Save At Least 60% With Expert Tips Tricks And Hacks
Whilst this article has given an overview of the cheapest cruises, I realise that not everyone wants bargain-basement holidays like I do! What if you want luxury for less? A balcony cabin or a suite? An exotic destination? A cruise and stay holiday?
Many of you will no doubt be familiar with Emma Cruises who has a very popular YouTube channel and cruise blog.
Like me, shes an expert in finding cheap cruise deals, but Emma has taken things so much further by developing an incredible online course entitled How to Cruise for Less.
Emmas course details the tips, tricks and hacks that she uses to cruise for $50 per night whilst securing upgrades and freebies. It contains video lessons, cheat sheets, checklists and handy tools to help you save at least 60% on advertised cruise prices.
As well as helping you to save money when booking your cruise, Emma will also teach you how to choose the best cruise line for your family, how to pack your suitcase like a pro and how to save money whilst youre on-board as well.
Emma is one of the worlds leading cruise experts and the opportunity to have her provide tailored advice before you hit the book button is priceless.
The best part? Emmas How to Cruise for Less course is super cheap! Youll easily make that money back, and so much more, with the savings youll make when you come to book your next cruise.
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Chart Showing Cheapest Cruise Weeks
Even though this chart is a few years old, not much has really changed in terms of when the cheapest time to cruise throughout the year will be. This chart is from Cruise Market Watch and highlights the average cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise for an inside cabin throughout the year.
Use this chart more as a visual than a concrete unit of measurement for the specific costs of cruising during these times. Again, this graph was made in 2012 but general rules of pricing during the weeks of the year are still valid today.
Notice the price spikes during Decembers busy holiday season, followed by the sharp decrease in pricing early in to January. This chart is a great way to see the cheapest cruise months at a glance.
Leading into Spring there are some price increases for cruise vacations as people get ready for spring break. These prices, however, are still lower than the dramatic increase during the peek cruise season of June and July.
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Taking A Cruise In February
Pros: February offers the same advantages to sailing as you see in January. Fares are normally discounted, with the ability to save hundreds on a cruise by sailing in February versus the height of the summer season. Its also cold in most of the United States and Canada, making a warm getaway awfully enticing.
Cons: Like January, you might find it difficult to take time off after the holidays to enjoy a cruise. Doing so means spending vacation days early in the year and/or having the kids miss school. There are also still strong snowstorms in many parts of North America during February, meaning its possible that getting to the port can be an adventure if you have to fly in for your cruise from a northern city.
What Cruises Can I Go On Without A Passport
Other than a day cruise or an overnight booze cruise, cruises are serious vacations for serious travelers. Many if not most of them will stop at international ports of call. Consequently, a passport is vital for travel. If you absolutely refuse to get one, your Caribbean vacation will be limited to sailings stopping only at US ports of call such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. And even a cruise to Alaska might be impossible.
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Best Months To Cruise The Caribbean
The Caribbean isn’t just one place. In fact, the region most consider as the Caribbean encompasses about 26 different countries and territories overseeing roughly 7,000 different islands. While the culture and offerings of each Caribbean port are truly unique, one thing is surprisingly consistent: the weather. The Caribbean is an incredible year-round destination for cruise ships and part of that reason is the sunny and reliable conditions offered by these islands for many months out of the year.
Unlike Alaska, which has a limited cruise season, Caribbean ports are open January to December, which can make planning your voyage a difficult decision. Luckily, we’ve broken down a number of factors from the slight changes in weather to average price, so you can feel confident about picking the best month to cruise the Caribbean.
My Favorite Time To Book Caribbean Cruises
I love booking cruises in September because its typically still warm and you can find rock bottom deals. Even though there is the threat of cruising during hurricane season, if you are flexible you will be fine. Your ship may have to change its itinerary because of an incoming storm, but pack your sense of adventure and you will still be glad you got such a great deal.
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High Cruise Season In The Caribbean
Although cruises to the Caribbean sail throughout the year, the months between November and March are considered high season. Temperatures start to rise and rainfall is at a minimum, creating a pretty much ideal climate for cruising. After all, who doesnt want to sip on a cocktail in the sunshine, or spend the day soaking up the rays on an idyllic Caribbean beach?!
Another incentive to travel at this time of year is that its when youre most likely to experience the various festivals and events that take place across the region. From Jamaicas Reggae Sumfest to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, there are plenty of large-scale cultural events for you to enjoy.
Youre also more likely to find the destinations on your cruise itinerary buzzing with people. If you want to immerse yourself in local culture and traditions, this might be the time to do it but if youre after a more relaxed vibe, then keep reading.
What Is The Best Month To Cruise To The Caribbean
Images of palm trees, white powdery beaches and warm ocean waters are why so many people choose a Caribbean cruise.
No longer just a winter break, sailings to southern destinations run all year long. But which is the best month to cruise? That depends on a number of factors. Budget, crowds, weather and activities can all play a role in deciding the optimal time to set sail.
With diverse geography, amenities and culture throughout the Caribbean, the are different advantages to each month during the year.
Here is a look at what to consider when deciding the ideal month for your cruise vacation.
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Best Time To Cruise Australia: November
The best time to cruise Australia is from late November to March, when late spring crests into Australia’s summer months. Major ports of call like Sydney, Adelaide and Perth will be quite warm and sunny, while Cairns in the northeast — the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — will be steamy and hot.
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However, November through March in Australia is also typhoon season, which may affect some ports of call and lead to some rough waters. Aussies generally vacation between late December and January, so expect big crowds and jammed ports during that time.
While Australia’s weather varies, winter temperatures between June and early September are rarely as extreme in North America. If you’re after a cheap Australia cruise, this is the time to go. Crowds are fewer, and there are bargains to be had, especially on larger ships and Great Barrier Reef cruises that are available year-round.
The downside to Australian winter cruises? Expedition cruises and sailings to Tasmania are often limited during the rainier months of June, July and August
Check It Out:Australia Cruise Tips
Best Weather In The Southern Caribbean
While winter is still a fantastic time to cruise to the southern Caribbean, our recommendation for the best time to cruise this region is during hurricane season.
The southern Caribbean has a lower chance of being impacted by hurricanes, as it mainly lies below the hurricane belt. Therefore, during hurricane season in the fall, you are still likely to see lower prices but have a lower probability of your cruise being affected by a hurricane.
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What Cruise Lines Offer The Cheapest Rates
Looking to cruise for as little money as possible? Some of the most popular cruise lines that offer great deals on cruises are Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, with Royal Caribbean on the higher end of that spectrum, but offering great value for the price.
MSC Cruises often offers mind-boggling deals as they are still trying to break into the market.
For the absolute lowest price on a short 2 day cruise, its hard to beat the price of Bahamas Paradise Cruise line, with rates as low as $129 a person. You can read about our first experience on this cruise line here.
Whats the best deal you ever scored on a cruise just by going in the off-season? Let us know and we will do a happy dance together. Does this post inspire you to get a sweet deal on a cruise? If so, we have done our job!
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
How To Save On Cruises
You want to know how to save money on a cruise? Step one is to take a cruise aboard your preferred cruise line. Any cruise will do. Make it something short and sweet, and not too expensive. Once aboard, your next step is to find their customer service center for future cruises. All cruise ships have one, and this is where you can get the best deals by far.
Of course, they can only sell packages for their particular cruise line, so you need to already be sure which line you want to sail. They know their ships and their future plans better than anyone else, and they are keenly vested in keeping you as a customer, and they are empowered to give you a deep discount.
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Australia & New Zealand
If you are cruising down under, the busy months are around December and January because that is Australia’s summer and also the most expensive prices.
Royal Caribbean concludes its cruise season in April or May, so if you can snag a cruise then, you will find some great deals. In addition, November is typically a less in-demand month.
The Best Time To Cruise To The Caribbean
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When is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean? The easy answer is whenever it suits you. Theres never a bad time to cruise to this giant blue fishbowl with a bazillion beaches to explore. Thats because Caribbean is warm and mostly sunny year-round. You can find hundreds of cruise options every single month.
Thats not to say that every season is the same. If I had to pick based on weather, cost and crowds, Id vote winter as the best time to cruise the Caribbean.
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If I were to narrow it down even further, Id say the best time to cruise to the Caribbean is early December. Its a fun way to create a break between Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Picture yourself shopping for unique gifts after your snorkel excursion or before your spa appointment instead of slogging through slushy mall parking lots with the tip of your nose threatening to freeze, and I think youll agree.
Heres how the entire year stacks up so you can identify the best time for your travel party to cruise the Caribbean.
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When Are Cruises The Cheapest
Travel is a seasonal business, and many travelers like to take advantage of off-season pricing to save money for example, by going to a ski resort in the middle of the summer. If this sounds like you, youre probably already wondering, when is the off season for cruises? Unfortunately, there really isnt an off season for cruise ships.
For example, Alaska is not a year round destination. A cruise ship which visits Alaska in summer will reposition to the Mexican Riviera for the winter. It is therefore not possible to save money by cruising to Alaska in the winter, when the weather is cold and dark and terrible the ships simply are not there. So there is no off season or low season for an Alaska cruise its either Alaska season, or its not.
With that said, however, each season has its shoulders. The shoulders of the season are those times at the beginning and end of the season: before the season peaks, and then again after the seasonal peak. The cheapest times to cruise are during these shoulder seasons, and this is when you can save the most money on cruise prices. So instead of an off season, think of it as peak and off peak pricing. You will still spend less.
Go When Others Cannot
All cruise cost factors being equal, the cheapest time to go on a cruise is when most others are busy or unwilling to go on that same sailing.
Most cruisers make a decision to go on a particular cruise based on their schedule at home, primarily related to their work or school schedule. Cruises that sail during times of the year when most kids are in school, or employers typically do not provide time off to their employees are the perfect time to snag a great deal on a cruise.
I will share good times of the year to consider cruises for many itineraries, but the common theme you will find among all of them is they are during times of the year when most families are not interested in cruising.
The other key factor to getting a deal is going on a cruise in what is known as the “shoulder season”. These are the weeks or months at the very beginning or very end of a ship’s time in a particular region when factors such as weather, fauna or flora are not at their optimal levels. That is not to say cruising in the shoulder season would be a disappointment, but rather, not when conditions will be absolutely perfect.
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The Best Cheap Cruise Ships
Youll find some large price differences between different ships in each fleet. Cruising on a newer cruise ship will cost more than a cruise on an older ship. Why? Well, newer cruise ships are larger with more facilities on-board. People get excited about new ships and dont mind paying more, especially for the maiden voyages.
Are new cruise ships better? Not always. Cruise ships are thoroughly refurbished every three years, so even on the oldest ships youll never find peeling paint or shabby furnishings.
Royal Caribbean charges around $1 more per drink on the newest ships, which doesnt sound a lot but it can add up. Royal Caribbean drinks packages cost more on the newer ships too.
Rather than looking for the biggest, newest ships, dont rule out some older ships which will be as good as new once you get on-board.
Taking A Cruise In July
Pros: Like June, youll find warm and sunny days filling July. And with the kids out of classes, youll have the opportunity to sail without missing school, making it an ideal time to cruise if you are traveling with kids. And while it is warm in the Caribbean, regular afternoon pop-up showers can help cool things off during the heat of the afternoon. This also represents the height of the Alaskan cruise season, offering the most options of the year.
Cons: The biggest negative will sailing in July is weather. On sunny days, it can get downright hot in many Caribbean ports. If you arent used to the heat and humidity, it can be draining. As well, you should start to look out for hurricanes and tropical storms during July especially if traveling later in the month. While cruise ships will usually avoid any storms, they can be unpredictable and cause changes to your itinerary.
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