How To Save Money Booking A Carnival Cruise
If you're looking for means to save money on a cruise and cruise more often, you're in the right place. Cruising has been our preferred way to travel for about twenty years. From our very first cruise, my husband and I were hooked. Then nosotros brought our kids and they were hooked too!
Even though cruising is an amazing value for a great vacation, the costs tin still add together up. And so we looked for the best deals and ways to salvage money while cruising, while non compromising on the prowl experience nosotros wanted.
Over the years, I've learned many cruise travel hacks that travel agents and veteran cruisers use to salvage money while cruising. In this post, I'll share how y'all tin can cruise for less each and stretch your vacation dollars even further.
This post may incorporate affiliate links. Delight run into my full disclosure policy for details.
How to Save Money on Your Cruise Vacation
1.Choose the least expensive cabin
The price of your cruise is about afflicted by the type of motel you choose, and therefore one of the simplest ways to save money on a your prowl vacation.
The three main cabin types are:
- Inside cabins
- Sea view cabins
- Balcony staterooms.
Within cabins are almost e'er the cheapest cabins on a cruise ship.
Should you always choose an inside cabin?
The quick answer is no.
Our family has cruised in balcony, oceanview and inside cabins, and our decision is highly based on price and overall value.
We observe inside cabins comfortable, and usually don't spend much fourth dimension in our cabin. Our view is that we'd rather relieve money by getting a less expensive cabin, and spend on things that matter more to us, like excursions and cruising more than often.
Yet nosotros're all different.
If you lot're because an interior cabin, keep in listen that the rooms are on the minor side and you lot will not accept a window, so at that place is no natural lite. Although we like interior cabins and think they have many benefits, they aren't for everyone.
If having some quiet and private outdoor infinite to relax is of import to you lot, consider the best priced balcony y'all tin can find. If y'all get claustrophobic, opt for an ocean view cabin.
Suggested: 7 Pinnacle Benefits of an Inside Cabin
2. Check the balustrade prices and compare your stateroom options
While interior cabins will likely exist the to the lowest degree expensive motel choice, cruise lines sometimes take a promotion or sale. You might get a discounted or costless motel upgrade or there may be actress perks if you move upwards to a higher cabin type.
Inquire your travel amanuensis or check on your own to compare your options and savings.
Related: 7 Best Reasons to Book a Balcony Cabin
Aft Balcony Cruise Ship Cabins Pros & Cons
3. Choose the cheapest fourth dimension to prowl
Cruises have high and low season, and times in between. Holidays and summertime cruises are usually the near expensive times to go along a cruise, although the exact time for "higher pricing" depends on the cruise itinerary.
For instance, Caribbean cruises will exist the cheapest in the Fall, when kids are in school, the weather is moderate, and it'south hurricane flavour.
However, as Mediterranean cruises have gained popularity and September has been touted every bit the best time to go, to beat the crowds and avoid the summer heat, pricing has increased to run into the demand.
Consider shoulder season for best prices on Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda cruises, which is typically Fall and early Winter.
4. Bring wine or champagne on lath
Did y'all know that many cruise lines let you to bring a couple of bottles of wine on board? In some cases, there will be a minor corkage fee charged when you bring information technology on lath. Other cruise lines will just accuse you if you bring the total canteen to the dining room.
Wine glasses are bachelor at any bar and you lot tin can bring them back to your cabin. Bask a glass or wine before dinner or fifty-fifty bring your glass with you to a lounge or the dining room.
Related: What Food and Drinks Tin can You Bring on a Cruise?
5. Bring your own soda or water bottles
Although this varies by prowl line, many will allow yous to bring a case of water bottles or even soda onto the cruise. E'er check your cruise line'south policy on what you tin can and cannot bring onto a cruise transport.
A case of water bottles tin be picked up near the cruise port and brought straight on lath. Keep in mind that although the water is rubber to drink on the cruise ship, y'all'll definitely want to bring h2o bottles with you on cruise port days.
An culling to hauling a case water bottles onboard, is packing practiced refillable water bottles, which you can make full up with rubber to drink h2o on the cruise ship.
What to pack on a cruise: 50 Useful Amazon Items to Bring on a cruise
vi. Buy the prowl beverage package
Should you purchase an "all you can drink" beverage package? The fact is that a prowl line beverage package may or may not be worth it for yous.
Having cruised both with an all inclusive beverage package, I can attest to how wonderful information technology is to not have to think and calculate these expenses. Drinks on cruise ships can be expensive, and in many cases, if you're having half-dozen or more drinks a day, you'll find it pays for itself.
However, yous do even so need to calculate the value for y'all, and cruise line drinkable packages do vary past prowl line.
Beverage packages you lot may want to consider are:
- alcoholic drinks (normally standard alcohol and soda)
- premium drinkable packages (premium liqueurs and more)
- non-alcoholic potable packages including virgin cocktails
- specialty java packages
- soda packages
Hither'south a lilliputian tip to save some money before your cruise:
Make sure to log into to your online cruise planner and lookout for promotions and sales on potable packages. Keep an middle on your emails also. It's common for cruise lines to offer pre-cruise beverage parcel discounts of 20% or more
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seven. Book a cruise with perks
More and more cruise lines are offering some great values through their cruise perks. While the cost for a prowl may be higher, information technology's worth information technology to calculate the value for y'all.
With cruise line perks, you tin sometimes become free gratuities, extra on board cash credits (OBC), a free drink package, shore excursion credits, gratuitous wifi, kids canvass free promos, and more.
Cruise lines who've been offering some good perks to watch are Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Holland America.
As cruisers accept been enjoying booking with perks, we may see more prowl lines offering some fresh promotions, and then look out for this.
8. Drink of the twenty-four hours
If getting the cruise drink package isn't worth it for you lot, there are still ways to salvage money on a cruise one time onboard. Nearly cruise ships will accept daily drink specials. In some cases that will mean a "drink of the day". In other cases it's a 2 for 1 happy hr.
You tin can find that data on the daily schedule on your prowl line app or planner.
Tip – Ever check to see if there are drink promotions available through the app. On a recent Princess Cruise, we establish out that when using the Bounding main Medallion app to order a drink from the bar, your starting time order was gratuitous.
9. Save money on cruise shore excursions
Shore excursions can really add up and increase the toll of an otherwise affordable holiday. While I wouldn't say to never do shore excursions, you may desire to selection and cull. You lot certainly don't need excursions in every prowl port.
I of the best ways to save money on cruise excursions is to do a bit of enquiry ahead of time. Read cruise blogs, bank check YouTube videos, or join a cruise roll call on Cruise Critic or on Facebook where people will conversation most what activities they're planning in each port of call.
I like to pick and choose where I'll opt for an island bout or special activity, and where our family will head over to a local beach and enjoy a more than relaxed day in port.
If y'all are planning an excursion, yous may want to book with a local tour operator or with the cruise line. There are pros and cons to this, which I get into in more detail in this post (shore circuit tips).
New information as cruises resume
Prowl lines are subject to new safety and health protocols as cruises resume following the interruption in cruising. While these changes are not permanent and will change with time, cruise excursions will need to exist booked with the cruise line in the early on days.
Shore excursion planning (new cruise tips)
10. Book cruise shore excursions online
Excursions will oft cost more than if you wait and book them on the cruise transport. Instead, volume your shore excursions on the prowl line website before you cruise.
Make sure you've filled in your online contour and are getting emails with updates near your cruise. Some cruise lines will offer discounts periodically so it's worth keeping an eye out.
If you lot accept onboard credits to employ, you can usually use these to book your prowl excursions ahead of time. In some cases, if you aren't able to practice this online, you can practise this with a telephone call to the cruise line shore excursion section. Shore excursions are oft refundable up until sailing, but always cheque the policy.
Even though shore excursions can add up, they really do add together to your prowl feel and memories. Hopefully these little tips volition save you some money on the extra expenses on a cruise.
11. Cruise food tips
Ane thing about cruises – you volition never, always go hungry! There is so much nutrient that is included on a prowl.
On a prowl you lot'll have meals in the main dining room, buffet and some casual venues, besides every bit snacks all included with your cruise fare.
In gild to save coin while cruising, it's all-time to skip specialty restaurants which have an extra charge. These extras can add up, and aren't necessary since your meals and snacks take already been paid in your prowl fare.
Instead, order a few appetizers in the principal dining-room to endeavor out or even endeavour a new dish or dessert.
Related: What Nutrient Is Included on a Cruise
Specialty Dining – how you can relieve money
Here are some tips to save money on specialty dining on your cruise, if y'all decide to go. While not necessary, they are really skillful and it can be worth information technology for a special occasion.
Firstly, cheque for perks packages when booking your cruise that include one nighttime or more than at 1 of the cruise transport's specialty restaurants is available. NCL Free at Ocean is a skillful example of this.
Secondly, monitor your emails and pre-cruise online business relationship for discounts on dining packages. Many cruise lines will take some special offers.
Finally, check once on-board for embarkation day promotions, lunch specials and surprise sales. Depending on the cruise ship, some specialty restaurants may exist open up for dejeuner at almost 50% off, which can be a great matter to do a sea twenty-four hours.
12. Monitor your cruise price
If the price of your prowl decreases before final payment, in most cases the cruise line will honor the lower price and reduce your cruise fare. It's absolutely worth monitoring. Y'all can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
xiii. What if the toll goes down later final payment?
In the fine print, y'all'll notice that prowl lines won't honor cost drops afterward final payment. However, it's ever worth calling the cruise line or checking in with your travel agent to see if there are any options.
1 matter that might be available is a cabin upgrade. If the cost of the next motel type is but a petty college, it's often possible to upgrade and simply pay the small deviation.
On a by Glory cruise, we upgraded from an ocean view cabin to a veranda cabin for an boosted $39 for the whole motel. Well worth information technology!
I've heard in some cases of prowl lines occasionally giving an additional on board credit equally a practiced will gesture. It's always worth checking and asking.
xiv. Get gratis cabin or discounted upgrades
Did you lot know that there'due south a way to get a costless cabin upgrade? If you lot aren't picky almost your stateroom, allow the cruise line or your travel agent know that you're willing to accept a "costless upgrade" of your cabin.
Information technology may seem funny, only when cruise lines have last minute cancellations, they do want to fill those cabins.
However, if you are picky about cruise cabin location, you do not desire to practice this. One time you get a cabin upgrade, if y'all don't like your new motel, it'due south unlikely that you'll be able to change back.
Bid for an cabin upgrade
Over the final few years we're seeing cruise lines offering a bidding program for cabin upgrades. While there are no guarantees, you may exist upgraded from an inside to balcony or across at a meaning discount.
Word of caution
If you are particular about your cabin and take taken the time to choose information technology, you lot might exist very unhappy with a surprise cabin upgrade. Make certain to notify the cruise line or your travel agent if you don't desire an upgrade (they frequently ask).
This might be surprising, but it'due south i of the cruise cabin mistakes many people brand, and regret, when booking a prowl.
Related: How to Book a Prowl for the First Time: a Comprehensive Footstep-by-step Guide
xv. Refundable vs non-refundable deposits
Some prowl lines will offer two price options:
- A refundable deposit choice
- A non-refundable pick
Booking with a non-refundable option will nearly always save y'all a few hundred dollars. Withal, while in normal circumstances this might adjust y'all, consider if you prefer the more flexible option during this fourth dimension.
Suggested:Should You Book a Cruise for 2022-23? (Plus 3 Mistakes to Avoid)
16. Get for guarantee cabins
Picking a cruise motel tin exist confusing, peculiarly when one of the options is a guarantee cabin. What this just means is that the cruise line will choose your cabin for yous. This means you won't have control of where your cabin is located on the cruise ship.
By and large, choosing a guarantee cabin will absolutely be your lowest toll choice for a cruise. Sometimes, those amazing last minute deals you lot see are for guarantee cabins, which of course come with their pros and cons.
17. Drink at the cruise ports
The prices for drinks on a prowl tin can definitely add up, and in many ports of telephone call, having a beer, glass of wine or frozen cocktail will be much cheaper than on the prowl ship.
Some shore excursions will include both sodas and alcoholic drinks like rum dial or rum swizzles.
18. Have reward of the free things that are included on your prowl
It tin seem like there are a lot of extras to think about on your cruise vacation, however it'south important to recall to take advantage of all the free stuff on your cruise as well.
This tin include the restaurants and dining options that are included on your prowl ship. From the master dining room, to buffets, to gratuitous or included cafes with snack and pastries and gourmet pizzerias. Fifty-fifty room service may be included with your cruise fare, on some cruise lines.
On top of the food, of course there are plenty of activities and amenities that are included on prowl ships. From ropes courses and waterslides on family orientated prowl ships, to lectures with renowned authors and speakers on cruise ships that attract a more than mature crowd.
All cruise ships have amazing amusement that volition go along you as busy as you want to be.
19. Skip the cruise line transfers
Cruise line transfers can be convenient to accept you from the cruise ship to the airdrome, withal a cheaper option is to utilise a cab, uber or individual shuttle service. This is especially true if you lot're traveling equally a larger group and definitely worth exploring the savings.
20. Become actress on board credits by booking your next cruise on lath
Have you been on a cruise and wondered why people are booking their future cruises right now? Maybe you've wondered if it'southward actually worth information technology. This is one of my favorite cruise travel hacks!
If you think yous'll cruise once more, information technology's definitely worth it to volume your side by side prowl onboard. Depending on the cruise line, you'll either go extra onboard credits, or coin you tin can use on your next cruise, or, you lot can go savings on the cruise you are on.
In some cases, you tin reduce your on lath expenses by opting to buy a future cruise certificate and become a substantial onboard credit to utilise on the cruise you lot are on.
In other cases, you can volume a prowl in the future, and exist able to have a nice on board cash credit apply on your side by side cruise. Either fashion, the cruise line is giving y'all complimentary money. All the same, it's always of import to read the terms and conditions.
Something to remember is that you can always brand changes to your booking once off the ship, and still go along the booking with your travel amanuensis, even when you've booked on lath.
Related: How to Get and Utilise Cruise On Board Credits (OBC)
21. Salve money on photo packages
While no ane really needs professional photos on a cruise ship, they can be a not bad retentivity, so this may make information technology worth it for you. Cruise lines now accept photograph packages, including digital ones, that are a pretty good value.
You may also want to check the daily planner and in the photo shop for on board specials and 2 for 1 offers.
22. Store onboard and wait for the last day sales
If yous're planning to bring souvenirs dwelling, such as prowl line t-shirts, you lot'll find a big huge sale on the concluding day of the prowl. One thing to keep in mind, is that most of the time, this isn't the same merchandise you'll have see in the prowl ship stores.
However, if you honey some of the stuff you find on board, non to worry. At that place are sales throughout the cruise and you can go some amazing deals. Think that all jewelry and other high end items are duty free, and in some cases this makes it more affordable than at home.
If you'd similar to know more than, I put together this post, all almost: duty complimentary shopping deals on cruises.
23. Exercise your own laundry on a prowl
Using the cruise send laundry services can be quite pricey. Having a cabin that comes with some gratuitous laundry perks is amazing.
However, otherwise, you'll probably want to avoid sending article of clothing to the laundry service on a cruise. Y'all can save some money, while yet having your wearing apparel stay wrinkle free, with these cruise tips.
Utilise the cruise send'due south self-serve launderettes if they accept them (non all ships do). This is almost the only identify you might find an iron on a prowl ship.
Alternatively, bring some a small DIY laundry kit from home and launder a couple of items as need exist in your cabin.
There are 3 products I like and recommend.
one. Travel size laundry soap packages. These are great for pre and post cruise stays in pre and post cruise destinations.
2. Tide-to-Go travel size stain remover sticks. I dearest these so much and almost e'er have one in my purse.
iii. Downy Wrinkle Release is amazing. You tin bring along a minor travel size canteen and it will actually go the wrinkles out of your dress on a prowl. Although it doesn't get the items crisp similar with an iron, it withal does a pretty good job, and were all in the same boat – cruise pun intended 😉
Finally, you tin as well wait for laundry purse specials that the prowl transport might take a few days into your cruise. Every bit an case, information technology may be $25 for a bag of wear, and this may exist worth it for yous.
Related: Practice Prowl Ships Provide Irons and Ironing Boards to Guests?
24. Buy the net package
If y'all plan on using internet on your cruise, buying the internet packet is the only mode to go and will definitely save yous money.
Internet used to be very expensive on a cruise, nonetheless nosotros are seeing that while cruise ships are integrating new technology, the pricing on net packages has been decreasing.
In some cases, booking a prowl that has free wifi every bit a perk option might exist a good idea.
Here's a footling tip – every bit in many cases, booking online before your cruise or on the first day of your cruise volition salvage y'all some coin. On our last Princess Prowl, we saved fifty% off our Medallion Internet net package when nosotros purchased on embarkation solar day.
25. Use your travel rewards and credit card points programs
So many people collect points and travel advantage and don't redeem them. If you're sitting on some Air Miles, travel rewards or credit card points, put them to good use.
On a contempo cruise, we cashed in some Air Miles that we earn at our bank for everyday transactions. Information technology was great to save $200 on a beautiful pre-cruise hotel stay.
If you aren't a points collector, y'all may desire to collect rewards for your favorite cruise line with their branded credit carte du jour. Nevertheless, you might become even more value from a broader travel advantage credit bill of fare.
Related: 75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips: Go Organized, Salvage Money, Cruise Better
26. The best time to volume a cruise and salve
One of the best ways to salvage money on a cruise, is to book it at the best fourth dimension. Booking early oftentimes combines a better price with extra perks like on board credits. You besides take a greater choice of cabins, which is especially of import if you demand more than one cabin, or demand a cabin for 3, 4, or 5.
Solo travelers will want to book early as well, to get those coveted studio cabins and other accommodations that are priced for single occupancy. They aren't available on every prowl line or ship.
All the same, booking last minute may simply get you the stone lesser best price on a prowl. Exercise keep in listen that this really depends on occupancy and availability. If you have your heart set on a Christmas Prowl, or even a summertime sailing, best not to expect.
If your calendar is open and holiday time is flexible, last minute bookings are probably still your best bet to save money on your future cruise.
27. Take advantage of cruise transport specials on port days
Did yous know that there are some good reasons to stay on the transport when it'south in port? Days when cruise ships are at port are days when the cruise send might make less money. After all, on bounding main days, the cruise transport has a captive audience. Prowl passengers are busy going to the spa, sitting past the pool with frozen drink, signing up for courses and activities that all have actress costs involved.
On port days, prowl lines know that cruisers are mostly off the ship. For this reason, they offering incentives and discounts to book spa appointments and other beauty and wellness treatments on port days.
Await out for these specials to salve money on some things that you desire to do anyway., and enjoy a quieter, more than relaxing time on the ship during these less busy days.
Related: eleven All-time Reasons to Stay on the Cruise Transport While in Port
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Video: Brilliant Money Saving Cruise Hacks
I put together some great tips to save money on a cruise in this video. I've included my DIY cruise sangria recipe in the video, so make sure to check it out, and subscribe to my YouTube aqueduct if you enjoy cruise video content.
Final thoughts: How to Salvage Coin on a Prowl – 27 Best Tips and Secrets
Cruises are a bang-up way to vacation and travel affordably. If you're hoping to salvage money on a cruise in the future, I hope that these cruise tips have been helpful.
We went over a lot of information in this postal service, and I wanted to make sure it was pretty thorough and gave some advice you may not accept heard before. These cruise travel tips aren't "one size fits all", as everyone'due south vacation needs, hopes and dreams are different.
Whether you lot're trying to budget for a prowl and continue to a budget, or merely want to get the all-time deal – I hope these tips volition help you lot the best and nearly memorable prowl vacation possible!
Have you had an amazing bargain on a cruise or plant some great means to save money while cruising? Delight share in the comments beneath.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana xoxo
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