Cruise Deals 2025 – How I Find The Best Cruise Deals for Less Than $60 a night. “Hidden Fees” Also Covered.
That Sinking Feeling: Not Knowing Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals
I’ll never forget an experience I had about eight years ago while sailing with Celebrity Cruises.
There, I struck up a friendship with a fellow passenger named Samuel. (Samuel, if you happen to be reading this—reach out and say hi!)
Throughout the cruise, Samuel and I kept running into each other and would always stop for a chat.
One day, he casually mentioned that he’d snagged his spot on that very sailing for just $400 per person. My jaw nearly hit the floor… because I’d paid over $700 per person for the exact same cruise.
To make matters even more surprising, we both had interior rooms on the same deck!
That gut-punch moment made me realize just how much I didn’t know about finding the best cruise deals. Naturally, I asked Samuel to spill his secrets, and thankfully, he was generous enough to walk me through his entire strategy.
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do some people always seem to score those amazing cruise deals?”—trust me, you’re not alone.
It’s a common question, and the truth is, most people think the best prices are the ones advertised directly by the cruise lines. But that’s rarely the case.
After years of chatting with fellow cruisers and digging into the world of cruise deals, I’ve discovered there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about when and where to find the real bargains.
Below, I’ll break down some of the most common cruise deal myths and set the record straight. And at the end, I’ll share my free step-by-step guide—the exact process I use to track down the best deals out there.
My goal is to give you all the info you need to become a cruise deal expert in no time.
How Do I Score the Best (and Cheapest) Cruise Deals?
I get this question all the time, and the truth is… it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know where to look and what steps to take.
There are a few key principles I always follow, and I’m excited to share them here to help you find the best possible cruise deals.
This isn’t just another blog post pushing travel agent services. My goal is to empower you with all the knowledge you need, whether or not you ever speak to a travel agent.
You might choose to work with a travel agent along the way, but it’s completely optional. With the right approach and resources, you can absolutely find top-notch deals on your own.
Let’s dive in and turn you into a cruise deal expert!
Does the Day of the Week Matter When Booking a Cruise? (Myth or Reality)
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Always book flights on a Tuesday afternoon” for the best prices.
While that trick might sometimes work with airlines, it doesn’t really hold true when it comes to cruises.
In my experience, the day of the week doesn’t have a significant impact on cruise prices. Unlike flights, cruise deals tend to pop up throughout the week, and there’s no magic booking window that guarantees the lowest fare.
The good news?
Great cruise deals can be found at almost any time, depending on what you’re looking for and how flexible you are.
While you might notice new promotions or better availability during the week, the real key is knowing how to search and having the right strategies to bring the best deals straight to your screen.
Black Friday Cruise Deals
Black Friday is often a prime opportunity to score great cruise deals—or at the very least, snag some extra perks on sailings you’re eyeing.
Some of my best cruise bookings have happened during Black Friday sales.
Most years, the discounts are genuinely worthwhile, and the added amenities (like onboard credit or drink packages) often make waiting for Black Friday totally worth it.
That said, if you know what you’re doing and have the right resources, you don’t have to rely solely on Black Friday to get a fantastic deal. But for pricier sailings, I personally hold out for Black Friday offers.
A few things to watch out for with Black Friday cruise deals:
- Watch for Price Increases: Sometimes cruise lines bump up the base fare but throw in “free” amenities. Often, the higher price just covers the cost of those extras they offered as “free”.
- Discounts That Aren’t Really Discounts: Cruise lines might advertise a certain amount off, but if you compare to the previous price before Black Friday, the deal might not be as impressive as it sounds.
- Small Savings: Occasionally, the advertised discount is minimal compared to the original rate.
If you know how to spot these tactics, Black Friday can sometimes feel like just another flashy sales day. But with a little savvy, you can still find some genuine bargains.
Why Advertised Cruise Deals Aren’t Usually the Best Offers
The truth is, most of the “deals” you see advertised by cruise lines aren’t actually the best prices available.
Cruise lines rarely need to promote special offers for their newest ships or the most popular itineraries—they know those will sell out regardless.
You might see flashy ads claiming that the latest and greatest sailings are on sale, but in reality, scoring a truly great deal on these sought-after cruises takes a bit more effort than just clicking on an ad.
Most of the time, advertised deals are for older ships or less popular routes that are harder to fill. That’s just the way the industry works.
Take Icon of the Seas, for example—it’s the ship everyone wants right now.
Finding fares as low as $450 per person for a summer sailing is extremely unlikely, no matter how big the discount Royal Caribbean claims to be offering (even if you see “76% off” splashed across their ads).
To really save, you’ll need to dig deeper than the headline deals and be strategic about your search.
Blanket Deals: The Reality Behind Advertised Cruise Discounts
When it comes to advertised deals, cruise lines almost always promote what I call “blanket” offers.
If you check out any cruise line’s website right now, chances are you’ll see a big banner touting some kind of special deal.
These homepage statements and flashy TV ads are designed to make it seem like the discounts apply to all sailings, across all ships.
But the truth is, these deals rarely include the newest ships or the most desirable itineraries.
While there are occasional exceptions, more than 90% of the time, the advertised deals won’t cover the sailings you’re really after.
My goal is to give you a clear-eyed view of how cruise industry marketing works, so you can shop smarter and know what to expect when you see those “too good to be true” offers.
Last Minute Cruise Deals
Booking a cruise at the last minute can be a fantastic way to score a deal—if you’re strategic about it.
However, there’s a significant risk involved: availability.
In the years before Covid, it was pretty common to find plenty of unsold cabins very close to departure. These days, that’s not as typical, though you might still find the occasional sailing with open spots.
Can you still land a great last-minute deal? Absolutely.
If you’re flexible and quick to act. But keep in mind, waiting until the eleventh hour can mean missing out on the best cabins or, worse, seeing the sailing sell out entirely.
We’ve managed to snag some last-minute bookings ourselves, but honestly, they weren’t always exactly what we wanted. Sometimes, the trade-off for a lower price is settling for a less-than-ideal itinerary or cabin.
What Happens If the Price Drops After I’ve Booked?
First, it’s important to understand that cruise lines typically require full payment 90–120 days before your sailing date.
This can vary depending on the specific deal, but in most cases, expect to pay in full about three months before departure.
Once you’ve made the final payment for the full balance, your rate is locked in—no further price adjustments can be made.
If you decide to cancel after this point, be aware that hefty cancellation penalties will apply.
“Re-Fare” Options When You’re Still Under Deposit
If you’ve only paid a deposit and the price drops before your final payment is due, most cruise lines will allow you to “re-fare” your booking to the new, lower rate.
A few things to keep in mind about deposits and re-faring:
- The best deals often come with “non-refundable” deposits.
- If you cancel, you’ll lose this deposit.
- Lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival may charge change fees if you switch sailings while under deposit.
- Some special rate codes that offer the lowest prices don’t allow re-faring at all, even if you’re still under deposit.
So, if you want the flexibility to take advantage of price drops, pay close attention to the deposit terms and fare rules before you book.
“Kids Sail Free”: What You Really Need to Know
“Kids Sail Free” is one of those cruise promotions that sounds amazing, but there are some important details to keep in mind.
Timing Matters:
These promotions are almost always offered during the school year.
Cruise lines know families are less likely to travel when school is in session, so you won’t find this deal available during peak holiday or summer breaks.
Not Entirely Free:
While the base fare for kids may be waived, you’re still responsible for taxes and fees for each child.
On some sailings, these taxes can run as high as $300–$400 per person.
Age Restrictions:
The “Kids Sail Free” offer typically only applies to children under 12 years old.
So, while it might not be as “free” as it sounds, this promotion can still be a great way to save if you’re flexible with your travel dates and can cruise during the school year.
Scope and Schedule
This might seem straightforward, but it’s easy to overlook: until you clearly identify the sailings you’re interested in, it’s hard to recognize a truly great deal when it appears.
Take the time to “scope and schedule” your future cruises—make a list of specific itineraries and dates you want, and keep tabs on the deals as they come up.
Stay organized by regularly checking prices on your preferred sailings, whether that’s daily, weekly, or during major sales events like Black Friday.
The more you track, the better you’ll get at spotting real bargains versus deals that only look good at first glance.
With practice and consistency, you’ll develop an eye for genuine savings and avoid getting caught up in offers that aren’t as great as they seem.
How Seasons Impact Cruise Prices
It’s no secret that the time of year you choose to cruise can have a huge effect on the price you pay.
While some cruise lines occasionally keep prices competitive even during peak periods, there are certain times of the year that are almost always more expensive to sail.
Most Expensive Times to Cruise:
- New Year’s
- Christmas and Thanksgiving breaks
- Spring Break
- Summer months
- Independence Day
Best Times for Lower Prices:
- October and November (excluding Thanksgiving and sometimes Halloween)
- Early December
- January and February
- April
To give you a real-life example, my family and I were recently looking at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. For myself, my wife, and our two kids, a summer sailing would have cost us at least $3,500.
Instead, by choosing an October departure, I managed to snag an incredible deal at just $1,500 for all four of us.
So, timing really does matter.
Sometimes it works in your favor, and other times it means paying a premium. Being flexible with your travel dates can make a significant difference in your overall cruise budget.
Hidden Fees: What New Cruisers Need to Know
When you book a cruise, the price you see typically includes the cruise fare, taxes, and port fees.
These are the standard costs you’ll find on mostly any booking platform.
However, what often catches new cruisers off guard are the “hidden” fees—most notably, gratuities (or tips) for the onboard crew.
Gratuities are a standard practice across nearly all cruise lines. They’re used to compensate the hardworking staff who make your cruise experience enjoyable, from your cabin steward to the dining room servers.
While some cruise lines include these gratuities in the upfront price, many add them as a daily charge to your onboard account, which you’ll settle at the end of your trip. The amount can vary depending on the cruise line, cabin category, and even the region in which you’re sailing.
This topic can be a bit controversial among cruisers.
Some people feel the automatic gratuity charges are fair and convenient, while others prefer to tip individually based on the service they receive. Because of this, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down exactly what each major cruise line charges for gratuities—or if they don’t charge them at all.
This resource will help you budget accurately and avoid any surprises when your final bill arrives.
How I Score the Best Deals on the Cruises I Actually Want
By now, you’ve probably realized there’s a mix of myths and realities in the cruise world.
The truth is, only those who really understand the ins and outs of deal-hunting end up saving the most.
With the right resources and the right connections, you can easily save thousands on your next sailing.
That’s why I’ve created a free, step-by-step guide detailing exactly how I find the best cruise deals on the sailings I want—no guesswork, just proven strategies.
Grab your copy here and discover the insider tactics that experienced cruisers use to unlock the very best prices.
About the Author:
Kam is a passionate traveler with a decade of cruising experience, having explored the world by sea for over ten years.
He has immersed himself in the unique offerings of all the major cruise lines, from popular favorites to luxury experiences.
Kam’s journeys span Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, MSC, and many more you’re sure to recognize.
His firsthand knowledge and love for adventure bring a seasoned, insightful perspective to every travel story he shares.