If you looked at my travel schedule, you might think I spend half my life unpacking and repacking a suitcase. The truth is, I cruise at least once a month, sometimes more (sometimes a little less), and after hundreds of nights at sea, I’ve learned something that surprises a lot of people. I’m not wealthy, but I’ve got a secret.
I rarely pay the price that’s advertised.
That doesn’t mean I’m sneaking around looking for loopholes or trying to game the system. It just means that over the years I’ve learned how cruise lines actually work. Their pricing changes constantly, cabins open up at the last minute, promotions come and go, and loyalty is often rewarded in ways that first-time cruisers never realize.
I’ve gone from a standard veranda to Concierge Class with no charge, I’ve upgraded to spa cabins (with full spa access) for $30 more each, and yes, I’ve stayed in the most luxurious of staterooms, complete with my own butler for a little more than that. I’ve received unexpected stateroom upgrades, complimentary specialty dinners, free casino offers, and enough onboard credits to make a noticeable dent in my vacation budget.
None of this happened by accident!!
It may take a little more work than just clicking that “book” button on the site, but these are the strategies I rely on every single year to stretch my cruise dollars further while making every sailing feel a little more luxurious.
Related: I Take Over 10 Cruises a Year—Here Are My Secrets to Getting Free Drinks on Board
1. Set Price Alerts. Then Act Fast.
One of the biggest mistakes I see cruisers make is assuming that once they’ve booked, their work is done. In reality, booking is just the beginning. Cruise fares fluctuate all the time. Sometimes demand softens. Sometimes a higher-category cabin isn’t selling as expected, or they have a higher demand for a lower category and need the availability for a larger group. Sometimes a flash sale appears for only a few days (FYI, flash sales seem to happen often).
I keep an eye on my reservation from the day I book until I sail. If I see a better cabin selling for close to what I’ve already paid, I call immediately.
I’ve upgraded from a standard veranda to Concierge Class, SpaClass, and even a suite simply because I noticed a price drop before everyone else did. The key is speed; that cabin probably won’t stay available for very long.
Zippy Sandler
2. Stay Loyal to One or Two Cruise Lines
People often ask whether they should spread their cruises across every cruise line. My answer is usually no. Loyalty has real value in the cruise world. And, almost every major cruise line rewards repeat guests with benefits that grow every year.
Depending on your status, you might receive:
- Complimentary laundry
- Priority boarding
- Free drinks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Specialty dining discounts
- Exclusive events
- Better customer service
- Cabin upgrade opportunities
Some cruise lines even offer surprise upgrades when inventory allows, particularly for higher-tier loyalty members.
Personally, I’ve stayed loyal to one cruise line because I happen to like the line, it’s convenient for me to get to their ports, and honestly, it’s allowed me to accrue more loyalty points that have saved me far more money over time than constantly chasing whichever company happens to have the lowest advertised fare.
Related: Everyone Told Me To Stay Away From This Affordable Cruise—I Didn’t Listen and LOVED It
Zippy Sandler
3. Gamble a Little? Start with Casino Offers, Then Upgrade
I have an admission. I loved to play pinball when I was a teen and that’s turned into a love of sitting at a slot machine. And while the days of putting one quarter in and playing all day I was pretty good) are long gone, I do set a limit on my play (and it’s a LOT lower than you think. It’s a lot lower than what I’d spend on a night out at a nice restaurant for two! So, it goes to say that one of my favorite strategies starts before I even look at cabins.
If you receive casino offers, don’t immediately dismiss the complimentary cabin you’re offered. You may only be offered an inside cabin, but upgrading that is easy.
I often book the free or deeply discounted stateroom first. Most of my offers have run from Inside to Veranda. I don’t play enough to warrant being offered a suite, but that never stopped me. That’s when the fun begins as I start watching the pricing on higher cabin categories.
Most (if not all) of the cruise lines allow you to pay only the difference between your complimentary cabin and the upgraded category. If prices soften, that difference can become surprisingly affordable (see tip #1).
Instead of paying full price for a premium cabin, I’m often paying only a fraction of the normal upgrade cost. It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy a better stateroom without spending thousands of dollars.
Related: Best Senior Travel Discounts
4. Never Be Afraid to Ask the Casino Host
While we’re talking about the casino, there’s one (or two) people who work there who can really help you…the casino hosts. It is their job to make sure that all of the players in their casino are kept happy (and playing).
So, if you’re already spending time in the casino, introduce yourself to the casino host. This is always the FIRST thing that I do. Now they know your name (especially important in a larger casino) and they’ll come check on you. They’re there to help.
Many people assume casino perks only include free cruises. But, that’s just the beginning. Depending on your play, you may qualify for:
- Complimentary specialty restaurant dinners
- Spa treatments
- Extra free play
- Beverage packages
- Additional onboard credit
- Future cruise certificates
- Better cabin offers
What’s the worst that can happen? I once had a casino host chase me down to let me know that I was only about $20 away from a NICE upgraded cabin certificate, and she didn’t want to see me walk out with just an inside cabin. She didn’t have to do that, but for me, it was the difference that $20 was the difference between being inside and sitting on my veranda enjoying coffee each morning in my fancy robe looking out at the ocean. All because I had introduced myself, and she looked at my account because she “knew me” now.
More often than not, you’ll discover there may be benefits available that nobody mentioned at check-in.
5. Watch Every Sale, Before and After You’ve Booked
Cruise lines love promotions. One week, it’s 75% off the third and fourth guests. The next week, it’s free Wi-Fi. Then come the included drinks. Next, it’s kids sail free. Once in a while, you’ll see that bonus onboard credit. It varies from cruise line to cruise line.
Sometimes rebooking under a new promotion can save hundreds of dollars or include valuable extras (just be sure to check your cancel-by date before doing this). I regularly compare current promotions against my existing reservation.
If something better appears before final payment, I will call. Sometimes the answer is no, and sometimes it’s worth several hundred dollars. But it never hurts to ask.
6. Book Your Next Cruise While You’re Still Onboard
I’m not saying you should always book another cruise before disembarking. But I always stop by the Future Cruise desk just to see what’s available because there may be promotions that only they can offer.
Many cruise lines offer incentives that disappear once you leave the ship, and I’ve found that you have plenty of time to decide on which cruise you’d like to take once you get home. I never make the actual booking on board; I just leave the deposit.
Why? Because I always get
- Reduced deposits
- Extra onboard credit
- Flexible booking certificates
- Future discounts
Even if I’m not sure exactly where I want to go next, I’ll purchase an open booking certificate to lock in.
7. Check for Resident, Military, Senior, or First Responder Rates
Cruise lines frequently offer discounts that don’t get nearly enough attention. Depending on the sailing, you may qualify for reduced fares based on:
- Your state of residence
- Military service
- Veteran status
- First responder status
- Teacher or healthcare worker programs
- Senior discounts on select sailings
As a matter of fact, I just got off of a Margaritaville at Sea cruise that offers free sailings to military, educators, first responders, and more (just pay taxes, port charges, and tips). These savings can sometimes be combined with other promotions, making them well worth checking before you finalize a booking. If you live in a state that’s listed on the booking site, make sure to check that box that you live there. I’ve gotten discounts for just living in Florida in the past.
Celebrity Cruises
8. Watch for Included Amenities Before You Buy Them
I’ve seen too many do this (and yes, I’ve almost done it myself). One of the biggest mistakes new cruisers make is purchasing everything immediately after booking. Be patient after you book your cruise and wait a bit.
Cruise lines frequently bundle popular amenities into later promotions. I’ve gotten offers of 40% off of drink packages for a “holiday” promotion, or bundle Wi-Fi and your drink package for less than just doing ONE of those offered, I’ve even seen 3-specialty restaurants for the price of one, and a HUGE discount on excursions.
Related: 10 Best Free Caribbean Beaches Worth Skipping Cruise Excursions For
If you’ve already purchased everything separately, you may miss out on a better package later.
Tatiana Meteleva / Getty Images
9. Let a Good Travel Advisor Watch the Cruise for You
Using a travel agent/advisor can’t be the smartest move even when you know exactly what sailing you want. This can save you a lot of work, since a good travel advisor keeps an eye on promotions after you’ve booked.
They’ll often notice:
- Better pricing
- New onboard credit offers
- Cabin upgrades
- Group amenities
- Exclusive agency promotions
- Flash sales
Many agencies also receive perks that aren’t available when booking directly through the cruise line. That might mean a little extra onboard credit, prepaid gratuities (a favorite perk of using an advisor), complimentary specialty dining, or welcome gifts waiting in your cabin like some chocolate dipped strawberries or a bottle of champagne.
Best of all, they are the ones who spend the time sitting on hold with the cruise line so you don’t have to and it doesn’t cost you any more than if you were to book the cruise yourself.
My Favorite Cruise Strategy of All
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned after cruising at least once a month, it’s that cruise fares are rarely fixed. The price you see today may not be the best you’ll see tomorrow. The cabin you think you can’t afford today might become affordable next week. The promotion you missed may return in a slightly different form a month later.
The travelers who seem to get the biggest suites, the nicest perks, and the best values aren’t necessarily spending more money than everyone else. They’re just being a bit more strategic with their planning.
Whether you’re calling the 1-800 number after a price drop, checking with a casino host about unexpected perks, letting a trusted travel advisor monitor your reservation, or simply building loyalty with the cruise lines you love most, the little things often add up to a vacation that feels far more luxurious without the added price tag.
That’s the biggest secret I’ve discovered. The best cruise isn’t always the most expensive one. For me, it’s the one where I have enough money left to do it over again the next month.
Related: I’m a 72-Year-Old Cruise Expert—Here’s the ‘Toddler Method’ I Use to Pack a Carry-On