Why Booking A Cruise As Soon As They Are Released Is A Smart Move

Oct 3

5 min read

Booking a cruise as soon as it’s released is generally one of the smartest things you can do and when a company like Fred. Olsen offers a Freedom Fare Price Promise, it becomes an even better idea.

Booking early isn’t about getting in first, it’s about getting the best value, best choice, and best protection for your holiday. Here's a few reasons why:

1. You get the best cabin choice

Early bookers get first pick of:

Cabin grade
Cabin number
Deck
Location (midship, forward, aft)
Dining time and table size

Fred. Olsen specifically highlights this as a key benefit of their Freedom Fare.

Once the popular cabins go, they’re gone, especially solos, accessible cabins, and midship cabins.

2. You lock in the best price

Cruise lines almost always start with their lowest prices at launch. As cabins fill, prices rise.

Fred. Olsen created the Freedom Fare Price Promise because guests weren’t sure when the best time to book was - and they’ve made it clear: The best value is in the first four weeks.

3. You’re protected if the price drops

This is where Fred. Olsen really shines.

If you book a Freedom Fare within the first four weeks and the price of an equivalent cabin drops later, Fred. Olsen promises you will receive:

A free cabin upgrade, or
Onboard credit equal to the difference

So you get:

The best price at launch
Protection if the price drops
Zero risk of “missing out on a better deal later”

It’s genuinely the safest way to book.

4. You secure special itineraries before they sell out

Fred. Olsen’s new itineraries often include:

Solar eclipse cruises
Scenic Norway waterfall sailings
British Isles summer routes
Bank holiday short cruises
Iceland wildlife and geyser itineraries

These sell out fast - especially the unique eclipse sailings highlighted in their programme. We saw this in the recent release of the Canadian Cruise which sold out in a matter of days.

Booking early means you don’t miss the rare, once‑in‑a‑lifetime trips.

5. You get extra perks for early booking

Freedom Fare benefits include:

Choosing your cabin
Choosing your dining time
Choosing your table size
Gennerally no single supplement for solo cabins (in the early booking window)

6. You avoid price increases as demand rises

Cruise pricing is dynamic. As cabins sell, prices rise - sometimes dramatically.

Booking at launch protects you from:

Seasonal price increases
Fuel surcharges
High demand periods
Limited cabin availability

Booking early = best price, best cabin, best perks, and full protection.

Booking early with Fred. Olsen = all of that PLUS a price promise guarantee.

It’s the safest, smartest, and most value‑packed way to book a cruise - especially if you love small ships, scenic itineraries, and thoughtful service.

Which Cruise Lines Honour Lower Prices, Which Don't and How Each Policy Works (as of October 2026)

AmaWaterways - No Price Match Policy

AmaWaterways does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. However:

Before final payment, they may honour promotional offers if your sailing qualifies.
After final payment, fares are fixed.

Ambassador Cruise Line - No Price Match Policy

Ambassador does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. Their “Book with Confidence” promise covers flexibility, but not price protection.

Cunard - No Price Match Policy

Cunard does not offer a formal price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee.

However:

Before final payment, you can request a reprice if the fare has dropped but it is not guaranteed.
After final payment, Cunard does not adjust fares.

Celebrity Cruises - Best Price Guarantee

Celebrity offers one of the most flexible systems:

Before final payment: They will reprice your fare; if you’ve paid in full, they refund the difference.
Within 24 hours of booking: Refund or upgrade.
After final payment: You may receive a complimentary upgrade if a higher category drops to your fare level.

Disney Cruise Line - No Price Match Policy

Disney does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. Their pricing is dynamic and tends to increase as ships fill.

Before final payment, you can cancel and rebook at the lower fare (if available).
After final payment, fares are fixed.

Fred. Olsen - Freedom Fare Price Promise

If you book within the first four weeks of launch and the fare drops later, Fred. Olsen will give you either:

A free cabin upgrade, or
Onboard credit equal to the difference

*This is automatically done by Fred Olsen

Holland America Line - 72‑Hour Best Price Guarantee

If you find a lower fare within 72 hours of booking on HollandAmerica.com:

They give 120% of the difference as onboard credit
Must be an identical itinerary and stateroom

HX Expeditions - No Price Match Policy

HX does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. They offer strong flexibility policies, but no fare‑drop protection.

Marella Cruises (TUI) - No Price Match Policy

Marella does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. Their booking terms state:

Once booked, the fare is fixed.
If the price drops later, Marella does not adjust your fare.

MSC Cruises - No Standard Price Match (Case‑by‑Case)

MSC does not offer a formal price match guarantee. However:

Before final payment, they may reprice or offer upgrades/credit on a case‑by‑case basis but it is very unlikely, unless booked under their Future Cruise Program, which includes a specific Best Price Guarantee.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) - Price Protection Before Final Payment

NCL does not have a formal “price promise,” but they do sometimes allow:

Repricing before final payment if the fare drops.
After final payment, fares are fixed.

This makes NCL more flexible than many lines, but not as strong as Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.

P&O Cruises - 24‑Hour Price Promise

If you find your cruise cheaper elsewhere within 24 hours of booking, P&O will:

Match the lower price
Refund the difference or reduce your remaining balance

*Requirements: must be a UK travel agent quote, same fare type, same cabin grade.

Princess Cruises - 24‑Hour Price Promise (UK)

If you find a lower fare within 24 hours of booking, Princess will:

Match the fare
Adjust your booking accordingly Must be identical cruise‑only fare, publicly available in GBP.

Royal Caribbean - Best Price Guarantee

Royal Caribbean allows repricing:

Any time before final payment, or
Within 24 hours of booking

If the fare drops:

They will adjust your fare or refund the difference
If a higher cabin category becomes cheaper, you may get a free upgrade

*Not available in all countries

Seabourn - No Price Match Policy

Seabourn does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee.

Before final payment, you may request a reprice but it is not guaranteed.
After final payment, fares are fixed.

Virgin Voyages - No Price Match Policy

Virgin Voyages does not offer a price‑match or fare‑drop guarantee. However:

Before final payment, you can request a reprice if a lower fare is available but it is not guaranteed.
After final payment, fares are fixed.

Who Actually Protects Your Price?

Strong Price Protection

Fred. Olsen - Freedom Fare Price Promise (upgrade or OBC if price drops)
Royal Caribbean - Reprice/refund before final payment
Celebrity Cruises - Reprice/refund/upgrade before final payment
Holland America - 120% OBC if price drops within 72 hours
Princess - 24‑hour price match

Moderate Protection

NCL - Reprice before final payment
P&O (only 24‑hour match, not long‑term protection)

No Price Protection

MSC (case‑by‑case only)
Cunard
Marella
AmaWaterways
Ambassador
Disney Cruise Line
HX Expeditions
Seabourn
Virgin Voyages

If you’re thinking about a cruise for 2027, 2028 or 2029, early booking is genuinely the smartest way to secure the perfect trip - especially with Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fare Price Promise keeping you fully protected.

Ready to explore what’s just been released? Pop me a message, I’d love to help you find the perfect sailing.