Expert: Matt Vasile - 2/1/2001

Question
We were hoping to take a week in February to visit Dominca or Anguilla, but find the flight availability to be minimal.  Now we're considering other options, and St. Lucia (would also consider Aruba, Antigua, or others) is near the top of the list.  If we're not really picky on our destination, but are set on the dates, is it beneficial to wait until the last minute, in order to get deals from resorts selling off surplus rooms?
Thanks!

Answer
Last minute deals used to exist with charter flight packages only.  Any more, those deals have gone away.  It is very difficult to get anything last minute anymore.  Since this is high season in the Caribbean, there is literally almost nothing available until after Easter.  Even then the picking is slim.

2000 and 2001 have been banner sales years for Caribbean hotels, they really don't have any surplus rooms they are worried about getting rid of.  As of January, most resorts are already over 65% occupancy for the entire year and selling fast.