I rarely pay the price that's advertised.
I've gone from a standard veranda to Concierge Class with no charge, I've upgraded to spa cabins (with full spa access) for $30 more each, and yes, I've stayed in the most luxurious of staterooms, complete with my own butler for a little more than that. I've received unexpected stateroom upgrades, complimentary specialty dinners, free casino offers, and enough onboard credits to make a noticeable dent in my vacation budget.
It may take a little more work than just clicking that "book" button on the site, but these are the strategies I rely on every single year to stretch my cruise dollars further while making every sailing feel a little more luxurious.
Related: I Take Over 10 Cruises a Year—Here Are My Secrets to Getting Free Drinks on Board
1. Set Price Alerts. Then Act Fast.
I keep an eye on my reservation from the day I book until I sail. If I see a better cabin selling for close to what I've already paid, I call immediately.
I've upgraded from a standard veranda to Concierge Class, SpaClass, and even a suite simply because I noticed a price drop before everyone else did. The key is speed; that cabin probably won't stay available for very long.
Zippy Sandler
2. Stay Loyal to One or Two Cruise Lines
Depending on your status, you might receive:
Complimentary laundryPriority boardingFree drinksComplimentary Wi-FiSpecialty dining discountsExclusive eventsBetter customer serviceCabin upgrade opportunitiesPersonally, I've stayed loyal to one cruise line because I happen to like the line, it's convenient for me to get to their ports, and honestly, it's allowed me to accrue more loyalty points that have saved me far more money over time than constantly chasing whichever company happens to have the lowest advertised fare.
Related: Everyone Told Me To Stay Away From This Affordable Cruise—I Didn't Listen and LOVED It
Zippy Sandler
If you receive casino offers, don't immediately dismiss the complimentary cabin you're offered. You may only be offered an inside cabin, but upgrading that is easy.
Most (if not all) of the cruise lines allow you to pay only the difference between your complimentary cabin and the upgraded category. If prices soften, that difference can become surprisingly affordable (see tip #1).
Related: Best Senior Travel Discounts
4. Never Be Afraid to Ask the Casino Host
So, if you're already spending time in the casino, introduce yourself to the casino host. This is always the FIRST thing that I do. Now they know your name (especially important in a larger casino) and they'll come check on you. They're there to help.
Complimentary specialty restaurant dinnersSpa treatmentsExtra free playBeverage packagesAdditional onboard creditFuture cruise certificatesBetter cabin offers
What's the worst that can happen? I once had a casino host chase me down to let me know that I was only about $20 away from a NICE upgraded cabin certificate, and she didn't want to see me walk out with just an inside cabin. She didn't have to do that, but for me, it was the difference that $20 was the difference between being inside and sitting on my veranda enjoying coffee each morning in my fancy robe looking out at the ocean. All because I had introduced myself, and she looked at my account because she "knew me" now.
Cruise lines love promotions. One week, it's 75% off the third and fourth guests. The next week, it's free Wi-Fi. Then come the included drinks. Next, it's kids sail free. Once in a while, you'll see that bonus onboard credit. It varies from cruise line to cruise line.
If something better appears before final payment, I will call. Sometimes the answer is no, and sometimes it's worth several hundred dollars. But it never hurts to ask.
6. Book Your Next Cruise While You're Still Onboard
Many cruise lines offer incentives that disappear once you leave the ship, and I've found that you have plenty of time to decide on which cruise you'd like to take once you get home. I never make the actual booking on board; I just leave the deposit.
Reduced depositsExtra onboard creditFlexible booking certificatesFuture discounts
Even if I'm not sure exactly where I want to go next, I'll purchase an open booking certificate to lock in.
7. Check for Resident, Military, Senior, or First Responder Rates
Your state of residenceMilitary serviceVeteran statusFirst responder statusTeacher or healthcare worker programsSenior discounts on select sailings
As a matter of fact, I just got off of a Margaritaville at Sea cruise that offers free sailings to military, educators, first responders, and more (just pay taxes, port charges, and tips). These savings can sometimes be combined with other promotions, making them well worth checking before you finalize a booking. If you live in a state that's listed on the booking site, make sure to check that box that you live there. I've gotten discounts for just living in Florida in the past.
Celebrity Cruises
8. Watch for Included Amenities Before You Buy Them
Cruise lines frequently bundle popular amenities into later promotions. I've gotten offers of 40% off of drink packages for a "holiday" promotion, or bundle Wi-Fi and your drink package for less than just doing ONE of those offered, I've even seen 3-specialty restaurants for the price of one, and a HUGE discount on excursions.
If you've already purchased everything separately, you may miss out on a better package later.
Tatiana Meteleva / Getty Images
They'll often notice:
Better pricingNew onboard credit offersCabin upgradesGroup amenitiesExclusive agency promotionsFlash salesBest of all, they are the ones who spend the time sitting on hold with the cruise line so you don't have to and it doesn't cost you any more than if you were to book the cruise yourself.
My Favorite Cruise Strategy of All
The travelers who seem to get the biggest suites, the nicest perks, and the best values aren't necessarily spending more money than everyone else. They're just being a bit more strategic with their planning.
That's the biggest secret I've discovered. The best cruise isn't always the most expensive one. For me, it's the one where I have enough money left to do it over again the next month.
Related: I’m a 72-Year-Old Cruise Expert—Here's the 'Toddler Method' I Use to Pack a Carry-On
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