Best Price Cruises

What are Best Price Cruises?

Value and best price mean different things to different people, and the best price cruises are not always the least expensive ones. Before snagging a low-price bargain, it is important to consider several factors that truly determine if the cruise vacation will be a good deal.

• Cabin location: Is the discounted cabin in a favorable location? Is there a balcony, window, or porthole? Is the view obstructed? What facilities are nearby (children’s areas, gym, lounge, restaurants)?
• Included amenities: What amenities may be included in the fare price? Gratuities? Shore excursions? Souvenirs? Also consider intangible benefits such as priority boarding service or shuttle transfers from the airport.
• Sailing convenience: Is the sailing date compatible with your vacation dates? Is the port convenient to reach or will it require extended travel just to begin your cruise vacation?
• Per-day value: How does the fare break down on a per-day basis? A cruise that costs $200 more may be a better bargain if its itinerary is four days longer.

Naturally, different people will rate each of these factors differently depending on their personal circumstances. A family, for example, may consider a cabin near the children’s area to be a great bargain, while a honeymooning couple may consider it a detriment. To gauge best price cruises for your specific preferences, rate different factors according to their importance and choose a cruise using those ratings as a priority list.

Finding Best Price Cruises

Once you know what will make a cruise a good value for you, it is time to begin shopping to find the best price cruises. When you sail, where you sleep on the ship, and other special circumstances all impact the type of bargains you find.

When to Sail

Cruises are typically less expensive in September, October, January, and March – months that do not have many family vacations, weddings, or reunions scheduled. Cruise lines will often offer deep discounts during those months. If your travel dates are even more flexible, you may be able to take advantage of last minute bargains for greater savings.

Cabin Choices

Your cabin selection greatly impacts the overall value of your cruise. Interior cabins on lower decks are typically the least expensive, though great bargains exist for more luxurious categories if you know how to take advantage of them. For example, many cruise lines will offer in-category upgrades: if you purchase the least expensive type of oceanview cabin you may be eligible for upgrades to the best type of oceanview cabin, giving you substantial savings and a better value cruise. On the other hand, suites are often the most expensive cabins but offer greater amenities, including more luxurious furnishings, better locations, and possibly free souvenirs or onboard discounts. Which cabin you choose depends on the type of cruise value you are seeking.

Special Bargains

There are many special deals offered from various travel agencies and directly from the cruise lines. Sign up to receive special offers and newsletters to take advantage of these promotions: many of them are very short-lived and sell out quickly. They may also apply only to limited sailings, ships, or cabins, depending on the specific offer details.

Tips for Unpublished Deals

There are many ways to increase the value of your cruise through unpublished and unadvertised deals. For example, most cruise lines offer price breaks and benefits to past passengers, particularly if you enroll in their past passenger programs (usually free to join). There may also be military, educational, or state resident deals, but you must usually inquire about the possibilities to take advantage of the savings – they will not be openly offered.

Once you receive a price quote from one agent, if you find a lower price online or through a different agent, the first agent may be willing to use discretionary discounts to lower their price even further, giving you the best possible price. You may also be able to take advantage of advertised sales close to the sailing date if your category of cabin has not been filled – even though you may have already paid your fare in full. Consult a travel agent for specific details about these and other discount options.

If you consider the overall value of a cruise as it relates to your personal preferences, including when you sail and which cabin you choose, it can be easy to locate the best price cruises for your budget and vacation dreams. By researching these discounts prior to sailing, you can easily find the cruise vacation of a lifetime without needing a lifetime to pay for it.