One of the great things about a cruise vacation is not having to pay in full at the time of booking. Imagine booking a vacation for a year from now and making payments along the way.

Cruise lines will allow you to book a cruise vacation with a small down payment to hold your reservation. You can then make payments in any amount you choose until your cruise is paid in full. Most cruise lines will require your final payment 60 – 90 days before sailing.

If you have booked a cruise through some sort of promotion, different payment terms may apply. Be sure to check with the cruise line or your travel agent to ensure you know when your final payment is due.

There are benefits to not paying your cruise in full at the time of booking. You could qualify for a price adjustment if the cost of your cruise drops before sailing. See my article “When do Cruise Prices Drop?” for more details.