Cruise lines have gotten pretty clever about encouraging passengers to spend more money. From pushing premium cabin upgrades during booking to promoting high-margin extras like drink packages, photo sessions, and even sneaky upcharges in the main dining room, there’s no shortage of opportunities to drain your vacation budget.
The good news is that there are real, proven ways to stretch your cruise dollars without sacrificing the fun. Whether you’re trying to cruise on a tight budget or you just want to save in some areas so you can splurge on others, these insider tricks can help you save hundreds of dollars on your next sailing.
20 Money-Saving Tricks That Actually Work
1. Choose the Right Cabin Category
One of the biggest expenses when booking a cruise is your cabin choice. Many people automatically book a balcony cabin, thinking it’s essential for a great cruise experience. The reality is that inside cabins or ocean view cabins can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars while still giving you access to everything the ship has to offer.
One member of our Facebook group shared how she booked an aft balcony cabin for her Alaska cruise and ended up freezing every time she stepped outside. She never used it. For cold weather cruises in particular, ocean view cabins offer a smart compromise. You still get natural light and a view while staying cozy inside your heated cabin.
2. Book Guarantee Cabins for Instant Savings
Guarantee cabins are one of the best-kept secrets in cruise booking. These cabins are cheaper because you choose the category but not the specific cabin number. If you’re not picky about your exact location on the ship, this is an easy way to save money. You might even get lucky with a free upgrade if the ship needs to move passengers around.
The concept is simple: you’re guaranteeing the cruise line flexibility in exchange for a lower price. As long as you’re comfortable with not knowing your exact cabin until closer to sailing, it’s money in your pocket.
3. Bid for Upgrades Instead of Paying Full Price
Many cruise lines now offer upgrade bidding programs where you can bid for a nicer cabin at a fraction of the full upgrade price. These programs let you name your price for moving up a category, and if your bid is accepted, you get a better cabin without paying the standard upgrade fee.
I’ve seen people move from inside cabins to balconies for less than half of what they would have paid upfront. It’s worth placing a bid, especially if you’re already happy with your booked cabin and would just view the upgrade as a bonus.
4. Book Early and Monitor Price Drops
Booking early can lock in lower prices before they increase. One member of our Facebook group shared how his 21-night cruise increased by $8,000 in just 45 days. That’s a massive jump that he avoided by booking when he did.
The key is not to just book early and forget about it. Most cruise lines will honor price drops up until final payment, so keep checking back. If you notice the price has decreased, call your travel agent or the cruise line directly and ask them to adjust your booking to the lower rate.
5. Do the Drink Package Math
This might be controversial, but not everyone needs a drink package. Before you automatically add one to your booking, sit down and calculate how many drinks per day you’d need to consume just to break even.
If you’re someone who only enjoys a couple of drinks throughout the day, there are smarter alternatives. Most cruise lines allow you to bring wine onboard. Here’s an insider tip: you can usually skip the corkage fee by pouring wine into a glass in your cabin, then bringing it to the restaurant.
Another favorite trick is making your own mimosas. Bring prosecco onboard (where allowed) and order complimentary orange juice from room service breakfast. You can get creative and make sangria too by combining your wine with juice and a fruit plate from the buffet.
6. Get Creative with Embarkation Day Dining
Some cruise lines offer promotions on specialty restaurants on embarkation evening. You might score a bottle of complimentary or heavily discounted wine with your dinner reservation. Check your cruise line’s app or daily planner for these deals, as they can help you start your cruise with some nice perks without the extra cost.
7. Bring Your Own Beverages
Beyond wine, don’t forget that you can bring your own soft drinks and juice onboard on most cruise lines. Pack a reusable water bottle to refill throughout your cruise. Many ships have water stations where you can fill up for free rather than buying bottled water.
Consider bringing flavored coffee creamers and even flavored water packets to enhance the complimentary beverages available onboard. These small touches can make a big difference in your daily drink costs.
8. Save Big on Cruise Wi-Fi
Cruise Wi-Fi can easily cost $20 to $30 per person per day. On a seven-day cruise, that’s an additional $200 in extra costs for just one person. For couples or families, the expenses add up even faster.
The worst part is that cruise Wi-Fi only works on the ship. The moment you step off in port, when you might actually need maps, messages, or directions most, you’re on your own. This is where alternatives like eSIM plans specifically designed for cruise and land use can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of your trip.
These digital plans often start at under $20, depending on your itinerary, and give you internet both on the ship and in port. Instead of paying cruise Wi-Fi prices or risking high roaming charges, you stay connected throughout your entire vacation for a fraction of the cost.
9. Look for Non-Advertised Last-Minute Deals
If you have flexibility in your schedule, last-minute cruise deals can offer incredible value. Many cruise lines offer standby or last-minute rates you can sign up for directly on their websites. These aren’t always heavily advertised, so you need to actively look for them or sign up for email alerts.
Obviously, this approach isn’t for everyone. If you need to plan far in advance or have limited vacation days, early booking is still your best bet. For those with flexible schedules, though, waiting for last-minute deals can result in significant savings.
10. Check for Special Discounts
Several cruise lines offer discounts that many passengers don’t even know exist. Military personnel, teachers, medical professionals, and seniors may qualify for special rates on certain sailings. It never hurts to ask when booking or to check the cruise line’s website for current promotions targeting specific groups.
These discounts can stack with other promotions sometimes, making them even more valuable. Always mention any qualifications you have when booking to ensure you’re getting the best possible rate.
11. Take Advantage of Status Match Programs
Status match programs are one of the newest and most exciting ways to save money on cruises without spending anything extra. Virgin Voyages recently expanded its status match program to match many hotel, airline, and cruise loyalty programs. When approved, you get extras like $100 onboard credit, two free specialty coffees per day, complimentary laundry, and priority perks.
MSC Cruises also has a status match program, and at their top tier, you can get a 5% discount on future cruises. That discount alone adds up quickly if you cruise regularly.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea honor status across their brands, as do Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent. Before you book your next cruise, check your existing hotel, airline, or cruise status to see what perks you can unlock.
12. Choose Older or Refurbished Ships
The newest mega ships often cost hundreds of dollars more per person than older vessels, even though older ships still offer great food, entertainment, and service. In some cases, you’ll sail on a newly refurbished and redecorated ship for about half the price of a brand new one.
Older ships often have smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere too. If you don’t need the absolute latest bells and whistles, sailing on a classic ship can give you excellent value.
13. Book Longer Cruises for Better Per-Day Rates
Once you get past seven nights, the per-day rate on cruises drops significantly. A 10-night or 14-night cruise might not cost much more than a week-long sailing when you break down the daily cost. You get more time to relax, more destinations to explore, and better overall value for your money.
Repositioning cruises are another goldmine for value. These sailings happen when ships move between regions, and you’ll find those legendary $59-per-day specials on these itineraries. The trade-off is usually more sea days, which is perfect if you love being on the ship.
14. Consider Shoulder Season Sailings
If you live near northeastern ports like New York, New Jersey, or Boston, sailing outside of the summer months can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. One member of our Facebook group did an 11-night Royal Caribbean cruise in November for about $800 per person. Sure, the first and last days were cold, but there’s so much to do indoors on those days that it didn’t matter.
Shoulder season cruises to warm-weather destinations like the Caribbean also offer great value. You’ll avoid the peak season crowds while enjoying lower prices.
15. Take Advantage of Kids Sail Free Promotions
Cruising with children doesn’t have to break the bank. Many cruise lines run kids sail free promotions throughout the year, making family vacations far more affordable.
Even without a specific promotion, third- and fourth passengers of any age often sail at a heavily discounted rate compared to the first two passengers in the cabin.
Planning a family cruise on a budget is absolutely possible when you book at the right time and take advantage of these offers.
16. Stick to What’s Already Included
It’s easy to get caught up in all the extra activities and purchases available on a cruise ship, but there’s already so much included in your cruise fare. Free activities, complimentary dining venues, entertainment, and drinks like water, coffee, tea, and juice are all part of your package.
Before paying extra for something, explore what’s already available. You might find that the included options are more than enough to keep you happy and entertained throughout your sailing.
17. Save Before You Even Get to the Ship
Your cruise savings can start before you even board the ship. Shop your closet for outfits instead of buying all-new clothes for every cruise. Even fancier dresses or suits for elegant night can be reworn on multiple sailings.
Consider shopping at thrift stores for gently used, high-quality clothing and accessories. You can find beautiful cruise wear at a fraction of retail prices.
For packing items, stick to core cruise essentials and only replace them when necessary. The same goes for toiletries and over-the-counter medications. Don’t skip bringing basics like cold medicine, flu remedies, stomach aids, sunscreen, and aloe vera.
These items will be expensive if you need to buy them on the ship or in port where prices are inflated for tourists.
18. Book with a Travel Agent
Many people are surprised to learn that booking with a travel agent usually doesn’t cost you any extra money. Travel agents often have access to group rates and deals that you can’t find booking directly with the cruise line. In some cases, agents may throw in extras like a bottle of wine or onboard credit as part of their service.
Travel agents can also handle all the details of monitoring for price drops and making changes to your booking, saving you time and hassle.
19. Group Cruise Savings
An underrated way to save money is by booking as a group. Most cruise lines require a minimum of eight cabins to qualify for group rates. Once you hit that threshold, you usually earn a free passenger credit that can be applied toward a free cabin or toward reducing the overall cost for everyone in the group.
If you’re already traveling with friends or family, combining your bookings can lead to real savings that most people don’t realize exist. It’s a win-win situation where everyone benefits from the group discount.
20. The Casino Question
This one is controversial, and it really comes down to your personal relationship with gambling. There’s a good chance that avoiding the casino will save you money, since cruise lines design their casino programs to work in their favor. The odds probably aren’t in your favor.
That said, cruise casino offers can be extremely generous even for casual players. Some people receive heavily discounted or even free future cruises based on their casino play. Whether you choose to try your luck is entirely up to you.
Final Thoughts
Cruising doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With these 15 money-saving tricks, you can enjoy an amazing vacation while keeping more money in your pocket. The key is being strategic about where you splurge and where you save.
Some people prefer to save on their cabin so they can splurge on excursions. Others skip the drink package but treat themselves to specialty dining. Figure out what matters most to you, then use these tips to maximize your cruise budget.
The cruise industry wants you to believe that ships are always sailing full and that deals don’t exist. The truth is that with a little knowledge and planning, there are plenty of ways to cruise for less. Start implementing these strategies on your next booking and see how much you can save.