Cruising doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars or consume your annual PTO. If you're smart, you can find great deals and help stretch your vacation budget as far as possible. Similarly, weekend cruises are a great option for those with limited time off who want a quick getaway.
As the busiest summer for travel on record, with a record 2.99 million passengers passing through TSA checkpoints on June 23, it's clear that travel demand is at an all-time high. Not only that, but cruise ship cabins are selling out further in advance.
During Royal Caribbean Group's earnings call on February 1, 2024, Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said, "...while our capacity is up 8.5% year over year, we have less inventory available to book in 2024 than we did a year ago for 2023 and half as many staterooms left in [the first quarter]."
Throughout my cruising career, I've learned a few strategies to get the most value from each voyage. Though I'm not afraid to splurge when the situation warrants it, I aim to maximize the value of every sailing, whether it's a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas or a port-intensive Mediterranean cruise.
From booking sailings in advance to utilizing credit card points and consulting with a reliable travel agent, I've saved thousands of dollars on my cruise vacations. Most recently, my agent saved my finacée and me nearly $650 on a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords in 2025 compared to the prices advertised on Celebrity's website.
While it's easy to blow your annual vacation budget on a single cruise, here are some tips to help keep costs in check and get the most out of your experience, even if it's just a 3-night cruise to a private island.
Read more: How to save money on a cruise
Fly to your cruise port at least one day in advance
Rather than risk losing my entire cruise fare due to a canceled or delayed flight, I always book my departure flights at least one day before the cruise's scheduled embarkation date.
Unfortunately, my base airport (Charlotte, CLT) is no stranger to delays. A recent study by the travel website Places to Travel revealed the airport as the fourth worst in the United States for delays, with over 40,000 flights delayed by an average of 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 36 seconds between January 2023 and February 2024.
As such, I book my flights assuming they'll be delayed, even if just by 30 minutes. Recently, my finacée and I were flying from Charlotte to Madrid for a connection to Athens for our 7-night cruise to Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Our long-haul flight was delayed, causing us to miss our connecting flight in Spain. Thankfully, we chatted with American Airlines and got rebooked on a later flight.
Not only that, but we scheduled our overnight flight three days before our ship's departure. We were confident we'd make it to Athens in time, having landed in Madrid two days before our cruise. However, it would have been far more stressful if we were in a time crunch.
If you miss your ship's departure due to transportation issues, you will be responsible for all associated costs incurred to meet up with the vessel in a later port. If you're unable to do so, the cruise line will not refund your cruise fare.
Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise
Use credit card points and airline miles to help reduce the cost of transportation
Airfare and pre-cruise hotels can easily add another couple hundred or even thousands of dollars to your total vacation cost. Rather than pay those necessary expenses out of pocket, leverage your credit card points and airline miles to essentially travel for free.
Next year, my finacée and I are cruising to Norway. Since our ship departs from Amsterdam, we have to book pricey international flights, as well as a few days in a pre-cruise hotel to give ourselves time to explore and get over our inevitable jetlag.
Thanks to my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, we've already eyed which hotel we'll stay at: the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht. The current nightly rate for our travel dates is around $475 per night. Instead of paying roughly $1,425 for a 3-night stay, we will redeem 87,000 Hyatt points, as Chase allows you to transfer Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt's loyalty program.
Read more: 16 tips to not waste money on your first cruise
Alternatively, choose a cruise that departs within driving distance
If you don't have enough points/miles accumulated to help offset the price of airfare and don't want to stretch your budget too thin, consider booking a cruise that departs within driving distance.
Carnival Cruise Line has embarkation ports in cities like Mobile, Alabama and Norfolk, Virginia, whereas most mainstream cruise lines depart from Baltimore, Maryland; Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and more. Plus, Norwegian Cruise Line will start operating out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2026.
Though you'll still have to pay for parking and gas, spending $25 per day to park your vehicle at the Port of Galveston is far less than airfare for a family of four.
Keeping your pre-cruise expenses as low as possible will allow you to maximize your onboard spending on worthwhile experiences like short excursions, cabin upgrades, drink packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and more.
Stick to the included dining options
Your cruise fare includes more than your accommodations and transportation between ports of call. You'll also have access to all complimentary dining venues, select beverages, entertainment, and onboard activities. While there are some extras you'll need to factor into your budget, it's easy to keep your onboard spending to a minimum by refraining from specialty dining restaurants.
All mainstream cruise ships (excluding Virgin Voyages' vessels) have a buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, there's a main dining room where guests can enjoy three-course meals each night of their sailing. Instead of a buffet on Virgin ships, guests can enjoy a food hall-style concept with different stalls with made-to-order dishes.
The available venues vary based on which line you're sailing with, as well as the age of your vessel. Carnival Cruise Line's oldest ships, for instance, have been retrofitted to feature newer concepts that debuted after their initial launch, namely Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.
Passengers seeking more "free" options, in addition to juicy cheeseburgers and yummy tacos, will want to consider sailing on one of their newer ships—like Carnival Celebration. These modern vessels offer a wider array of complimentary dining options, including poolside fries, BBQ, crispy chicken sandwiches, and more.
Read more: 8 best cruises for foodies on a budget
However, if you're set on trying the ship's specialty dining, go during lunch or book a dining package
As someone who cruises frequently, I've become a fan of specialty restaurants. Not only is the food's quality better, but I prefer the more intimate atmosphere to the lively dining room.
Of course, these restaurants come with an extra cost. The most expensive meal I've ever had on a cruise ship was at Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent. Costing $150 per person (when booked onboard), it certainly wasn't cheap; however, it remains the best meal I've had at sea to date.
Though most specialty restaurants cost less, with the average dinner costing around $50-$60 per adult, there are ways to dine at one of the specialty venues for less. Rather than going for dinner, for example, consider having a larger lunch at sea to escape the buffet's crowds.
On my upcoming Vision of the Seas sailing, Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner advertises dinner at Chops Grille, the cruise line's signature steakhouse, at $49.99 per person. If, however, I were to go for lunch, the price would decrease to $23.99 per guest.
Moreover, it's often cheaper to bundle specialty meals with a dining package. This is only useful if you plan on dining at a couple different restaurants, though.
Book in advance
With the demand for cruising at an all-time high, inventory is selling out further in advance.
As cabins for a specific sailing begin to fill up, the price for available staterooms will increase. If you want the lowest price for your cruise, you should place your deposit as soon as possible, preferably when the cruise line releases the itinerary. In addition to lower pricing, you'll have more cabin options, allowing you to select the perfect stateroom and location for your sailing.
Let's say you want adjoining cabins, so your children can have their own space. To ensure you get your preferred accommodations, rather than having to settle on cabins close to one another or across the hall, you will want to book early, as it increases your chances of securing the exact configuration you want.
Some cruise lines allow you to reprice your sailing up to final payment, so there's no penalty for placing a deposit on a cruise and periodically checking the rate to see if it's decreased. Note, however, not all rates allow this, so it's important to read the terms and conditions before booking if you fear the price may substantially decrease.
Read more: How Far in Advance Can You Book a Cruise?
Book with a travel agent
One of the easiest ways to save time (and potentially money) on cruise vacations is by booking with a travel agent. If you aren't sure which cruise line or ship is right for your travel party, they'll give you options based on your needs and preferences. Plus, when it comes time to book, they'll provide quotes on different stateroom categories (if requested). This way, you won't have to spend your precious time pricing out different cruises.
Not sure how you'd like to spend your day ashore? Tell your agent about your hobbies and interests, and they'll recommend different tours. If you're going on a port-intensive cruise, this can save you hours, as you won't have to research each port yourself!
Over the past few years, my travel agent has saved me thousands of dollars, most notably on our Greek Isles cruise onboard Celebrity Ascent, where she was able to secure an infinite veranda with a Classic Drink Package, Basic Wi-Fi, and gratuities for $1,500 less than what was advertised on Celebrity's website.
Read more: 5 habits of successful cruisers
Sail during the off-season
If you have a flexible schedule, you can stretch your cruise budget further by sailing during a region's off (or shoulder) season.
Sailings departing at the beginning or end of a ship's time in a specific area are far cheaper than during the peak season. For instance, a 7-night Alaska cruise on Quantum of the Seas departing in May 2025 starts at $897 per person. The same itinerary in July, however, increases to $1,200 per person.
Similarly, a weeklong cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee, Carnival's newest ship, starts at $849 in October 2025, but if you want to cruise in July, you're looking at fares around $1,200 per sailor.
Read more: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
Though I prefer balcony cabins, I recommend interior staterooms for first-time cruisers or those who plan on spending more time ashore and enjoying the ship's amenities
Throughout my cruising career, I've sailed in interior, ocean-view, and balcony cabins, as well as a singular suite onboard Carnival Vista. Balconies remain my preferred stateroom category, but I'm not afraid to book the cheapest cabin on the ship, especially if I'm desperate for a getaway.
While they lack natural light, inside cabins are the most affordable staterooms on a cruise ship. Though you won't be able to step outside onto your private verandah, you'll enjoy the same standard amenities in your cabin and onboard the vessel, such as theater productions, game shows, complimentary dining, and more.
Sailing in an interior stateroom can save you hundreds of dollars on your cruise fare, allowing you to allocate funds toward other add-ons. In October 2025, for example, you can book a cruise on the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, for just $1,645 per person. If, however, you want a balcony, you should expect to spend at least $260 more per guest.
Read more: Best rooms on a cruise ship
Take a shorter cruise or sail on an older ship
Cruises on older ships, as well as those that are shorter in length, are cheaper than sailings on today's newest vessels offering weeklong itineraries. Though it's tempting to want to sail on modern and innovative ships, it will cost you far more than opting for a cruise on a ship that's a few years older.
Let's take a look at Icon of the Seas. Rather than pay upwards of $1,780 for a sailing in March 2025, you can sail to similar ports on Harmony of the Seas, an 8-year-old vessel that still offers great onboard amenities, including a zip line, ice skating rink, FlowRider surf simulator, AquaTheater, and more. Plus, the price is more attractive, with the cheapest sailing starting at $677 per person.
Similarly, a 3-day cruise to The Bahamas in February 2025 onboard Carnival Conquest starts at $339 per person. In comparison, the cheapest weeklong Carnival cruise in February costs around $740 per person. In addition to higher fares, guests on the latter sailing will also have to pay more in gratuities, as they're charged daily.
Read more: Guide to weekend cruises
Research each port of call in advance
By researching your ports of call ahead of time, you'll have a game plan for your days ashore. You'll have more choices, too, as if you wait until you are onboard to book excursions, you may find limited availability because the most desirable tours tend to sell out in advance.
Plus, booking excursions in advance will save you time on the ship, and you may find local operators with more affordable tours, rather than booking directly through the cruise line.
Without doing research in advance, I wouldn't have known about Santorini's cable car. Since my finacée and I had booked a private driver, it was essential that I knew where to meet him. Had I not gotten an early tender ticket, we would have missed our tour and lost hundreds of dollars.
Read more: Is it better to book excursions through a cruise ship or separately?
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
