Cruises are a great way to relax, unwind and rejuvenate but can also be a burden on your pocket if you do not plan your voyage wisely. When you are planning to go on a fun vacation, you do not want to worry about your budget exceeding your set limit. There are many interesting ways in which you can save money while booking a cruise for your voyage. Here are some great hacks that can help you in saving money easier than you think. Let us begin the voyage. 

1) Time Your Cruise Perfectly

The price of your cruise depends upon your booking time. You should book your cruise as early as possible, preferably four months. By doing this you can ensure of getting your choice of cabins, sailing dates and dining options in your favourite restaurants. In addition to that, you can also get early discounts for your voyage. The best time to travel is around the festive season where you can enjoy festivities around Thanksgiving, New Year and Labor Day. Another great hack to save money while booking your cruise is waiting for the last minute. Cruise ships are enormous and have many cabins to fill and introduces last-minute deals and offers. You can search travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz to compare the prizes for different cruise ships. 

2) Prepare A List Of Haves And Have Not’s

Most cruisers are under the impression that if you have paid for the ticket once everything else provided on the cruise is paid, that is not the case, unfortunately. You have to read every detail attentively to make sure that you are not paying extra than your estimated budget. During the search make sure to look for the tipping policies. As some cruise lines have a compulsory gratuity. It is an added cost that can deviate your budget from your target. If you have gratuity added to your bill then there is no compulsion of giving additional tips. 

3) Find A Great Travel Agent

Considering a reliable travel agent for your bookings can prove to be a great boon. A good travel agent will guide you to choose a cruise line that suits your every requirement. They will make sure that you get the best rates without compromising on the fun, luxury and comfort. Some of the travel agents can also provide you with great deals, bonuses and discounts to make your voyage merrier. 

4) Choose The Cabin Wisely

The major factor affecting the price of your cruise is the type of cabin that you are planning to reside in. The easiest way to save money is to choose a cabin, that is both affordable and comfortable. The majority of cruise ships have three types of cabins:

1) Inside Cabins

2) Balcony Staterooms

3) Ocean View Cabins

The cheapest cabins are usually the inside cabins on the cruise ship. Inside cabins are affordable and are perfect for families. As when you travel on a cruise, you spend much time on the deck or around the entertainment areas. So if you are planning budget travel, then there is no need to spend money on ocean view cabins.  

If you are looking for a room with a view then you should always check with your cruise line for any promotional offer or an upgrade. You can also ask your travel agent for such lucrative deals and savings. 

5) Carry Your Wine

Many cruise lines allow their guests to bring along their wine and champagne. However, there are a few additional charges that you may bear. For example, some cruise wines will charge you a small corkage fee for bringing the wine or champagne on board. Whereas, some of the cruise lines will charge you only if you bring the entire bottle to the dining area. You can easily get wine glasses free of cost from any bar area and carry your glass along with you to the dining room or the deck. The best way to find out the chances of getting wine onboard is by checking out the policies of the cruise before booking. 

6) Invest In The Cruise Beverage Package

This choice differs from person to person because it all depends on how much you will be leveraging this package or not. Drinks of any kind on a cruise ship can be expensive and you do not want to spend your time calculating expenses after every sip you take. However, every cruise line has a different drinks package. Some of the packages are mentioned below:

1) Alcoholic Drinks (This package contains standard alcohol drinks and soda)

2) Premium Beverage Package

3) Soda Packages

4) Non-alcoholic drink packages

A great hack to save some more money is to visit your cruise line’s website and checkout for some deals. Usually, cruise lines offer their guests a minimum of 20% discount on the beverage package. 

7) Carry Your Own Water And Soda Bottles

It might sound a bit weird but it is quite a hack to save some extra bucks. Cruise lines allow guests to carry their soda and water bottle cases. Everything on cruise lines is expensive and you tend to spend more on water. Apart from carrying these bottles, another great trick is to bring along refillable water bottles that will come in real handy during your entire vacation. As the water sources on a cruise ship are very scarcely located and you are often tricked into buying bottled water. An easy way to spot the water source is around the soda dispenser machines. These machines are placed at every short distance on the cruise ship and have a faucet for water as well. You can try out this trick and be hydrated during your voyage.

8) Look Out For Special Perks

The cruising business is very much competitive and you will find many cruise lines offering you discounts and perks. But the most important thing is to read between the lines and find out the hidden costs. Many cruise lines provide you with additional discounts and perks. Some of them give you free gratuities, onboard cash credits, discounts on drink packages, free wifi and special offers for kids. The cruise lines that offer great perks are Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.

9) Avoid Buying Shore Excursion Packages

Going for shore excursions can increase the cost of your overall package a lot more than your estimated budget. The best way to decide upon which shore excursions to choose and which to avoid is to research before booking a cruise destination. Exploring the ports on your own makes your entire experience more personalized and memorable. You can explore beautiful places at your own pace. Do not fell victim to the tourist traps. You can also contact local tourist guides for more informative and exclusive shore exploration. Local guides introduce you to the local flavours and cuisines, tell you more hidden secrets and facts about the place and makes your journey a memorable one. 

10) Stay Away From Online

The worst bargain to do on a cruise line is to buy a data and wi-fi package on a cruise. Most cruise ships charge their guests 0.50$ to 0.80$ for internet connections that are usually very slow. You will be able to use your telephone connections during your port excursions. You will also be charged with roaming charges for your sim card. 

11) Save Money On The Food

Most meals on the cruise are included in your ticket fare. Whether it is light snacks, food served in a buffet or food in the dining area. If you want to still try out something fun and exquisite you can always opt for ordering some snacks along with your drinks to try on different flavours and to please your palate. The most important tip is to be away from the specialty restaurants on the cruise. They charge you an extravagant amount for the food that is not worth the price. 

However, if you are looking forward to trying on specialty dining options for a special occasion. Make sure to check your emails for notifications regarding any early bird offer or other cruise specific discounts on the food.

12) Do Not Miss Out On The Freebies

Most cruise lines provide several free stuff to their guests, the only catch is to be attentive about it. Check out the food options that you can enjoy from snacks, drinks, buffets and even some complimentary cocktails. Also, keep a tab of all the fun and entertaining activities that are offered on a cruise. The majority of these activities are included in your fare and are worth enjoying for a fun voyage. 

13) Take Leverage Of Sale On Shops

If you are planning to take some souvenirs for your friends and families like t-shirts, mugs, posters or any other gift item then wait for the last day sale. Some shops sell amazing stuff throughout the cruise, from where you can choose the perfect gift for your loved ones. 

14) Wash and Care

Using the laundry service provided on a cruise can be a bit heavy on the pocket. The best option is to bring your laundry kit and save some extra money. There are three things that you can include in your laundry kit that will be perfect for some wrinkle-free and fresh clothes. 

1) Carry along travel-sized laundry soap packages that will provide you with great service pre-boarding the cruise.

2) A Tide stain removal stick can be a savior for you especially on a cruise and is surely a quick and affordable fix.

3) If you do not want your clothes to be wrinkled then a small travel-sized bottle of Downy Wrinkle can be your perfect solution.

15) Take Advantage Of Port Days

When the cruise ships are on ports, most of the guests are busy on excursions, enjoying offboard activities and lazing around the pool. During these days’ cruise ships do not make much money and thus they leverage cruisers with exciting offers and discounts on activities like a spa. 

16) Take Advantage Of Your Travel Rewards 

Many travellers get great benefits by using their credit cards and travel points. These come in real handy when you are booking the cruise. Also, if you have travelled with a cruise line earlier than being loyal can guarantee you some great discounts and rewards. 

17) Opt For Small Cruise Ships

Most giant and well-renowned cruise lines offer great luxurious packages. A great way to enjoy a personalized experience is by opting for small cruise ships. These ships make you feel special and offer you some memorable experiences.

18) Pack Light

While travelling on the cruise you need not carry heaps of luggage with you. There are extra charges for excessive luggage. Before booking a cruise line make sure to check the allowed luggage on the cruise ship and also take a note of the extra luggage charges.

19) Do Not Buy Photo Packages

In today’s day and age, when everyone is an ace photographer, you do not need to spend some extra money on photo packages. Make sure to take a good camera along with you for clicking some amazing photos in some of the stunning locations. 

20) Prepare A Budget Checklist

Make sure to keep all your expenses written on a piece of paper. Take a note of all the things you have planned to spend your money on and also where you think you can go a bit overboard. This list will help you keep your expenses in check and will be a reminder to keep your budget within your estimated value.

Cruising is considered to be an expensive affair but if your budget is in check then you can enjoy luxury and comfort within an affordable range. We hope these hacks will come in handy and you will be able to enjoy your voyage without burning a hole in your pocket.