Shopping for the Best Deals on Cheap Cruises

Shopping for the Best Deals on Cheap Cruises

In 2018, 28.2 million people set sail on cruise vacations. If you plan to join those ranks, finding cheap cruises makes the trip more affordable.

Booking your dream cruise at a discounted rate takes some work. You need to know when you book the trip and how to find discount options. Doing that legwork can help you save significantly to make the trip fit your budget and to give you more spending money.

Keep these tips in mind to find the best deals on your next cruise. 

Sign Up for Alerts

Head to the websites of your favorite cruise lines to sign up for email alerts. Most companies offer email newsletters to send out updates and upcoming sales. Keep an eye on those emails to get a feel for what type of discounts and deals each cruise line offers.

You can also sign up for emails from travel discount sites. They frequently send notifications on books specials, and you can often sign up for specific emails that focus on certain types of vacations or itineraries.

Book Early for Popular Itineraries

Have a specific cruise in mind? Whether you plan to head to Alaska in the summer or celebrate Christmas on a cruise ship, those popular travel times book quickly.

If you wait to book those popular itineraries, you'll likely have a poor choice of cabins left. Prices are also likely to increase instead of decrease as the cruise gets closer because of limited availability.

If you have your heart set on a busy cruise time, look for early-bird specials. You might snag a free upgrade or credits to use on the ship, which can make the trip a better value. 

Find Cheap Cruises Last Minute

If your schedule and itinerary preferences are more flexible, you may have better luck waiting to book your cruise. Itineraries that are difficult to fill often drop rates, typically around 90 days before the cruise.

You won't have as much selection in your accommodations or dinner reservations if you wait. You may also find the airfare is higher when you wait. 

Travel in the Shoulder Seasons

Shoulder seasons refer to the times just outside of peak travel. You can often still enjoy the good weather of the primary travel season, but you'll often find the rates are lower since fewer people travel at that time.

The shoulder seasons depend on your destination. For an Alaskan cruise, May and September departures are considered shoulder season cruises because they're just outside the prime June through August sailings. Rediscover the Caribbean with a Bahamas cruise during a cheaper fall cruise, but be prepared for port changes due to hurricane season.

Keep Watching Fares

Don't stop monitoring the cruise costs once you book. Some cruise lines will give you the difference in fares if the costs drop after you book. If they don't offer it automatically, call the cruise line to ask.

Another option is to cancel and rebook your cruise at the lower rate. Check on cancellation fees before you go with this option. If you cancel early enough, you may not face any fees, but closer to the date, you may be charged. 

In some cases, even with the cancellation fee, you may save money. Do the math to see how much you'll save factoring in the cancellation fee to see if it's a good option.

Master Cruise Savings

Knowing when to book can help you find cheap cruises that fit your schedule and itinerary preferences. Your cruise savings gives you more money to spend on excursions at your ports of call. Check out more of our articles to learn more about the retail world.