How to Save Money on Cruises Without Missing Out on Perks

Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel. You unpack once, wake up somewhere new almost every day, and have entertainment, dining, and relaxation all in one place. But like any form of travel, costs can add up quickly.

Over the years, Josh and I have learned how to save money on cruises without feeling like we’re missing out. These tips have allowed us to take more cruises each year while still enjoying all the experiences we love.

Whether you’re planning your very first sailing or working a cruise into a larger annual travel plan like I do in my How I Plan a Year of Travel post, these strategies can help you get the best value for your money.

Book at the Right Time

Timing your booking can make a huge difference in price. I’ve had success with two approaches:

• Book Early: If we know exactly where and when we want to go, booking early locks in our preferred cabin location and price. This is especially true for popular itineraries like Alaska in the summer.

• Book Late: If we’re flexible, I keep an eye on last-minute deals. Cruise lines sometimes slash prices to fill unsold cabins, especially in shoulder season.
  

I also sign up for price drop alerts on sites like Cruise Critic and CruiseWatch.

Consider Shoulder Season Sailings

Cruising in shoulder season has saved us hundreds of dollars compared to peak travel months. The weather is often still great, but demand is lower. For example, we’ve sailed the Caribbean in May for far less than a July cruise with the same itinerary.

You can read more about how shoulder season fits into my travel style in my Shoulder Season Travel post.

Choose Your Cabin Wisely

Always consider how much time you’ll actually spend in your cabin. If it’s a port-intensive itinerary, you might book an inside cabin and put the savings toward excursions or specialty dining.

On the other hand, if it’s a scenic cruise like Alaska where you want to enjoy the view from our room, book a balcony - but still shop around for the best price or use loyalty points to offset the cost.

Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs and Credit Card Offers

If you sail with the same cruise line more than once, you’ll likely be enrolled in their loyalty program automatically. Even the lowest tiers often offer perks like priority boarding, free laundry, or discounts on onboard purchases.

We also use travel credit cards that offer perks such as onboard credit, free travel insurance, or extra points on cruise purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture Rewards Card are good options for flexibility.

Watch for “Free Perk” Promotions

Cruise lines often run promotions that bundle in extras like beverage packages, Wi-Fi, or prepaid gratuities. Sometimes these “free” perks are baked into a slightly higher fare, but I still run the math to see if it’s cheaper than buying them separately.

If the value is there, these perks can easily save hundreds of dollars.

Plan Your Own Excursions

While ship-sponsored excursions are convenient (and guarantee that you won’t be left behind in port), they’re almost always more expensive. I’ve had great experiences booking directly with local tour operators. Not only is it usually cheaper, but the groups are smaller and the tours feel more personal. Just make sure you book a tour that will get you back to the port in plenty of time (at least two hours) to make the all-aboard time. If your private excursion is late to return, you WILL be left behind.

Sites like Viator, Shore Excursions Group, and local tourism board websites are good places to start.

Limit Onboard Spending

It’s easy to get carried away with specialty dining, spa treatments, and souvenirs. I give us a daily onboard spending budget and track it so we’re not surprised at checkout.

We also watch for onboard sales, like discounted spa days on port days, or specialty dining packages that reduce per-meal costs.

Use Repositioning Cruises for Big Savings

Repositioning cruises happen when a ship moves from one region to another, such as from the Caribbean to Europe in the spring. These sailings often have lower fares per night and more sea days.

We’ve done two transatlantic repositioning cruises, and both offered amazing value compared to regular itineraries.

Bring Your Own Extras (When Allowed)

Many cruise lines let you bring a limited amount of wine, soda, or bottled water on board. We always check the policy before sailing, because every line is different. This small step can save a surprising amount over a week-long cruise.

Final Thoughts on Saving Money on Cruises Without Sacrificing Fun

Cruising doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. By booking strategically, sailing in shoulder season, using loyalty perks, and making smart onboard choices, Josh and I have been able to stretch our cruise budget and take more trips each year.

If you’re planning multiple trips as part of your year, these same strategies can help you keep cruising as a regular part of your adventures.

Recommendations

Are you planning your next trip and looking for services that make travel smoother? Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:

• Stay Connected Abroad: I use Airalo eSIMs to avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards in every country.

• Protect Your Data: NordVPN keeps my internet connection safe when I’m on public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or cafés.

  
  

• Travel Europe by Train: I book through Trainline for easy tickets across Europe, including London, Italy, Spain, and France.

  
  

• Relax Before You Fly: Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges around the world.

  
  

• Find the Right Stay: For vacation rentals, I like using VRBO.

  
  

• See the City with Ease: Hop-on, hop-off tours are a fun way to get oriented. Check out Big Bus Tours in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, and Dubai.

  
  

• Book Tours and Transfers: I often use Get Your Guide and Viator to arrange activities, tickets, and transfers in advance.

  
  

• Hotels, Cars, and Flights: Expedia is one of my go-to sites for comparing and booking travel.

  
  

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase or booking through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me keep creating and sharing travel content here on From Lawrence with Love. Thank you for supporting the blog!