The Cruisington Times: Want a Cruise Deal? Hurry and be Ready to Wait

And booking through an experienced travel agent can be essential.

Waitlists clear more often than people realize, especially for longer cruises or itineraries scheduled far in advance, says Mary Jean Tully, Founder and CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, a top agency worldwide for upscale cruise lines “At our agency, we handle a high volume of cruises and are constantly monitoring and managing waitlists. Clearing them is a regular occurrence for us,” she says.

“With so much uncertainty in the world, plans are always changing. This is where the expertise of a specialized travel agency becomes invaluable, Tully notes. “Many travelers place cabins on hold just to secure them, knowing they can cancel without penalty as long as they’re outside the cancellation window. That’s why it’s essential to work with a reputable agency that actively manages waitlists rather than passively waiting for spaces to open.”

“Our agency doesn’t just rely on automated systems—we check waitlists continuously,” Tully says. “If one of our clients cancels a reservation, we immediately review our internal waitlist to see if another client can take their spot, provided name changes are permitted. This proactive approach often helps us secure spaces for our clients even when availability is tight.”

It can take the worry out of waiting.

Read the fully story on the Cruisington Times