10 Ways to Save on a Cruise

By Brooke Franco

Ways to save on your next cruise. - *Photo by Canva*

So you’re ready to plan a cruise? Fantastic - you’ve come to the right place! Before you book, there are many things to keep in mind to ensure you get the absolute best price. Cruise prices tend to fluctuate, and what you see listed as a fare one day may differ or change the next. Several elements like location, timing, and onboard options to keep in mind when booking will affect the price of your sailing. If you do just a little homework upfront, you can save hundreds (or even thousands) on your cruise.

Following are ten ways to save big on your next cruise vacation.

1. Deals Searching Galore!

Cruiseline.com is the ULTIMATE resource for cruise deals on sailings from all cruise lines. We track the prices for thousands of cruises and provide a one-stop destination for travelers to view deals in one location. When the price of a cruise drops or is below its average historical price, we list it - so you know you’re getting the best deal on the market.

Want to check out our deals for yourself?

See offers from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, or deals from all cruise lines.

Do you know exactly where you want to go but not sure which line? Explore Caribbean deals, Alaska deals, Europe deals, Mexico deals, or deals from regions worldwide.

2. Price Alerts

Cruise prices tend to fluctuate over time based on demand and many other factors. Price Alerts are a free tool for one or multiple sailings. Sign up to receive an email whenever the cruise fare drops on your selected sailing(s).

One of the best benefits of signing up for a Price Alert is that they can be used to get money back, even if you’ve already booked! If you get a Price Alert that your cruise fare has gone down (and it is less than your original fare), you may be eligible to receive the difference back in fare or use the price difference to upgrade to a higher category stateroom. Simply contact the booking source to alert them of the fare drop. We recommend working with a travel advisor when booking, or you can contact the cruise line directly.

Learn more: How to Save Hundreds on Your Next Cruise (Even If You Already Booked)

3. Sail at the 'Right' Time

Depending on factors like weather, school and holiday schedules, and other considerations, certain times of the year are more/less popular for cruising in various regions. These less booked times of the year are what we call that destination’s ‘shoulder season’.

Typically, shoulder seasons for cruising are in the late summer/fall months in the Caribbean, early spring and late fall for European river and ocean cruising, and the months of May and September in Alaska. Just because this time of year is less popular doesn’t mean you should avoid considering cruising in the area. You are likely to find less expensive fares during these periods. As a bonus, you may find fewer guests on the ship, meaning you can experience all it offers without huge crowds!

Remember, these are slow or “off-peak” seasons for a reason. We recommend that you research your itinerary and the temperatures/weather factors when making your travel plans, as they could affect the cruise.

Also, if you want to score a good deal, consider these two periods - the two weeks right after the Thanksgiving holiday and the first and second weeks of January. These sailings are typically the four least cruised weeks for all cruise lines throughout the year. If you choose to sail during this time, you can likely get a great deal on your cruise.

Read Related: 9 Steps to Book a Cruise Like a Pro

4. Check Out Last Minute Cruises

Sometimes, waiting until the last minute to make travel plans can be a good thing! This is true when it comes to cruise bookings. ‘Last Minute’ in the cruise world typically means three months (90 days) before the cruise’s departure date. During this time, cruise lines heavily discount unsold cabins. You will find cabins at great rates and substantial savings. If you have a flexible schedule to take time off and leave home on short notice, a last-minute cruise is a great way to score a considerable discount.

Check out Top 10 Last Minute Cruise Deals

5. Research the Line's Included Offerings

To get passengers onboard, cruise lines may offer extra amenities at the time of booking such as drink packages, cabin upgrades, excursion credits, specialty dining, and even airfares. When booking your cruise, we recommend checking out all the inclusions offered by your line when calculating the overall price. Sometimes the upfront price is low, but when you add up all the extras spent onboard, you may be better off choosing a more inclusive line.

One of the great offers currently available on the market is Norwegian Cruise Line’s ‘Free at Sea’ deal. The cruise pricing includes unlimited premium drinks, wi-fi, excursions/specialty dining credits, and select airfare discounts. This promotion includes a free second guest and discounts on third/fourth guests in the same cabin. This is just one of the many examples of included cruise fare deals. You will find similar offerings on a number of other lines.

Do your homework on cruise line offers when booking, and you can save big! If you don’t have the time to research or are not sure where to start, call a local travel advisor for assistance.

Read Related: Special Offers Every Cruiser Should Know About

6. Sail from Certain Ports

Certain cruise ports are more expensive to sail from than others. This is due to the added associated costs of traveling in that city or the sheer number of ships that sail from the destination. Select ports (like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Galveston) may offer great deals because many ships and cruise lines set sail from the location. If you live within driving distance of a cruise port, consider yourself lucky! You will have a lower overall cost as you won’t need hotel stays and airport transfers added to your overall vacation cost. Remember that most ports charge for parking, which is minimal compared to airfare.

Check Out 16 Can’t-Miss Deals on Cruises from Florida

7. Work with a Travel Advisor

Travel advisors are a great resource to use to ensure you get the best price on your cruise. They have access to all the deals and insights about promotions offered by the cruise line and can sometimes provide additional savings or extra perks such as an onboard spending credit. An agent’s knowledge of various lines and ships can help give a better insight into what to expect onboard and ways to save on your cruise. A good agent is the best source for a great deal.

Read Related: Don’t Get Stranded, Use a Travel Agent

8. Check for Resident Discounts

If you live in the United States, you may be eligible for extra discounts depending on your state of residence. This differs by the cruise line, where you are sailing to, and sometimes the port of departure. When you are booking, you will likely be prompted to enter your state of residence - don’t skip this step; it can save you big!

Use our tools to make your cruise planning easier with Find a Cruise!

9. Do Your Homework When Selecting a Cabin

The type of cabin you select will heavily influence the price of your cruise fare. If you pick a suite or premium offering, you’ll pay more. You will pay a lot less if you go for an interior or smaller room.

The location of the cabin on the ship can also impact the price. By selecting a cabin closer to the front/back of the ship or near certain public areas, you can sometimes get a discounted room compared to other cabins of the same type that are mid-ship.

Cruise lines often offer a category guarantee, which can be quite a savings over picking a specific category and cabin. For example, a balcony guarantee means the cruise line will assign you a balcony cabin (or higher) in exchange for a deeply discounted rate. The downside is that you may not have a cabin assignment until you reach the pier, but considering the savings, it may be worth it.

When making travel plans, be sure to examine the ship deck plans and read reviews on Cruiseline.com from other sailors who have previously sailed on your ship. You will get a better idea of what your cabin will be like before you step on board.

Read Cruise Ship Reviews

10. Sign Up for Deals

Cruiseline.com offers amazing FREE deals email highlighting some of the best cruise deals on the market. When you sign up, you will receive our weekly deals email and select offers from our cruise partners. These emails feature top deal pricing on cruises from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America, Oceania, Cunard, Norwegian, and more.

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