Cruising can be a dream vacation. You unpack once, sail the ocean, enjoy beautiful views, unlimited food, plenty of entertainment, and visit multiple exotic ports. We have enjoyed cruising for many years and love the all-inclusive nature of cruise vacations. We find cruising to be a great value. However, we understand that if we are not careful, additional costs can quickly add up. And this quickly leads to a substantial bill at the end of our cruise, turning what should have been a great value into an incredibly expensive vacation. If you are a budget traveler or just love a good deal, going on a cruise can work for you. It’s even better when you know how to save during your cruise vacation. These are our best tips, tricks, & hacks to save money on a cruise and help you save big on your next cruise adventure.
Book Your Cruise Early or at the Last Minute
Cruise lines often offer the best deals either months in advance or just before sailing to fill empty cabins. You will find great prices if you book early. Booking early also gives you more choices and perks, such as cabin upgrades or onboard ship credit that you can use for almost anything during your cruise.
While booking early offers great deals, you can also find great last-minute deals. Sailings can be incredibly inexpensive if you’re flexible and able to book at the last minute.
We have found that better deals are available when booking early rather than at the last minute.
Use a Travel Agent or Cruise Specialist to Book Your Cruise
Travel agents or cruise specialists often have access to exclusive discounts, onboard credit, or group rates that you won’t find online. Cruise specialists who work directly with the cruise line can be very helpful when booking your cruise. You can save money on your cruise by taking advantage of the exclusive perks that they can offer you. Plus, because they specialize in cruises, they can also help you avoid costly or unintended mistakes, such as booking the wrong cabin.
Watch for Price Drops After Booking to Save Money on Your Cruise
Some cruise lines will match lower prices or offer onboard credit if the fare drops after you book. If you are making payments for your cruise, keep an eye on current prices or ask your agent to keep an eye on them. If the price drops, take advantage of the lower cost to reduce the fare of your cruise.
Note that the price of your cruise can only be adjusted before you make your final payment. Once your final payment is made, you will not be able to reduce the cost of your cruise.
Be Flexible With Your Dates
Cruise prices fluctuate depending on the season. Avoid booking your cruise vacation during holidays and peak times, such as summer or spring break. Prices can skyrocket during this time. To save money, book your cruise during the shoulder season, such as May or June and September through October. You will find lower prices for many sailings.
Save By Taking a Shorter Cruise
If you would like to go on a cruise without breaking the bank, a shorter cruise could be the answer. Cruises are priced based on the length of the cruise and the destination. Naturally, longer cruises have a higher price point while shorter cruises have a lower price point. If you want to save money and are flexible with the length of your cruise, consider taking a shorter cruise vacation.
There are many three and four-day cruise vacations available to choose from. You will find shorter cruises starting at $300. And depending on the cruise line, you may find a few starting below $300. A shorter trip is a great way to save money while enjoying a cruise.
Sail From Your Home Port to Save Money on Your Cruise
Sail from your home port if you live in an area with a cruise port nearby. A great way to save money is to avoid paying airfare and hotel room costs by sailing out of the closest port of departure. At most, you will pay rideshare costs or a parking fee. However, this will be substantially less than paying for airfare and a hotel room.
Be Flexible With Your Cruise Destination
A Mediterranean cruise can be amazing, as well as cruises throughout the South Pacific and Asia. Longer length cruises, such as world cruises, are also incredible. One thing all of these cruises have in common is a higher price point. If your goal is to go on one of these bucket list cruises, then by all means, go on your cruise and make your dream come true. But if these types of cruises are not your end goal, you can save money by being flexible with your cruise destination.
Cruises to the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, and Hawaii can be just as incredible and fun. There are many ports and cruise destinations to visit, and the price point for these cruises is much more affordable.
Save Money on Your Cruise by Booking During the Off Season
To save even more money, book your cruise during the off-season. You will find many deals and save lots of money during this time. Of course, booking during the off-season has its risks. For Caribbean cruises and West Coast cruises, such as those that sail from California ports, the off-season begins in early September and goes through the end of November. Unfortunately, this part of the year also correlates with hurricane season. While you will save money, you risk missing your cruise or altering your travel plans if a hurricane occurs during your vacation week.
Book a Repositioning Cruise to Save Money
Cruise lines often reposition their ships to different ports. Repositioning cruises usually start and end at different ports, so a passport is normally required. The length of repositioning cruises can differ based on how far the cruise ship must sail to reach its intended destination. Repositioning cruises can be very affordable, as they often offer discounted prices.
Different types of repositioning cruises include seasonal cruise ship changes, such as when the Alaska cruise season begins. A repositioning cruise for this type of seasonal change typically includes a Panama Canal transit cruise. On a recent cruise, we found a repositioning cruise that transited through the Panama Canal. The cost of our 14-Day Panama Canal cruise was $730 a person for an interior cabin. This was about half off the regular cost of a Panama Canal transit Cruise. This was an incredible price for this type of cruise, which included ports such as Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Other types of repositioning cruises include transatlantic cruises for ships heading to dry dock for maintenance. Most drydocks occur in Europe. Taking advantage of a transatlantic repositioning cruise to Europe could be a substantial savings.
Take a Cruise to Nowhere
Another type of discounted cruise is a cruise to nowhere. These types of cruises are ideal for a quick getaway, where you simply want to enjoy a cruise for a couple of days. They are short cruises with relaxing sea days that may or may not include a port stop. They tend to be about two or three days in length. You can find these cruises for about $100 to $200 a person.
Book Your Cruise on an Older Ship
Older ships have fewer amenities than the newer, larger cruise ships. They also cost less to book. If you want to save money on your cruise vacation, consider taking a cruise on an older ship and avoiding the larger, mega-resort-type cruise ships.
Book an Inside Cabin to Save Money
Inside cabins are significantly cheaper than oceanview or balcony staterooms. The cost of an oceanview or balcony cabin can easily double or triple in price compared to the cost of an inside cabin. Since you’ll likely spend most of your time out exploring, booking an inside cabin is a smart trade-off.
Save Money by Booking a Stateroom on a Lower Deck
If you want to save money on your next cruise, consider booking a stateroom on a lower deck. Staterooms on lower decks have a lower price point than staterooms on higher decks. The lower price point is due to the room’s distance from cruise ship amenities, such as the dining room and other entertainment areas. However, these areas are a quick elevator ride away. Save money by booking your room on a lower deck.
Be Flexible When Booking an Oceanview Room
There are various savings opportunities available when booking an oceanview room. The most cost-effective option would be to book a room with a porthole. Instead of a large window, the cabin is equipped with a round porthole. You technically still have an oceanview room. The view is a bit smaller and much cheaper.
Another option is to book a room with an obstructed view. The obstruction is usually the lifeboat that hangs on the side of the cruise ship. The obstruction will either be the top of the lifeboat or the bottom of the lifeboat. Some of these rooms are considered inside cabins, depending on the level of obstructed view and the stateroom’s location. Most obstructed views aren’t so obstructed that you won’t be able to see the ocean.
Take Advantage of Free Stateroom Upgrades
While inside cabins are generally cheaper, you might get a deal on an oceanview or balcony cabin that you might want to take. Oftentimes, when booking your cabin, you might get offers that include free perks such as an upgraded room or onboard credit. You can save money and end up in a better room by taking advantage of free stateroom upgrades.
If You Don’t Drink Much, Skip the Drink Package
Cruise drink packages are popular options, but they can cost over $80.00 per day per person. Most drink packages include a wide variety of beverages, ranging from alcoholic to non-alcoholic options, including smoothies, juices, and coffee. However, if you’re not a heavy drinker and don’t plan on drinking lots of smoothies or hand-crafted coffee, it would be cheaper to buy drinks a la carte or take advantage of happy hour specials.
Chances are, you will spend significantly less by purchasing your drinks à la carte and opting to take advantage of the free options included in your cruise.
Take Advantage of the Daily Drink Special
Cruise ships usually offer a daily drink special priced lower than other drinks. To save money, consider ordering the daily drink special. Some drink specials come with a souvenir cup that comes with an additional cost. You do not have to order the special in a souvenir cup to take advantage of the special.
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Bring Your Own Wine
Many cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of wine onboard. Generally, you are allowed to bring one bottle of wine for each adult 21 years of age or older. Many cruise lines charge a corkage fee of about $15.00 if you decide to drink your bottle of wine at dinner. However, this is still much less than purchasing a bottle of wine during your cruise. Check your cruise line’s policy to see if they allow you to bring your wine. Doing so can save you a significant amount.
Bring Your Own Soda
Many cruise lines allow each guest to bring a twelve-pack of canned soda, juice, or sparkling water onboard. This can result in significant savings during your cruise, as soda is an additional charge and not included in the cruise cost. Soda should be in your carry-on and not be packed in your checked luggage. Check the cruise line’s policy to make sure you follow their requirements, as you risk having your soda confiscated if you don’t. Bringing your own drinks will definitely save you a lot of money during your cruise.
Plan Shore Excursions Independently
Cruise-sponsored excursions are often overpriced. If you book tours through local vendors or use apps like Viator, you will save a significant amount of money on shore excursions. The benefit of booking through the cruise line is that if your return is delayed, the ship will wait for you. When you book on your own, you do not have this benefit. Make sure you track your time carefully to ensure that you return by the all-aboard time.
Another option is to skip shore excursions and explore the port on your own. If there is a beach close by, you can have a great beach day, or if the port has amenities for cruise passengers, you can enjoy your day at the cruise port.
Buddy Up With Fellow Cruisers and Save on Excursions
One of the best ways to save on excursions is to share a taxi with others. At most ports, you will find taxis available for daily rental that include a guided excursion throughout the town you are visiting. Since the taxis have a set price, sharing a taxi with other cruisers will reduce your share of the cost. During a recent cruise with my husband, we shared a day-long taxi with new friends. We had a great time exploring our cruise port destination with new friends. We also split the $140 taxi fare, saving money in the process.
Book Shore Excursions Before Your Cruise Begins
Many cruise lines offer discounts if you book shore excursions before your cruise begins. The discounts vary but can be as high as 15% to 25% off the cost of the shore excursion. Booking shore excursions before you sail is a great way to save money on your cruise vacation.
Avoid Specialty Dining
The meals included in the main dining room or buffet are generally excellent. There is a wide variety of food to choose from, including appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. Specialty dining options can easily set you back anywhere between $30.00 and $50.00 or more per person, per dinner. If you have a budget and prefer to stay on it, skip specialty dining options and enjoy your meals in the main dining room or the buffet.
Book Specialty Dining and Other Amenities Before You Sail
If you want to take advantage of specialty restaurants or other amenities, consider booking your reservation or purchasing other amenities, such as spa services, before you sail. Many cruise lines offer discounts on their websites if you book your specialty dining restaurant or purchase other items, such as beverage packages or shore excursions, before sailing.
Discounts offered by Carnival Cruise Line typically range from 10% to 15% off the onboard cost. Royal Caribbean has dynamic pricing. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the discounts offered by Royal Caribbean, as the discount will change and can range up to 25% off.
Skip the Wi-Fi or Internet Packages
Cruise Wi-Fi is notoriously expensive. Many cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, offer a variety of packages with varying levels of connectivity. If you want a great, worry-free connection, you will need to upgrade to a more expensive package option. The cost will easily set you back a few hundred dollars for a week-long cruise.
To save money, consider either disconnecting and enjoying a digital detox. You can also look for cafes with free Wi-Fi options while in port.
If an internet connection is absolutely necessary, consider purchasing your plan prior to sailing. Many cruise lines offer discounts on their internet packages prior to the start of a cruise. It is also more cost-effective to share one internet plan. Consider purchasing a single internet plan that covers multiple devices, rather than purchasing separate plans for those in your stateroom.
If you do not need to cover multiple devices simultaneously, you can also save money by sharing an internet package. To share one internet package, once you log into a device, you will be automatically logged out of the device previously using the package. This requires some coordination, but you will only need to pay for one plan that covers one device.
Don’t Overdo It on Souvenirs
Shipboard stores offer a wide range of options, from low-cost souvenirs to high-end jewelry. Since your cruise ID card is also your charge card, it is easy to purchase items anywhere on the ship. Keep in mind that every swipe you make will add up, and you can easily end up with a large bill at the end of your cruise.
Keep track of your purchases by reviewing your account on the cruise line’s mobile app. Set a souvenir budget and stick to it to avoid making large purchases during your cruise.
Touristy ports can also get pricey. Many local stores increase their prices when cruise ships dock in town. To keep costs down, shop in local markets instead of souvenir shops. You will find more authentic and cheaper items to purchase.
Use Onboard Credit For Purchases
Many stateroom upgrades or deals include onboard credit. Onboard credit is a great way to reduce costs on a cruise. It can be used on almost anything, and it is a great way to enhance your cruise vacation.
Use onboard credit to cover things such as excursions, drinks, onboard purchases, or gratuities. With onboard credit, you can add many amenities to your cruise vacation without actually having to pay for them yourself.
Skip the Photo Packages
It is a good idea to arrive photo-ready for your cruise vacation. You will have many opportunities to take photographs as you board your cruise ship, while you are sailing, and at every port. Ship photographers tend to snap away just about every day during a cruise. The pictures usually turn out great and make fantastic souvenirs.
However, cruise pictures come at a premium. You could end up with many photographs to choose from. The photo packages are often expensive, costing hundreds of dollars. You could easily end up with more photographs than you need or will actually hang up once you get home.
To save money, snap your own photos with your phone or camera. You can also save money by avoiding the photographer and telling them, “No, thank you.” Sometimes it is best to avoid temptation.
Bring Essentials With You
Things like toiletries, snacks, sunscreen, medicine, seasickness patches, water shoes, or even snorkel equipment can be triple the price onboard. Create an essential packing list before leaving for your cruise vacation. This will help you pack smart and avoid forgetting any necessary items.
Bring all essential items that you will need for your cruise from home. Avoiding a trip to the onboard convenience store to purchase any items you’ve forgotten will save you a significant amount of money.
Sign Up for Loyalty Programs
Major cruise lines reward repeat cruisers with perks such as discounts, priority boarding, and complimentary amenities. If you plan to travel with a cruise line more than once, it’s a good idea to join their loyalty program.
Loyalty programs pay off in the long run, especially when they offer discounts for future sailings. Some of the discounts come in the form of reduced cost for the sailing, onboard credit, and free stateroom upgrades. Loyalty programs are a great way to save on future cruises.
Use a Credit Card with Travel Perks
Some credit cards offer cashback, travel insurance, or points you can redeem toward cruises. You can use credit cards for general travel or credit cards that are sponsored by a specific cruise line. Be cautious of increased interest rates and look for a travel rewards credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, as well.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
Cruises offer a variety of free entertainment, including shows, trivia, games, poolside contests, movies, and more. Skip the pricey Bingo games and take advantage of all the activities that are included with your cruise.
Skip the Casino
One of the easiest ways to spend a lot of money on a cruise is to visit the casino. When you play the slots or at tables, you will use your Medallion, Sail and Sign Card, or Seapass card, depending on which cruise line you are sailing with. Your card is tied to your stateroom account and allows you to make purchases. Having the ability to use your card in the casino makes it much easier to spend more than you intend.
While spending time in the casino may lead to receiving casino offers for future cruises, this usually comes at a cost. Like many Vegas-style casinos, the offers you receive are tied to the amount of gambling you do onboard. If you want to save money on your cruise, skip the pricey casino altogether.
Enjoy Free Drinks at Onboard Events
Cruise ships often host various events that offer complimentary drinks to participants. These events include art auctions and special sales events at the onboard shops. Some of the store events we have attended include duty-free sales featuring liquor tasting and complimentary champagne events at the Effy shop. As mentioned previously, most art auctions include free champagne.
Eat Meals On Board Your Cruise Ship During Port Days
One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to take advantage of the amenities included with your cruise. This includes eating your meals on board the ship, even on a port day. Meals are always available on board, even while the ship is in port.
If you are on an extended shore excursion, this might be difficult to do. However, if you are on a shorter excursion, you should take advantage of this opportunity.
If your ship is docked at a pier, getting on and off the ship is relatively easy. You can get back on the ship, enjoy lunch, and then leave the ship to spend more time exploring your port stop. If you have to take a tender, getting back on the ship might take a few minutes more. It is still worth the effort to have lunch on the ship and save money.
Book Your Next Cruise During Your Current Sailing
Cruise lines offer discounts and special promotions if you book your next cruise vacation during your current cruise vacation. Many cruise lines have a sales desk with agents available that will help you book your next cruise. Booking during your current cruise comes with discount offers, special promotions, reduced deposit amounts, and/or onboard credit. You can make an appointment at the cruise ship’s sales desk to take advantage of their offers and special promotions and save on your next cruise vacation.
Consider Purchasing Duty-Free Items
Cruise lines offer a variety of items for sale at their onboard stores. If you are in the market for a particular item, and it is available for purchase on board your cruise ship, you will be able to purchase the item duty-free. While the goal is to save money during your cruise vacation, it is not a bad idea to save money on specific items that you intend to purchase anyway. On a recent cruise, I was able to upgrade my old GoPro to the most recent model at a duty-free price. This is a purchase that I was planning on making in the near future. Discovering the new model available for purchase onboard was a coincidence. Making the purchase onboard the ship was worth the tax savings.
If you make purchases onboard, ensure you stay within your duty-free allowance.
Do Your Own Laundry While Onboard Your Cruise
Some cruise lines have launderettes available, allowing you to do laundry during your cruise. While this may seem like an odd thing to do, you might find yourself in the position of needing to do laundry on your cruise vacation. You can refresh clothes you brought on your trip or wash bathing suits after a long day at the beach. Personal launderettes can come in handy during your trip.
If you are on a cruise ship with personal launderettes, you can save money by doing your laundry. The cost can range from $3 to $4 per load. If you need to iron clothes, some cruise ships have self-service ironing rooms at no charge.
Take Advantage of Laundry Packages if Available
Most cruise lines offer laundry services to their passengers. Laundry services can get expensive as the service is priced by the article of clothing that needs to be laundered and ironed. However, some cruise lines offer laundry packages at reduced prices. Most of the packages include filling a bag with clothes at a reduced price. You can save money by taking advantage of these specially priced packages.
Please note that some packages are wash-and-fold packages that do not include pressing of clothes. You might need to visit the ironing room or pay separately to have your clothes pressed if needed.
Final Thoughts on Saving Money on a Cruise
You can easily design a cruise that is perfect for you. Whether you decide to go on a long cruise or a short cruise, your cruise vacation does not have to be expensive and break the bank. By using some of our cruise tips and tricks, saving money on a cruise is entirely possible and not difficult at all. All it takes is a little planning and implementing or remembering a few of our savvy saving tips. You will find that it is easy to enjoy all the perks of a cruise without blowing your budget. Bon voyage, happy cruising, and happy saving!
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