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6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Editor's Note

Getting a really great deal on a cruise is getting harder. Strong demand for cruises over the past year has allowed cruise lines to raise fares sharply and cut back on last-minute discounts to fill unsold cabins.

One line recently said bookings have been so strong that it would be stopping all last-minute discounts indefinitely .

As a result, the fares you'll find for cruises this year are significantly higher — by 20% or more — than they were in 2019, the last normal year for cruising.

So how do you get the best cruise deal if you're trying to book a cruise for this coming winter and beyond?

To start — don't panic. Even if fares for the coming year don't come down soon, you can find ways to save when booking a vacation at sea.

Below, we've assembled six of our top tips for finding a bargain on a cruise. These are travel hacks that can work any time — not just when fares are rising. Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.

Cruise during the offseason

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are cruise ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel drops off, resulting in diminished demand for many types of travel, including cruises.

In the Caribbean, these months also fall during hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

Related: Read this before booking a cruise during hurricane season

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for cruising generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August have been high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

It's a growing truism of the cruise world: the earlier you book, the better price you'll get.

Cruise lines often open departures for bookings with the lowest prices at which they want to sell the trips. Then, as the departures start filling up, they slowly raise prices on the remaining inventory.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, your best bet, in many cases, is to book right when the sailing opens for sale. This means planning way in advance, as many cruise lines open their reservations for sailings two or even three years before departure.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're far more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out first and quickly.

Related: How to pick the perfect cruise line for you

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise super far in advance? Here's the good news: If, for some reason, the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you often can get your fare reduced to match the lower price. This is often the case until the last few months before the sailing begins, when the cruise enters what's known as the "final payment" window. At that point, the fare you've paid is locked in.

Note that not all fare types allow for changes to the fare you've paid after booking. It's important to read the fine print for the fare category you're booking.

As noted above, cruise lines typically offer their lowest fare for any given sailing just after it opens for booking — often two or even three years before it's scheduled to begin.

Generally, the fare will only go up as the sailing date approaches. But in some cases, cruise lines will drop the price of a cruise significantly at the last minute. This can happen when the line finds itself with a lot of unsold cabins for a voyage.

If you're flexible and can travel on short notice, you sometimes can find a last-minute deal for cruises where the line is scrambling to fill berths.

A key thing to know here is that last-minute discounting isn't as common as it used to be. Like airlines, cruise lines have become much more savvy about revenue management over the years, and it's rarer that they find themselves with a lot of unsold inventory on sailings just before departure.

You'll also have to be flexible to take advantage of these deals. If you have a specific cabin type on a specific sailing on a specific ship that you're eyeing for a vacation, you can't count on it being available — especially not at a rock-bottom rate.

Sail on an older ship

At many big lines, you'll find that the newest, most amenity-filled cruise ships sell at a premium price. Older ships come with a discount.

The older ships are, of course, older, and they sometimes don't have quite as much to offer on board as the newer ships. But if you're looking for a deal, they can bring great value.

Use a travel agent

Are you a plan-it-yourself type of traveler? We get it. Many of TPG's staffers are that way, too.

But even if you book all your land trips on your own, you might want to use a travel agent who is a cruise specialist to book your next voyage.

One big reason is that cruise-selling travel agents often have access to lower bulk fares for sailings that aren't available to the general public. Big travel agencies will block out large chunks of cabins on ships soon after they open for booking to lock in such group fares, then sell them over the coming months.

In addition to lower fares, cruise travel agents also sometimes throw in extra perks like onboard credit or amenities when you book through them.

Travel agents specializing in cruising also will be able to guide you through the many types of cabin categories on some cruise ships and steer you away from cabins to avoid . Plus, they'll be there for you when things go wrong on a cruise .

Consider a repositioning cruise

Some of the best bargains in the cruise world are the voyages that cruise ships make as they reposition from one part of the world to another.

This is because cruise lines often have trouble selling these trips, which typically have somewhat oddball itineraries with very few port calls and lots of sea days. They also tend to be a bit longer than standard weekend getaways or weeklong voyages. They have to discount the trips to fill the ships as much as possible.

Related: The ultimate guide to repositioning cruises

Among the most common repositioning cruises are sailings between the Caribbean and Europe in the spring as lines move ships to the Mediterranean for summer. Similarly, there's always a wave of repositioning cruises between Europe and the Caribbean in the fall.

You'll also find some repositioning cruises every year between the Caribbean and Alaska, and between the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

Best Cruise Lines for the Money

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, a vacation at sea is often a better value than a

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, a vacation at sea is often a better value than a land-based getaway – if you choose wisely. To help you make the most of your travel budget, U.S. News ranked the following cruise lines based on a methodology that factors in itinerary affordability, amenities included in the base fare, health ratings and reputation among experts and travelers. Read on to learn more about this year's best cruise lines for the money, and be sure to check our latest cruise deals for an even more affordable vacation experience. 

Read Best Cruises Methodology

Find Cruises

Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732

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Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages may not seem like the most affordable offering at a glance, but it presents cruisers with supreme value. Base fares include all onboard dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi access, group fitness classes and more. Add those benefits to Virgin's ongoing sales, and you're looking at a top-notch experience for less. 

• 4.39 Overall Rating
• 3 Ships in Fleet

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' vessels offer the endless amenities and buffets of its competitors' megaships but maintain the service standard of smaller lines. Rates on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries run less than $200 per person, and all-inclusive add-on packages are available.

• 4.36 Overall Rating
• 13 Ships in Fleet

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises targets more adult travelers (especially on longer voyages) than family-oriented lines like Royal Caribbean International, but at similar prices. Along with lodging and select dining, fares cover activities like cooking demonstrations and educational lectures.

• 4.02 Overall Rating
• 15 Ships in Fleet

Royal Caribbean International

With more than 25 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is one of the largest lines sailing the ocean today. Having the ability to accommodate thousands of guests per ship allows the company to keep rates low. In fact, travelers may find itineraries in popular destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Pacific Coast for around $250 per person.

• 4.17 Overall Rating
• 25 Ships in Fleet

Holland America Line

Cruisers will find this premium cruise line to be a pretty good bargain, with four-day Caribbean sailings often starting at less than $300 per person, and short voyages along the Pacific Coast coming in around $100 per person. But cutting costs doesn't mean skimping on service; Holland America ships offer individualized attention, free room service and all-inclusive package options.

• 4.14 Overall Rating
• 11 Ships in Fleet

MSC Cruises

MSC offers sailings from North American ports like Miami, New York City and Orlando, Florida, though the majority of its voyages depart from international locales. But even if you have to fly to a foreign port, you'll save money over a typical land vacation abroad. Mediterranean sailings can start at around $100 per person, and the line offers several deals and money-saving packages.

• 3.79 Overall Rating
• 22 Ships in Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival specializes in budget-friendly fun, offering frequent, significant discounts on already low prices. In fact, itineraries for around $200 per person are the norm. Access to most of the ships' activities won't cost a penny, but keep in mind that some extras (like specialty restaurants, beverages and certain attractions) aren't covered in fares.

• 3.90 Overall Rating

Norwegian Cruise Line

With its popular, frequently running Free at Sea program, Norwegian offers travelers discounts on Wi-Fi, excursions, alcohol, airfare and more on top of its already low prices. And, similar to luxury lines, Norwegian ditches steadfast rules like assigned dining times, but costs a fraction of the price.

• 3.97 Overall Rating
• 19 Ships in Fleet

Cunard Line

While you may not expect to find a more opulent line like Cunard on this list, the cruise provider has a surprising number of relatively reasonable fares for upcoming sailings. Travelers can fully enjoy the line's old-world elegance knowing that room service, onboard activities and most dining options are included in the base price.

• 4.07 Overall Rating

Costa Cruises

A member of the Carnival family, Costa Cruises is primarily based in Europe. The fleet offers lower rates than its competitors, particularly for its Mediterranean itineraries (think: fares starting at less than $100 per person). Although it offers family-friendly amenities, Costa's ships are also well-suited to adults, with various entertainment options like theater shows and casinos.

• 3.50 Overall Rating
• 8 Ships in Fleet

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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How To Book Cheap Cruises, According to Frugal Redditors

Maxwell Shukuya is a California-based writer covering tech, travel, product reviews, and personal finance. Based in California, his work has previously been featured in Capital Public Radio, Submerge Magazine, and City on a Hill Press.

Ruth Peterkin/istockphoto

Sail Away for Less

Dropping a couple thousand dollars on a cruise will never be frugal. From camping  to road tripping , there are just cheaper ways to vacation. But if the high seas are calling, there are a few things you can do to keep your expenses low, according to frugal Redditors . Here are 10 ways to book the cheapest cruise possible.

Related:   20 Bucket-List Cruises Worth Saving For

Pay in Advance

Gratuities and fees abound on cruises — and not all of them are optional. One Redditor suggests pre-paying these extra charges to make budgeting for your trip easier. Don’t worry about not tipping enough. If the service is exceptional, you can still tip extra later on.

Related:   Surprising Facts You Never Knew About Cruise Ships

Account for Transportation Costs

Transportation to and from the port will be costly, especially if you’re traveling abroad. While it may be more boring than a cruise along the French riviera, it’s cheaper to choose an itinerary that begins and ends close to where you live.

Related:   Best Cruises for Senior Couples Under $100 a Night

Beware of Room Upgrades

Even after you’ve purchased your ticket, cruise lines will do everything they can to upcharge you. The biggest shakedown? Room upgrades. Make sure to do your research and commit to a room before getting on board. While cheap, most undesirable rooms may not be worth the savings if you cave for an upgrade once you’re on board.

Related:  24 Tips and Tricks for Smooth Sailing on Your Next Cruise

Arrange Third-Party Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are also a minefield of potential upcharges. You can avoid them altogether, or organize your own excursions with more affordable third-party companies.

For more cheap travel advice, please sign up for our free newsletters .

Avoid Specialty Dining Options

Remember: Food (often a buffet) is included with your ticket. If you want to save money, don’t be enticed by expensive upgrades, especially since dinner is often quite good in the main dining room, one Redditor writes.

Book a Longer Cruise

If this is your first time cruising, then you might be tempted to test the waters with a weekend trip. But one commenter says this is a mistake. Not only are weekend trips exhausting, they’re also more expensive per day than trips that are five nights or longer.

Sign Up for a Travel Credit Card

You can offset some of your expenses with a credit card specifically geared toward travel savings. Forbes Advisor even has a list of the best credit cards for cruises .

Book With Vacations To Go

Don't let the outdated website dissuade you. Multiple Redditors recommend booking with Vacations To Go , which specializes in cheap, last-minute cruise deals. CruiseCompete , another discounter, also comes up often in Reddit threads.

Don’t Cruise With Carnival

Despite Carnival's reputation as a low-cost cruise line, Redditors say that it’s worth paying a bit extra for Norwegian, which has a better “cost-to-enjoyment” ratio. “Carnival might offer some of the best prices, but they might not offer the kind of experience or atmosphere that you're looking for,” one comment reads.

Sneak in Drinks

While we don’t condone any serious rule breaking, some Redditors suggested sneaking alcohol aboard to avoid the astronomical drink prices. The practice is so common that vendors on Amazon sell entire kits dedicated to rum running . Just keep in mind that some cruise lines will go as far as kicking you off the ship if they discover your contraband.

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The Best Ways to Book a Cruise

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Not all cruise sites are created equal. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. 

Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more.

What is the best way to book a cruise?

The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. We've broken out cruise booking sites based on common booking goals.

From our findings, here are the top cruise booking sites for your next vacation, plus the pros and cons they offer travelers.

For sailings across the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America: CheapCaribbean

CheapCaribbean.com is the best cruise website for the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. It offers a best-price guarantee plus limited-time offers and discounts.

If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Best-price guarantee.

Customer service is available seven days a week.

Charges a $24.99 processing fee on reservations.

Must provide an email address to receive the best deals and promos.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

For consulting reviews from other cruisers: Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is an independent website that encourages community members to post reviews and share tips.

Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

Read cruise reviews from travelers who've been on that itinerary before.

"Deal Score" ranks deals to find the best value.

Price tracker shows 90-day trends for cruise prices.

Must click through the deal to book your cruise on other websites.

Prices are not guaranteed and can change before booking due to fees and restrictions on the sites where the cruises are being sold.

To review several cruise prices at once: CruiseDirect

CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation. CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site.

Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships.

Bonus offers on every reservation provide extra value.

Best-price guarantee and free reservation holds.

Buy now, pay later financing options.

Promos offered by cruise lines aren't exclusive to CruiseDirect.

Customer service can be unfriendly.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

For budget-friendly options: Priceline

Priceline was originally known for its "Name Your Own Price" promotions, but has grown into a full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises, saving consumers more than $1 billion dollars per year.

Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations.

Up to $2,000 to spend on board.

Waived deposits of up to $500 when booking your cruise.

110% best-price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Ability to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more from the same site.

Must call Priceline to get exclusive offers and unpublished fares.

Restrictions make the best-price guarantee harder to benefit from.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best cruise deals

For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise.

Search over 70,000 cruise deals from more than 60 sites at once.

Dedicated ship pages share details, reviews, photos and itineraries.

Too many search results make it harder to narrow down your choices.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel is a family-owned website that matches travelers with a vacation planner based on their preferences. It's the best way to book a cruise using a travel planner because it offers a low-price guarantee without charging extra fees for the planner.

The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise.

Match with cruise planners according to your needs.

Does not charge Avoya fees for booking, changes or cancellations.

Get a low-price guarantee and the expertise of a vacation planner without extra fees.

Must become a member to unlock the best deals.

Pricing on the website is not "live" pricing, so actual cost may vary.

Cannot book a cruise online. You must speak with an independent vacation planner.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance right now

To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel

American airlines cruises.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com . All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. These miles and Loyalty Points count toward airline elite status. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines.

Earn miles and Loyalty Points toward travel and elite status.

Cardholders earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles on cruises.

Cruise experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cruise reservations are offered by a third party, so customer service issues can be a challenge.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal. Booking through SkyMilesCruises.com helps you earn Delta SkyMiles on your purchase.

Members get up to 10,000 miles on most cruises and up to 100,000 miles on luxury cruises. Plus, the site waives deposits on eligible cruise reservations.

Can earn up to 100,000 miles when booking a cruise.

Waives deposits when booking eligible cruises.

110% price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Most cruise awards are capped at 10,000 miles.

Miles earned are based on the length of the cruise, not the amount spent.

United Airlines Cruises

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com .

When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits.

Earn up to 7x miles on cruises.

United MileagePlus Premier members receive additional perks.

Can redeem miles to pay for some or all of your trip.

Not all cruises can be booked online.

Prices do not include a nonrefundable $24.99 processing fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

If you want to earn hotel points on your cruise, Marriott Cruise with Points is the best cruise website for you. You'll earn up to 6x points on your cruise purchase, or you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your trip.

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Earn up to 6x points on your cruise, up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Marriott cardholders receive an extra 2x points when paying with their cards.

Can use Bonvoy points to pay for your cruise.

Redemption value of Bonvoy points is only 0.4 cent.

Must call to book cruises using points.

Processing fee of $24.99 per reservation.

» Learn more: Airline credit cards vs. hotel credit cards

For cruise package deals: Costco Travel

Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members. Through its Costco Travel website , members receive exclusive prices and benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel packages.

Executive Members earn 2% back on Costco Travel purchases and receive additional benefits on select packages. Plus, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Earn 2% rewards and extra perks with Executive Membership.

Some cruises offer Costco gift cards or onboard credit.

Must be a member to book reservations with Costco Travel.

Directly with the Cruise Line

In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party. If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other.

This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. However, you may miss out on promotions offered by third-party sites.

Simple search functions.

No hassles with third parties for problems, changes or cancellations.

Less likely to get scammed by fraudulent sites.

Miss out on deals offered by third-party sites.

Harder to compare prices, benefits and routes from multiple cruise lines.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. 

We selected the lowest-priced balcony room on Royal Caribbean departing from Miami in August 2023. Here are the results:

Mitigate cancellation policy risks with travel insurance

If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for cruises

Travel cards with cruise benefits

You can get even more perks by booking your cruise with the right card.

on Chase's website

on Bank of America's website

on American Express' website

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Get 25% more value out of your points when you book cruises through Chase.

Book with your card to get automatic travel protections for your cruise.

Redeem miles as a statement credit to cover spending on cruises.

Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise.

Earn 2x points on travel spending, including cruises and some ship excursions.

Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services.

Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines. Terms apply.

Cruise program benefits include $300 credit redeemable toward dining and spa services plus amenities like wine, chocolates and champagne. Terms apply.

Booking a cruise recapped

When looking for the best way to book a cruise, the price is virtually the same on every website. The difference lies in how each seller sweetens the deal.

Several cruise booking sites set themselves apart from the competition by offering additional benefits to encourage booking through them. Additionally, being able to book other parts of your trip — like flight and excursions — on the same site, or offering access to a travel agent, distinguishes some of the best cruise websites. 

When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back.

If you're searching for cruises on a third-party website, you may question the legitimacy of that site. This is especially true if the site doesn't look professional or some of the information is outdated.

For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers.

Yes, last-minute deals can be the best way to book a cruise. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.

Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Looking for cheap cruises? Here's what to know know about finding deals.

Chris Daley has a strategy for finding cheap cruises. The 47-year-old checks rates about once a week on cruise line websites or others, such as Vacations To Go.

Daley, who cruises two to three times a year, generally opts to go at off-peak times and scans Facebook and Reddit for mentions of low prices. When a fare catches his attention, he "may stalk it for a while," the New Jersey-based software developer told USA TODAY, or consult with friends who also cruise.

The system pays off. Right before Thanksgiving, Daley found a deal on a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing over New Year's to Bermuda and the Bahamas. "It's gone up since then like $1,000 or more," he said.

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When it comes to finding cheap cruises, it helps to be vigilant. But even travelers who have not developed their own strategy like Daley can save money on their next sailing. We gathered tips from travel experts on how to find cruise deals.

What is the cheapest month to book a cruise?

Travelers will find the best cruise deals for the year during "wave season," which typically starts in January and runs through March, according to Theresa Scalzitti, Chief Sales Officer at travel agency franchise network Cruise Planners.

"I would say to try to make their booking sometime within that wave window because they'll get a fantastic deal," she said.

When kids are in school, travelers can likely find deals, too, said Susan Guthrie, an independent travel agent with Travel with Sparkle. "Those peak times when they have school vacations and summer, obviously the prices are much higher," she said.

Maurice Smith, a luxury travel adviser and founder of the travel agency Eugene Toriko, added that when it comes to booking lower fares, "the earlier, the better," noting that many people plan cruises at least a year ahead. For the planners out there, some cruise lines already have itineraries available through 2025, Scalzitti said.

What if I book before a new cruise deal?

Travelers – or their travel agents – can also keep an eye out for price changes for their sailing. If the cost for the stateroom category they booked goes down before their final payment due date, Guthrie said, passengers can rebook at the cheaper price. Final payment dates range, on average, 70 to about 120 days before departure, Scalzitti said.

Passengers who book a fare with a nonrefundable deposit may lose it if they switch, according to Guthrie, though cruise lines may give them the difference in onboard credit.

Can I get a deal on a last-minute sailing?

Even those who wait to book may not be out of luck. If a line is looking to fill space as a sailing gets closer, travelers might be able to find deals then, too. "I've seen last-minute bookings where the rate may be lower than when they actually first launched that itinerary," Smith said.

Take caution, though: Guthrie noted that some of those remaining cabins may be less desirable.

Story continues below.

What is the cheapest cruise fare?

The cheapest cruise fares are going to be those with no perks or add-ons included, according to Scalzitti. However, cruise lines may offer deals that bundle extra items – such as Wi-Fi or a beverage package  – with their fare, offering a better value than if they were to add them a la carte.

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Travel to and from the ports can also raise the cost of a trip, but Smith said some cruise lines offer promotions that allow passengers to get credit toward airfare as part of their booking, which provides savings on flights.

How else can travelers find cheap cruises?

Travel experts shared a number of other tips to save money on a cruise:

► Repositioning cruises – when cruise lines move a ship from one region to another for a new season, such as from Europe to the Caribbean – are often a bargain, Scalzitti said. "They're usually on a per-day basis, probably the lowest cost to people," she said.

But many of those days are likely to be spent sailing, she noted, because repositioning cruises often have a high number of sea days.

Guthrie said those cruises tend to be in spring and fall, and travelers can find them via the cruise lines' websites labeled as such or through a travel agent.

► Members of cruise line loyalty programs get offers that can save them money, such as discounted fares or free laundry service, Guthrie said, along with other perks like early embarkation and disembarkation.

► For those who like to gamble, Guthrie said, passengers can accrue benefits when they play in the casino. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Players Club, for instance, allows guests to earn rewards such as free or discounted rooms, according to the line's  website . Guests are automatically enrolled when they use their Sail & Sign card in the casino.

► Scalzitti also encouraged cruisers to book their next sailing while still on board, as they can get deals and perks, such as reduced deposits. "Especially if you really love the cruise line, rebook it while you're there wherever you want to go next and you're going to get some great discounts on your next cruise," she said.

► Passengers can get discounts on add-ons such as Wi-Fi or specialty dining by paying for them ahead of time, Scalzitti said. Norwegian, for example, sells basic and premium options for one, two, and four devices, starting at $25.50 a day if guests buy online and about $30 a day if they buy on board, according to its  website .

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How to Find Cheap Cruises: The Complete Guide

When it comes to affordability, it’s hard to beat what you get with a cruise. Instead of booking transportation and hotels, then having to shell out more for entertainment, restaurants, and activities on a traditional trip, it’s all included in one price.

The result is a fantastic value for what you get. Even so, there are definitely some cruises that offer a lot better pricing and value than others. If you’re wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a cruise, that’s possible. But it’s also possible to get by spending hundreds on the cheapest cruises … if you know where to look.

After years of searching for cruises — including taking trips that cost as little as $106 per person aboard one of the most popular cruise lines in America — here is exactly what we’ve learned about how to find the cheapest cruises, no matter where you want to sail.

In This Article...

Start Your Cruise Search With An Aggregator Site

If you want to find the cheapest cruise, then it makes sense that you want to search across all the cruise lines. After all, going to a cruise line’s website first and searching there limits you to only their trips.

Instead, any number of sites like Orbitz or AvoyaTravel can search across every line , with the ability to narrow things down by destination, date, and number of nights. As well, you can sort by price to find the absolute lowest fares .

Personally, we like to start a search on these sites and then book directly through the cruise line. There’s nothing wrong with booking through a third-party, but it does add another layer to the process. If there is a cancellation or price change, we like knowing that we can contact the cruise line directly.

Shorter = Cheaper (But Not Necessarily The Best Value)

All things considered, the shorter a cruise’s length, then the less money it’s going to cost. That shouldn’t be a surprise. So if you want to sail on the overall least expensive cruises, then look for trips that are 3-5 days in length.

But don’t mistake a cheap price for the best value. Often you’ll find that longer cruises are actually cheaper on a per-day basis, offering a better value for what you are spending . On this basis, a $500 per person 7-day cruise is “cheaper” than a $300 3-day cruise.

You’ll need to decide if you’re looking for the least expensive cruise overall or the best value when you start your search.

Avoid Sailing In The Summer

If you’re like many people, then summer is the most convenient time to cruise. Maybe you have kids who are off of school, or simply want to have a summer vacation when things at work slow down with everyone else out of the office.

If you want a cheap cruise, however, avoid sailing in the summer . During this time cruise lines see higher demand as more people look to travel. The result is higher prices.

How much higher? It’s not unusual to see the same trip cost hundreds more in the summer than during the lulls in spring or fall.

Of course, if sailing to Alaska you can’t avoid having to sail during the summer season as these trips don’t go year-round.

Cheapest Cruise Months: January, February, September, October

If you have the most flexibility and are sailing from North America, check out cruises in January, February, September and October. Generally they seem to be the least expensive options .

For months like November and December times outside the holidays are pretty cheap, but prices spike for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Older Ships Mean Cheaper Fares

No, not every trip on an older ship will be less expensive compared to a cruise on a newer ship . But as a rule of thumb, the older a ship is, the less expensive you can expect its cruises to be.

New ships? These days they are nothing short of floating resorts, with Broadway shows, amusement parks, and fine dining added in for good measure.

Older ships still have plenty to offer and can be an amazing time, but they just aren’t quite on the same level. And since everyone wants to enjoy the latest and greatest, the newer ships are priced accordingly.

So when you do find some of the cheapest cruises, expect them to be on older ships in the fleet. The good news is that these ships are regularly updated, so it’s not like you’re going to be sailing a cruise on a ship that looks like it’s from the 1970s with shag carpet! They just might not have the space and amenities seen on larger, newer vessels.

Try Your Fare With And Without Your Loyalty Number

Every cruise line has a loyalty program. Sail more nights and over time you’ll earn more perks. This includes access to exclusive fares, benefits on the ship, and more.

Whenever you book your cruise online through the cruise line’s website, there is typically a place to put in your loyalty number. Then it will show you fares.

In some cases, we’ve noticed that the rates when your number is entered can actually come out higher than without it .

Just don’t automatically assume that your loyalty account gives you the best rates. Search both with and without the number entered.

Casino Players Can Get Discounted Fares

Head to Las Vegas and drop a boatload of cash and don’t be surprised if you get a comped room. It’s a similar situation with cruises.

Just about every ship has a casino, and your play is tracked just like if you went to Vegas. Play enough and cruise lines will offer you sharply discounted cruises , sometimes for seemingly pennies on the dollar.

Is it a good deal? Well cruise lines aren’t offering you casino rates because they just want to be nice. If you’re paying $200 for a cabin, but dropping $1,000 in the casino, that’s not much different than paying $1,200 for the vacation.

Even so, you should know that if you’re a big gambler there are some benefits to your play on the ship in the form of heavily discounted cruise fare.

Don’t Wait For A Cruise Line Sale… They Don’t Really Matter

Here’s a secret about cruise line sales — they run constantly. And while they do change here and there, most of the time it seems like they all end up at the same price .

Sure you might save a few bucks, but it’s not like one day the price will be 30% less when a new sale hits compared to the day before.

That’s not what you’d think at first glance, however. Cruise lines use tools like big countdown timers on their websites, talk about exclusive offers, or wording like “last chance.”

Are there some sale offers that actually are good and only around for a little while? Sure. But what we’ve seen is that the vast majority are ones that are only tweaked slightly and then presented as new.

The sales are a way to get your attention and excited to book, but they typically don’t seem to have a large impact on what you pay from one day to the next. When you “sail” will be a much bigger influence than when you “sale.”

See If You Can Pay With Credit Card Rewards

These days many of us have credit cards with reward points. So spend a dollar, get a point that can be put toward cash back, your statement, gift cards, travel, and more.

No matter what sort of card you have, if you have some earnings, then it’s a smart idea to cash them in to help pay for your trip.

Sure, it’s not necessarily a way to find a cruise for less money, but it is less money that comes out of your pocket for the vacation .

Costco Travel Is Great For Cruises (High Incentives)

If you’re a Costco member, then you are sitting on one of the best places to buy a cruise.

There are seemingly hundreds of websites where you can buy a cruise through. And what you’ll find is that they all seem to have the same price . So a cruise for $579 on the cruise line website is $579 on Orbitz.

Where they differ sometimes is that some places will offer things like onboard credit or rewards for booking through them. In our hunts, Costco seems to be the king in this department. If you’re a member, then you can book through Costco Travel. There, the fare will be what you see elsewhere, but they offer Costco Shop Cards as an incentive .

These cards are essentially gift cards to Costco that can be used like cash at the store. And in our experience the amounts can be substantial compared to the price of the cruise. We’ve seen rewards upwards of 10% of the cruise fare.

If you’re a member, don’t book without checking out Costco first for your trip. If you aren’t a member, then it might be worth joining up.

Read: The Best Websites to Buy a Cruise

Repositioning Cruises Are Among The Cheapest You’ll Find

If you are flexible… and I mean really flexible… with how you sail, then look at repositioning cruises.

A normal cruise begins and ends in the same port. So you hop on the ship in Miami, sail around the Caribbean for a week, and come back to Miami. But sometimes a ship is being moved from port to port. So a ship may sail from Miami to Europe for the summer.

As you might expect, filling a ship that starts in one port and ends in another — especially on a lengthy trip like across the Atlantic — can be tougher. That leads to some ridiculously cheap cruise fares .

Royal Caribbean, for example, has a 12-night cruise from Barcelona to Barbados starting at just $421 per person for cruise fare. That comes out to just $35 per day. An 11-night cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas leaves New York for England, at just $655.

The only catch? You are on your own for getting back home.

Check Prices And Call The Cruise Line If You See A Cheaper Fare After Booking

If you want the cheapest cruise, then your work isn’t quite done even after you book. You’ll want to check in from time to time (once every week or two) to see what the price is now.

Like airfare (although not as drastic), cruise fares do fluctuate. There’s always a possibility that you may book a trip and then the price falls. In that case, don’t hesitate to call the cruise line or your travel agent.

Many times you can call and get some help with the lower fare in the form of a refund or onboard credit for the difference. It doesn’t always work, but for the little time it takes, it is definitely worth the effort.

Should I Wait To Buy A Cruise Until Last Minute?

Last-minute fares aren’t really a thing anymore. It makes sense that if a cruise is about to sail with an empty cabin that the cruise line would slash the fare to at least get somebody in the room.

In reality, that’s not the case. For one, in normal times ships sail above 100% occupancy . That means every cabin has at least two people in it and some have more. In other words, ships don’t normally sail with empty cabins.

Of course, with the health crisis that’s changed a bit, but cruise lines have largely made it a point to keep pricing steady as the sail date nears. After all, if a cruise always dropped prices right before the trip, then it would train passengers to wait to book for better deals.

Which Cruise Line Has The Cheapest Cruises?

You can find deals from any cruise line, but there are some that definitely seem to offer cheaper cruises overall.

Among the major cruise lines, we find that Carnival and MSC tend to be less expensive on average than what you’ll find elsewhere.

That said, don’t let that keep you from searching across all lines. There are some routes and times where you can find cheaper cruises from other lines.

Do Computer “Cookies” Matter When Searching Online for Cruises? Do They Change Prices?

There is a belief among some people that if you search for a cruise on your computer multiple times, that the price will increase as it shows you are more interested in buying.

The idea is that a cookie on your computer browser tracks your visits and bumps up the price to earn more money for the cruise line.

Having searched and bought cruises online for years, we can tell you that we’ve never seen any sort of evidence that this happens . We’ve priced the same cruise over and over, searched in “incognito” windows, different browsers, etc. with no change in price.

Where we have seen price differences is when entering our loyalty number, which sometimes is automatically filled in with your browser’s cookies. It’s not often, but sometimes there are actually higher prices with this number entered than without.

What Is A Good Price For A Cruise?

Of course, with all the different dates, routes, lengths, and ships, the price of a cruise can vary widely. So what is a good price?

We have more details on what’s a good price here , but in general you can consider the prices below as relatively cheap. Note that these are priced per day for an interior cabin — so you can compare these with the “headline” prices you see quoted on websites.

Good Prices for a Cruise (interior, per person, before taxes/fees): Caribbean/Bahamas/Mexico: $75 per night  Alaska: $100 per night Mediterranean: $85 per night

Why Is The Price I Pay So Much More Than The Headline Price?

When shopping for a cheap cruise, you’ll notice that there are low “headline” fares mentioned. So a 7-day cruise might go for $559, but the total cost is much higher — often three times as high — by the time you actually buy the trip.

That’s because of several reasons. First, prices on websites are quoted for the lowest-tier interior cabin. If you choose a higher-end room like a balcony, then that price will be higher.

As well, cruise fares are quoted on a per-person basis, but almost always are charged for double occupancy. So even if you sail solo, you’re charged for two cruise fares.

Finally, there are port fees and taxes. These can add another $100-$200 per person, depending on your specific trip.

More on Finding Cheap Cruise Deals

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Is MSC a Good Cruise Line? What to Know From Someone That’s Sailed

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals Guide

When it comes to planning the ultimate getaway, there are so many reasons why cruise vacations rank among the most popular travel options. First of all, they’re completely stress-free. On a cruise vacation, all the planning is taken care of by the cruise line — from the destinations you sail to and the shore excursions available at each port, to a full range of entertainment and activities happening onboard every day. If you’re not a planner, or if the only things you’re looking to focus on during your getaway is savoring great food, relaxing, and soaking up the sights, cruise vacations are the way to go. A cruise vacation is also a great option if you’re traveling with the whole family, especially when you opt for a Royal Caribbean cruise. All of the ships in this cruise line’s fleet offer family-friendly experiences for guests of all ages. Even little ones will find plenty of ways to play with spaces and activities designed for tots to tweens. One of the top reasons savvy travelers love cruising, though, is because of the incredible value it offers. With Royal Caribbean, your cruise fare includes access to most of the ship’s attractions, select dining venues and all of the entertainment onboard. If you want to make your experience even more all-inclusive, you can opt for beverage and specialty dining packages that cover drinks and dinner at some of the most exclusive restaurants in the fleet. On top of all that, the cruise line presents frequent limited-time offers and seasonal sales, making it easy to score big savings when booking your vacation.

I’m ready to start planning my cruise — how can I score the best deals?

Whether you’re looking to book a short getaway or a longer adventure to far-flung destinations, Royal Caribbean makes it easy to save big on everything from your cruise fare to special experiences onboard and onshore. The first step to making sure you get the best deals is to join the cruise line’s email list. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive regular updates on all the latest offers, like deals by destination , kids sail free promotions and flash sales. The savings don’t end when you book your cruise, though. Once you’ve made a reservation, you’ll also receive notifications about special offers for onboard experiences — like discounts on beverage and specialty dining packages, shore excursions, spa services, and more via My Royal Cruise .

Does it pay to plan ahead, or should I wait until the last minute?  

It’s an age-old question — does the early bird really get the worm, or are there perks to taking a “wait-and-see” approach? If you’re booking a cruise vacation, you’ll find there are benefits to both strategies. Planning ahead is a great way to score big savings , as Royal Caribbean often runs early saver deals to guests booking well in advance. It’s also pretty safe to assume prices usually go up as availability goes down the closer you get to your sail date, so booking ahead is a surefire way to lock in a great rate. That said, booking a cruise at the last minute can also yield some unexpected savings — but only if the itinerary you’re interested in hasn’t sold out yet.

If you can be flexible when it comes to your travel dates, you’ll have your pick of unbeatable savings. Popular vacation dates — like the holidays , spring break , summer vacation and week long cruises — sometimes see the highest prices (though you might get lucky with a seasonal sale). If you have the flexibility to travel during the shoulder season or off season, you’ll likely enjoy big savings on popular stateroom categories , like Balconies and even Suites. The deals don’t only apply to your cruise fare, though. Once you’ve booked your vacation, you could easily unlock discounts and specials on add-ons, including beverage and dining packages , Voom® high speed internet, shore excursions, and amazing experiences not included in your cruise fare — like a day of pampering at Vitality SM Spa, a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship’s galley followed by brunch, VIP seating at shows, and much more.

How can I maximize the value of my cruise vacation?

There are plenty of ways to get more bang for your buck when you sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every ship in the fleet offers a range of delicious complimentary dining options , but you can dig into even more crave-worthy flavor by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package for less ahead of your cruise. Add a Specialty Beverage Package — which includes unlimited alcoholic beverages, soda, and more — and your experience is as close to all-inclusive as it gets. And with so many complimentary shows and attractions onboard, you can easily fill every sea day without spending a single dollar extra.

Royal Caribbean also offers deals based on departure ports  and destinations, so if you’re a flexible traveler looking for great savings, you can plan your next vacation around which itineraries are on sale. Just check your email or visit RoyalCaribbean.com/cruise-deals to stay up to date on promotions, sales and special offers. You can even browse sailings and deals by homeport, destination and season, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best possible deal no matter when or where in the world you choose to set sai.

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