Top 10 tips for scoring a cruise bargain

Cruising is a great-value holiday option, with prices inclusive of accommodation, all meals and snacks, plus activities and entertainment. However, it’s possible to get even more bang for your buck with our tips for getting the best cruise deal.

1. Wait until 12 weeks before departure

This is when unsold cabins get classified as “distressed stock” and cruise lines start to think about pushing more aggressive discounts.

2. Check out the different fares on offer

Most cruise lines have different options. They go from cheap options with a few strings attached (full pre-payment, 100% cancellation charge) to more expensive fares with added value (book with a deposit only, choose your cabin location, dining time/table size etc.) It's worth investigating what is and isn’t included in each fare. Paying a little more sometimes turns out to be better value.

3. Add on stays

Travel agents with a tour-operator licence have access to highly discounted cruise-only fares that can only be used if packaged up with hotel stays, train journeys etc. Cruise lines do this to disguise discounting: complex packages make spotting a drop in the cruise fare harder. This means that you can get a cruise and a few nights in the city where the cruise starts from, or ends in, for little more (and sometimes even the same price) as the usual price of the cruise.

4. Consider off-season travel

Winter Med cruises, for example, are cheaper than spring Med cruises, which themselves are cheaper than summer Med cruises. That might sound pretty obvious, but the trick is to work out what whether you're happy to cope with. East Med itinerary with a strong focus on culture? Winter might not be a bad shout. Typical western Med sun-seeker? Probably worth paying a bit more for late spring.

5. Book a repositional cruise

A “repo-what?” we hear you cry. This is when a cruise line moves a ship from one part of the world to another at the end of a season. For example, many vessels are repositioned to the Caribbean for the winter, after sailing the Mediterranean during the summer. Such sailings are cheap, because the cruise line has to move the ship from A to B. But they are not always the best in terms of port of calls. For example, repositioning a ship from the Med to the Caribbean means seven nights crossing the Atlantic without a single stop. If you do book one of these, focus on modern ships with great facilities to keep you occupied.

6. Look at a cruise line’s older ships

When a new ship is launched, everyone wants to see it. This often means there’s a knock-on effect on the demand for older vessels in the same fleet, which usually leads to discounting.

7. Follow the market

A few years back, too many ships were in Europe and cruise lines were struggling to fill all these cabins, leading to price drops and great deals. To remedy this, many cruise lines relocated some of their ships to North America and the Caribbean. This means that there's now overcapacity in the Caribbean and prices have become more aggressive for this destination.

8. Look at the gratuities policy

Most cruise lines expect you to tip and pay gratuities, but how much (and whether you can choose the amount) varies. Check before you book to avoid nasty surprises.

9. Consider adding on a drinks package

If you like a beer or two, and maybe a cocktail and a glass of wine on holiday, costs can add up when you're a captive audience on board a cruise ship. Paying up front for a drinks-inclusive package can end up saving you money. But make sure you will actually get your money’s worth, as you may end up wasting money otherwise.

10. Monitor the prices after you book

Depending on the terms and conditions of your booking, you might be able to claim money back or get extra added value if the cruise fare drops after you've booked.

Bonus Tip: Check Out Travelzoo's Cruise Deals

We work with a range of cruise lines and tour operators, hand-picking only the very best deals on the market. You'll find these deals (featuring everything from mini and river cruises to Caribbean and transatlantic sailings) in our constantly updated Cruise Deals section.