How to Save $500 on Your Next Cruise Without Sacrificing Fun

Cruising is hands-down one of my favorite ways to vacation. Everything’s taken care of food, entertainment, and ocean views for days. But let’s be honest between excursions, drink packages, and those “just one more” souvenir shops, the costs can sneak up fast.

The good news? You don’t have to give up any of the fun to stay within budget. With a few smart choices, our family easily saved over $500 on our last cruise and we didn’t miss a single moment of the good stuff. Here’s exactly how we did it.

💰 1. Book Smart… Timing Is Everything

Cruise prices change constantly, but the biggest secret is all about when you book and when you sail.

• Sail off-season: Look for cruises between late January–March or September–early December. Fares can drop hundreds of dollars just because it’s outside peak travel months.

• Use price-drop alerts: Websites like CruiseWatch or Cruise Critic’s fare tracker will notify you if the price goes down after you book. Many cruise lines will adjust your fare or offer onboard credit if you call before final payment.

• Consider an interior or guarantee cabin: If you’re not picky about location, a “guarantee” room (where the cruise line picks your cabin) can save you $200–$400 compared to choosing your exact stateroom.

💡 Bonus tip: Use a travel agent who specializes in cruises they often have access to group rates or extra onboard credit that you can use later.

🧳 2. Bring Your Own Essentials

It’s the small things that add up onboard sunscreen, seasickness medicine, even bottled water. These can easily run $50–$100 more than buying them ahead of time.

Here’s what to pack instead:

• Sunscreen and aloe (a must for those sea days!)

• Refillable water bottle or tumbler

• Motion sickness meds or patches

• Small first aid kit

• Portable fan or magnetic hooks for your cabin

Not only does this save money, but you’ll have what you need when you need it no $12 bottles of sunscreen in sight.

🍹 3. Skip the Drink Package

I know, the drink package sounds like freedom unlimited cocktails! But unless you’re having 5–7 drinks every day, it rarely pays off.

Instead, consider these tricks:

• Pay per drink most cocktails are $10–$13, and daily drink specials or happy hours can bring that down.

• Take advantage of free drinks: coffee, tea, lemonade, juice, and water are available 24/7.

• Most cruise lines allow each adult to bring one bottle of wine or champagne on board. Perfect for sail-away night!

If you still want the drink package, check if the rules for your cruise line. Sometimes only one adult has to buy it.

⚓ 4. Choose Shore Excursions Strategically

Excursions can be one of the biggest splurges on a cruise, but there are smart ways to enjoy amazing experiences without blowing your budget.

• Book early: Cruise lines often offer early-bird discounts when excursions first open for booking. Prices tend to rise as the sail date gets closer.

• Look for combo deals: Some lines bundle multiple excursions or offer “Best of [Port]” packages that include several stops for less than booking each separately.

• Prioritize your ports: Choose one or two “big” excursions that truly excite you like snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, or a cultural tour and keep the others simple. In some ports, even a short walk to a nearby market or beach can be just as memorable.

• Use onboard credit: Apply any OBC toward excursions it’s an easy way to enjoy premium experiences without spending extra out of pocket.

• Check for kids’ discounts: Many excursions offer lower rates (or free spots) for children, but it’s easy to overlook that small print when booking.

💡 Cruise mom tip: I like to treat one excursion as our “main family adventure,” then keep the rest of the ports low-key so everyone has downtime and our budget stays on track.

🍴 5. Dine Like a Pro

You can eat so well on a cruise without ever paying extra.

• The main dining room changes menus daily and often includes steak, shrimp, and even lobster.

• Don’t overlook room service breakfast it’s free on most lines and perfect for early port mornings.

• Grab snacks or fruit from the buffet to stash for later.

Save specialty dining for one night if you really want to splurge, but otherwise, the included food is delicious and varied enough for the whole family.

🛍️ 6. Avoid Onboard Shopping Traps

It’s easy to get caught up in the “last chance” sales but here’s a secret: almost every cruise has them.

• Wait until the last sea day for the best markdowns on souvenirs, jewelry, and clothing.

• Bring your own cruise shirts, tumblers, or lanyards from Amazon or Etsy for half the price.

• Give your kids a souvenir budget before sailing so they know their limit, no surprises at checkout!

🎉 7. Use Onboard Credits Wisely

If you receive onboard credit (OBC) from your travel agent or booking promotion, treat it like cash. Spend it smartly on things that add value:

• Gratuities

• Internet packages

• Specialty coffee or a fun photo package

• 
  

Avoid using it on overpriced trinkets or gambling that’s how cruise lines get you!

🌺 Final Thoughts

Saving money on a cruise doesn’t mean giving up the fun parts it just means being intentional. With these small swaps, you can easily keep an extra $500 in your pocket while still soaking up every bit of sunshine, laughter, and adventure.

💡 Pro tip: Before your next sailing, grab my free Cruise Packing Checklist it’s full of mom-approved essentials that will save you money and stress before you even board the ship!