How To Save Money On Cruises

1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior citizen discounts.

2. If you belong to American Automobile Association or American Association Of Retired Persons, you can get a discount.

3. "Buy One-Get One" fares are often offered. You buy your ticket and bring another person along for the ride. Or better yet, split the cost of the fare and you both travel at a 50% discount.

4. Added Value or Free Days. You book a 7-day cruise and get 3 days free or free shore excursions, as well as pre or post cruise hotel rooms.

5. Flat fare specials are one fixed price for the best available cabin at the time of booking.

6. Share a cabin with friends, another couple or two family members and you could easily end up cruising for free. This fare package can also be cut four ways - reducing the burden on all. You will be sleeping in head over bunks that are comfortable, so consider this strategy. Just make sure everyone gets along.

7. You should check into airfares at reduced rates offered by your cruise line to get you to your embarkation site.

8. How about an upgrade? Better cabins, discounted certificates, 10-40 percent savings off advertised prices may all be offered by your cruise line through their respective newsletters.

9. The early bird still gets the cruise, just like with the airlines. If you're a good long-range planner, then you can save mucho dinero. The earlier you book your cruise - the more you save. Typically 10 - 40%.

10. If you belong to an association, organization, if you have a wedding party, family reunion, belong to a church group or are planning a corporate outing you can get a hefty group discount. As always, don't be afraid to ask!

11. Stand by! Yes, it happens with cruise ships too. Typically you're notified three weeks prior to departure if there is space. Late notice like this means you get a nice discount fare.

Bonus Tip:

Did you know that the best cabins to avoid seasickness in are the lower and middle deck cabins? There is more stability here than the pricey upper cabins! Just make sure you're not placed under the Disco, in high traffic areas, or near the engine room. Diesel powered ships vibrate near the stern (rear) of the ship and passenger cabins near the bow (front) may subject you to hearing the anchor raise and lower.

Are you planning cruise vacation? Visit Cruises Center for the latest news and information on cruises.

In The News:


How to take a cruise vacation to Alaska
KVAL, OR - 18 hours ago
And on our particular sailing in late September with the much shorter days, it was too foggy and we ran out of daylight before we could get to the glacier. ...

Dream home smashed on uncharted reef
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 11 hours ago
"It was purposefully built for offshore (cruising), very solid." Mr Cole said it was insured for about half its value of about $300000. ...

Cruising Tales: Bermuda - The Devil's Isles
All At Sea, U.S. Virgin Islands - 22 hours ago
By lifting up a section in the middle of the bridge, an opening was made which is just wide enough for the mast of a small sailing boat to pass through. ...

Boston Globe

North Shore man braves storm, dodges flying fish in around-the ...
Boston Globe, United States - Nov 20, 2008
(Photos courtesy of sitesalive.com) By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff A North Shore man is sailing off the Cape Verde islands today, 11 days into an ...

On the Bay
Manhasset Press, NY - 21 hours ago
The previous few weeks of cruising after leaving Darwin, Australia offered smooth sailing, after Sunderland had faced harsh conditions in the Indian Ocean. ...

Ottawa Citizen

Sail away with Silver
Ottawa Citizen,  Canada - Nov 19, 2008
"I got my first boat in 1973, and started reading voyaging books and thinking about long-distance cruising. In a sense, the dream started there. ...

2008 Adventure Industry Research Report Analyzes, Reveals Global ...
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
For example, significant growth is reflected in: -- Tours that offer biking, diving, sailing, surfing, expedition cruising; -- Service offerings including ...

MSC Cruises Ends Fuel Surcharge Beginning With April 2009 Sailings
MarketWatch - Nov 17, 2008
The surcharge will not be levied on any new bookings for cruises sailing from that date on, and the accounts of guests already booked on these cruises will ...

Cruise lines to end fuel surcharges - in 2010
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Nov 14, 2008
... longest stint there) and will sail a series of 12-night cruises among Northern Europe's capitals, including two days in St. Petersburg, Russia. ...

Friday Flyer

Near and Far with The Friday Flyer: Cruising through Europe
Friday Flyer, CA - Nov 20, 2008
While traveling in Europe, Ron and Mary Jane took the Grand European Tour on the riverboat, “Viking Spirit,” sailing from Budapest, Hungary, to Amsterdam, ...
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