Seven tips to get the best cruise deals

MSC Poesia main pool deck

If you’ve ever taken a cruise, one of the most common conversations between passengers is “So, how much did you pay for your cruise?”  It seems everyone is dollar-conscious and comparing the cost for similar cruise accommodations is an unfortunate but frequent occurrence.

Rather than play guessing games with your cruise-mates, here are some suggestions that you may want to consider in order to increase your chances of getting the most value for your dollar.

Book your cruise as far in advance as possible. In the “old” days, people would show up at the port, suitcase in hand, thirty minutes before sailing time in hopes of negotiating a last-minute bargain.  Sometimes they did get a real deal but those days are over. The tide has turned.  The best values, accommodations and availability are offered ten to eighteen months before the cruise, not the day of the cruise.  Many cruise lines offer early booking savings and sometimes they will even upgrade those who booked early so that they can “re-sell” their original cabin to a new customer at a higher price.  This isn’t rocket science.  It’s computer-driven pricing very similar to the airlines.  Supply and demand drives the rates and as a ship nears capacity due to heavy sales, fares will increase for those people who book closer to the sailing date. However, if you can pick up and go, aren’t fussy about the itinerary, the accommodations or what cruise line, you just might find a last minute bargain (I said “bargain” not a “steal”) one to three months before the cruise.  You absolutely can’t be choosy; you might end up with a cabin at the very bow or aft over the engines. These days, most ships sail at full capacity.  They are sold out weeks before the sailing date. Your chances are slim but it does happen.  If you are willing to spend hundreds of dollars for last minute air fares, then the more exotic cruise itineraries may have the best opportunity for snagging a decent cabin on a last minute (ninety days or less) cruise.

Look for added benefits and amenities. To entice guests, cruise lines add additional benefits to specific cruises in order to add value and uniqueness. For example, many times they’ll offer onboard credits (actual dollars that may spent onboard), pre or post cruise hotel stays, complimentary airport transfers, lunches or dinners in the specialty restaurants, private shore excursions or onboard functions.

You might qualify for special rates or discounts. Many cruise lines will offer senior citizen rates (over fifty-five), active/retired military discounts, resident rates (great when the offer includes Florida Residents).  From time to time cruise lines like to say, “thank you” to those who belong to or have careers with organizations.  Firefighters, police and teachers will have special pricing as a way to show appreciation for all they do for the community.  Many times the online cruise “discounters” fail to include these special offers.

Frequent cruiser? Ask about any Alumni discounts. Most of the cruise lines have their own past passenger clubs.  Holland America has their Mariner Club, Royal Caribbean has their Crown and Anchor Club, Crystal has their Crystal Society and so on.  Each cruise line has their rewards for being a repeat passenger.  It may be in the form of a discounted rate, category upgrades, onboard amenities and/or welcome back parties.  Cruise lines that are owned by the same company, i.e. Carnival Corporation, may offer past passenger/loyalty rewards simply because you’ve cruised on one of their “sister” cruise lines.

Book your next cruise while on your current one. The cruise lines know that the best time to sell a cruise is when their passengers are having a wonderful time on their current cruise.  Most cruise lines are very generous and offer extra special savings to passengers that deposit and/or reserve a future cruise while still onboard.  You may receive onboard credits worth over a hundred dollars per person, a discounted rate or category upgrades.  Another advantage is that you are able to choose your perfect cabin, itinerary and sailing date by booking onboard.  Most important, all you have to do is to tell the cruise lines’ onboard booking agent that you want to have your travel agent back home handle your new reservation.  The Future Cruise Consultant (as they are usually called) will look up your travel agent’s name from your existing reservation and give the credit to that agency.  Chances are, the agent at home will be so excited that you might even receive a special thank you gift for your effort.

Invest in the stock market…cautiously, of course. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (including Celebrity) and Carnival Cruise Lines, being publicly held companies, offer onboard credits to their shareholders.  With one hundred shares of either company, you are given up to two hundred dollars to spend onboard your cruise.  If you cruise enough, you can actually make back the cost spent on buying their stock.

My best suggestion would be to develop a relationship with a knowledgeable Travel Agent ; someone you can trust and feel confident knowing that they are working for your best interest for the most value on your vacation investment.  Working with someone you know and trust is far better than chasing a bargain on a computer any day.  More times than not, people realize that if it’s too good to be true, it usually is.  Watch out for hidden service fees, cancellation fees and penalty fees for name changes or documents mailed to your door.  If you should find something fabulous online, let your travel agent know.

Have a great cruise. I hope to see you onboard soon!