Cruise Tips
Some ways that I have used in real world applications to save money, time or stress
Ideas for Saving Money
Book Early
If you book early in the season cruise lines want to fill cabins, they will entice clients by offering cabin upgrades, complementary drink packages, on board credit just to name a few perks.
Be flexible
If you don’t mind the possibility of a guaranteed cabin (one that they assign you, usually within 2 weeks of departure.
Again the cruise line wants to fill all the cabins, sometimes they will sell the cabins at a steep discount to fill the ship prior to departure.
Usually this means a last minute trip, so if you are flexible this will save you a significant amount of money.
Wave Season
Typically during the months of January - March you can find the best sales. This is the black friday of the cruise industry. Many North American and European Passengers are tired of the cold and many lines will push sales during this time period.
Book from a Home Port City
If you are looking to save some money, many cruise lines offer cruises out of a coastal city near you. This can save you money on the need for booking airfare., or if you must fly a lot of domestic flights are cheaper than international flights.
Hurricane Season
This maybe an area of uneasiness, but if you can book a cruise that departs during August - November this will save a significant of money as well. I would recommend this most for people who do not easily get sea sick. More times than not during this season the waves are a little bit more. While modern cruise ships have systems in place to make it more comfortable, it is still not perfect.
Book Onboard
If you book onboard, many cruise lines will give you perks either on your current sailing or next sailing. Many cruise lines offer onboard credit or sometimes a nice little perk to use on your current cruise. If you are worried about your travel agent many times they will get the credit of this booking and be able to help manage it automatically when you get back.
Think about obstructed view cabins
If you are the type that enjoys researching things, sometimes this can play to your benefit. an obstructed view room sometimes isn’t as bad as it sounds. This may give you a larger balcony where a small portion of your view is obstructed.
Onboard Expenses
If you plan on consuming alcohol, this is one of the largest expenses on a cruise. Might do the math sometimes an alcohol package can save you a significant amount of money.
Pre-Cruise Purchases
Usually things like shore excursions, beverage packages, spa treatments are almost always discounted if you pruchase them far enough out from your sail date.
Ideas for Saving Stress and How to be More comfortable
Get to know the ship, Embarkation day is a great day to take a self guided ship tour. The more you know about the ship the more comfortable you will be and know what to check out and what you can maybe avoid to focus your time in places that peak your interest.
Pack your wardrobe according to the trip. Probably not going to get much use out of a coat when traveling to a Caribbean destination. Pack so your outfits pieces can be swapped to work with other pieces. This will save space in the closets and your luggage. I personally have a bad habit of over packing. This just creates more of a problem.
I recommend taking a power strip like this one in the link. Many cruise cabins do not have enough electrical plug ins. This makes it easier to charge you and your families devices. https://amzn.to/3S4LDcn (Travels Large is an amazon affiliate, We do receive a small commission on each item purchased. This commission goes towards operating costs of Travels Large.
If you have cruised several times and revisiting a port that you have already seen several times, take advantage of onboard discounts. Typically the spa will have port day specials. Pamper yourself, you deserve it.
When booking a cruise, think about where you want your cabin. I went on a cruise once where I was right underneath the buffet. All times day and nights I could hear the dish carts. This made for some difficulty sleeping.
Go out and enjoy yourself, while on a cruise try sometimes new. Step out of your comfort zone, you might just surprise yourself.
Do not over plan your trip. Have some loose ideas is great but you don’t want to have every minute of vacation wrapped up doing some activity. let yourself be free or just relax by the pool.
DON’T BE A PIER RUNNER… Seriously manage your time, make sure you have a watch that is on ship time. When they say all aboard at a specific time they are not kidding. It is expensive booking a last minute flight to the next port of call or home. Just avoid that.
