Jamie Agamalian

Travel Advisor with Magical Wishes Travel

One tip I have for my clients is to plan your vacation early to save money! A common travel hindrance I often see when people want to book their dream vacations is waiting to book until the last minute, which means their price tag is far higher than they imagined it would be. I’m here to say, if you plan ahead, you WILL get the better rates and a much better vacation. Let’s talk about the advantages of booking early with two different types of vacation. jamie@MagicalWishesTravel.com

https://mwtbyjamie.com/

Cruises

Booking early is essential for cruises. As cruise ships start to fill up, the cabin premium starts to rise. This is the case for all types of cruises but is especially true for Alaskan and Mediterranean cruises. If you know you want to do a cruise to one of these locations in 2026, it is important to book that cruise now to get the lowest cabin rates. The cruise lines know that they will fill their ships, so they offer lower fares to incentivize travelers to plan ahead. Not only will this get you in the best cabins on the ship, such as the highly coveted mishap balconies, but it will also help you with your excursions too. Every port has something different to see, but excursion companies will often limit the number of guests on their tours. Planning ahead will give you the ability to be one of the first to book these tours that always sell out close to sailing.

Booking early also goes for European River Cruises too. These ships are very small with an average of 150 guests total. These cruises have been immensely popular over the recent years and people across the globe are booking as a great way to see Europe off the beaten path! These ships are often full months out. If you dream of sailing the Danube, Rhein, Rhone, or Seine, it is important to book a year in advance to secure your spot!

All-Inclusive Resorts

Booking early is also important for all-inclusive Caribbean resorts so you can get the best rooms on the property at the lowest costs. Like cruises, as the resort rooms start to fill up, the prices of these rooms began to increase. The most desired rooms at an all-inclusive are oceanfront. Everyone wants that unobstructed ocean view to wake up to each morning. Imagine enjoying a leisurely breakfast while listening to the waves lapping the shore. Many of these resorts only have a few true oceanfront rooms. So, to get into these categories, we have to book early. The same is also said for swim-up rooms. A swim-up room brings the pool to you. Step out from your patio to the steps of your lounge pool. These are often shared with your neighbors but do provide privacy at the same time. If you love a good pool day, these are the rooms to book. Resorts such as Sandals and Beaches are already offering reservations for 2027 and they are selling! Booking early is also important if you are planning on traveling as a group. Planning early will help to ensure there is enough space on the property for everyone!

Advantages of Booking Early

So you know now booking early allows you to get the cruise cabin or all-inclusive room you truly want - but there is another perk to booking early … it’s like a layaway for travel! Booking early allows you to pay off your trip in smaller increments instead of one big payment. This is especially great for those BIG vacations that are bucket list trips. Planning early will make that dream trip become a reality. Don’t wait until it's too late - plan early and have an unforgettable vacation!

As a special March booking incentive, I am offering onboard credit to all cruises booked this month and resort bucks to use for all all-inclusive vacations booked. Say the blog sent you in your initial email and let’s start planning today!