My recent cruise proved the days of finding last-minute deals aren't gone yet.
A few weeks ago, I was browsing Royal Caribbean's "Going, Going, Gone" sale and found an affordable 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships. The fare, including gratuities, was just $834.36 for two people in a standard interior cabin, or around $417 per person.
My dad and I couldn't resist this price—Allure is one of our favorite ships, and we have fond memories of being onboard for Christmas a decade ago sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.
After confirming the deal and availability with my travel agent, we didn't hesitate to book. The sailing departed Miami, Florida, the week before Thanksgiving and visited Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. While I've been to CocoCay countless times since the multi-million dollar renovation was completed, it was my dad's first visit since 2010!
Nassau isn't necessarily our favorite port; however, with just 4 nights on a mega-ship like Allure, we weren't worried about the ports of call as much as taking advantage of everything onboard, from the zipline to the adults-only Solarium and all of the entertainment!
Other cost considerations
Initially, I was worried about how much last-minute airfare from North Carolina to Florida would be. Though the cruise fare was cheap, the savings wouldn't be worth writing about if we had to shell out hundreds of dollars for flights. Thankfully, I learned how to maximize credit card reward points, so we transferred Chase points to British Airways, booking one American Airlines flight for just $11.20.
We paid $562.96 for the other flight, meaning we got two roundtrip flights to and from Florida for just $287.08 per person. Earlier this year, I paid around $860 for a flight from Charlotte to Fort Lauderdale after booking a 7-night cruise on Celebrity Ascent at the last minute, so I wasn't upset with what my dad and I ended up paying for our airfare. I also utilized credit card points to cover the pre-cruise hotel in Miami.
Before even stepping on board, we had collectively spent less than $1,500. As such, we decided to splurge on a few add-ons, namely two specialty meals at the Chef's Table and Samba Grill, admission to Thrill Water Park, and an excursion to Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau—all of which cost around $560.
We also wanted a Wi-Fi package to stay connected with friends and family back home. Royal Caribbean had an ongoing Black Friday sale when we booked, so we scored two packages for $159.92, or roughly $20 per person, per day.
Regarding drinks, I can keep my onboard costs minimal thanks to my Diamond Crown & Anchor benefits. With four free drinks daily, I can enjoy everything from specialty coffees to handcrafted martinis and poolside piña coladas. My dad, however, is only Emerald within the Crown & Anchor Society, so he has yet to unlock the complimentary beverages.
That said, he isn't a huge drinker and will occasionally order a beer with dinner or during a show. We also utilized our 50% off coupons, which saved him around $16 on four beers.
Other miscellaneous spending during our 4-night cruise included wings at Captain Jack's ashore at CocoCay, gambling money, and a holiday drink from Starbucks on embarkation day, which added to around $115.
Guarantee interior stateroom
What does the cheapest stateroom on Allure of the Seas look like? It's a no-frills cabin that lacks natural sunlight and a private verandah. Though we went with the lowest possible rate, I was surprised by the quote my travel agent gave us for a neighborhood balcony overlooking Central Park or the Boardwalk, which was $825.36 before gratuities or just $88 extra.
We had no issues with our inside stateroom. A few days before sailing, we were assigned cabin 8133, located in the forward of the vessel. Initially, I was worried we might feel a little seasick, as staterooms toward the front of the ship tend to feel more movement. Thankfully, we had smooth seas and felt little motion during the cruise.
The location was also great for walking through Central Park, heading to the Royal Promenade for a morning coffee, or venturing to the Solarium to claim seats. However, the walk to the cabin often felt excessive if we were in the aft of the ship. Rather than walk through the boring hallways, we'd usually stroll through Central Park. It was also nice to get fresh air before retiring at night.
Read more: Cruise ship cabins: Everything you need to know
After sailing on newer ships like Symphony of the Seas, however, a few elements felt outdated, such as the lack of power outlets. Still, there were more plugs than in my cabin on Vision of the Seas, though I would have liked at least one American outlet or USB port beside the bed. I'm glad I brought my portable charger. Otherwise, I would have had to leave my phone on the vanity to charge at night.
We had our cabin steward separate the beds, which made the space feel larger by creating a walkway in the sleeping area. However, if you're a couple, you'd likely want to keep the beds pushed together. Even then, the room didn't feel cramped, but separating the beds made the room feel more spacious than it was.
Overall, our inside cabin was a comfortable spot to rest and recharge during our last-minute cruise. That said, had we been traveling with my sister or on a longer voyage, we would have likely spent the extra on a stateroom with at least an ocean view window.
In this case, we weren't worried about spending time on a private verandah. We wanted to make the most of our time onboard, soaking up the views during our single sea day, enjoying the entertainment, and people-watching in the Royal Promenade.
Read more: Cruise ship cabins: Everything you need to know
Taking a last-minute cruise can be an affordable way to travel if you have the flexibility
Since I work remotely, I have the flexibility to travel at a moment's notice. Likewise, my dad has accumulated a lot of PTO throughout the years, having worked at the same company since 2002. So, this last-minute deal on Allure of the Seas was perfect for us, allowing us to kickstart the holiday season with some much-needed time together.
That said, flexibility is a privilege. My sister, for example, couldn't join us due to her class schedule. She's currently pursuing her Master's degree at Wake Forest University and has a busy in-person schedule that doesn't allow for spontaneous trips. Moreover, my fiancée is a teacher. Though her school calendar is generous, with two weeks off for spring break in April, it can be difficult to find last-minute coverage.
When booking last-minute cruises, it's also important to be mindful of pre-cruise costs, such as transportation. If you don't live close to the embarkation port, you'll need to book flights or determine whether your family is up for the drive. From Charlotte, it would have been around an 11-hour drive to Florida, before factoring in stops for restroom breaks and meals.
We didn't think the lengthy drive was worth it for a short 4-night cruise, so we began scouring for airfare deals as soon as we received our booking confirmation. However, had we not transferred points to British Airways, driving would have been more affordable than paying over $1,000 for flights.
Also, cruise add-ons, such as drink packages, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, shore excursions, and specialty dining, aren't included in the cost of a cruise. If, for instance, you're someone who enjoys indulging in a few more adult beverages than usual while on vacation, you'll need to factor that into your budget.
Additionally, shore excursions can be pricey, especially if cruising to places like Alaska or Europe. Sometimes, they sell out in advance, so you may have fewer options on a last-minute cruise.
All that said, perhaps the greatest advantage of a last-minute vacation is that you don't have to spend months or years counting down the days until you depart.
Don't let the fear of the logistics hinder you from searching for cheap cruise deals. While booking airfare, reserving excursions, and trying to score specialty reservations can be overwhelming, especially if you're trying to do it all in a few days, a great travel agent can also alleviate the pre-cruise stress, leaving you with more time to pack and get your affairs in order.
In total, my dad and I spent around $2,550 on our last-minute cruise aboard Allure of the Seas, including everything from the base fare to gratuities, specialty meals, excursions, alcoholic drinks, and Wi-Fi. No cost, however, can be put on the priceless memories we made together on one of our favorite ships.
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.
