Luxury Cruising Editorial

Planning a cruise is one of those things that makes you feel like a kid before Christmas. You’ve got that shiny new itinerary, you’re daydreaming about turquoise water and soft-serve machines that almost never close – and then the credit card statement hits.

Cruises can absolutely be brilliant value, but once you add drinks, excursions, tips and “just one more spa treatment”, the costs build up faster than a buffet queue on embarkation day.

So, from one sea-obsessed traveller to another, here are fifteen tried-and-tested cruise hacks to keep your budget shipshape without missing out on any of the fun.

1. Book early… or ridiculously late

The biggest savings usually sit at either end of the calendar.

Cruise lines love rewarding the super-organised – book as soon as new itineraries drop (sometimes a year and a half in advance) and you’ll often lock in lower fares, plus the pick of cabins. If you’ve got your heart set on a certain ship or sailing, this is the way to go.

And I would always recommend bigger families booking ASAP, because you’ll typically get the best price by booking a family cabin instead of two connecting cabins – and those family staterooms are always the first to sell out.

At the other end of the scale, the “I’ll-pack-when-I-get-there” crowd can win big too. When a ship’s about to sail and still has empty rooms, lines will often drop prices dramatically rather than leave them unsold.

If you’re flexible with dates and can jet off at short notice, you can nab a luxury sailing for the price of an inside cabin. It’s not for planners, because we’re talking about booking a cruise with just a few days’ notice, but it’s a thrill when it works.

Suggested read: 5 Smart Tips for Booking a Last-Minute Cruise Without Paying Over the Odds

2. Join Facebook cruise groups

It sounds almost too simple, but this trick genuinely saves hundreds.

Search Facebook for your chosen ship and you will usually find a list of groups you can join, some of which are just fan pages for the ship, while others might be tailored towards a specific sailing.

Inside these groups, travel agents often share group rates or exclusive packages you won’t find on the cruise line’s website.

These aren’t dodgy deals; agents get bulk pricing from cruise lines and sometimes throw in extras from their own commission – onboard credit, wine, priority boarding.

Just make sure the agent’s legit: ask the group for recommendations, or check reviews before booking.

Don’t book with someone you can’t get good information on, because scams or even just over-priced bookings as possible.

But there are plenty of good, honest travel agents populating these groups who have a mission to sell cabins, and who could help you get a great value deal.

3. Use cruise comparison tools

If you’re more of a “DIY holiday researcher”, cruise search engines are your best mate. Websites like Cruise Critic, and (for UK readers) World of Cruising let you filter by destination, date, ship, cabin type, and more.

The best part? You’ll spot flash sales that last only a day or two – sometimes even before the official site updates.

Or better yet, if you sign up to my email newsletter, I can save you the work. Every week I send out the best deals that I’ve found when I’m checking all the cruise comparison websites.

So you’re getting the best prices, but I’m the one doing all the searching for you.

4. Pick the right cabin for you

If you’re new to cruising, you need to make sure you understand the different cabin options, as booking the wrong one could be a costly mistake:

• Inside cabins: No windows, no natural light, cheapest option. Great if you love a good nap and don’t care about views. They’re also the smallest rooms on the ship though, so don’t book them if you like a lot of space.
• Oceanview cabins: Same as inside but with a window. Perfect compromise if you like to see daylight but don’t need outdoor space. Are often similar in size to an Inside cabin, but sometimes they’re a bit bigger too.
• Balcony cabins: The sweet spot for most cruisers – private outdoor space, sea breeze, and morning coffee with a view. Typically the inside part of the stateroom is similar in size to an Inside or Ocean View, and the balcony counts as your additional space.
• Suites: The dream. Think butlers, priority embarkation, and fancy bathrobes. Lovely, yes, but often double or triple the price of a balcony cabin.

That’s a really broad overview, but it works as a starting point. Depending on the ship you might have all kids of sub-categories, like studio rooms with smaller beds for single travellers, or “Spacious” versions of rooms that are much bigger, with a higher price tag.

And even within suites there can be loads of different options. A Junior Suite is going to cost a fraction of the price of an Owner’s Suite, but will also come with a much smaller list of perks.

My advice? Spend your money where it matters most to you. If you’ll barely be in your room, go inside. If your idea of heaven is sunrise on your own balcony, splash a bit.

Suggested read: Why OCEANVIEW Is My Favourite Cabin Type (Better Than A Balcony!)

I always say I would prefer to book two cruises in an Inside cabin instead of one in a lower-end suite.

But if you think you’d hate an Inside cabin, then paying extra to get an upgraded room is going to be more valuable to you.

5. Try your luck with upgrade bidding

Upgrade programmes are one of cruising’s best-kept secrets, unless you’re someone who regularly sails and who often takes advantage of these.

After you’ve booked, keep an eye on your emails – many lines invite you to bid for a better cabin. You name your price (say, £300 extra for a balcony), and if the offer’s accepted, you get the room.

Of course, it is far from guaranteed, and you might not get all the perks of that higher category, but it’s an affordable way to level up your trip.

Sometimes you can bid the minimum and win an upgrade for a tiny fraction of what it would’ve cost you to book it outright. But other times even a high bid can fail, especially when it’s peak season and ships are selling out.

6. Watch for price drops after booking

Here’s the sneaky one: if the fare drops after you’ve booked but before your final payment date, most cruise lines will match the lower rate or offer you the difference in onboard credit.

That’s because, if it’s before your final payment date, you can cancel – and they don’t want the hassle of re-selling the cabin to someone else. It’s better value for them to retain you as a guest, and hopefully give you that small financial win that makes you more likely to book again in future.

Check your fare regularly (once a week is plenty) and if you spot a drop, call them straight away.

Suggested read: How To Get A Lower Cruise Fare If The Price Was Reduced After Booking

7. Keep an eye out for “Kids Sail Free” deals

Cruising with little ones? These promotions can make a massive difference. Lines like Royal Caribbean, MSC and P&O Cruises often run “kids sail free” events where you’ll only pay port fees and taxes for your children.

That’s hundreds saved per child.

If the deal’s not live when you book, no panic – just note your final payment date and keep checking. You might be able to call and have the discount applied later.

Suggested read: 5 Insider Tips for Booking a Family Cruise with Free Child Places

8. Cruise during the off-season

I adore shoulder-season cruising. You get calmer crowds, cooler weather (no baking alive on deck), and much better prices.

Caribbean in September, Mediterranean in November, Alaska in April – all great value.

Yes, you might have the odd rain shower or slightly chillier evening, but you’ll also have space to breathe on deck and fewer queues at the buffet. I’ll take that trade any day.

The only thing to bear in mind is that you need to be a bit flexible with your itinerary. If you’re cruising when the weather is more likely to be rough, that’s when you’re at a higher risk of port visits being cancelled, if the ship can’t safely dock.

If you aren’t too fussed about every port on your itinerary, then go for it. And just make sure you’ve got cruise insurance with missed port cover anyway, so you get a bit of a refund if you do miss a port.

9. Think about bundled packages

If you need flights and hotels, some cruise lines or especially travel agents offer packages that combine everything – often cheaper than booking separately.

You’ll sacrifice a bit of flexibility, as the cruise line picks your flight times and hotels, but it can simplify things massively, especially for long-haul trips.

There are pros and cons here and you might get an even better deal if you put the work in and book your own extras.

But it’s always worth checking and comparing. Maybe you can save money booking a 3* hotel for the night before your cruise yourself, but for a very small extra charge a travel agent can get you a deal on a 4* one – and perhaps that’s worth it to you.

10. Bring your own drinks

Most ships let you bring limited drinks onboard – usually one bottle of wine per adult and a small pack of soft drinks or water.

Doesn’t sound like much, but considering wine can cost £30 a bottle onboard, that’s an easy £60–£80 saved.

Just double-check your cruise line’s policy before packing – they vary. And yes, a sneaky bottle of your favourite rosé on the balcony at sunset tastes far better when you didn’t pay ship prices for it.

Just ask your cabin steward or room service for some wine glasses, and ice if you like.

Suggested read: 17 Extras You Can Get From Cruise Cabin Stewards (For Free!)

11. Prepay your gratuities

The automatic gratuities that most cruise lines charge will often increase year-on-year, so paying them in advance locks in the current rate. It also means you won’t get that “surprise” bill at the end of your trip.

A few people grumble about tipping, but here’s the truth: those crew members work insanely hard, seven days a week, often months at sea. Prepaying means everyone gets looked after properly, and you can relax knowing it’s already handled.

Suggested read: Should You Always Prepay Tips? Pros & Cons Explained

12. Snag those onboard credits

Look out for deals offering onboard credit when you book. It’s basically cruise cash that can be used anywhere onboard – cocktails, spa treatments, gift shops, you name it.

Some travel agents also offer it as an incentive for booking through them. Even if it only seems like a small amount, it’s a nice bonus to get.

Treat it like found money – but remember, it doesn’t carry over. Use it before disembarking or you lose it.

13. Be smart about excursions

Booking excursions through the cruise line is easy, but you’ll pay for the privilege. Independent tours can be half the price – and often much better.

Smaller groups, more flexible timings, and fewer selfie sticks in the background of your photos.

Just plan wisely and leave plenty of time to get back to the port. I always aim to be back an hour before the all-aboard time, just in case.

14. Pack like a pro

You really don’t need half your wardrobe. Most people overpack massively for cruises. Remember, there’s laundry service onboard (or self-service on some lines), and the airline baggage fee for an extra case is often higher than the cost of getting your clothes washed mid-cruise.

Think mix-and-match, lightweight layers, and leave space for souvenirs. And if you’re a snorkelling lover, bring your own kit – better quality, more hygienic, and saves money long-term.

15. Avoid onboard spending traps

This is the big one. Cruise ships are designed to tempt you – art auctions, spa deals, casinos, “souvenir” photos. Before you go, set a budget for onboard spending and stick to it.

Work out what genuinely makes your cruise better and skip the rest. Or if you want to try a bit of everything, make sure you budget for it all – don’t just turn up and hope it all works out by the time you get your final bill. You’ll enjoy yourself more when you’re not dreading it towards the end of your cruise.

Suggested read: The 9 Most Overpriced Extras On A Cruise

Final Thoughts

Cruising doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. With a little planning and a few insider tricks, you can stretch your budget and still have an unforgettable trip.

At the end of the day, the best parts of cruising – the ocean views, the sunsets, the laughter – don’t cost a thing. So grab that glass of wine (preferably the one you brought onboard), find a deck chair, and toast to smart sailing.

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