10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Next Cruise

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1. Book Your Cruise During The Big Wave Season Sales

Okay babe, cruise lines drop some of their best deals during Wave Season, which usually runs from January through March.

Booking during that window can score you lower fares, bonus perks, or onboard credit without changing your ship at all.

Here is how you make Wave Season work for you:

• January Search Start: Begin checking cruise prices in early January to catch launch deals.
• Compare Perks: Look at added perks like onboard credit instead of just the base fare.
• Book With Deposit: Lock in the lower rate with a deposit before the sale ends.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Mark your calendar for January, search your exact cruise during Wave Season, and compare perks before placing your deposit.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using Cruise Critic’s deal tracker to spot Wave Season promotions faster.

2. Choose An Interior Cabin Instead Of A Balcony

Balcony cabins look dreamy in photos, but interior cabins often cost hundreds less.

If you mostly sleep and shower in your room, that window view might not be worth the extra $600.

Keep it practical, girl:

• Interior Price Check: Compare the exact same sailing with an interior cabin first.
• Dollar Difference: Calculate the total savings between balcony and interior.
• Spend Shift: Use the savings for excursions or family fun onboard.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Select an interior cabin in the booking tool first and check the full cruise total before upgrading.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using Royal Caribbean’s cabin comparison page to see pricing side by side.

3. Sail In Late August Or Early September

End of summer sailings often drop in price once school starts.

Choosing late August or early September can lower your fare without changing the ship or itinerary much.

Timing makes a big difference here:

• School Week Travel: Look at sailings after local schools reopen.
• Hurricane Season Check: Review weather patterns before booking.
• Fare Comparison: Compare July pricing against late August totals.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Search your cruise in late August or early September dates and compare the total against peak summer weeks.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using Vacations To Go’s 90 Day Ticker to compare seasonal cruise prices.

4. Check The Price Again Before Your Final Payment

Cruise prices can drop before your final payment date.

Rechecking the fare before that deadline gives you a chance to adjust and pay less.

Ever wondered how many people forget this step?

• Final Payment Reminder: Set a reminder 2 weeks before final payment is due.
• Same Cabin Search: Check the exact cabin category again.
• Call To Adjust: Contact the cruise line if the price drops.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Set a reminder 2 weeks before final payment and search your exact sailing again to compare totals.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using Google Calendar alerts labeled “Cruise Price Check.”

5. Skip The Drink Package If You Drink Light

Drink packages can look tempting, but they only make sense if you truly drink a lot.

If you enjoy one cocktail and maybe a soda, paying per drink usually costs less overall.

Let’s keep it real, bestie:

• Daily Drink Math: Estimate how many drinks you will have per day.
• Per Drink Price: Multiply the average drink cost by your daily estimate.
• Package Compare: Compare that total to the daily package price.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Count how many drinks you realistically have in one day and multiply by the ship’s menu price before buying a package.

How I Made It Easy: Consider checking the cruise line’s sample drink menu online before sailing.

6. Bring Your Own Allowed Wine On Boarding Day

Most cruise lines allow you to bring one bottle of wine per adult.

Bringing your own wine can save you from buying multiple $50 bottles onboard.

Small rule, big savings:

• Policy Check: Review your cruise line’s alcohol policy before packing.
• Boarding Day Pack: Place allowed wine in your carry on bag.
• Corkage Review: Confirm corkage fees if you plan to drink in dining rooms.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Check your cruise line’s wine policy online and pack your allowed bottle in your carry on before boarding.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using a padded wine travel sleeve to protect your bottle.

7. Book Shore Excursions Outside The Cruise Line

Cruise line excursions often cost more than local tour providers.

Booking directly with a reputable local company can lower your cost per person.

Just make sure timing works:

• Port Research: Look up top rated local tour companies in your cruise port.
• Return Time Check: Confirm the excursion returns well before ship departure.
• Price Compare: Compare per person cost against cruise line pricing.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Search your cruise port online, compare excursion prices, and confirm return times before booking independently.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using Viator to compare local shore excursion prices easily.

8. Drive To The Port If It Is Close

Flights can add hundreds to your cruise budget.

Driving to the port keeps your travel costs lower and gives you more flexibility.

Road trip vibes, anyone?

• Distance Check: Calculate driving distance from your home to the port.
• Gas Estimate: Estimate fuel cost versus round trip flights.
• Parking Compare: Compare cruise port parking rates before arrival.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Map the drive to your cruise port and compare fuel plus parking cost against flight prices before deciding.

How I Made It Easy: Consider using GasBuddy to estimate fuel costs for your route.

9. Share A Cabin With Family To Split The Cost

Cruise cabins usually fit up to 4 people.

Sharing one cabin spreads the cost across more people and lowers your per person price.

Family teamwork for the win:

• Capacity Check: Confirm the maximum number allowed in your cabin type.
• Per Person Math: Divide the total cruise fare by each guest.
• Room Layout Review: Look at cabin layout photos before booking.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Divide the total cruise cost by 3 or 4 people to see how much each person would pay before booking separate rooms.

How I Made It Easy: Consider checking the ship’s deck plans online to review cabin layouts clearly.

10. Watch For Free Onboard Credit Offers Before Booking

Onboard credit works like free spending money for your cruise.

Booking during a promo that includes onboard credit lowers your out of pocket expenses for dining or excursions.

It feels like a bonus gift, right?

• Promo Banner Check: Look for onboard credit offers on the cruise homepage.
• Agent Comparison: Ask if a travel agent includes extra credit.
• Credit Use Plan: Plan to use credit for tips, dining, or activities.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Search your cruise during a promo period and compare offers that include onboard credit before placing your deposit.

How I Made It Easy: Consider checking Costco Travel cruise deals for extra onboard credit perks.

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