The 3 Best Ways To Save Money on Cruises, According to Experts

By Katie Price Published Jan 17, 4:19PM EST

Key Points

Cruises are relaxing and affordable because everything is included.
Experts suggest three tips to help you save money on your next cruise.

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The 3 Best Ways To Save Money on Cruises, According to Experts — © KenWiedemann / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Cruises are an all-inclusive experience with a variety of destinations. They’re extremely convenient and often include activities and entertainment onboard. Many are family-friendly, while there are also adult-only cruises for those who prefer a different experience. Ships have a huge variety of food and dining and are great for those who love a social atmosphere. Because everything is included, the entire family gets a chance to unwind. There’s no driving, planning, or even paying required if you do it the right way.

They can also be an extremely expensive way to travel if you aren’t prepared. Ships must obviously depart from the coast, so everyone must travel to a coastal city (most often in California or Florida). To help you find affordable travel options, we scoured this Reddit thread of travel experts and found the three best ways to save money on cruises.

Bring Your Own Alcohol

Bartender or male cavist standing near the shelves of wine bottles holds a glass of wine, looks at tint and smells flavor of wine in glass.

Have you ever wondered how all-inclusive resorts and cruises make enough money when their costs are so low? It’s often because alcohol isn’t included in the package, and they can charge more for it. If you haven’t carefully planned your budget and allowed for alcohol consumption, your tab can add up really fast.

These experts encourage you to entirely skip the drink plan unless it’s free or discounted. Many companies allow you to bring 1-2 bottles of wine on board per customer. Those who don’t have a limit may charge a corkage fee at the terminal, so find out the details beforehand.

Plan Your Own Activities

Cruise lines help plan activities when you are off the ship if you choose. Many of these same activities are available at a discounted price through the same companies – the cruise line simply marks them up. Research the company you use and check online reviews to make sure it’s a reputable one, particularly if you’re in another country.

Remember that if you use a third-party company to plan your excursion, they aren’t bound by time constraints. If you get back to the boat late, it could leave without you. However, it may be worth the risk to save money, as most companies understand their customer base and where it comes from.

Buy Stock for Shareholder Credits

Mature couple, hug and boat cruise for holiday, travel or retirement on ocean sailing with relax. Man, woman and happy on luxury yacht at sea for love, vacation or tropical adventure by Bahamas

Here’s one less common option you may not have considered: Some cruise lines offer onboard credits or discounts for company shareholders. While this is often part of a loyalty or promotional program, it may be worth it to buy stock in the company to receive special amenities, priority check-in, and extra credits.

These details change over time as stock prices fluctuate, so make sure you stay updated on the new terms before booking a trip. Contact the cruise line itself or its investor relations department. Don’t buy stock just for the travel perks, but rather on the investment fundamentals and how they benefit you.

Rapid Fire Tips

View of a roller coaster ride on the top deck of a cruise ship. Curacao.

Some cruise lines are cheaper than others, but remember that you often get what you pay for. Many suggest using a travel agency and watching the cost to see if it decreases after you’ve paid for it. Consider an inside cabin, as they are cheaper than a balcony or oceanside option. Finally, travel during the off-season to avoid large crowds and high costs.

About the Author Katie Price →

"A content writer with over ten years of experience, Katie Price is a contributing writer for 24/7 Wall Street. She started her professional career as a teacher before realizing she wasn't cut out to educate the next generation. Although she just ""happened"" upon content writing in 2012, she's honed her skills over the last decade to make her an excellent copywriter and engaging storyteller.

While her true talents lie in web copy, she's expanded into blog writing. Her areas of expertise include education, mental health, legal, finance, insurance, banking, real estate, and roofing. She enjoys deep-diving into companies and people to discover their stories and rich history and finds ways to weave their uniqueness into her content. Katie believes that everyone has an interesting story to tell and strives to find the words to do them justice.

She holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, with a focus on psychology and English as a second language. Katie is also a mother to four children who both enrich her life and drive her insane and in her spare time, she likes to read, nap, volunteer at the book fair, and shop. She is passionate about accessible education and reading and loves words. Her goal in writing is to make the internet a place filled with valuable information that helps people improve their lives without making them feel stupid."