Deals on Cruises

One of the best strategies for securing a great deal on a cruise is to book early. Cruise lines often offer early booking discounts, and the selection of cabins is much better when you book months in advance.

If you know your travel dates well in advance, you can lock in a good price and rest easy knowing you’ve got your spot on the ship.

But, if you’re more of a spontaneous traveler, last-minute cruise offers can be a goldmine. As departure dates approach, cruise lines drop their prices to fill any remaining cabins.

Sites that specialize in last-minute cheap cruises, such as American Discount Cruises, are great resources to keep on your radar. Just be ready to pack your bags on short notice!

Flexibility is key when hunting for cruise deals. The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the better your chances of finding affordable cruise deals.

Peak season—think summer holidays and Christmas—will naturally be more expensive. 

If you can sail during the shoulder seasons, like late spring or early fall, you’re more likely to find cheap cruise deals.

For instance, Black Friday cruise deals and Cyber Monday cruise deals can offer significant savings, but you’ll need to be quick and willing to sail during off-peak times.

Repositioning cruises are one of the best-kept secrets in the cruise world. These are cruises where ships are moving from one region to another, such as from the Caribbean to Europe for the summer season.

Because these cruises are one-way and often involve more sea days than a typical cruise, they tend to be much cheaper.

If you’ve got the time and don’t mind spending several days at sea, repositioning cruises can offer some of the best deal cruises available.

Plus, they often visit unique ports that aren’t typically on standard itineraries.

Cruise lines frequently offer promotions that can save you big bucks. These might include free onboard credits, discounted shore excursions, or even free drinks packages.

It’s worth signing up for newsletters from cruise lines and cruise deal websites to stay informed about these promotions.

Additionally, keep an eye out for American discount cruises, which often bundle various perks into affordable packages.

You might find inexpensive cruise packages that include everything from airfare to onboard spending credits, making your cruise vacation even more budget-friendly.

Sometimes, bundling your cruise with other travel services like flights or hotels can save you a significant amount of money.

Many travel agencies and websites offer cheap cruise vacation packages that combine these elements, giving you the best price cruises.

These packages can be particularly useful if you’re flying to your port of departure.

Not only do you get a better overall deal, but it also simplifies your travel planning by having everything booked together.

Be sure to compare these packages with booking each component separately to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

If you’re a repeat cruiser, joining a cruise line’s loyalty program can pay off in the long run.

Most major cruise lines offer perks to their loyal customers, such as discounts on future cruises, upgrades, or onboard credits.

Even if it’s your first time cruising, don’t hesitate to sign up for these programs—they’re usually free, and you can start accumulating points or perks from your very first cruise.

Over time, these loyalty rewards can lead to some of the best deal cruises.

In the age of online booking, it’s easy to forget that travel agents can still offer valuable deals on cruises.

Experienced travel agents often have access to exclusive promotions and discounts that aren’t available to the general public.

Plus, a good travel agent can help you navigate the complexities of booking a cruise, from finding the best cruise ship deals to ensuring you’re getting the best cabin for your budget.

And they’ll usually do this at no extra cost to you, as they earn their commission from the cruise line.

If you’re not tied to a particular cruise line or itinerary, last-minute deals can be a fantastic way to save money.

Many cruise lines offer last-minute discounts on unsold cabins, and if you’re flexible, you can take advantage of these deals.

Websites dedicated to last-minute cheap cruises are a great resource for finding these offers.

Just keep in mind that with last-minute bookings, your choice of cabins may be limited, and you’ll need to be prepared to go with the flow.

One of the best tips for getting a great deal on a cruise is to monitor price drops after you’ve booked.

Some cruise lines offer price protection, meaning that if the price of your cruise drops after you’ve booked, you can request the lower rate or receive onboard credit for the difference.

To do this, you’ll need to keep an eye on the cruise prices after you’ve booked, or enlist the help of your travel agent.

This strategy works best if you’ve booked directly with the cruise line, as they’re more likely to honor these price adjustments.

Timing your purchase around sales events can lead to significant savings.

Black Friday cruise deals, Cyber Monday cruise deals, and other sales events are great opportunities to snag cheap cruise ship deals.

These events often feature discounts, upgrades, and added perks that can make your cruise more affordable.

Be sure to do your research ahead of time, so you know what a good deal looks like when these sales start.

Sign up for alerts from your favorite cruise lines or travel websites, so you don’t miss out on these limited-time offers.

Top Cruise Rewards/Loyalty Programs

Crown & Anchor Society by Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is a loyalty program offering six membership tiers: Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club. Members earn points based on the number of nights sailed, with additional points for suite stays. 

VIFP Club by Carnival Cruise Line

The VIFP Club (Very Important Fun Person) by Carnival Cruise Line rewards guests for their loyalty with five membership tiers: Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Members earn points for each day sailed, unlocking a variety of benefits such as priority check-in, special offers, exclusive members-only events, and discounts on future cruises.

World’s Leading Cruise Lines Loyalty Program by MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises’ Voyagers Club, part of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines Loyalty Program, offers five membership tiers: Welcome, Classic, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Members earn points based on the type of experience booked and the length of the cruise. 

Latitudes Rewards by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards program offers six membership tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Sapphire, and Ambassador, designed to reward frequent cruisers. Members earn points for each day sailed, with bonuses for suite stays and special promotions.

Mariner Society by Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s Mariner Society is a loyalty program designed to reward frequent cruisers with exclusive benefits and privileges. The program features four membership tiers: Star Mariner, 2-Star Mariner, 3-Star Mariner, and 4-Star Mariner. Members earn points based on the number of cruises taken and days sailed. 

Castaway Club by Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club is a loyalty program that rewards returning guests with exclusive perks and privileges. The program offers three membership levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum, determined by the number of completed cruises.