Everyone dreams of going on a cruise, the vacation catered to you on the open seas. Offering the opportunity to get away from it all and explore exotic places, a cruise is everyone’s dream vacation.
But going on this dream vacation can be very expensive. The average room on a cruise ship can cost upwards of $1,200, not factoring in the average $500 cost in additional expenses.
Do not worry, there are plenty of ways to find a cruise for a low price. The key to saving is within your reach. Following the steps listed below will guarantee you savings on any cruise vacation.
Make a Flexible Plan
Many travel savings can be found at the last minute. If the option of taking a vacation on short notice is available to you, this may be an optimal way for you to find great savings.
Similar to flight costs, the prices of cruises can fluctuate. During a certain time, prices may be higher, and then they may drop drastically. One thing remains constant however, the closer your purchase is to the departure date, the cheaper the ticket prices will be.
Cruises will always drop their costs during the final hour. Departing with unpurchased rooms means profit loss, so the price of cruises will lower significantly as the departure date approaches.
Between three and six weeks out from the scheduled departure is an optimal timeframe to purchase cruise tickets. Doing so may save you up to several hundred dollars. Keeping your flexibility open, travelling during the week, and willingness to stay in any available room can save you a decent amount of money on a cruise.
“Wave Season”
Most consumers purchase cruises during the warm summer season. The off season, or “wave season”, is a time of year when cruises struggle to attract passengers.
Between January and March, when temperatures are the lowest, cruise purchases drop, and companies have difficulty filling ships with passengers. To counteract this, cruise lines often lower their prices significantly. Promotions and price cuts during this time of year can save you up to 75% on cruise tickets.
Cruise lines may offer special deals and promotions year-round, but the off season is the period where offers will be the lowest and savings will be the highest.
While most people find comfort in their homes during the winter, you can cruise the high seas for just a fraction of the price.
Stay Close to Home
While the price of the cruise itself can be steep, this price can increase exponentially if you must travel a large distance just to board the ship. If you have a ship port within close proximity to your home, departing from this port can save you significant amounts on travel fees.
Cruises are beginning to depart from new and different ports as time goes on. In previous years, Florida and California were the main departure locations for cruises. Today, cruises depart from ports located in cities including New York, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco, etc. Not only this, but cruises continue to add new destinations, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada, or Alaska.
Finding a last-minute offer on a cruise with a departure port that is close to you can allow you to capitalize on phenomenal savings. Residing in the city can also save you on the cost of keeping your vehicle parked somewhere for the duration of your trip.
Research Before Purchase
When searching for the best deal possible, it is important to remember to look at all the options available to you.
If you happen upon what appears to be an excellent deal with an unbelievably low price, do not purchase it just yet. Searching in other places for discounts and deals is essential so that you may make comparisons and truly pick the option that is best for you.
There are many ways to search for promotions offered for cruises. The best place to begin is with an online search. Websites such as Expedia or Priceline, LastMinuteTravel or CruiseDirect will show you any special deals or prices that are available to you.
It is also important to keep an eye out for coupons or discount codes. By setting price alerts and notifications, you can become aware of these deals easily. Searching for different cruise options prior to purchasing your ticket can save you significant amounts of money and help you find a deal with benefits that you prefer.
Using the information posted above, it is guaranteed that you will find the cruise that is right for you at an affordable price point.
