13 Must-Know Cruise Hacks for Smooth Sailing
Whether you’re cruising for the first time or are relatively new to it, you’re probably searching for the best money-saving travel hacks. It’s crucial to ensure you get the best package deal when booking your cruise and revealing some insider secrets from frequent cruisers. To better prepare you, we’ve curated a list of 13 travel hacks to ensure you’re ready to set sail on your perfect cruise!
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Book Your Cruise in Advance
The number one hack that almost every frequent cruiser will use is to book your cruise earlier rather than later. In fact, saving money on your cruise starts before you even get on the ship; it happens right when you finalize your booking.
If you choose to cruise during holidays or the summer, expect these prices to be even higher than those in the off-season. It should also be known that the more popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian come with a heftier price tag, but always be on the lookout for some steals. If you book early enough, you could get an incredible deal.
Book Excursions in Advance
So not only is it essential to book the physical cruise in advance, but it’s also crucial to book any excursions during the booking process. Since you’ll know the exact ports you’ll be stopping at, it’ll be easy to plan ahead of time. Also, planning excursions along with your cruise can open up a boatload of discounts for multiple activities.
Utilize Travel Deals
Many people don’t realize their credit cards or even memberships like Costco have outstanding travel deals. Costco Travel provides members with a wide selection of cruises at a discounted price, so those top-of-the-line cruises might actually be in your price range after all. Not only is the base price of the cruise discounted but there are also several deals you’ll receive when booking through Costco Travel, such as shipboard credits and exclusive dining options.
Before booking your cruise directly through the ship’s website, shop around to find the best deals; they might even be included with your memberships!
Arrive a Day Early
Do you want to know the easiest way to ruin the start of your vacation? Missing your cruise departure. It’s crucial to arrive a day earlier than when your cruise departs for any travel slowdowns that could occur. Between bad weather, accidents, flight delays, and more, you’ll want to arrive a day earlier to avoid the stress and provide yourself with some leeway.