It’s Plan a Vacation Week…and my question for you is: have you tried a cruise? As you know, travel and enjoying novel experiences is good for your brain and is a form of self-care. But…it costs money, too. If you plan it right, cruises can be an affordable and rewarding vacation.
This article is for you if you like the idea of relaxing and fun cruising, but not so much the partying and boozing and spending tons of money! Read on for tips on how to find a cruise that fits your style and budget.
Planning a cruise is a real investment of time and money. If you’re on a budget, it helps to know what to look for.
When looking at the American cruise market, it helps to know what tiers cruises tend to fall in.
- The least expensive cruises tend to be at MSC, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, in that order. All ages and types of people enjoy these cruises, but these cruise lines are actively marketing to families and younger, first-time cruisers, and offer many shorter (3-6 night) cruises with lots of waterslides and family-friendly features.
- The next tier are mainstream cruises that are generally considered to be premium lines, including Celebrity (owned by Royal Caribbean), Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess and Holland America. These cruise lines have similar marketing goals as the first group, but you’ll generally see older clientele on these ships, especially the older and more affordable ships and 8 to 15 day voyages.
- The next tier includes destination-focused deluxe and niche cruise lines, like Cunard, Virgin (all-adult, no kids) and Viking. These tend to be all-inclusive vacations for people with deep pockets who want to see the world.
However, there are exceptions. Lately, Celebrity has been offering lower prices than Royal Caribbean for cruises to similar destinations on some of its older ships. So, it pays to shop around.
Finding Low Fares
Cruising has become very popular, so now that demand is high, so are cruise fares. A cruise vacation can be expensive, especially if you have more than two people in your group. But there are ways to find less pricey fares.
Cruises often list a fare that is for one person, but it does not include other fees. For example, Royal Caribbean lists a 4-day cruise from Miami to Coco Cay and Nassau for $323. Sounds pretty good right?
But the actual price you’ll pay is closer to $1200 for two people (if you sail alone, usually you’ll still pay for the second fare). The real fare includes $268 in taxes and port charges, $144 for gratuities (gratuities average $18/per person, per day) and $128 for travel protection/insurance.
But that first fare info isn’t useless. Here’s a rule of thumb I use when scanning prices. I compare the number of days of the cruise with the first number on the listed fare. If those numbers match or are lower, then the cruise is a pretty good deal. If it’s more, then it’s a pricier, usually high-demand cruise. So this is a four day cruise, and the first number is 3. That means, to me, it’s a pretty good value. If it was a four-day cruise and it was $623 instead of $323, I’d know that was a premium price.
Here are some ways you can save money on a cruise vacation.
- Avoid Disney cruises, if you’re on a budget. They’re really expensive. You’ll get more Disney mileage from a visit to the theme parks.
- Book as far in advance as possible, and use a travel agent (like Vacations to Go).
- Use a low-interest or no-interest payment plan, such as Affirm or Uplift, typically offered at checkout.
- Take full advantage of the loyalty program perks. For example, after you have sailed one 3-night cruise on Royal Caribbean, you’ll get 50% off your first two drinks or glasses of wine on your next cruise, among other discounts.
- Select a cruise that sails when kids are in school. Or if you are bringing the kids, select one of the many “kids sail free” fare offerings.
- Select a cruise that sails in off-peak times, like May. The peak times for best weather with the least rain in the Caribbean and Bahamas are February to April. May is still acceptable, although it may be more muggy. From June to September, it’s hot, and September and October are hurricane season. November and December aren’t bad times to go but the water may be a bit cool, and if you’re flying or sailing from the mid-Atlantic or Northeast, you have to factor in that some days may be too cold. Canada and New England sailings generally group around August to October.
On cool days, the pools are empty, because, unlike the whirlpools, the pools are not heated - Select a cruise that sails the first weekend of the month, e.g., in November and December.
- Pick sailings where you don’t need to buy airfare, for example, cruises sailing out of Baltimore or New York. Take the train or drive, when you can.
- Choose the least expensive cabins. Those are usually interior cabins with no windows. Sometimes an outside (a cabin with a window or porthole) or balcony cabin is cheaper than an interior cabin, especially if it has an obstructed view.
- Skip pricey extras, like shore excursions, snorkel rentals, specialty dining and all-you-can-drink beverage plans. Spa services are criminally over-priced (and underwhelming in quality) and you don’t really need to buy photos ($25 each) since just about any passenger will take a photo of you with your phone or camera, if you ask politely.
- If you’re flying, save on baggage fees by bringing only one suitcase. Some people make do with just a carry-on bag for shorter cruises!
Our balcony cabin on Serenade of the Seas, while docked in Miami
Here are a few cruises that may interest you…
Carnival Venezia. If you are looking for maximum days at a low price, check out this large, newer ship with good ports and 10 to 12 night sailings…but only until the end of the 2024, when the bargains sadly end, and you’ll pay this much and more for 4-day sailings on the same ship. Pros: sails out of Manhattan with a great view of the Statue of Liberty and proximity to trains (so you can save on travel). Drawbacks: notoriously slow boarding and debark lines, smoky casino, less than great cabins and food, tiny pools .
Try this 10 day cruise Friday, March 15 to Monday, March 25. Listed at $449, real price $1492. Visits St. Thomas, Martinque, Puerto Rico and the Turks Caicos. The real price includes fare for For 2 people, $320 tips + $130 insurance + $493 taxes & fees.
Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas. This ship features an attractive pool deck, ice rink and ice skating show, a Broadway-style production show and Johnny Rockets. Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas and have similar layouts and offerings. Drawbacks: worn staterooms and public spaces, crowds on weekends.
Sail on Eclipse Day on April 8 out of Miami for four nights for about $1200 which includes, for 2 people, $144 tips + $128 insurance + $268 taxes & fees.
Independence of the Seas has an ice rink, Johnny Rockets, Fish and Chips on pool deck, “Grease” Broadway musical and “Once Upon A Time” show.
Sail out of Miami for a five night cruise starting October 28 and enjoy a Halloween party and decorations for about $1300 including everything (for 2 people, $180 tips + $108 insurance + $339 taxes & fees)
Celebrity Reflection is an older ship attracts an older crowd and has no pool slides, although you’ll still see a few kids (just not as many as on other cruises). The adult-only Solarium pool area is really beautiful and unlike other cruise lines, it has a grassy lawn. Celebrity is known for its food quality and variety. A big plus for some are the many gluten-free offerings in the impressive buffet. This is a relaxing option mature adults would likely enjoy.
Sail out of Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day Weekend and visit Coco Cay and Key West on a four night cruise that’ll run you just over a thousand dollars for two people. The best thing is this itinerary goes to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay, which is an amazingly fun, all included (almost) destination. Celebrity doesn’t go there often, and this is a cheaper way to see Coco Cay than on Royal Caribbean this year. That real price includes the fare for 2 people, $144 tips + $128 insurance + $268 taxes & fees.
Allure of the Seas is a large, updated ship, with “Mamma Mia” and “Blue Planet” shows, and many other features, including “Boardwalk” and “Central Park” neighborhoods. Allure recently switched to short sailings over 7-day and longer sailings in an effort to attract first-time cruisers. However, that strategy has backfired a bit. The ship made national news last year in November because a group of 300 passengers became so rowdy that they were kicked off the ship. For this reason, I suggest you avoid weekend sailings. Play it safe and book a 4-night cruise that sails Monday and gets you back home on Friday.
Spend Labor Day on this ship that sails out of Miami for a 4-night cruise, beginning Monday, September 2 (list: $287) for just $1,056 for two people. There are similar prices for Veteran’s Day in November. That means you don’t have to take as many days off work, too. That fare includes, for 2 people, $144 tips + $128 insurance + $310 taxes & fees. Fingers crossed that people behave.
Odyssey of the Seas is a huge, newer ship and if you and your older kids are the sporty types, this is a great choice. It has virtual reality shows, a huge sports bar, indoor skydiving, bumper cars, a water park, gorgeous pools and mini golf. And you’ll save some money if you take the train to Newark, NJ and take a rideshare to the Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne, NJ. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
Take a 7 day sailing from Bayonne to Coco Cay and Port Canaveral (with an available short excursion to Orlando and Disney, or Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral). You can expect to see holiday decorations, including a Christmas tree, Hanukkah menorah and Kwanzaa kinara on the ship when you select either the Sunday, December 1st or Sunday, December 8 sailings, and either will set you back $1800 (advertised: $519), which includes fare for 2 people, 7 nights, $252 tips + $158 insurance + $387 taxes & fees. Or pay a little over 2000 for a spring sailing on March 16, 2025.
Symphony of the Seas is a large, updated ship for children or those who are young at heart, with amazing features: Hooked Seafood, Central Park, Boardwalk, Johnny Rockets, ice rink, escape room, zip line, aqua show, ice show and outstanding “Flight” & “Hairspray” production shows.
Sail out of Bayonne, NJ for Halloween, leaving October 27 and pay about $2000 for two people for 7 nights (list price: $700) or pay a little more and sail on March 16, 2025. This includes fare for 2 people, $252 tips + $188 insurance + $325 taxes & fees.
Vision of the Seas this is the smallest, oldest and frankly, the most worn out and least updated ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but it is not without its charms (a personal favorite!), which include glass windows everywhere to see the ocean, a hardworking entertainment staff, gorgeous deck views of the ocean, a beautiful theater, interesting, original interior art in every stairway, and a flawless main dining room experience. You’ll get to know your fellow cruise passengers, many of whom are loyal to this little ship. An additional perk is that it sails out of Baltimore, which is an easy drive or train ride, and saves money on airfare to Florida. But you’ll have to tolerate hard beds, shower curtains instead of glass doors, dated and dingy cabin furnishings, performers who are perhaps a bit inexperienced, and a small and unimpressive fitness center. And to be honest, sometimes the hallways smell of toilet. But, hey. I really do love this ship and I think it’s just because everyone is so nice.
Pick this 8-night sailing that goes to Coco Cay and Bimini for a bargain fare of $1723 ($500 list price) on March 13, 2025. That’s prime weather time in the Bahamas and includes fare for two people, $288 tips + $128 insurance + $307 taxes & fees.
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