I’ve Gone on 10+ Cruises: 3 Best Money-Saving Tips I’ve Learned

At the start of 2020, the pandemic’s scope, scale and severity came into full view when officials quarantined the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where COVID-19 was spreading with starling speed among the trapped and terrified crew and passengers.

Now, all that seems like ancient history.

Early in the year, Forbes predicted that 2024 cruise bookings would surpass pre-pandemic levels, driven by viral excitement on TikTok, rising interest among Gen Z passengers and intrigue surrounding the January launch of the gargantuan Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, which is five times bigger than the Titanic.

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But the cost of travel has soared since the Diamond Princess finally docked and its sick and traumatized passengers and crew were finally allowed to disembark. Today, Gen Zers and travelers of any age need to budget and spend wisely to afford the perfect cruise they dream of taking.

GOBankingRates spoke with two avid travelers who have each tallied double-digit cruises. Here are their best money-saving tips .

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Book at the Right Time

Brian Hipp is the president of CH Ellis , a 125-year-old manufacturing company that serves various sectors, including medical, aerospace and industrial.

His business success has afforded him the luxury of frequent travel — and when he travels, he prefers one kind of vacation over all the rest.

“I have been on over a dozen cruises covering the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and the Mediterranean,” he said. “My best money-saving tip is to book six to 12 months in advance.”

That booking schedule is not unique to Ellis’s experience. Many experts suggest the same timeline — but it’s not universal.

Frequent traveler Christian Strange, a 15-year veteran of the treasury management, business consulting and insurance industries, has been on more than 10 cruises, including journeys to Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii — and his booking schedule is a bit shorter.

“In my experience, booking a cruise four to six months in advance is best,” said Strange, the founder of business consulting and insurance firms The Holistics Company and Strange Insurance Agency .

There is no one right time frame for every cruise — and the time between booking and sailing might not be the only driving factor. Forbes and Travel & Leisure say the time of year plays a bigger role, with both publications recommending booking during the “wave season” between January and March, when deals are plentiful.

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Book the Right Room

Choosing the right accommodations can save you as much or more money than booking your passage at the right time of year.

According to TripAdvisor’s CruiseCritic site, “Most cruise lines offer a dizzying array of cruise cabins that can be hard to decipher. However, there are essentially only five types of rooms on any cruise ship.”

• Interior rooms: Budget-friendly cabins on the inside of the ship without windows with ocean views.
• Ocean-view rooms: A compromise cabin with windows that provide sunlight and limited sea views without the higher price of a balcony.
• Outside rooms: Similar to ocean view rooms, outside rooms are sometimes larger and also provide a window or portal with a view of the sea.
• Balcony rooms: Enjoy fresh air and sweeping ocean views without leaving your room.
• Suites: The roomiest and most luxurious of accommodations on every ship, suites provide separate living and sleeping quarters, the largest balconies and top-shelf amenities.

For Ellis, the choice is simple.

“Choose interior or ocean-view staterooms,” he said.

Strange says that choosing a budget room versus an upgraded cabin can reduce the cost of your vacation by nearly two-thirds.

“For example, a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska costs $1,200 per person for an interior stateroom, compared to $2,800 for a balcony stateroom and $3,500 for a suite,” he said.

Avoid Upgrades on Food, Drinks and Entertainment

No matter where you’re heading, when you’re leaving or which line you’re sailing with, one thing never changes — you’ll never have a shortage of opportunities to upgrade. And in most cases, you should pass.

“Avoid specialty dining unless there’s a good deal,” said Ellis. “We saved over $3,000 on our two-week Alaska cruise by booking a year ahead and skipping most of the for-fee activities.”

Strange has had a similar experience.

“I skip the drink packages, specialty dining and excursions, saving another $200-$500 per cruise,” he said. “The entertainment, casinos and port explorations provide enough enjoyment.”

Ultimately, the choices you make both before you set sail and after you board can make all the difference.

“Booking in advance and choosing an interior stateroom can save at least $500-$1,000 per person for a seven-day itinerary,” said Strange.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : I’ve Gone on 10+ Cruises: 3 Best Money-Saving Tips I’ve Learned