Imagine being able to see multiple beach destinations, like Belize or Grand Cayman, in one trip. Or, being able to explore both Naples and Barcelona without taking a train or flight between the two cities. Now, add in gourmet dining every night and fun activities for the whole family. You just imagined a cruise!
It’s easy to see why cruising has become such a popular vacation choice, for families, couples and friends alike. As more and more people cruise, “How do I get the best price on a cruise?” has become one of our most frequently asked questions at Get Away Today. So in honor of October – National Cruise Month – we’ve put together our top tips to make sure you get the lowest price on your cruise every time.
How to Get the Best Price on a Cruise:
Book in advance.
It can be tempting to want to wait for a better deal, but the days of amazing last-minute cruise deals are dwindling. As cruising has become more popular, cruise lines are finding it less difficult to fill their itineraries. Which means it’s now a rare thing to find those insanely discounted cabins just a week or so before sailing. And, if you do happen to find one, the cost of booking airfare so close to your travel date usually cancels out those savings.
By booking in advance, you’ll be able to get first choice of cabin and still get an amazing deal. You can even make payments when you book a cruise with Get Away Today, which is a huge benefit to booking in advance. With itineraries available for up to two years out, that gives you plenty of time to save.
Book in October.
This goes hand-in-hand with booking your cruise in advance. October is National Cruise Month which basically equates to the Black Friday of cruises. You’ll easily get the best price on a cruise when you book during October! We’ve included a list of the best deals going on right now at the bottom of this article, ranging from Kids Sail Free to reduced deposits. Even if you’re not planning on sailing until 2019, you’ll want to consider booking right away to take advantage of the most savings.
Avoid holidays and peak season.
This one may seem obvious, but cruises that take place over holidays or a peak season are going to cost more. We suggest avoiding these times and, if they can’t be avoided, trying to sail the very first week or very last week of the peak season. Peak season changes depending on the itinerary, so you’ll want to talk to our cruise experts for the best times to go. And, if the peak season or holidays are the only time you can go, don’t forget that you can get the best price by booking in advance. A holiday cruise for next year is going to cost less than a holiday cruise for this year, simply because many of the cabin choices have sold out.
Stay in an inside cabin.
Interior staterooms (cabins inside the ship that don’t have a window or balcony to the outside) are the least expensive option on cruises. If you are only traveling with 2-4 people, these can be a great option to get the best price on a cruise. With so many things to see and do on the cruise ship, you’ll only be in your room to sleep. Plus, since the inside staterooms get very dark, they work perfectly for those who are light sleepers. Just make sure to set an alarm so you don’t miss anything!
If you’re worried about ocean sickness, it may be better to upgrade to an ocean view stateroom. Keep in mind this will be more expensive than an inside cabin, but still less expensive than a stateroom with a balcony.
Book two cabins instead of a suite.
This tip will help families with five or more members get the best price on a cruise. Now, if you have five family members, you can often find larger suite staterooms that will fit your family. However, these tend to be much more expensive (as they’re usually balcony rooms and on the highest deck levels) than getting two inside or even two ocean view cabins. Plus, not many cruise lines have just one suite that fits more than five people.
Our cruise experts can even help book cabins that are right next to each other or connecting. Another popular choice for families with older children is booking one ocean view cabin and an inside cabin straight across. That way, Mom and Dad get the extra perk of an ocean view while the kids are still nearby.
Find a cruise port near you.
Cruises don’t just leave from Florida. In fact, there are cruise ports all around the country. Port Canaveral, New York, San Diego, Long Beach, Galveston and New Orleans are just a few of the most popular. By finding a cruise port near you, you can save on travel. Whether you find a killer deal on airfare or decide to drive, it’s going to save you versus traveling to a cruise port on the other side of the country. All those extra savings can then be spent on experiences like spa treatments or excursions.
Start budgeting right away.
Speaking of excursions and spa treatments, you’ll want to start budgeting as soon as you start looking at a cruise. On top of the cruise and travel, make sure to think about things like excursions, souvenirs, spa treatments and specialty dining experiences. By budgeting for them in the beginning, you won’t be surprised or feel like you missed out on anything during the cruise. Plus, some cruise lines even offer discounts if you purchase certain things (like spa treatments or drink packages) in advance.
There you have it – our top tips for getting the best price on a cruise. When you call our cruise experts at Get Away Today, you won’t just be getting the best price. You’ll also be getting the best service, which includes extra goodies, need-to-know tips and more. Our cruise department makes sure to take care of you every step of the way, from the moment you call for a quote until the end of the cruise itself. We promise you won’t be disappointed!
If you call 877-510-2929 to speak with our cruise department by October 31, 2017, you’ll be able to take advantage of these National Cruise Month deals:
Carnival Cruise Line:
- 2 to 5-day cruises starting at only $289 per person
- 6-day and longer cruises starting at only $529 per person
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line:
- 50% Off Second Guest
- Kids Sail FREE
- Bonus on-board credit, up to $100
Princess Cruise Line:
- 7-day cruises starting from $699 per person
- FREE room upgrade, gratuities and onboard spending money with select itineraries
Celebrity Cruise Line:
- Two FREE perks for 1st and 2nd guest
- 50% 3rd and 4th guest rates
Norwegian Cruise Line:
- Up to 5 FREE offers per staterooms, including unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions and more
Disney Cruise Line:
- Save 20% on select Disney cruises from New York this fall
- 7-night cruises starting from $190 per person per night
- Reduced deposit on all 5-night or longer cruises (Get Away Today exclusive)
What are you waiting for? You’ll want to jump on these offers right away, before they disappear on November 1st. Our cruise agents will make sure you get the best price on a cruise, no matter what destination you choose to explore.
Give us a call at 877-510-2929 to start planning your cruise!
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Leave A CommentGet Away TodayJuly 29 2019
Anonymous- European cruises are often on smaller ships, which typically results in lower costs. Be sure to check out our latest cruise sales! https://www.getawaytoday.com/destination/cruises
AnonymousJuly 24 2019
Why European prices lower at most cruise lines?