The Challenge: How to Fill a Cruise Ship

Is this a good deal for the passenger? If a couple likes cruising and can leave at a moment’s (or a week’s) notice, it’s terrific. Where they sleep may be a hole-in-the-wall inside cabin, but they can roam a glorious cruise ship, gorge on good food and live like millionaires for 50 bucks a day.

Is this a good deal for the cruise company? Absolutely. It’s receiving revenue—ticket price plus onboard spending—that would be dead loss if the cabin remained unsold on the sailing date. And the cruise company has increased its customer base for possible later sales.

However, last-last minute cruise offers are best grabbed near home. On April 25, I found a nifty Royal Caribbean 7-day cruise to the Holy Land departing April 29 at a splendid price. However, airfare to the departure city (Rome) at that late date was $1,678—blowing any savings sky high.

In the words of my first employer, Franklin Watts, “Sell what you got.”

And don’t let up for a minute.