Cruises are one of the best ways to spend your vacation, but they often come at a high price. Still, if you know a few secrets, you won’t have to pay a lot to enjoy a trip to your favorite exotic location. Use the tips below to get a great deal on the cruise you’ve been looking for.
There are several different ways you can save when you’re booking. Any of these options will save you money on your overall cruise costs.
1. First, you can save money by booking your cruise several months in advance. Most cruise lines offer an “early booking discount.” You can get these discounts by contacting a cruise line six to nine months before you plan to leave. This can also help save your budget because you will have several months to pay off your account balance. Instead of paying a lump sum for your cruise, you can make small installment payments.
2. You can also save money on a cruise by booking a last-minute cruise. Cruise ships don’t want to leave port with empty rooms. They will give great bargains to fill those rooms. The closer to the departure date, the better the price. If you choose your date, start looking a few weeks before the trip. With this method, however, you will be limited in your choice of cabin. You’ll have to take what you can get.
3. Another cheap booking method is to take a one-way cruise. These are offered when a cruise ship changes port cities for the season. You can take the cruise to your new destination and then fly back home when you’re done visiting there. Call your favorite cruise line and see if they offer “repositioning cruises.” They can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and have unique itineraries with many days at sea.
4. You can save even more money by traveling in a group. Group cruise packages are usually less per person than the costs if you are traveling alone or as a couple. If you can get a group of eight to twelve people together, you can sometimes get a free room. Divide the costs among the entire group and everyone can save.
5. There are off-season periods for all popular cruise destinations. Don’t try to travel during the busiest times of the year. From the beginning of May to the end of September is low season for Alaska cruises. European cruises are cheaper before and after the summer. Caribbean cruises have the best prices during the month of January. Do some research on popular travel times, and then plan your trip for a low season.
6. Don’t be afraid to consult with a travel agent. Although there is some belief that travel agents have more expensive rates, a qualified travel agent can find a good deal for you based on your budget. They can be especially useful if you go in a group. Instead of trying to organize the arrangements yourself, you can simply let a travel agent do it for you.
