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 point is, it really pays to shop around and know what it is that you want in a cruise. With that in mind, the following are several ways in which cruise companies offer discounts. Odds are, one of these discounts will be right for you and your family.
Advance Booking Specials
Early booking discounts are a very common promotion for most of the cruise carriers, and often excellent deals can be found through this type of pricing. Generally, you should start looking up to a year before your sail date to get the very best deals.
Sure, you can often find better deals at the last minute, particularly for Caribbean cruises, but if you book early, the price break is generally quite good, and you can frequently get the room you want. Later in the season or during last-minute specials, cabins and even whole ships can be sold out, severely limiting your choices.
Because cruises do sell out, especially on popular routes like Alaska, the early booking fares can be one of the best all-around bargains, allowing you to book your favorite room at a reasonable price.
Last Minute Bargain Pricing
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.
The summer is the high season in many regions of Earth, but in the Caribbean it is the hurricane season, and therefore cruise pricing is discounted there frequently during this time. On the up side, you might get a great fare. But on the down side, you might miss out on your vacation altogether if a hurricane hits.
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.
Bargain Add-On Cruise Deals
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 common value-added feature is an on-board credit. In this instance, the cruise carrier adds a credit to your cabin account that can be utilized during your cruise. Other perks can include free cruise line clothing or a bottle of wine or a fruit basket in your stateroom.
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