It’s a myth that the only way you can save on a cruise is to wait until the last-minute to book and take whatever itinerary you can get. In fact, there are several ways you can afford to escape on a dream voyage without compromising your standards. After all, cruise lines stand to gain more when they offer discounted cabins rather than set sail with a bunch of empty staterooms. Even if a cruise line has to lower its rates to entice travelers, it’s still making a profit from passengers purchasing photographs, souvenirs, drinks, spa packages, and other services.
The next time you are looking to set sail on a limited budget consider the following options:
Go with a group: Many cruise lines offer group bookings that reduce the price of individual cabins. Large family reunions, church groups, or other hobby-related gatherings can be accommodated by booking multiple cabins that yield substantial savings for individual passengers.
Book early: Rock bottom rates are not only reserved for last-minute passengers. By booking a cruise at least a month in advance you can take advantage of early-bird discounts. In addition, by making your travel plans well in advance, if the price of the same type of cabin drops closer to the sailing date, you can request a cash refund or an onboard credit for the difference.
Special Offers: Most large cruise lines offer special deals throughout the year. Unfortunately, most of the sales are only available for a very limited time and are only good on voyages to certain locales. In addition, not all of a ship’s cabins may be available at the sale price. If you see a special deal offered online or are informed about it by a travel agent, be prepared to jump on it right away.
Other Deals: Some cruise companies offer money-saving deals for repeat customers. The special offers are reserved for specific voyages and cannot be transferred to other travelers.