15 Money-Saving Secrets Cruise Lines Won't Tell You

Many cruise lines tout their bargains for the world to see, but there are several ways to save while booking — or even while on board — that these companies are less likely to advertise.

From booking at the right time to avoiding pricey excursions, these 15 lesser-known cruise hacks can help you save serious money on travel this year.

1. Skip the excursions

Despite their advertising, many cruises are not actually “all-inclusive,” and customers will have to pay extra for things like off-ship excursions.

These extras are often seriously marked up, so before booking any excursions, research how much it would cost to do the activity yourself on a port day.

2. Skip the Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is another luxury that might not be included in your package — and anyone who's ever been aboard a cruise ship knows the service you pay extra for can be less than reliable anyway.

Save yourself the hassle and money and wait until you’re on land to connect.

3. Book during off-peak times

Cruise lines may drop their prices at times people are less likely to travel — like right before or after the holiday season, or right as the school year kicks off for many families.

Look into booking in mid-December, early January, and the first week of September for deals you might not find otherwise.

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4. Bring your own booze

If you’re not planning to drink a lot on your cruise but wouldn’t mind a glass of wine or two on the balcony, skip the all-you-can-drink alcohol package and opt to bring your own instead.

Many major cruise lines ban guests from bringing most alcoholic beverages but allow one bottle of wine or champagne on board per person.

5. Book early

It’s common knowledge when booking a vacation — and that goes for flights, hotels, and cruises — that the early bird catches the worm (aka best bargains). So, if you have the chance to book far in advance and get an excellent deal, definitely consider it.

Likewise, if you’d prefer to wait until the very last minute, cruise lines will sometimes drop their prices in the weeks before a cruise sets sail if they have some open cabins.

6. Book your next cruise while on board

In the spirit of booking early, you may want to consider booking your next vacation while still on vacation.

Some cruise lines offer discounts for future trips to guests on board — and they may even let you change the dates and details in the future with no fee (so long as the changes were made with enough notice).

7. Don’t always opt for the drink/meal packages

Part of the allure of cruises is their all-inclusive packages, which let you eat and drink as much as you want — but crunch the numbers before you jump on a deal.

It may be cheaper to just buy a few drinks here and there than to purchase a full drink package or stick to the main dining room instead of purchasing a specialty dining package.

8. Drive to the port

If you can book a cruise that departs within driving distance from your home, you’ll save some cash driving to the port.

Paying to park over a long weekend or even for a week-long vacation is likely going to be cheaper than shelling out the cash to fly to your port city and pay for cabs.

9. Do not bring valuables

Avoid losing money by keeping your valuables safe at home. Cruise lines do not have to report thefts unless they are more than $10,000 — so if someone snags your $1,000 purse, you may be out of luck.

It’s best to keep the highly valuable items off the cruise.

10. Let the cruise line pick your cabin

If you’re not particular about where in the cruise ship you stay, consider letting the cruise line book your room for you.

This is a good option for those who plan to spend most of their trip out and about on the boat and at each destination. You can also save money by booking an interior room.

11. Order more when dining out

If you’ve splurged on a specialty dining package that gives you access to the cruise’s on-board restaurants (beyond the main dining room), make the most of it.

Don’t be afraid to order more food and really get your money’s worth. Splurge on dessert, extra appetizers, and all the sides you want.

12. Check if they give free medication

Before you splurge on anti-nausea medications for your cruise, know that you may be able to access things like motion sickness medications or even an injection on the cruise ship for a small fee.

Some may even offer things like Dramamine pills for free in the infirmary.

13. Be flexible with dates

Cruise lines aren’t likely going to advertise that the exact same route is cheaper one week over another. Many factors contribute to this variety in pricing, so if you can be flexible with which dates you cruise, you could save some serious cash.

14. Book an older ship

Massive new cruise ships with every luxury you could ever imagine often get the most attention — and you’ll be charged for that fanfare.

If you can find an older ship to book, you could get a deal, and rest assured, the cruise line is keeping the ship up to date and probably even adding new attractions regularly.

15. Establish loyalty on one line

This one isn’t necessarily a cruise line “secret,” but there are perks to doing all your cruising with one company.

Cruise lines often offer loyal members things like discounted rates and even free or discounted upgrades.

Bottom line

Even if a cruise package sounds like a total bargain, it’s wise to crunch the numbers and see if what’s included is worth it for you so you can avoid wasting money .

Think about how you vacation and how much time you’ll be spending off-ship before committing to an all-inclusive deal.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).