Are Last-Minute Cruise Deals with Royal Caribbean a Thing of the Past?

Can you still score a last-minute deal with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines?

We all remember when last-minute cruises were a great way to score a deal for a vacation. However, Royal Caribbean is changing that option.   Instead of reducing fares to fill empty cabins, Royal Caribbean is balancing high last-minute demand while prioritizing early bookings and building a more loyal client base. This represents a significant change in any last-minute availability.  We do see a clear trend now where the cruise lines offer the best pricing to those who book early.

"We see an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's C.E.O., during Royal Caribbean Group's first quarter earnings call on Tuesday, April 29. 

Last-minute bookings increased revenue gains in the first quarter, and that trend continues into the second quarter.  However, Royal Caribbean’s cruise fare discounting is done carefully and strategically to avoid frequent price fluctuations that could undermine customer trust or devalue the brand. 

Royal Caribbean Group's formula is a mix of cruise fares rising and people willing to pay them. According to Mr. Liberty "Guest spending onboard and pre-cruise purchases continue to exceed prior years driven by greater participation at higher prices."

About 2.2 million guests took a cruise with Royal Caribbean Group in the first quarter, which is a 9% increase year over year.  "Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand," said Mr. Liberty.  Even in April this held true, "during April, the company's bookings were greater than the same period last year, including continued strength in close-in bookings"

You might be surprised to know that 86% of Royal Caribbean’s 2025 cruise inventory is booked. Demand for this year is strong. If you haven't booked your summer vacation, your options are narrowing, and prices are climbing. With limited staterooms left and a high demand for the remaining cabins, waiting could mean settling for less desirable itineraries or higher costs or sold-out cruises.  

Royal Caribbean Group has several big projects coming up:

• 7 new cruise ships by 2028
• Increasing from 2 to 7 exclusive destinations by 2027
• Celebrity Cruises River launching in 2027