Tips to save on cheap cruise packages
The idea of a luxurious multilevel cruise liner sailing into the distance of the ocean may seem like an impossible and expensive dream. However this type of travel can be cheap, you just need to know how and on what to save.
When to buy
Since the cruise travel is gaining more and more popularity and the demand is growing, it is a good idea to book in advance, while there are still most cost effective deals, cheap cabins and there are discounts for early booking. These savings can amount to 30-40% percent of the cost of the whole trip. If you book way in advance you will have a lot of time to find a cheap airfare to the place where the cruise starts and prepare all other formalities. Be sure to pay attention to the cancellation conditions – the penalties can be very severe – the fee for cancelling less than two months in advance may reach 50-70% of the cost of the whole trip. So if your plans are vague, do not take risks.
Where to go
Thinking about where to go? Huge and comfortable ships sail through many seas and ocean. The Caribbean all around is probably the cheapest destination, plus if you are in the US it is not a long flight as well. Also, very good deals often appear on Mediterranean cruises, but the downside is a long flight across the ocean to the place of origin. Sightseeing cruises are also popular and they are usually less expensive than the expedition ones – to the remote places of the planet. Follow the major cruise companies, and you’ll be in the know of the special offers and just opened new routes (which can often be booked with a discount).
Choosing a cruise company
A first glance all cruise companies are alike. Each of them occupies a niche in the market: one of them focuses on expensive vacations with many top services included in one price, the other is trying to attract not so rich travelers on board, giving them an option of purchasing additional services on board (or even declining them). Popular among the economy cruisers are Carnival, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. On the other hand Azamara, Oceania Cruises or Silversea cost significantly more.
Different ships
Pay attention to the year when the ship was built. The smaller the ship, the more the likelihood of it being an older one, besides if there are no on-board skating rinks or rock climbing walls, the cheaper the cost will be to you. The cruise liners, constructed in the recent years, are usually huge, with a wide range of entertainment offered on board, but, consequently the cost of travelling in this floating city will be higher. The exceptions to this rule are small and comfortable deluxe liners.
Roof above your head
There are many types of cabins on the cruise ship. Given that you are likely to spend time in restaurants, swimming pools, lounging on the deck and only go back to your cabin to sleep at night, then you don’t really need a “luxury” suite with an ocean view, a personal deck and a private pool – you will be just fine in a cheap cabin. The most economical option is a room without a window on one of the lower levels. Generally the higher the deck, the more expensive the cabins get. A cabin with a porthole in the ship’s hull is cheaper than a full cabin with a window. And the window overlooking the inner patio is cheaper than the one with the ocean view. The cabins on the bow and stern are usually cheaper than the ones in the central part of the ship.
Travel mates
If you don’t mind sharing a room with two or three people, instead of having a private room, the trip will be cheaper. Therefore, when planning a cruise trip, think about having travel companions. If you traveling with your family, find out what is your chosen cruise company’s policy regarding children – sometimes your offspring under 18 years of age can travel with you free of charge. Cruise companies often try to attract special travelers by giving discounts to honeymooners and elderly.
All inclusive cruises?
Read carefully what is included in the price of a cruise to avoid unexpected expenses. Usually almost everything is included, but often drinks (sometimes even tea, coffee and water) need to be paid for separately (you are not going to last 1+ weeks without any liquids). Often some of the basic packages include guided tours, but travelers can purchase additional tours on board. Port charges are paid separately and the final bill upon completion of the trip may include gratuities for the staff (you need to find this out before booking the trip).
Travel for free
Incidentally, the cheapest way of travelling on a cruise ship is to work there. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of people travel on a cruise ship at a time, so there is always need for help. And it doesn’t have to be a maid or waiter job – you can be a fitness trainer or an assistant magician – you just have to love working with people.
