Cruises are often viewed as luxurious and glamorous vacation getaways, appealing primarily to wealthy retirees or honeymooners. However, cruises are also an ideal way for families to travel to fascinating locales both near and far.
Numerous on-board activities are guaranteed to keep kids occupied, with plentiful entertainment options available for adults as well. And regardless of the number of ports of call that are included, passengers only need to unpack once during the trip. Plus, special deals are also often available, making cruising an economical way to travel.
Here are three ways you can plan a budget-friendly cruise for the entire family.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Pricing
The period between January and March is known in the cruise industry as “wave season.” During this time of the year, cruise travelers usually benefit from deep discounts, free upgrades and other perks that aren’t typically available at other times of the year. Retail sales days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day and Labor Day also frequently feature rock-bottom cruise fares, sweetened with extras like free drink packages.
By contrast, cruises booked during the holiday season often carry premium price tags, while spring break cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas in February and March also tend to run a bit pricey. Summer is high season for cruises in many popular locations. But to take advantage of the most affordable Alaskan cruise prices, consider taking a cruise in the fall, as this time of year is less expensive to travel and the weather is still relatively warm.
Be Mindful of All-Inclusive Pricing
Cruises often tout all-inclusive pricing as a selling point, and it’s true the basic costs of a cruise — accommodations, food and drinks and most on-board activities — are all included when you book your getaway. However, extras such as exterior facing staterooms, spa appointments, meals at specialty on-board restaurants and shore excursions can drive up the cost of a cruise significantly, especially for families.
Of course, it isn’t necessary to stick to a bare bones budget and forego all the extras in order to keep your cruise costs under control. Instead, travelers should prioritize which perks, either onboard or at ports of call, are most important. Other smart economizing moves include booking exterior ocean view staterooms for adults and placing kids in adjoining interior staterooms.
Avoid Any Costly Extras
Cruise lines frequently offer transfers between nearby airports and the ship’s dock as a convenience to passengers. However, that convenience comes at a price that can range as high as $100 per person. Instead, a more economical alternative is for travelers to use a taxi or ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber, or split the cost of a livery with other passengers.
Additionally, be mindful that accessing the internet aboard the ship can cost $50 or more per day. To avoid paying those high fees, make sure to buy an international data plan and/or use a wireless connection exclusively. Then again, you can always just put your smartphone in airplane mode to avoid any roaming fees.
Enjoy Every Minute of Your Cruise
For the purposes of comfort, enjoyment and peace of mind, passengers should make sure to pack a carry-on bag with a change of clothes, swimwear and basic necessities like medications so that these items are on-hand and available before their bags reach their stateroom.
Covering these final details, along with taking advantage of off-peak pricing to desired destinations, splurging on the extras deemed important and avoiding other extra costs, will allow families to relax and enjoy every minute of their cruise.
