Cruises have become one of the most popular types of vacation. According to an article by Travel & Leisure, citing figures from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), nearly 36 million passengers will set sail in 2024. That’s four million more than last year. Even with the cruise industry’s increasing popularity, the magazine says there are plenty of ways to secure a good deal on your next sailing.
Here are six money-saving tips garnered from suggestions by cruise travel experts:
- Take advantage of the wave season – Sometimes called the Black Friday of cruise deals, January through March, also known as wave season, is when cruise lines typically offer their most competitive deals of the year.
- Use a travel adviser – The choices can be quite daunting when it comes to booking and planning a cruise vacation, especially for first-time cruisers. A travel adviser has the expertise to help you find the best deal and oftentimes they can “offer extra benefits that are not available when booking directly with a cruise line.”
- Be flexible – Travel dates, itinerary and stateroom preferences can impact the cost of your cruise. The more flexible you are the better fares you can find.
- Stick with one cruise line – Just like airlines, cruise lines offer customer loyalty programs. In addition to discounts, these can provide onboard credit and other perks.
- Consider repositioning cruises – These unique one-way sailings generally take place at the beginning or end of a cruising season when ships need to return to their home ports. They tend to feature more sea days, but the cost is less than a cruise visiting multiple ports.
- Bring your friends and family – Not only is cruising a great multi-generational vacation but planning a group sailing can save you big bucks. Some cruise lines offer discounts for groups of six or more.
Do you like to cruise? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or Twitter and let us know some of your suggestions to save money when sailing.
