Cruising by: Tips for saving money on cruise vacations
Asher Notheis
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Most people don’t just cruise financially through life; here’s how to avoid breaking the bank when paying for a cruise vacation.
With spring break season well underway, people across the country are looking to catch a break and some sun aboard a cruise ship sometime over the next few months. Considering the typically high costs of such a vacation, a spring breaker ought to take some steps in order to save money on their trip, according to CNN.
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Here are some ways to save on cruise vacations:
1. Be flexible on when and where you travel
Being flexible on location and time of year for a trip can yield cheaper prices compared to higher-demand cruises. It can be helpful to wait until the fall or winter months to take a trip.
2. Compare different cruise offers
Comparing different offers from a variety of cruise lines is key to saving money. Some less popular cruise lines may offer deals that major ones don’t — those deals can include free Wi-Fi and deals on drinks.
“While base-bottom fares can be quite attractive, it might not always bring the highest value,” said Chris Gray Faust, the executive editor of the cruise review website Cruise Critic.
“Instead, it’s important to factor in added costs that might be associated with your cruise. Things like specialty dining, shore excursions, and even beverages that come with an added cost.”
3. Book a cruise with free extras
Vacationers should also check for cruises that include added perks, such as MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises. Both of these cruise lines offer regular fares and special packages.
4. Check for deals for children
Some cruise lines offer deals for families traveling together. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, has a promotion allowing third and fourth guests, including children, to cruise for free on eligible itineraries.
Another line, Holland America, is allowing children 18 and younger to cruise for free on select cruises through 2024. MSC Cruises, a budget-friendly option for families, offers passengers 18 and younger to ride for free on eligible itineraries.
5. Check for cruise loyalty programs
Cruise line loyalty programs can save a cruise passenger a lot of money upfront, especially if the member of the program cruises often. All members of the MSC Cruises Voyagers Club, for example, get 5% off any cruise they book, aside from MSC Grant Tours and Tandem. Members can also partake in another 5% discount on eligible voyages booked at least six to nine months in advance.
6. Pay for cruise trips with credit card rewards
Some credit cards will offer sign-up bonuses when a person signs up for a new card and spends a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening their account. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, offers 60,000 bonus points to new adopters after they spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of opening an account.
7. Use travel rewards for pre- and post-cruise hotels
Similar to the previous tip, one can use rewards accumulated over time to save money on an upcoming trip. A person can use their Delta Air Lines SkyMiles to book flights to the airport closest to their cruise port. People can also use their World of Hyatt points to book a hotel without any additional cost.
8. Use a travel agent to book your cruise
Cruise lines work closely with travel agencies, allowing them to sell cruises lower than what is advertised. Additionally, agents can add in extra benefits when booking a cruise, such as onboard credits, free ship gratuities, and room upgrades.
9. Do not overspend on the cabin you stay in
Interior cabins, which do not have a view of the ocean, can cost half the price of balcony cabins on the exterior of a ship.
Cruisers should know that some cruise lines will let passengers bid on an upgrade after booking a cruise. This can sometimes lead to getting a nicer room for less than what the initial asking price is online.
10. Sail on an “older” ship
Ships that are just a few years old tend to be less expensive than the latest cruise ships being offered, and they still have many of the same features like onboard waterparks and arcades.
11. Lock in your cruise early
Booking cruises as early as possible can save money in the long run. Cruises usually allow passengers to make a payment three years in advance.
12. Drive to your cruise port
Driving to cruise departure locations can also save money, Gray Faust says.
“With many cruise fares starting at under $60 per night, the value of a drive-to cruise cannot be understated,” Gray Faust says. “The fare includes accommodations, meals, and entertainment onboard, plus transportation to each port city along the itinerary. You simply couldn’t match that value by traveling to the same region on a land-based vacation.”
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13. Check warehouse travel deals
Many warehouse shopping brands, such as Sam’s Club and Costco, can offer travel deals. Costco Executive members earn 2% back in rewards on all their Costco spending, which includes purchases made through Costco Travel. By using this membership, spenders can save $100 for every $5,000 spent on cruises and other travels.