Everybody loves a bargain, especially when planning a cruise vacation getaway. Cruises can be quite expensive if you don't know where to search for the bargains. Finding these deals is really simpler than you might expect. You simply need to evaluate what you are looking for in a cruise, then find a cruise line that is offering a special that fits your needs.
Not everyone has the same priorities when planning a cruise. For example, some people would prefer a cabin upgrade while others might want a cash discount. So the deals available on one cruise or cruise line might not appeal to you, while you might find those available through another company to be far more enticing.
The only way you can ensure that you get the best possible deal on your cruise is to put in the effort and research the available deals and specials being offered by the cruise lines. Below are the four basic kinds of deals that the cruise lines generally offer.
Early Booking Discounts
This kind of price break is offered for most itineraries by most cruise lines. If you book before a certain date, the cruise line offers a special discount price for your vacation.
While it is possible that you will find better deals later in the season, early booking discounts can be substantial and allow you to book the cabin you want without having to worry about it being sold out on your particular sail date.
All of these items combined can make this type of vacation discount the very best value for your cruise. You may say that if you wait, with the cruise ships being so large these days, you can get exactly what you want.
Last Minute Price Breaks
This type of discount is great for spontaneous planners, but it is also the type of discount that presents the greatest risk. If you wait until the last minute, you could save a bundle, but you could also end up missing out on your vacation if the ship is sold out.
If you are the type that wants a particular cabin or a particular side of the ship, then last minute deals are probably not for you. But if you are flexible and willing to take the risk, you can save a ton of money with these discounts.
Off Season Discounts
If you are lucky enough to be able to take time off during the slow season, you can often save a bundle on your cruise fares. For example, in Alaska, both May and September are considered the slow season, and during these months, fares can be 30-50% lower than in the middle of the summer.
While in most areas, summer is the high season, in the Caribbean it is the low season, due in large part to hurricanes. Therefore cruise pricing can be quite a deal there during mid-summer, but you stand the risk of having your vacation shortened or canceled due to inclement weather.
Modern ships are very fast and can even outrun storms. So if you are looking to travel in the summer, don't rule out a Caribbean cruise altogether -- it still is very possible to cruise in the summer and have a great time.
Value Added Bargain Pricing
This kind of deal doesn't necessarily make the overall cost of your cruise cheaper. Instead it allows you to get more for your money, often a lot more. The most common value added deal is a cruise cabin upgrade, often from inside cabin to ocean view or balcony room.
Another variety of value-added cruise discounts is the on-ship credit, often worth $100-200 and is as good as cash on the cruise. It can be used to buy drinks, gifts, and shore trips. Just make sure you spend it during the cruise or you will generally lose the credit.
Not everyone has the same priorities when planning a cruise. For example, some people would prefer a cabin upgrade while others might want a cash discount. So the deals available on one cruise or cruise line might not appeal to you, while you might find those available through another company to be far more enticing.
The only way you can ensure that you get the best possible deal on your cruise is to put in the effort and research the available deals and specials being offered by the cruise lines. Below are the four basic kinds of deals that the cruise lines generally offer.
Early Booking Discounts
This kind of price break is offered for most itineraries by most cruise lines. If you book before a certain date, the cruise line offers a special discount price for your vacation.
While it is possible that you will find better deals later in the season, early booking discounts can be substantial and allow you to book the cabin you want without having to worry about it being sold out on your particular sail date.
All of these items combined can make this type of vacation discount the very best value for your cruise. You may say that if you wait, with the cruise ships being so large these days, you can get exactly what you want.
Last Minute Price Breaks
This type of discount is great for spontaneous planners, but it is also the type of discount that presents the greatest risk. If you wait until the last minute, you could save a bundle, but you could also end up missing out on your vacation if the ship is sold out.
If you are the type that wants a particular cabin or a particular side of the ship, then last minute deals are probably not for you. But if you are flexible and willing to take the risk, you can save a ton of money with these discounts.
Off Season Discounts
If you are lucky enough to be able to take time off during the slow season, you can often save a bundle on your cruise fares. For example, in Alaska, both May and September are considered the slow season, and during these months, fares can be 30-50% lower than in the middle of the summer.
While in most areas, summer is the high season, in the Caribbean it is the low season, due in large part to hurricanes. Therefore cruise pricing can be quite a deal there during mid-summer, but you stand the risk of having your vacation shortened or canceled due to inclement weather.
Modern ships are very fast and can even outrun storms. So if you are looking to travel in the summer, don't rule out a Caribbean cruise altogether -- it still is very possible to cruise in the summer and have a great time.
Value Added Bargain Pricing
This kind of deal doesn't necessarily make the overall cost of your cruise cheaper. Instead it allows you to get more for your money, often a lot more. The most common value added deal is a cruise cabin upgrade, often from inside cabin to ocean view or balcony room.
Another variety of value-added cruise discounts is the on-ship credit, often worth $100-200 and is as good as cash on the cruise. It can be used to buy drinks, gifts, and shore trips. Just make sure you spend it during the cruise or you will generally lose the credit.
About the Author:
Sebastian J. Zeller is a independent writer, experienced traveler, and webmaster of the Alaska Cruise Advisor, a guide to all things Alaska, including Alaska vacations and Alaskan cruises. For an abundance of information on Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, make sure to check out the site.
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