Who wouldn't love to save money on their upcoming vacation?
Cruises are an affordable way to travel thanks to their relatively inclusive fares. Everything from accommodation to food and entertainment is included in the price.
While there are opportunities to spend extra on things like shore excursions and drink packages, it is easy to create a budget and stick to it.
Still, saving money on the initial fare is a great feeling if you're trying to cruise for as little as possible or want more flexibility for add-ons.
Having been on over 25 cruises, I've learned quite a bit about finding good deals. Here are 6 tips almost guaranteed to help you save money on your cruise ship cabin that has helped save me thousands.
Book early
The earlier you book a cruise, the better deal you'll likely secure. Cruise lines release new sailings throughout the year.
Royal Caribbean, for example, opens up new bookings in the spring and fall. Currently, Caribbean itineraries through April 2027 are available on their website.
Since availability is high, cruise lines don't have a reason to hike prices due to low inventory.
Additionally, booking ahead gives you access to the best cabins before they sell out, which is especially important if you want a suite or a unique layout.
I booked a 7-night cruise to Alaska 10 months before the departure date. The total price, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities, came out to less than $950 per person!
Browsing Royal Caribbean's website, a similar weeklong cruise on a Quantum Class ship booked five months before departure (January to May) starts at around $1,300 per person for two guests in an interior cabin.
Read more: How Far in Advance Can You Book a Cruise?
Use a travel agent
One of my favorite tips for saving money on cruise cabins is to use a travel agent. I've booked over 15 cruises with my MEI agent and have saved thousands of dollars over the years.
For example, I booked a cruise aboard Celebrity Ascent to the Greek Isles last summer. Rather than booking online Celebrity's website, I worked with my agent, who saved us $1,500 on our cruise fare which included drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi.
Not only do travel agents have access to special group rates but they also have a certain level of expertise that will help anyone—new cruisers and seasoned sailors alike—plan the ultimate getaway.
Read more: Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
Reprice
You might not be out of luck if you've already booked your cruise.
Certain lines let you reprice your fare up until the final payment date. If the fare drops, you might be able to secure the lower rate or receive the difference in onboard credit.
If you have a good travel agent, they'll constantly monitor the price of your cruise. However, if you booked directly with the cruise line, reprice the sailing on the appropriate website and call the cruise line if you notice it dropped.
Look for last-minute deals if flexible
I'll admit that I have a love-hate relationship with last-minute cruise deals. Though you can save money on your cruise fare if you're flexible, I've found that last-minute airfare often negates the overall savings.
For instance, I spent over $800 on a last-minute flight to Florida last February. I didn't feel the savings on the cruise fare were worth it, either.
Still, if you live within driving distance of a cruise port or are sitting on a substantial amount of credit card points/airline miles, a last-minute cruise could be a great opportunity.
Last November, I scored a 4-night cruise aboard Allure of the Seas for around $100 per person, per night. The fare included gratuities, port fees, and taxes.
Plus, I leveraged credit card points to cover my pre-cruise hotel and airfare, which made the trip even more affordable.
It was nice knowing I saved so much money on my fare. As such, I splurged on my first-ever Chef's Table meal and admission to Thrill Waterpark.
Travel during the shoulder season
Cruise fares are higher during peak season, which typically follows the American school system. In other words, cruises during the spring break and summer months, winter holidays, and long weekends are more expensive.
You can secure a better deal if you travel during the off-season. For example, if you want to book a Caribbean cruise, consider a sailing that departs in mid-October compared to July.
A weeklong cruise on Carnival Celebration starts at $1,269 in July 2025, whereas the same itinerary in October costs around $830 per person.
Similarly, cruises to Alaska are more affordable at the beginning and end of the season. A 7-night Alaska cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas in 2026 starts at $883 per person in May and increases to $1,093 in July.
I'm cruising to The Last Frontier in May aboard Carnival Luminosa. The price for my weeklong cruise was $1,780 for two guests in an inside cabin. Had I selected a voyage later in the summer, say in July, I would have paid around $900 more!
Read more: These are the worst times to take a cruise in 2025 if you're looking for a deal
Skip the balcony
I get it—cruising in a balcony cabin makes the experience more enjoyable; I love waking up and sipping on a fresh cup of coffee while watching the ship pull into port!
However, balconies are more expensive than interior staterooms, making them less ideal for the budget traveler.
Because inside cabins are cheaper, you can allocate more funds toward add-ons like specialty restaurants, shore excursions, and drink packages. At the end of the day, how much time are you planning on spending in your room anyway?
Let's say you're interested in the aforementioned cruise on Voyager of the Seas to Alaska. While an inside cabin starts at $1,093 per person in July 2026, you should expect to pay around $1,760 for a balcony.
Balcony staterooms are more expensive on Bahamas cruises, too. For instance, an interior cabin costs around $364 for a 3-night cruise aboard Carnival Conquest in April 2026. However, a balcony stateroom on the same sailing would cost $509 per person.
Read more: Want to book a cruise ship balcony cabin? Here’s what you need to know
Book a guaranteed cabin
You'll likely get the cheapest cabin onboard if you book a guaranteed cruise fare. You will pay a lower price in exchange for letting the cruise line choose your stateroom.
Of course, this comes with some risks. If you don't like your assigned cabin, you cannot ask to switch to another unoccupied room.
For example, on my upcoming Wonder of the Seas cruise, I was assigned an interior stateroom at the very front of the ship. I'm not too thrilled about its location since I get seasick.
Additionally, if you're cruising with a family and want adjoining staterooms, a guaranteed cruise fare isn't the best option since there's no way to ensure the cruise line will even assign neighboring staterooms.
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.
