Having taken over 30 cruises, there have been times when I've felt ripped off while onboard. Sometimes, it's my fault. For example, forgetting to purchase shore excursions in advance means I'll inevitably pay more for the same product on the ship.
This happened a few years ago when I waited until the last minute to plan my day ashore at Royal Caribbean's private island. Although cruisers have reported scoring epic deals to Thrill Waterpark, I shelled out $149 for a full-day pass.
I've made plenty of mistakes throughout my cruising career, but I've also found that there are easy ways to always save money on a cruise vacation. Here are my 6 best tips to not waste your hard-earned money on your next cruise.
Plan early
Not even halfway into 2025, and I have two cruises planned for next year. I reserved my first, a 4-night cruise aboard Disney Destiny for May 2026, in January.
My partner and I secured a rate of $3,125, including pre-paid gratuities, for two people to sail in a verandah stateroom. Now, however, Disney's website says the price for a balcony cabin starts at over $3,600 for two.
Similarly, we booked a 3-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas to celebrate my partner's birthday, spending a little over $1,660 for the cruise fare, gratuities, taxes, and fees.
Although the sailing doesn't depart until July 2026, our balcony cabin is confirmed, and we have plenty of time to re-price if, for some reason, the cruise fare drops before final payment.
Use a travel agent
Another easy way to save money on cruise fares is to book with a reputable travel agent. Personally, I love working with MEI Travel and have booked over 15 cruises through them.
My agent, Christina, is extremely responsive and helpful during all stages of the planning process. Whether we're debating ships, itineraries, or cabins, she provides expert advice and valuable insights that help us make the best choice.
However, one of the best perks of using a travel agent is the cost savings. Although not a guarantee, I've found that more often than not, agents can pass on great rates that aren't advertised on cruise lines' websites.
For instance, Christina saved my partner and me nearly $650 on a balcony cabin aboard Celebrity Eclipse for a weeklong sailing to the Norwegian Fjords.
Additionally, I'd recommend considering booking another cruise before disembarking your current one. The onboard bonuses are rarely mind-blowing, but you can typically combine them with your travel agent's perks — so long as you transfer the reservation within 30 days of booking.
Read more: Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
Book excursions with third parties
Sometimes, booking with the cruise line is smart. For example, if you only have a few hours in port and are worried about missing the ship, reserving a cruise line-sponsored tour means your day won't be plagued with restlessness and anxiety. However, I prefer booking with third parties when I'm able to.
Recently, I took a tour with an independent operator in Juneau, Alaska. The 3-hour "Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour" was $85 and met in the heart of downtown, right by the entrance to the famous Goldbelt Tram.
Although I had to walk about one mile from the AJ Dock to downtown (there were also shuttles available, but the line was pretty long!), locating the representative from Last Chance Tours was easy. With fewer than 30 participants, the group was small. This meant we didn't spend a lot of time loading or unloading the bus.
Plus, the tour ended in downtown Juneau, while many Carnival-sponsored excursions were required to drop guests off at the ship. Instead of wasting time returning to the port and venturing back into town, I was free to explore the shops and grab a bite at a local restaurant.
My partner and I also opted against cruise line tours on our sailing to Norway. We found better deals for excursions through third parties. For instance, the only boat tour offered through Celebrity in Stavanger was over $300 per person, but we found a highly-rated excursion to Lysefjord and Preikestolen for $165 altogether.
Similarly, Celebrity charged around $310 per person for their tour to the Briksdal Glacier and the Loen Skylift in Olden. However, a dual ticket for transfers to the glacier and skylift through Olden Cruise was less than $300 for two people.
Editor's note: Shore Excursions Group generously gifted Cruise.Blog the tour in Juneau. However, all opinions are still our own. Additionally, we included secure booking links in this article. While it costs nothing to book through the links, we receive a commission for each reservation. Thank you for your support!
Buy a drink package
Cruisers have a love or hate relationship with drink packages. For me, I see vacation as a time to indulge, rather than count pennies and tally up every drink I order. As such, I'm more inclined to splurge on a drink package, even if it isn't the cheapest add-on known to man.
It doesn't matter whether I'm in the mood for a frozen poolside cocktail, a glass of wine, a specialty latte, or crisp soda — I don't have to worry about going over budget.
Although cruise line drink packages aren't created equally, they offer the same convenience that helps make my vacation more relaxing and carefree.
Of course, drink packages aren't for everyone. Oftentimes, they cost anywhere from $60 to $85 per day, making them a hefty investment on top of the cruise fare, excursions, and transportation.
I have a few tips up my sleeve to save money on beverages when I decide against drink packages, such as my cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa to Alaska — I knew I'd be more interested in sightseeing than lounging by the pool.
For example, did you know most cruise lines let you bring at least one bottle of wine onboard on embarkation day?
I took advantage of this generous rule and stopped at a local supermarket en route to the terminal. I paid around $15 for a bottle of Pinot Grigio, compared to the roughly $11 per glass on the ship. Soda can typically be brought onboard, too.
Read more: I always do these 5 things to save money on cruise drinks when I don't buy a drink package
Never take cruise line transportation to the port
Cruise lines can help arrange transfers from the airport to the terminal. However, they're typically overpriced and inconvenient. Rideshare services — like Uber and Lyft — let you schedule a ride on your own time, meaning you can avoid waiting for a full bus of passengers.
Plus, cruise lines' rates are per person, so a family of four could easily pay $80 for a one-way transfer from Miami International Airport to PortMiami. Carnival, for example, charges $22.99 per traveler for the shuttle.
Instead, you can save money by booking a rideshare, which charges per vehicle, not per person. Depending on traffic and time of day, a rideshare from MIA to PortMiami usually costs between $20 and $35 total.
Read more: Best Ways to Get From the Miami Airport to Cruise Port
Consider booking an interior cabin
Interior staterooms aren't necessarily my favorite, but they're much more affordable than balconies. As such, I always recommend them for budget cruisers.
Other than lacking natural light or a private outdoor verandah, they're usually not much different than pricier staterooms. They come equipped with the same amenities as other standard cabins, including an ensuite bathroom, safe, television, closet space, a hairdryer, and telephone.
Because the savings can be significant, inside cabins are a great choice for cruisers who don't plan to spend much time in their stateroom. With the money you save on accommodations, you can allocate extra funds to experiences like shore excursions, specialty dining, and more.
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
