The tricks to scoring a cheap cruise
When it comes to travel, cruises have to be the easiest, most relaxing and enjoyable holidays you can have – you don’t need to worry about food, drink, activities, accommodation, or anything, really. But with this peace of mind there’s an often-hefty cost.
So, to help you save money on your next voyage across the seven seas, the experts have shared their insider tips.
According to a recent report from finder.com.au, the average price per night of a cruise with the country’s most popular liners are:
- $107 on P&O
- $115 on Royal Caribbean
- $137 on Holland America Lines
- $144 on Princess
- $185 on Celebrity
But you can hit the open ocean for as little as $100 a night according to Debra Mavin from TravelManager – it’s all about taking a “repositioning” trip.
“A repositioning cruise is when a ship needs to relocate from one location to another at the beginning or end of a season – with embarkation and disembarkation ports different – and it’s an ideal way to pick up a non-traditional itinerary that’s exceptional value as they can be half as much as regular sailings,” she tells Escape.
“A shore or ‘taster cruise’ from two to five nights is an affordable introduction to cruising for first timers and I’m seeing growth in popularity here with extended family and friends celebrating special milestones on a ship due to the affordability with transport, accommodation, meals and entertainment included in the fare.”
As always, you can save hundreds simply by opting for an interior cabin. Take the Celebrity Solstice, for example. A 12-night cruise to the Great Barrier Reef costs $2,349 for an interior cabin compared to $3,109 for a balcony suite.
Tell us in the comments below, what are your tricks to save money on cruising? What was your last trip like?