Four Ways to Afford Your Next Cruise

Four Ways to Afford Your Next Cruise

My family and I are heading on our first cruise in April. We’re going with my parents and some of my siblings. Our kids are so excited because my family has been trying to convince us to go with them. My husband and I finally took the plunge and decided to go. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge, but worried about being able to afford to the trip, I’m here with a few tips.  I wanted to share four ways to afford your next cruise.

There are several ways to save when booking your next cruise. With a family of six our goal is to keep as much of our money in our pockets as possible.

Book a Last Minute Cruise

Just like hotels, cruise lines offers deep discounts on last minutes cruises. Start by researching your favorite cruise lines to check their last minute deals. Since cruise lines are trying to fill the ship before the sailing you are guaranteed to get some great prices. If you can afford it, this is a great way to get a good deal on your next cruise. You can also research last minute deals over a period of time to start saving till you can pay for a cruise you like.

Book Local

We’re lucky to have a cruise port in Baltimore. Another great way to save on your cruise is to book local. If possible you eliminate the need to pay for airfare, ground transportation, baggage fees, and more. Traveling from a local port has additional benefits as well. Most cruise lines allow each passenger to bring on a designated number of sodas and wine. When you travel from a local port it’s easier to pack these items with you verses when you are flying to popular ports. If you live within driving distance of a cruise port I highly recommend researching to see the benefits and how it can help you save on travel.

Take Advantage of Wave Season

From January through March, cruise lines offer various discounts and special offers to entice potential travelers. Some cruise lines offer short term promotions, while others offer one day special offers. Promotions can include offers like reduced down payments, on board credits, upgrades, food & drink credits, and more. Sign up for email promotions from cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Book Early To Save

The saying of the early bird gets the worm, works for booking cruises as well. Cruise lines offer different offers for customers booking as far as 18 months in the future. Offers can include cabin upgrades, on board credits, and more. This is also a great way for families or people who plan to travel in groups. Book when your desired cruise line is offering discount deposits and set a payment plan to pay off your cruise by the final due date. I’ve created a free Cruise Payment Schedule Printable, you can download it and add your information for your next cruise.. It’s a great way to keep track of all your payments and make sure you’re on task with your payment plan.

Bonus Tip: Book Onboard

Once you’re onboard your first cruise, take advantage of special offers by booking on board the ship before your trip is over. Booking this way gives travelers extra flexibility with refundable deposits and the ability to change your itinerary or even move your booking to a travel agent for more discounts and perks.