Living on a limited income/budget can be tough. Living on a limited income/budget and vacationing takes planning. A cruise gives you the opportunity to know what the vacation is going to cost you in total. This is great for those on a budget. Of course, you have to choose your cabin, any drink packages, calculate what the gratuities will be and decide if you want any excursions or spa treatments. The internet is a great source for the prices. Then you can total what your vacation is going to cost you. Here are some tips on how to cruise the cheapest and get the most for your money:
- Cruise in value season. Summer time, holidays and spring break are more expensive.
- If you have the ability to go on short notice, sometimes you can get a great deal. This is especially true if you live within driving distance to a cruise port. We paid $599 per person + port charges for a 16 day cruise 1 week before the sail date.
- Visit the various cruise line sites and cruise sites frequently. We check daily when we are ready to cruise. Believe it or not, prices between the two will vary. If you have trouble sleeping, I have heard that the cruise lines occasionally offer flash deals in the early hours of the morning.
- Check Wave sales (usually in March), Christmas in July sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
- Some cruise sites charge a non refundable booking fee. Since the prices between the sites don’t usually vary, why pay an additional booking fee?
- Check the various cabin prices. We have seen Balcony cabins offered at Outside cabin prices.
- If you have been on a cruise and do not care where your cabin is located or what type of cabin you are assigned, guarantee cabins are a great choice if they are the same price or cheaper than the category you are selecting. We have booked an inside guarantee and been assigned a balcony cabin (for the same price) 4 times. Keep in mind that you will never receive a smaller cabin set up than you choose and if you receive a outside or balcony cabin, your view may be obstructed either partially or completely by a lifeboat, for example.
- Although the cruise lines sometime offer ‘freebies’, it may not be the best price that you can get or what you need. Prepaid gratuities and Unlimited drink packages are great, but aren’t always free (see Deal or No Deal post for more details). Book the cruise yourself, with various options but without finalizing it. Decide which option works best for you. If there is a difference in price between the cabin you have to book (in order to get the ‘free’ amenity) and the cabin you would normally book is it worth it?
- Check to see what you are allowed to bring on the cruise. Cruise lines owned by Carnival (Princess, Holland, etc.) allow you to bring a 12 pack of canned soda, a case of water and a 750 ml bottle of wine per person (those who are 21+ for the wine). All have to be carried on or in your carry on items. They can not be packed in your suitcase. Taking these will save on some of your drink purchases.
Cruising doesn’t have to be expensive. It includes your lodging, food and entertainment. For people on a budget, it is a great option.