It’s the age-old question: how can you get more bang for your buck when booking a holiday? Finding the perfect deal for you often involves a lot of moving parts, and there’s nothing worse than finally booking your holiday only to realise you’ve paid more than you needed to.
Luckily, as cruise experts, we’re here to give you all our expertise to make sure your next cruise is packed with value at the best price.
Why cruises are great value
But before we share all our secrets to securing a great deal on your cruise, we thought we’d explain why a cruise holiday comes out on top in terms of value for money compared to many other holiday types.
Stating the obvious, cruises allow you to visit multiple locations (sometimes even on multiple continents!), which you don’t get to do on a standard package holiday. But on top of that, you can also tuck into incredible food and drink options, enjoy amenities like cinemas and casinos that aren’t normally available in hotels or self-service accommodation, and all while receiving top-quality service from the onboard crew.
So even before you get into the basic accommodation choices, food and drink packages, and travel options, you’re already getting much more for your money on a cruise than you would even on some all-inclusive resorts.
How to get the best value out of a cruise
Even though you might not be looking for the cheapest cruise possible, you’re probably still wondering how to squeeze the maximum value out of your fare. Below are six of our top tips for getting the best value out of your next cruise.
Go for a package
The best way to get a great deal on your cruise is to go for a package including everything that’s important to you. Our smart packages allow you to curate all the bits of your cruise to your exact wants, including hotel stays, flights, food and drink packages, and access to amenities. So, whatever you want – or don’t want – you can change your holiday accordingly and only pay for the bits you want. This way, you’re getting the best value and a completely unique experience in one go!
Research your options
You might not realise just how many options there are when you’re booking a cruise. From picking which cruise line to travel with to selecting your ship and itinerary, you can tailor your cruise holiday to make sure it works for you and your budget. Taking as much time as you need to research the options can be a great way to make sure you’re getting the best deal based on everything that’s available within your budget.
Time your booking right
Nailing the timing of your booking can be tricky, and while this isn’t a fool-proof way to bag the best deal, it can impact the price of your holiday. One of the best ways to get a good deal is to book when cruise lines launch their new season departures. This way, you can take advantage of early booking savings and lower deposits.
Sometimes, it can even pay off to book your cruise at the last minute since some cruise lines will lower their prices to fill the remaining cabins. You might even get added benefits like onboard credit, pre-booked excursions or discounted cabin upgrades if you’re lucky!
Choose a payment plan
It can be a stretch paying off the balance of your cruise holiday in one hit, which is why many find holidays that can be paid off in regular instalments in the run-up to departure more valuable. The amount you will pay each month will usually depend on how far in advance the booking is made, so if you’d prefer smaller instalments, be sure to book well ahead of the departure date for your chosen cruise. At the point of booking, the biggest payment you’ll need to make is your deposit, which can make a much smaller dent in your bank balance while still giving you that just-booked-a-holiday feeling.
We now offer the option of a payment plan when booking your cruise with us at Cruise Nation. Using our simple booking portal, you can easily check your remaining balance, see upcoming payments and even add any extras.
Choose your cabin wisely
Your cruise cabin choice can impact the value you’re getting from your cruise. For instance, certain cabins on some cruise lines will come with added benefits such as concierge services, room service, access to exclusive areas and other complimentary services. However, these types of cabins will come at an additional cost that isn’t always within budget.
If you want more for your money, booking an outside balcony cabin is usually your best bet. With this cabin type, you can enjoy peace and quiet on a good-sized private balcony while also having plenty of space inside your cabin for recharging your batteries after a day at sea or in a port.
Plan your itinerary
To get the most value out of your cruise, we recommend planning your travel itinerary as thoroughly as possible. Think about what you want to do on days at sea and days at each port, as well as where you want to eat and any other onboard amenities you want to take advantage of. This will not only help you get more from your cruise, but you’ll also have a better idea of what your money is going towards.
Think it’s about time you booked your next cruise holiday? Use these tips to make sure you secure the best deal for you, and if you need any extra support, our Cruise Nation team are on hand to help you find a great value cruise. Thanks to our Best Price Guarantee on all smart packages, you can relax knowing you’re being offered the best selection of deals.