13 Best Ways to Save Money on a Cruise
The best ways to save money on a cruise include booking 6 to 12 months in advance or within the last-minute window, choosing an inside or guaranteed cabin, traveling during shoulder season, sticking to free onboard dining, and avoiding cruise line excursions and Wi-Fi plans. Combining several of these strategies can cut hundreds of dollars off a typical cruise budget.
A 7-day cruise on mainstream cruise lines generally runs $500 to $2,500 per person, while luxury cruises can exceed $10,000 depending on occupancy. Ticket prices alone range from $700 to $4,000 per person, and that’s before extras like specialty dining, shore excursions, and onboard activities. This guide walks through 13 practical ways to save at every stage of your cruise, from booking to the final port stop.
| Pro Tip: Before booking a cruise, read these tips on saving money for a vacation to make your trip budget-friendly. This will allow you to set a realistic budget and increase your savings. |
How to Save Money While Booking a Cruise
1. Book Early or Last Minute
Cruise prices fluctuate based on demand, but if you track the cost, you can often get the best deals by booking early (at least 6 to 12 months in advance). Many cruise lines, including Carnival, offer early saver discounts, onboard credit, and free room upgrades for booking in advance. On the other hand, last-minute bookings (within 2 to 8 weeks before departure) can allow you to get interesting deals as brands try to fill empty cabins. It’s like the clearance sale in department stores.
2. Choose an Inside Cabin or Guarantee Room
While booking your cruise tickets, be cautious about the room you choose, as some come with a high price tag. As our goal is to save money, we suggest you opt for an insider cabin, which is the most budget-friendly option. Another smart way to save on accommodation is to book a “guarantee room. Here, cruise lines like the Royal Caribbean assign you a cabin that suits your chosen category. With this feature, you can opt for a free upgrade if higher-category rooms remain unbooked.
3. Be Strategic with Your Booking Time (Prioritize shoulder-season)
Cruise ticket fares vary depending on the season, so traveling during off-peak or shoulder seasons can help you get significant discounts. You can book a cruise during the following periods:
- January to early February: Demand drops after the holiday rush, leading to lower prices.
- Late spring (April to early June): Various cruise lines offer exciting deals before summer vacation starts.
- September to early December: Cruise fares drop significantly after summer and before the holidays. If you have flexible travel dates, take advantage of these price dips to save money.
If you want to make your travel budget affordable, check out more travel deals to explore during the off-season.
4. Pack Smart to Avoid Extra Charges
Cruise lines often charge hefty prices for daily essentials, such as sunscreen, toiletries, and medications. These are add-on expenses that can hamper the budget. To avoid extra prices, you must bring all essential items, including reusable water bottles and snacks. You can also carry additional batteries and power banks for cameras, smartphones, and laptops to avoid buying them onboard.
5. Look for Loyalty Programs and Discounts
If you cruise regularly or plan to, joining your favorite cruise line’s loyalty program is the best option to save money. Cruise lines, such as Hurtigruten, offer additional discounts and benefits for their members. These benefits include extra discounts, free drinks, priority boarding, and exclusive discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and first responders. You can blend these discounts with other saving tricks to increase your savings.
| Pro Tip: When booking a cruise, you may need to book flights to reach the cruise location. Check out these tips to save money on flights and make your travel budget-friendly. |
How to Save Money on a Cruise
6. Set a Budget for Onboard Spending (and stick to it)
If you are a beginner or regular traveler on cruises, try avoiding impromptu purchases on board, as their prices are high and it can increase your budget. Small extras like spa treatments, specialty coffees, and souvenirs can violate your budget. We recommend you set a budget for onboard spending, such as snacks, drinks, and other activities, and remember to track your spending.
7. Skip Specialty Dining and Try Onboard Freebies
Specialty restaurants on cruises offer gourmet meals but often come with additional fees that can cost you from $20 to $50 per person, eventually adding to your expenses. Many cruise lines, including Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, include free dining options like buffet and casual eateries. Here, you can find a range of high-quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Smart cruisers always stick to free dining and enjoy various meals without extra charges.
8. Bring Your Drinks (If Allowed)
Another way to save on a cruise is by bringing your drinks on board and avoiding purchasing drinks. However, policies vary by cruise line. Here is an overview of the beverage policies of different cruise lines:
- Royal Caribbean: You can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person on the first day of the cruise. Non-alcoholic beverages of up to 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom are also allowed. However, a $15 corkage fee is applied if you consume in public areas. Using Royal Caribbean coupons can help you save during bookings.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Allows you to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult (21+) on the embarkation day. It also charges an additional $15 corkage fee if you consume alcohol in public spaces. To save on cruise packages, apply Carnival promo codes before payment.
- Disney Cruise Line: It allows guests over 21 to bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (not larger than 750 ml) or six beers (not more than 12 oz.) on board at the beginning of the cruise. GrabOn US lists active Disney Cruise Line offers to help with a budget-friendly trip.
- MSC Cruises: Does not permit passengers to bring any alcoholic beverages onboard.
Always verify your cruise line’s alcohol policy before booking to ensure compliance and avoid potential beverage confiscation.
9. Avoid the Cruise Wi-Fi Plans
Besides food and activities, cruise WiFi plans are notoriously expensive and offer slow internet speeds. They often charge per day or by data usage, which can increase your expenses. If you must use the internet, purchase a WiFi pack or social media-only plan before boarding, as prices will increase once you are on board.
Follow the steps below to avoid purchasing cruise WiFi plans:
- Use messaging apps that work offline for communication.
- Download movies, books, and maps before your trip.
- Check if your mobile carrier offers cruise-friendly data plans.
10. Watch Out for Automatic Gratuities and Service Charges
Although we support tipping, it should be up to you, not the cruise line. Most cruise lines add automatic gratuities to your bill, ranging from $14 to $18 per day per person. When tipping, we suggest you adjust the amount at guest services if needed. Other cruise services, such as spa treatments or drinks, also have automatic service fees.
How to avoid these automatic service charges
- Check your final bill for any unexpected charges.
- Adjust gratuities at the start of your cruise if you prefer to tip in cash.
- Be mindful of service fees when making purchases onboard.
| Pro Tip: After enjoying your cruise stay, you should check out some ways to save on hotel stays to enjoy sightseeing when you are at port. |
How to Save Money on the Port?
11. Avoid the Cruise Line’s Excursions
Nearly all cruise lines offer shore excursions, but they can be pricey. To save money, consider booking tours through local operators. You can research before booking or traveling to find a more affordable experience. Try the steps below to avoid cruise line excursions:
- Walking tours: Many cities offer free or inexpensive guided tours for several days or a month.
- Public transportation: Buses, ferries, and trains are much cheaper than private tours. You can even take a tourist pass for a whole day or week.
- DIY exploration: Rent a bike, visit local attractions, or enjoy the beach without the cruise markup.
These alternatives can save you hundreds of dollars on your trip.
12. Skip the Spa and Opt for Port-Day Discounts
Spa treatments are popular on cruises; however, they are often overpriced. Some cruise lines offer additional discounts on port days when the demand is low. For example, Carnival and Holland America offer up to a 20% discount on select spa services booked during port hours. You can avail of these offers to enjoy luxurious treatments at discounted rates.
13. Avoid Eating in Port
We always recommend you try the local cuisine in the port to experience the culture. However, if you are on a budget, try to avoid eating lunch or dinner in port; rather, try the free option on board. If nothing else, you can skip overpriced items and tour the local market or locations for cheap options.
| Pro Tip: When you are out in port for sightseeing, you can check out various travel savings tips to limit your expenses on food, stays, and car rentals. |
Wrapping Up!
Cruising doesn’t have to be expensive; it is all about the experiences and memories. With strategies and minor changes in your spending behavior, you can enjoy the best cruise at a minimal cost. We listed a range of essential saving tips; however, you can research more and try new tricks to save on your cruise trip. Happy cruising!
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to book a cruise?
Booking 6 to 12 months in advance or within the last-minute window (2 to 8 weeks before departure) typically offers the lowest fares. Early bookings often include onboard credit and free upgrades, while last-minute deals appear as cruise lines try to fill remaining cabins.
How much should I budget per day for a cruise?
Beyond the base fare, budget for automatic gratuities ($14 to $18 per person per day), onboard extras like drinks and Wi-Fi, and any specialty dining ($20 to $50 per person). Total daily spending varies widely based on how much you use paid onboard amenities.
Can you bring your own alcohol on a cruise?
It depends on the cruise line. Royal Caribbean and Carnival allow one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person on embarkation day, Disney allows up to two bottles or six beers, and MSC does not permit any alcohol onboard.
Is cruise Wi-Fi worth buying?
Cruise Wi-Fi is generally expensive and slow compared to standard internet. Buying a pack before boarding is cheaper than purchasing once onboard, but downloading content in advance and using offline messaging apps can eliminate the need for it.
What is the best time of year to find cruise deals?
Shoulder seasons offer the best discounts: January to early February, late spring (April to early June), and September to early December. Prices typically drop during these windows due to lower demand.
