9 Dirt-Cheap Cruise 'Secrets' to Sail for Less $$$

Who doesn't want to sail cheap? While any cruise will cost money, it doesn't have to break the bank.

I run through the tips and tricks you should know about scoring fantastic cruise deals. You won't necessarily get a $1,500 cruise for pennies, but you can save hundreds compared to some passengers.

Secrets to Scoring Cheap Deals:
#1: Be Flexible With Your Cruise Schedule
#2: Be Open to Any Cruise Line
#3: Don't Drive Yourself Crazy Searching Sites
#4: Sail on Older Ships For Cheaper Deals
#5: Last-Minute Cruise Deals... Aren't Really a Thing
#6: Careful On Upgrades
#7: Cruise Line Sales are a Dime-a-Dozen
#8: Port Fees Can Add Hundreds to Your Trip
#9: Find a Rate You Like? Go Ahead and Book It Now
Bonus #10: Let the Cruise Line Pick Your Cabin

🎥 We Sailed The Cheapest Cruise in America We Could Find. Here's What Surprised Us...

🎥 How Much It Costs to Live on a Cruise Ship For a Year

[Cruzelycom]

What's the least expensive cruise you've ever taken? Have you sailed for under $500? For under $300? Let us know below...

[jamaljamal]

Book a refundable trip then call and inquire about canceling right around the cut off date. As an retention, they will offer you some incentives not to cancel. Upgraded from a balcony to a suite at no extra cost and a free drink package for 2.

[chasefasten]

Best deals this year, cruising over Christmas in the Caribbean for 6 nts $750 total for 2 in an interior spa room.

[kookymon]

With a bit of online research, it's pretty easy to book yourself a cruise. My main goals are to keep "Days at Sea" to a minimum. I want no more than 2 in a week. That means traveling to the ports which are closest to the routes you want to take. If you've never been on a cruise, just go book one. Nothing beats experience when it comes to travel. It's not always fun but it is always an adventure.

[joethecomputerguy]

I went on 6 cruises this past winter and never paid more than $100 for any one of them. Waiting for the last minute works best for me. Living in Florida helps. 2 were upgraded to outside window cabins. The rest were interior. And I travel solo. Can't be beat!

[SEC]

Love your videos. Keep up the great research and knowledge. I have been loyal to RCCL for 13 cruises, but would like to try Princess or Viking. I am more into technology than balcony staterooms. Don't mind an interior stateroom that I will only sleep and shower as opposed to a ship that has high speed internet to share live video calls with family and friends. Best wishes.

[johnbenya]

The best way to get a cheap fare is to join the loyalty club and the casino club. After a few cruises you will get offers for free cruises from the casino not the cruise line. The more you spend, not counting any winnings, the better the offers. My wife gets better cruises, cabins, and a better selection over all than I do. Yes you do have to pay port fees. We twice let them pick the cabin and on was directly over the engines and the other was so far from the elevator you could hardly see it. After almost 30 cruises we get free offers every week.

[lesburrows]

Thanks for your important information-helpful 😮

[joshklabunde]

At least with Carnival you can continue to check discounts on your cruise and if you find a cheaper cruise later on they will give you the difference in on shore credit!

[dchenkin]

One rule I hear repeatedly; using a travel agent with a focus on cruises is always better than booking on your own. Cruise agents are paid by the cruise line on commission; they specialize in finding deals.

[RetiredSignDude]

Older ships lack some amenities like bumper cars, and bowling lanes, mini golf, I-fly. If you don't do this crap, take an older ship- smaller, less walking, more intimacy. You get to know a lot of passengers by sight. The service is equal. The food is equal. The shows are equal (albeit less extravagant). AL LOT OF PEOPLE PREFER SMALLER SHIPS. Regardless of cost.
The biggest (newest) ships are built around gimmicks. All RC ships now have a rock wall- yeah- like any of us use it. And they all have multiple hot tubs, etc. I swear the smaller ships have LARGER (!) pools.

[CloudTravel]

Good tips! Who doesn't want to pay less for the same thing. :)

[ruwfkke]

Cruise compete will give your some good deals, like some OBC and choose better room and so on.

[ChristianLehrer]

Don’t overlook repositioning cruises. I just booked a 14 day transatlantic on Royal Caribbean. Incredible deal.

[cneal]

1:20 that’s why homeschool is so great

[paulgerrard]

Tip for mega savings if you have ability and are happy to miss out. Call the cruiseline 2 to 3 days prior and ask for late cancellations. They slways have them as somone always gets sick etc or dies.. Literally 70% off as any sale is better than vacant cabins. My wife did a pacific relocation this way 18 days for Under 100 a day. . Always ask for the cabin details to avoid a bad cabin.

[andreagriffiths]

Thankfully here in Aus, the port fees etc are included in the fare. The only downside is as a solo traveller, the cruise is double which is super annoying.

[rogernevers]

How do I sail for cheap, a single person ?

[baldone]

Travel agents can do more and even better than booking online. Or with fruited line.

[annsheridan]

It’s a supply demand equation. We sailed Argentina to Chili on a 2 week cruise for $350. On a 4 star ship in 2018.