What Is The Cheapest Month To Take A Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line is a very popular choice for families that want to combine a family cruise vacation with their love for all things Mickey, but it is not a cheap vacation.
If you are trying to find the least expensive time to take the family on a Disney Cruise, there are some good times of the year to lock in the lowest fares you will find.
Are You A First
- 71 pages packed with money saving tips and insider tricks
- Discover the best time of year to cruise, how to get free onboard credit, how to maximize credit card bonuses, and much more.
- This must-have book is great for first-timers as well as long-time cruisers.
If youre like me, you love to travel by cruise ship, but you also want to save money. The cheapest time of year to cruise is hurricane season or early spring and late fall when the weather is cooler.
I took my first cruise to Alaska, and after just one trip, I was hooked on cruising. I love the idea of mobility and waking up in a new destination every day. Typically, the most popular time to cruise is during summer when its warmest, kids are out of school, and holidays like Christmas and New Years Eve. Due to supply and demand, these are the most expensive times to travel.
Do Cruises Get Cheaper Closer To The Sailing Date
Its a myth that cruises get cheaper closer to the sailing date. In fact, cruise prices are cheapest when they first go on sale which is 18 to 24 months before the departure date. Only if the cruise doesnt sell out will there be a price drop. This will happen 6 to 12 weeks before departure.
The following graph demonstrates what often happens to cruise prices over time. The red circles are the cheap prices that you want to book!
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When Do Cruises Go On Sale
Book your cruise early to find the best prices. You can book a cruise up to two, maybe three years in advance. Thats about as far into the future as a company is able to make realistic plans, and its much further in advance than I can make plans! Most cruisers book their next cruise six months to a year in advance, and you definitely want trip insurance with that because plans change.
Experienced cruisers already know the best time and the best place to book their next cruise, and Im going to let you in on their secret.
How We Afforded A Cheap Cruise Entirely Around The World With These Travel Tricks
Is a cheap world cruise actually possible?
Thats the question we asked ourselves.
So we thoroughly investigated this seemingly unlikely potential, as we planned a trip entirely around the world without flights.
Over the past five years of our nonstop travels around the world, we make concerted efforts to pursue and uncover some of the best travel values in the world, while stretching our travel dollars as far as possible.
Its an open secret how traveling through cheaper destinations like Southeast Asia can be easily accomplished on a modest budget of $25 per day, or even less. Its actually quite easy to achieve a high standard of travel at a low cost in many parts of Latin America and Eastern Europe too. Its a proven strategy that has allowed us to travel well without spending a fortune over the course of the past several years.
But we also like getting off the well-worn backpacker trails and going beyond the worlds more economical nomad hotspots. We like to show how even seemingly extravagant travel experiences can be affordable. For example, weve proven how to visit the Galapagos on a Budget, take an African Safari for $50/Day, or even have a Luxury Trip to Egypt on a Budget.
Yet this past year we gave ourselves the biggest budget travel goal wed ever set out on: attempting a cheap around the world cruise.
The terms world cruise and budget travel are two contrasting phrases that dont normally mix. We want to prove that they can!
We did it all.
Recommended Reading: What Cruise Lines Sail Out Of Baltimore
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.
Now Is The Best Time To Score A Cheap Alaska Cruise For 2021
Were officially into winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of the U.S. has seen its first snowfall even a blizzard or three so its unlikely many of us are daydreaming of an immediate Alaskan getaway. Right now, however, is the best time of year to start planning an Alaskan trip.
Every December through March, Alaskan cruise lines offer some of their best deals of the year. Its called wave season, and its like an ultra-extended holiday sale that lasts into early spring. Most cruises and travel agents depend heavily on early bookings. Right now, theyre offering substantial discounts and incentives to start filling up their summer routes. Interior cabins can be found for as little as $100 per person per day. Plus, most lines offer better upgrades, onboard credits, free Wi-Fi, and more. Its the best time of year for customers to actively bargain. Travelers working with an agent should feel free to push hard for complimentary upgrades like spa treatments, free excursions, or drink and dine packages.
It goes without saying that climate change is real, and so is its effects on the worlds most extreme destinations. While were not into fear-inspired disaster travel, the clock is undoubtedly ticking on the 49th state. Future generations may look at todays Alaska rich in wildlife and pristine natural landscapes in history books, wondering where it all went wrong. So, if visiting the state has long been on your bucket list, now is the time to start planning.
Recommended Reading: Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Package Cost
The Best Wave Season Promotions Of 2021
Now, lets look at some of the current wave season deals were most excited about. There are many different types of promotions cruise lines offer during sales. You may easily rule out some that dont matter to you. For example, unless youre tight on cash or youre booking a far-off sailing date and dont want to tie up your money, is a reduced deposit really that valuable to you? On the other hand, if you always buy a beverage package, getting one for free may be much more appealing. And benefits like prepaid gratuities or onboard credit are almost like getting cash assuming, of course, you were going to spend that money anyway.
Booking dates: Now through March 31, 2021Travel dates: Select Europe sailings embarking in 2021 through 2023Promotion includes: 10% off the cruise fare of your second and all subsequent back-to-back cruise itineraries. Must mention promo code B2B10 at time of reservation.
Complimentary Pre- and Post-River Cruise Land PackagesBooking dates: Reserve by Jan. 31, 2021Travel dates: Select 2021 and 2022 European river cruise and land journeys Promotion includes: Package includes stays at four- and five-star hotels near major sites, daily breakfast at the hotel, city tours lead by local guides, services of an AmaWaterways cruise manager and transfers to and from the ship. Mention promo code FREELAND at time of reservation.
What About Sailing During The Winter Or Hurricane Season
Weve shown you the best time to sail if you want to save money. But what if youre wondering about the best time to sail due to weather?
For example, is it fine to sail in the middle of winter or during hurricane season?
The good news is that there is no wrong time of year to sail for most cruises, such as those heading to the Caribbean or Bahamas.
Lets take winter. While it might be cold in North America, the weather stays fairly consistent in the Caribbean. For instance, the average high temperature for Cozumel is about 84 degrees in January and 91 degrees during the peak of August. So temperatures are cooler during the winter, but not by much.
Where there is a difference during winter months is with your departure port. If you are sailing from a port in the United States , then the winter months can be cold. That means the first day of your cruise during the winter can be chilly as the ship heads south.
One more thing to keep in mind is the summer months in the tropics can often mean regular afternoon thunderstorms. Late winter and early spring months are drier. Even so, it can rain any time of year in the Caribbean.
Hurricanes are always of interest to the Caribbean, and hurricane season runs from June through November. For cruise passengers, the risk of being caught in a hurricane on a ship is low. Cruise ships actively avoid storms, and steer for better weather.
Also Check: Average Cost Of A 7 Day Alaskan Cruise
Cheapest Time To Cruise To Mexico
While you can sail to Mexico year-round, the summer months are far too hot for enjoyment. The cheapest time of year to cruise to Mexico is October to January, except for holiday cruises. I had sailed in both September and February when it was still hot but comfortable.
There are two options to sail Mexico, the Caribbean side and the Pacific side or Mexican Riviera. The Caribbean offers many more itineraries and cruise ships, so more deals can be found there. On the Pacific side, short 3-day cruises can be very cheap, but the cruise ship can only travel as far as Ensenada.
What Cruise Deals Are Offered
The important thing to know about wave season sales is that you arent just looking for reduced cruise fares, though those are a great place to begin. The real incentive is the bevy of bonuses cruise lines add to their promotions that make it tough to pass up booking a cruise .
Here are the type of value-adds you should look for:
- Discounted cruise fares
- Third and/or fourth passenger in a cabin sail free
- Kids sail free
- Free airfare from select U.S. gateways
- Precruise overnight hotel stay
- Cabin upgrades
- Onboard credit you can use to pay for specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments and more
- Beverage packages
- Spa treatments
Also Check: Best Cruises In Italy
How To Save $1500 On Your Alaska Vacation
Take a few of the higher-value day tours listed above, then rent a car and create your own adventures. Its easy to do in Alaska: the most famous Alaskan adventures ever done were on a shoestring budget.
Food on the road: If youre motoring to a new destination across Alaskas big distances, lunch or dinner time could easily pass without a single restaurant on the horizon. You can solve this problem with the same common sense approach youd take at home. Buy an inexpensive cooler or bring a packable cooler, and load it up with snacks, lunch food and beverages when you pass through a town with a grocery store. Its what Alaska residents do! And even if you have access to restaurants, consider picnicking at least one meal per day to shave expenses.
Lodging: Save $50 $100 per night by staying at less expensive hotels or B& Bs.
Tent camping: Alaska has scores of campgrounds on the road system, and its easy to find space during weekdays. Travel with a tent, sleeping bag and pad, a propane camp stove and cook kit, plus a cooler storing foodand you could cut hundreds of dollars off your daily costs. Even a few nights out in good weather will shave expensesand maybe pay for a high-value side trip. Just dont forget bug dope and mosquito coils!
Alaska Transportation: Save $100+ by using an Alaska car rental rather than riding buses and the Alaska Railroad, especially if youre a party of two or more.
Top 10 Cheapest Cruises For 2020 Starting At Only $26 Per Day
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Love cruising? We get it after our very first cruise we were completely hooked! Now that weve done some repositioning and trans-pacific cruises, we cant stop dreaming about our next sailing.
But lets be real sometimes cruise prices can add up to WAY more than our travel budget allows which is why were always searching for the cheapest cruises.
From last minute to repositioning cruises, weve found cruises for as low as $26 per day. That is INSANELY CHEAP for your cruise fare, food and cabin! Weve dug through all the top cruise comparison websites, along with using our own little secrets, and have found some amazing deals.
Cruise prices are in USD per person and INCLUDE taxes/port fees. At the beginning of each month we search the internet to bring you the absolute best cruise deals we can find. Cruise prices are constantly changing so we keep this list up to date as possible at all times.
Read Also: What Cruise Lines Sail Out Of Cape Canaveral
What Are The Best Months For Wildlife & Activities
Spotting wildlife is always unpredictable in Alaska, but your best bet of getting pics of wildlife ashore is probably late May and early June, when mothers and their calves or cubs tend to be out and about. One exception: If you want to do a bear-watching shore excursion, prime bear season is not until late June or early July.
Denali: If you want to do a land tour that includes the national park, dont come during the May shoulder season. Denali National Park doesnt open up until early June.
Want to fish ashore? Fishing is good during any monththere are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by.
Summer berry-picking on shore is best late in August or early September.
If you want to see fall foliage ashore, wait until the first week of September. It remains good through the third week of September.
Hate mosquitoes? If youre doing a land tour, come during either shoulder season
See a full calendar of Alaskas natural events.
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.
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Night Repositioning Cruise Frombarcelona To Tampa
$59 Per Day
$821 TOTAL Trip
Chase the Autumn Blues away by hopping on Caribbeans Rhapsody of the Seas. Its setting sail November 7th, 2020, and tickets are super affordable.
This repositioning cruise deal landed in our number 4 spot and is sure to impress. Enjoy 14 days of gorgeous cruising all the way from Tarragona to Tampa.
The itinerary has port stops in: the Canary Islands and the Bahamas. This ship holds up to 2400 guests and was recently renovated in 2016. Definitely a bucket list cruise at a truly affordable price.
Be Flexible With Stateroom Options
Inside Stateroom
In addition to being flexible about sail dates, keep an open mind regarding the kind of staterooms and destinations youll find when booking a cruise at the last minute.
Certain itineraries have coveted staterooms that sell out months in advance. For example, veranda staterooms on Alaska cruises sell out quickly since everyone wants to see wildlife and glaciers from the comfort of their room during their trip.
If youre more concerned about how to find last-minute cruise deals than having a particular stateroom, then a discounted cruise deal is a good fit for you.
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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.