Save Money on Your Next CRUISE Vacation

Here are a few cruise tips to help you plan, save money and enjoy your cruise vacation.

Schedule your cruise during the off-season. This is a simple but very excellent way to save a bundle on your cruise vacation. Cruise lines are like any other travel related business. They have seasonal ups and downs. During the peak cruise season cruise lines charge more. Why? Because they can.

During the slow season the prices drop because there are fewer customers and the cruise lines need to fill the ship to stay profitable. This is basic demand vs. supply economics and you can take advantage of it.

The cost of the cruise itself is only part of your cruise vacation budget. Most travelers will have to fly to the port city where the cruise departs. Don’t assume that you have to pay for this. It is not unusual for a cruise line to offer packages that include airfare.

As you research and plan your cruise, keep an eye out for these airfare-included deals. If you don’t see anything right away, don’t be afraid to ask. You never know what great deals may be available once to dig a little deeper.

Seasickness is a common problem for many people who want to cruise. Did you know that your choice of cabin can actually help with this? The fact is that the rolling up and down ocean movements are much less in the middle of the ship compared with the front and back of the ship. Most people, especially newcomers to cruising, are not aware of this. By selecting a cabin closer to the middle, you can reduce the sea movements that cause seasickness and have a much more enjoyable cruise experience.

Shore excursions are a popular and fun part of cruising. But often these excursions have a limited number of participants. Don’t wait to the last minute, assuming that you will be able to just join in on any shore excursion that interests you. Plan ahead. Find out what excursions are planned and sign up as early as possible so you don’t get left out.

If you are trying to save money, ask during your planning stage about available shore excursions. Many cruise lines offer complimentary shore excursions as part of the cruise package. This can be a great money saver. Always ask about the shore excursion pricing. Don’t assume an advertised excursion is included with your trip.

If you are planning a family cruise, you can really help make the experience the best for everyone by choosing a good family friendly cruise line. Some are better than others when it comes to catering to families. You need to ask.

Many cruise lines have a host of activities geared for kids and a staff dedicated to keeping the kids happy. Other things like kid’s pools, clubs and kid-friendly shore excursions are offered by some cruise lines. On-board strollers and cribs can help make it easier to cruise with a family.

One of the choices you have when choosing a cruise is the size of the cruise line and the ship. With the larger ships you will probably be going to the more popular, well known ports. You will typically have a large and varied selection of fun things to do on-board.

On the other hand, choosing a smaller ship can result in a more slow-paced intimate experience. A smaller cruise ship will be more likely to take you to lesser known, less traveled ports. It all depends on the cruise experience you are looking for. Select the trip that suites your taste.

For some people, cruising is just about general relaxing and sightseeing. But maybe you want more. How about a cruise that combines the pleasure of getting out on the ocean while also focusing on something that you are passionate about?

Many cruise lines offer theme cruises. Maybe you enjoy, or want to learn about gourmet cooking. Maybe you are really into scrapbooking. You can find lots of specialized cruises where you can indulge in your own interests with other people who share your passion. From poker to mahjong, or singles to life healing and yoga, there’s a theme cruise waiting for you.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524