Budget-Friendly Cruising: Insider Tips for Affordable Adventures
Cruising can be a great way to travel without the stress of coordinating transportation, lodging, and meals for every destination, unpacking once, nightly entertainment, and beautiful scenery; it’s an excellent option for seeing multiple locations without the jet lag. However, with the rising costs of travel, knowing how to save money on cruise fares and related travel can make your experience even more enjoyable. Beyond cruise fare special sales and booking years in advance, there are other ways to make cruising even more budget-friendly.
Cruising off the coast of Tasmania, Australia / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
AARP Gift Cards
Purchase cruise line gift cards at a reduced rate. You can join AARP for a minimal annual or monthly fee. There are no longer age restrictions for an AARP membership, which opens up these discounts to everyone. As a member, you can purchase cruise gift cards at a discounted rate. For instance, at the time of this article's writing, a couple of cruise lines offered a $500 gift card for $450. That is an instant 10% savings. You can buy up to four gift cards a month, so plan accordingly and slowly buy enough gift cards to cover the cost of your cruise.
In addition, you can find many types of discounted gift cards on AARP that you can use to save money on your cruise vacation, such as hotels, airlines, and restaurants.
Airfare/Rental Car (Use Points or Travel Credit Card Perks)
If you have a travel credit card or miles with an airline, use your points/miles. What are you saving them for if not for travel? You may also get other travel perks with your credit card that help with travel costs. For instance, you may have the Buddy Pass on Southwest Airlines, which allows you to travel to and from the port destination, and your travel partner flies with you, paying only the taxes for that flight. That’s half the cost of airfare right there. Some travel credit cards offer an annual travel credit as a perk to offset the annual fee; many do, but don’t bother advertising it. Some give steep discounts on rental cars or even travel insurance. Perks could be as simple as earning 5 times the rewards by booking through the credit card website. There are numerous perks offered, but they are often overlooked by consumers, as companies rely on consumers not being aware of all their card benefits. Even if you think you know, review them again. They continually change and add new things. Travel-related cards are very competitive, and if you use these cards, chances are you will have some perks available to help save you money.
Casino Loyalty Cruise Offers
Do you enjoy playing at the casino? Whether you've played on prior cruises or at the casino in your hometown, there are ways to capitalize on this pastime and save money on cruises. If you play at a casino on a cruise line, you will find that it is tracked, and you may receive discounts from the Casino side of the cruise line. Casino play can lead to significant discounts on cruise fares and may even result in receiving free cruise offers. The offer may be as simple as free drinks while playing in the casino or include free play credit. Whatever the offer, take advantage of it. While it’s easy when they send you offers directly, sometimes you have to obtain a full cruise quote to see the discounts being offered. I have met many people who are cruising on a casino loyalty offer, which includes a free cruise (the room is free, but taxes and port charges still apply).
If you are a member of any casino loyalty program, some cruise lines will consider your membership status at that casino when setting your status at the cruise line casino. At the time of this writing, Carnival has an offer to sign up for their casino loyalty program, and they will consider your status at any other casino when setting your status in their program. This could lead to an offer of a complimentary cruise, complimentary drinks while playing, and even complimentary play credits on your cruise. Do a simple online search, and you may be surprised at what is being offered to casino loyalty customers by different cruise lines.
Last-Minute Cruise Deals or Cruising Standby
We’ve all experienced seeing an ad for a great, low price on a flight, only to find that it’s only valid for the next two months (I’m looking at you, Southwest). For some, being flexible is not feasible, but for many, it’s the best way to find budget prices on cruises. I’ve seen offers on cruises that were as low as $100 more than the taxes and port fees, which are always required to be paid by the consumer. The caveat is that you must be able to take that cruise within the next month or two. The closer it is to the departure date, the lower the price becomes. That’s because they want to fill up the ship. A cruise line makes most of its income from the money spent onboard the ship. If you have the flexibility, a last-minute cruise could be a great option to save money.
A newer trend is cruising standby. Just like flying standby, you can sign up to go on a cruise as a standby passenger. If there is room on that ship, you will be offered a deeply discounted cruise fare (up to a 70-80% discount). This is easier to do if you live near a cruise port. Depending on the cruise line, you may need to be flexible regarding the itinerary, room, and departure date. Sometimes, you are only contacted days before the departure date. At other times, it may be a few weeks. Some cruise lines allow you to select the specific cruise you want and don’t charge extra for a single traveler, unlike the typical cost for a solo cruise traveler. This is a great way to cruise on a budget if you can take advantage of the reduced cruise fare once you've been granted it.
Repositioning Cruises
Ship repositioning cruising occurs when a cruise line needs to relocate a ship from one part of the world to another due to seasonal changes. For instance, every year, cruise lines relocate their ships from the Alaska region to the Pacific Southwest, or to areas where the weather permits cruising. The ships move and start a new season of sailing elsewhere. Once that season ends, they will offer another ship repositioning cruise to move it back again. It is common to find discounted cruise fares for repositioning. They have to move the ship, no matter what, so why not get some passengers on board? (Remember, they make the most money from consumers while the ship is in operation.) Normally, this means more time sailing than stopping at ports, especially when moving from Europe to the US or the Caribbean. That’s ok, though. All of the usual amenities and entertainment are happening on board. I’ve even noticed bigger themed parties and activities since there is more time without port stops. Relax and enjoy the sailing part of cruising.
Typically, repositioning cruises are during the shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons are an ideal time to cruise, offering decent weather and fewer crowds. However, you will want to know how this affects port stops along the way. You may still stop in that dream port in Spain, only to find that the tourist season ended last week and the shops closed up for the season. Why stay open if no more cruise ships are bringing the hordes of consumers? Some small communities don’t have their tourist sites staffed without the tourist season in full swing. Do some research and know what to expect before you go. You will still find plenty to do and see on these cruises, so it’s wise to be aware that the smaller port calls could be impacted.
Cruising doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With a bit of creativity, planning, and flexibility, you can save big on cruise fares and related travel expenses while still enjoying the adventure, relaxation, and fun that comes with being out at sea. With these tips, you’re ready to set sail, enjoy the journey, and explore the world—all while keeping your budget intact. So, start planning, pack your bags, and get ready to sail off into the sunset. Adventure (and savings!) await.
Bon Voyage!
- J.S. Whaldo
