05/06/2023
How to Find a Last-Minute Cruise Deal
Cruise deal aggregator loyalty programs
You can also find loyalty programs through sites such as Expedia. An Expedia Rewards membership is free and offers discounts on travel; depending on your level (Blue, Silver or Gold), there are additional perks and benefits. You also earn rewards points to use toward booking future trips.
A representative from the company says, "On the Expedia website and through nearly 300 Expedia Cruises retail locations across North America, Expedia offers Member Prices, saving travelers up to 10% on last-minute deals, along with exclusive promotions on a variety of cruises. Expedia also secures special rates in advance on the most popular itineraries and cruise lines through the Expedia Exclusive Staterooms program. Most of all, travelers can reach out to one of Expedia's Vacation Consultants who can help navigate the current environment, answer any questions and help find the best value on their ideal vacations."
[Read: The Best Travel Rewards Programs.]
Travel advisers
Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable travel adviser can make planning easier and is one of the best ways to find last-minute cruise deals. Such advisers usually have unique access to perks and discounts for big savings with cruise lines that can further enhance the value of your vacation and/or lower the total price. Marni Becker, senior director of cruise partnerships for Global Travel Collection, agrees: "They can save you money and the time you can never get back searching website to website."
Some aggregator sites also have their own travel advisers to assist in your search. Head of Priceline Cruises Denise Bialek says, "We highly recommend calling one of our Priceline Cruise advisors, as they are the most knowledgeable about the best rate options, know how to combine promotions to get the best deal and will save you time navigating the plethora of cruise lines, cabin categories, pricing, port charges and more." She adds, "An advantage of booking with one of our Priceline Cruise advisors is access to all cruise line offers and loyalty perks, as you would when booking direct, in addition to our many Priceline exclusive deals, all supported by 24/7 service."
Additionally, keep in mind that travel advisers have insight into additional restrictions and the condition of each cruise line.
All-inclusive cruises
Though it may seem counterintuitive, you may be able to score a better value by booking an all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) voyage than a budget cruise with a cheaper base fare. While these options are primarily in the luxury cruise line category, some fares are especially attractive thanks to included airfare costs, transfers to the ship, meals at all dining venues, premium wines and spirits at an open bar, Wi-Fi access and more.
When you book one of these cruises, you'll know the total cost upfront, and there won't be any unexpected surprises when you close out your shipboard account at the end of the cruise. Some of the traditional extras on noninclusive cruise lines – like bottled water, snacks, specialty coffee, gratuities or even beach equipment rentals on the line's private island – can add up quickly, diminishing the impact of your original fare savings. These are some of the all-inclusive cruise options:
Viking Ocean Cruises: On Viking Ocean Cruises, travelers enjoy veranda staterooms; all meals (including alternative dining); beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; one complimentary excursion in every port; and more, all in their base fares.
Silversea Cruises: Silversea Cruises boasts door-to-door all-inclusive fares that encompass private transfers; all meals; butler service; Champagne, select wine, beer or spirits; and award-winning entertainment.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers two-for-one all-inclusive fares that also feature business class airfare on international flights, free two- or three-night land programs, a one-night precruise hotel stay, free unlimited beverages and open bars, free meals in specialty restaurants, unlimited Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities and more.
These lines also offer other discounts, and you may be able to combine them with exclusive offers that your travel adviser can access.
[Read: Cruise vs. All-Inclusive Resort: Which One Is Right for You?]
Short cruises
Three- to five-night cruises generally equate to instant savings since they have lower fares than voyages lasting a week or longer. If you sail from ports in Florida or Texas, you can visit destinations in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico; ports of call may include stops at private, cruise line-owned islands like Royal Caribbean International's Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
If you're in the northeast U.S., you can book a short sailing to Bermuda aboard a few different lines. Bermuda sailings from Norwegian Cruise Line depart from Boston and New York City, while Royal Caribbean sails to the nearby island from New York City and Baltimore.
From Los Angeles, embark on four- and five-night Royal Caribbean cruises to Catalina Island and Enseneda, Mexico. With Celebrity Cruises, passengers can head north to select California cities, Seattle and Vancouver.
Shorter itineraries are less expensive not only because of their length, but also because they typically don't use the cruise lines' newest, largest vessels. Still, some ships have been updated, including Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which underwent a $116 million amplification in 2020. Its upcoming itineraries make short trips between Miami and the Bahamas.
