wait until (February I guess??) the flight is showing on the VA site? Of course I understand that any saving in flight cost could easily be offset by an increase in the price of the cruise.

I appreciate no-one has a crystal ball, but I bow to peoples greater experience in these things than mine

[Nottingham Nick]

I am not much help as far as advice with travel agents is concerned, as I am a firm DIY travel planner.
I enjoy the planning, I save a lot of money and build in the necessary contingencies to avoid (most)
unpleasant eventualities - the ash cloud caused me a bit of stress, but it all worked out in the end.

I do see the attraction of paying for peace of mind, so am not knocking anyone who does it that way.

With regards to cruising though - have a look at http://www.bolsovercruiseclub.com/ - they are a huge
company that is local to us - we have used them a lot and have never known them to be beaten on price.
They are happy just to sort the cruise out for you, or will do the whole package.

VH will always have access to VS inventory well before it is released and will be happy to quote. I cannot
say how competitively, I have never used them.

Also, be aware that not all of the cheaper buckets are always released by VS at the 330 day mark - it is a long
time until the flights are released by VS for Feb 17, so you have to make the call.

Nick

The good thing of booking with VH directly is obviously the miles you will get for your booking.
Furthermore, if you are Silver or above, you will get at least 7% off your total price, as long as you fly with Virgin Atlantic to your destination.
Definitely worth keeping it in mind.

I am lucky insofar I can get a Debenhams prepaid top-up card via my works benefits (one of the few perks of working in local Gov.) I can get 11% off this card and have been assured by my local VH branch they do accept the Debenhams cards in store. We can get 8% off VH also, but I think I'd stick with the 11 lol.

Unfortunately I'm only a lowly red member, flying VA is a luxury we can only justify every 2/3 years.

Thanks for the advice so far

If you book directly with the airline I think it is up to 330 days in advance that you can book.


Cheers

Gerry

330 sounds right. We are now firmly in the book your own itinerary market. Mostly as we've found that using U.S. based travel agents you can get U.S. resident incentives for cruises,hotels etc. We have opened a USA suntrust account now to allow us to pay from a USA bank.

Our "strategy" is first look at cruise and other schedules. Then book a 2-3 week stay flight wise allowing the flights to be locked and then we start planning around that. Then it's cruise booking (if doing one - via a U.S. Agent) then car booking dependant on timings as best deals are available late. Last thing for us is hotels. The big rule there is except in Vegas. As in Vegas late isn't such a good deal as say the Wynn sale events (record low there is usd 125/pn total b&b). Amex plat deals at bellagio can be good for short stays year round though.

Usually by doing above we save a fortune on the agent rate - but it is worth pricing up fly drive if going to Florida for a cruise as it can be cheaper on both virgin holidays and be than a flight alone. Just don't pick up the car if you don't need.

We also get to go to interesting places by doing above. As example We are airbnb a beachfront property in siesta key in October. Something a agent could not do!