Cruises are especially popular among senior citizens. Since they are not tied down by a job, they can easily spend months traveling the world on a luxury cruise ship that has everything they need. Many cruise companies offer big discounts to retired travelers. However, there are some things you will have to sacrifice to book the cruise of your dreams at an affordable price. Here are some ways you can save money when booking a cruise.
Last Minute Booking
Cruise companies are always looking to book every available spot on their ship. If you can be flexible and book a last-minute cruise, you will likely save a ton of money. As the departure date approaches cruise companies will resort to slashing their prices, just to be fully booked. For every empty room on the ship, the cruise company is losing money, so it’s in their best interest to sell out. The disadvantage of a last-minute booking is that you will have little time to prepare for your trip.
Bundle Your Travel Arrangement
If you bundle your flight and cruise into a package deal, you could save a lot of money. Cruise lines offer many bundle deals to retirees. Cruise Critic also states that you can get considerable discounts on airfare and accommodation if you bundle your travel arrangement. [1]
Avoid Peak Cruise Season Bookings
One of the main perks of being retired is that you don’t have to worry about work responsibilities or taking care of your family. This means you can travel anytime you want. Spring and summer are usually peak seasons for cruise companies, so it’s natural that cruises are more expensive during this time. But if you choose to travel during autumn, or spend your winter in a tropical location, you can get a great deal on your cruise. According to Cruise critic, these are the best times to book and go on a cruise: [2]
- From the start of September to early November.
- Before the holidays, during the first two weeks of December
- The first week in January, after the Christmas holidays
Popular cruise companies also offer senior discounts to adults over the age of 55. Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are just a few companies that have special rates for seniors and offer discounts for their travel arrangements. Senior discounts start at 5% and are applied to all cruise services. You could even get hundreds of dollars of onboard credit to spend during your cruise. [3]
Conclusion
Before you decide to book a cruise, first choose where you want to go. Once you have a destination in mind, be sure to do careful research online and find out all about the many senior discounts companies offer. Compare the reviews of cruise companies and the prices of their travel arrangements. Even if you select a cruise, maybe it would be best to wait until the last minute to book it, just so you can get a better deal. Once you’ve got the best deal, you can use your leftover money to have a great time on your trip.
[1] https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=1096
[2] https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=68
[3] https://travel.usnews.com/features/5-top-cruising-tips-for-seniors