How to Find the Best Cruise Deals, According to Experts

Cruising has become increasingly popular in recent years. But despite high demand, finding great cruise deals is not as difficult as you might think, as long as you know when to book and what to look for.

During the first three months of the year, known as wave season, many cruise lines release their best, most value-packed offers, making it the best time to book your trip. Cruise enthusiasts are able to choose from hundreds of different promotions, which, while exciting, can also be overwhelming. “The lowest fare is only a deal if it is the right cruise for you,” says Travel + Leisure Advisory Board Member Rob Clabbers. In other words, he says, if you “pick the wrong line or itinerary, that deal just turns into a waste of vacation time and money.” 

We tapped Clabbers, along with two T+L A-List travel advisors, to share their expert insights. Here are their tips to help you find the best cruise deal for your perfect sailing.

Take advantage of wave season. 

Wave season runs from January through March. During this period, which is sometimes referred to as the Black Friday for cruise deals, many companies—from budget cruise lines to luxury ships—offer some of the most competitive prices of the year. It’s well worth booking your sailing during these months.  

Use a travel advisor.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a veteran sailor, the slew of deals and promotions can seem daunting—it can be especially hard to know which ones are worth booking or which offer the most value.

“All these options and special offers can be confusing, and a qualified travel advisor who knows their way around cruises may help you find the best deal,” Clabbers explains, adding that these folks can also “offer extra benefits that are not available when booking directly with a cruise line.” Ultimately, he says, the best travel advisors are those who can “help customize your trip with hotels, tours, and other services that may be a better value or fit for your style of travel.”

Travel during the shoulder or low seasons.

Many cruise lines offer lower fares before or after the high seasons. “While the weather may not be at its peak, neither are the crowds,” Clabbers says. “If your main interest is visiting cultural attractions and museums or exploring cities, rather than baking on a beach, fewer fellow travelers make for a much more enjoyable experience. Bonus: airfares may be lower, too.” A couple of examples include opting for an Alaskan cruise in May or September (as opposed to the peak summer months) or taking a European river cruise in March, October, or November (instead of May or September, which, according to Clabbers, is considered high season). 

“I can’t tell you how many travelers are hoping for a ‘waived single supplement’ or ‘two-for-one’ offer and then restrict themselves to only the peak dates for that region,” says Mary Curry, a T+L A-List travel advisor specializing in small ships. She adds that discounts and promotions for small ships are much more likely to be offered when demand is lower, since they fill up quickly during peak times.

Be flexible. 

Put simply, Clabbers explains, “The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to find a lower rate for your cruise.” For instance, if you are “very flexible and are looking for a standard room on a large ship, on an itinerary that repeats week after week, you are more likely to find a promotional fare.” However, if you’re only open to traveling during a specific timeframe or itinerary in a specific room category with few options, the result will likely be higher pricing. In some cases, he says, “You may come across a ‘guarantee’ special offer,” which means that “in return for a lower fare, the cruise line gets to assign your specific room anywhere on the ship, in the category you selected.” 

Ironically enough, being flexible sometimes means relinquishing some of your flexibility. For example, Clabbers says, “Some lines, like Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean, offer slightly lower fares if you’re willing to give up some of your flexibility by choosing to pay a nonrefundable deposit instead of a refundable one.”  

Book early. 

To a certain degree, the best time to book depends on the type of cruise and your risk tolerance. That said, booking early is usually your best bet, “especially if you’re looking to travel on a luxury cruise line, or for unique, popular itineraries,” Clabbers says. “Lines like Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journeys, and others aim to offer their lowest fares and best promotions when reservations are first accepted for a new itinerary and will raise fares as the departure date comes closer.” 

According to Curry, this is especially true on small-ship sailings. “Most small ships are counting on filling all their cabins, so they offer the best deals for travelers who plan early,” she says, emphasizing that many small ships have even “formalized this system by offering ‘capacity-controlled pricing’ that offers the best rates furthest in advance, with the rate steadily increasing for the same category cabin as you get closer and the ship fills.” 

Finally, keep in mind that some cruises can be booked up to three years in advance, which means it’s never too early to start planning.

Or book a last-minute cruise.

Cruise prices can sometimes get cheaper closer to the date, so it can pay to book late. But you’ll need to be “very flexible with dates, itinerary, type of room, or location on a ship,” Clabbers explains. 

Ashton Palmer, a T+L A-List travel advisor who specializes in expedition sailings, agrees. “If you are flexible and can travel 90 days or less before departure, cruise lines will sometimes extend discounts.” 

Stick with one company.

Just as airlines and hotels offer travel rewards programs and perks to loyal customers, most cruise lines do, too. “Loyalty can pay off,” Clabbers says. “Many cruise lines offer some discounts or credits to spend on board or other benefits for their returning passengers.” Plus, these programs are typically free to join, so you have nothing to lose by signing up.

Cruise with friends or family.

Cruise with your nearest and dearest—and get rewarded for it, too. According to Palmer, cruise lines are often willing to extend a discount for groups of six or more. For example, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, and Princess Cruises each offer group discounts. 

Consider repositioning cruises. 

Budget-conscious travelers should consider a repositioning cruise. These unique one-way sailings generally occur at the beginning or end of a cruising season (typically in the spring or fall) when ships need to return to their home ports. Two examples of these itineraries are Celebrity’s transatlantic sailing from Orlando, Florida, to Southampton, England (by way of Bermuda and Lisbon), and this 23-day transpacific journey aboard Windstar Cruises, which sails from Tokyo to Vancouver.

Keep in mind that these value-packed cruises, which typically sail for around two or three weeks, feature far more sea days than usual to account for the travel time between ports. As such, you’ll be spending the bulk of your vacation on board.

Bundle up. 

Many cruise lines offer perks and discounts that go far beyond the basics, such as elevated dining experiences, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and, in some cases, pre- and post-cruise hotels and/or airfare. Norwegian’s Free at Sea package includes benefits like an open bar, specialty dining, excursion credits, and complimentary airfare for a second guest. Select sailings on lines like Ponant and Viking, among others, include flights.

Guests sailing aboard the luxury line Silversea have the option to add flights and transfers by booking its door-to-door all-inclusive package. You may also be able to reserve reduced-cost flights directly through the cruise lines. For example, Holland America’s Flight Ease program allows passengers to book flights at a discounted rate, with perks like no change fees and the ability to earn frequent flier miles. Similarly, some lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offer a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay for certain classes.

Research additional discounts and benefits.  

According to Clabbers, several lines offer benefits, such as extra perks and discounted or free fares, to certain types of passengers. Cruise lines like Carnival and Cunard have special offers for military members and their families, while others like Norwegian have deals for teachers and solo travelers.