How to save money on a cruise without missing out

How can you save money on a cruise?

Start with the big decisions, because they matter far more than coupons. When you sail, where you sail from and what cabin you pick account for most of what you’ll spend. A September Caribbean cruise from a port you can drive to, in an inside cabin, can cost a fraction of the same ship at Christmas with flights and a balcony.

Then control the extras. Most overspending on cruises happens on board, in small charges that feel trivial until the final bill arrives. A clear plan for drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and excursions, made before you sail, keeps the vacation affordable without feeling stingy.

Choose cheaper dates and itineraries

Flexible dates are worth more than any promotion. Fares are usually lowest when children are in school and the weather is less predictable, such as early December, January after the holidays, and late summer into fall in the Caribbean. In Alaska and Europe, the first and last months of the season cost less than midsummer.

• Repositioning cruises, such as transatlantic crossings or Panama Canal voyages, often cost little per night, though they’re usually one-way.
• Longer cruises often cost less per night than three- or four-night getaways.
• Older ships on the same line usually cost less than the newest flagship, with the same core food and service.
• Sailing midweek or on less popular departure days can be cheaper than weekend sailings from the same port.

Pick your cabin strategically

Cabin choice is the easiest place to save if you’ll spend most of your time out and about. Inside cabins are the cheapest on any ship and the darkest for sleeping. Oceanview cabins add natural light for a modest premium, and some ships sell cabins with partly obstructed views at a discount.

Guarantee fares can save money too: you choose a category, such as balcony, and the line assigns the actual cabin later, sometimes with an upgrade. The trade-off is giving up control over location. Save your balcony splurge for scenic routes like Alaska, Norway or the Mediterranean, and consider skipping it on port-heavy Caribbean itineraries where you’re ashore most days.

Filling a cabin also helps. Third and fourth guests sharing a cabin usually pay much less than the first two, which makes family cruising more affordable than booking separate cabins.

Discounts you may qualify for

Many lines offer special rates that aren’t always obvious in a general search. Ask about these, or look for them in your line’s offers section, and check whether they can be combined with current promotions.

• Past-guest and loyalty rates, plus perks that increase with each cruise.
• Senior rates, often for guests 55 and older, on some lines.
• Military, veteran and first-responder rates on several lines.
• Resident rates for people living in certain states or provinces, often near the departure port.
• Group rates when you book several cabins together for a reunion or celebration.
• Periodic promotions such as reduced fares for third and fourth guests or kids sailing at a discount.

Book smart and keep checking the price

Book during promotions such as wave season from January to March or Black Friday sales, and compare the total value of the perks on offer rather than the headline fare alone. A deal that includes Wi-Fi or onboard credit you’d use anyway is worth more than a slightly lower fare without them.

After you book, keep watching. If the fare for your cabin category drops before final payment, many lines will reprice your booking or give you onboard credit. Also look out for pre-cruise sales on drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and excursions in your cruise planner, which are often cheaper than buying the same things on board.

Save on getting to the port

Flights can cost as much as the cruise for a family, so look first at ports within driving distance. Major drive-to ports include Galveston, New Orleans, Baltimore, New York and New Jersey, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego.

If you drive, compare the cruise port’s own garages with off-site lots that run shuttles, which are often cheaper. Park-and-cruise hotel packages, which bundle a night’s stay with parking for the week, can work out well for a pre-cruise night. If you fly, book early and arrive the day before rather than gambling on a same-day flight.

Spend less on board

Onboard spending is where budgets slip. Ships are cashless, so set a daily limit and check your account in the app every day or two. Decide in advance which extras matter most and skip the rest.

• Only buy a drinks package if the math works for your habits; otherwise use happy hours and your wine allowance.
• Choose one special specialty dinner instead of a multi-night package if the included restaurants suit you.
• Bring sunscreen, medications and toiletries from home; they cost far more on board.
• Carry a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
• Look for spa specials on port days, when treatment rooms are quieter.
• Buy photos selectively, or take your own.
• Avoid using the casino as a cash machine; charges and fees add up quickly.

Save on port days without missing the best experiences

Shore excursions can double a cruise budget, but plenty of great port days cost little. Walk into town, take a taxi to a public beach, or use local buses where they’re easy and safe. Families can often hire a private van tour and split the cost, which can beat buying several seats on a ship tour.

Pay up where it counts. Long transfers to far-off sights, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a glacier helicopter flight or swimming with stingrays, are worth the money. Save on easy beach days and walkable towns instead.

Where not to cut corners

Some savings cost more than they’re worth. Skipping travel insurance can leave you exposed to large medical or cancellation bills. Flying in on sailing day to save a hotel night risks missing the ship. Booking the cheapest cabin under a nightclub or above the anchor may ruin your sleep for a week.

Think about what would make the trip memorable for you, then protect that while trimming elsewhere. A great cruise on a budget is usually one where a few chosen splurges stand out against a lot of free enjoyment.

Frequently asked questions