Cruise smarter, not pricier: How to save big on your next ocean voyage!

Cruising can be a really nice bang for your buck: after all, your lodging, food, and onboard activities are all included. But if you’re looking to save money on cruising, I have some tips on all the things. Read on to find out how to save on booking, onboard spending, and excursions, plus some additional great tips at the end! Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or you’ve been on many, you might just pick up a few strategies that you didn’t know previously—or maybe it’ll just solidify what you already suspected!

Booking

Book Early: Booking early secures the lowest prices and best cabin choices, and if a better sale comes along, I can get it for you. Occasionally, last-minute deals can offer significant discounts if you're flexible with dates and destinations. But don’t count on the last-minute deals because cruises are selling out more and more often!

Travel During Off-Peak Times: Cruises during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or less popular weeks (for example, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, rather than over Thanksgiving or Christmas) are typically cheaper.

Choose an Inside Cabin or Older Ship: Inside cabins are the most affordable. Older ships, which are well-maintained and often refurbished, also tend to have lower fares.

Loyalty Programs or Casino Play: Frequent cruisers can benefit from loyalty discounts. Casino players may receive discounted or complimentary offers.

Use Travel Credit Cards: Cards with travel rewards can help offset costs. Some cards offer points for bookings, onboard credits, or perks like free Wi-Fi.

Onboard Savings

Pre-Purchase Onboard Packages: Buy drink, Wi-Fi, or dining packages before your cruise to save up to 40% compared to onboard prices. Once your cruise is booked, watch for the sales on things you’ll want onboard.

Don’t Purchase the Drink Package: I know this is completely opposite of what I just recommended, but please be sure to do the math before automatically signing up for that drink package. If you’re a big soda or alcohol drinker, then the package definitely makes sense. But if you know you’ll just want a few drinks per day, it might be less expensive to pay the per-drink fee onboard.

Airplane mode: Airplane mode might be the best option...or it may not! Some people have racked up huge mobile roaming fees on a cruise because they didn’t do that simple step. Onboard options have changed recently, so read on for more info...

Wi-Fi Latest: AT&T and Verizon both have plans so that the ship becomes an extension of your mobile carrier. The most you’ll pay is $20/day. With Verizon, you have to opt in, and you get unlimited data, calls & texts, with varying speeds). With AT&T, the International Day Pass Plan is automatically triggered when your phone connects to the at-sea service in international waters; you get 500MB of high-speed data per day, unlimited talk and texting, as well as in-port coverage. T-Mobile doesn’t have a similar plan, so beware of exorbitant costs by not putting your phone in airplane mode. Also, if you want to download movies and/or music, you’re better off using the ship’s WiFi plan.

Take Advantage of First-Day and Mid-Cruise Discounts: Spas and specialty restaurants often offer discounts on embarkation day or during the cruise to fill open slots.

Look for Freebies and Happy Hour Deals: Attend events like art auctions for complimentary drinks or check the daily schedule for happy hour specials on beverages.

Skip Souvenir Glasses: Opt for standard drinks instead of pricier ones served in souvenir glasses.

Skip the Art Auction: Although art auctions onboard are fun and showcase some amazing works and artists, the pieces are often marked up to a higher rate than they would sell for on land.

Excursions and Port Activities

Book Shore Excursions Independently: Cruise-line excursions are often marked up. Booking directly with local providers can save money while offering a more personalized experience. Unless the cruise line is the only place you can find that specific excursion, I recommend looking around—and I’m happy to help hook you up with excursion choices! (Tip: I DON’T mark anything up—I just pass on the savings to you!)

Explore Ports on Your Own: Save money by walking, using public transportation, or arranging your own activities instead of joining organized tours. You don’t have to book an excursion in every port to have a good time!

Opt for Basic Beach Breaks: Choose less inclusive packages that only cover entrance fees rather than bundled options with food and drinks if you don’t plan to use all the amenities. But if you look at the excursion and feel like the included drinks or meals add value, be sure to book those!

Additional Tips

Use Future Cruise Programs: If you plan to cruise again, book your next trip while onboard to secure discounts or onboard credits for future sailings. Usually you don’t even have to know your specific cruise or dates. All you have to do is pay a deposit toward a future cruise, in order to secure your spot and enjoy the savings.

Drive to the Port: Avoid airfare by choosing a cruise departing from a port within driving distance of your home.

Price Drops: Like I mentioned when I was talking about booking early, I can get you a better price if the cruise line offers a sale after you pay the deposit, and before final payment.

Arrive before your cruise departs: Be VERY aware of the boarding time for your cruise and don’t assume that just because the schedule says your ship is departing in the late afternoon, that you can wait to board. Cruise ships often lock their doors about two hours prior to sailing. Your ship won’t wait for you if you don’t make it!

The biggest pro tip I can give you is to use ME to book your next cruise! Whether you’re a first-time cruiser, or a many-time cruiser, I can help you! I can combine your past-cruise benefits and future-cruise deposits with my insider ability to check for my added savings. I’ll always give you the best pointers and tips to make the most of your next cruise vacation.