Save Money By Booking Your Next Cruise At This Unexpected Destination
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time voyager, booking a cruise offers a pretty unique and exciting way to explore the world. After all, cruising basically means you're destination-hopping from the comfort of your own floating resort — all while visiting tropical beaches, historic ports, and exotic destinations across the globe. Plus, from the moment you set foot onboard, you're surrounded with endless possibilities. From restaurants and poolside lounges to live entertainment and cruise activities based on some of the most bizarre themes you can imagine all in one place, there's no shortage of things to enjoy.
However, while cruises can be a fantastic way to make the most of your vacation, they sometimes come with a pretty hefty price tag. Luckily, savvy travelers have discovered a clever way to save on any future seafaring adventures. The secret? Booking your next cruise vacation ... before your current cruise even ends. Nowadays, most ships have a Future Cruise desk onboard where you can easily speak to an expert and sign up for your next trip at a discounted rate — snagging savings you probably won't find once you're back on land.
Book your next cruise while still onboard your current one
Sure, the idea of booking your next cruise trip while still on one might sound a little strange (especially as a tip for first-time cruisers who are still getting their sea legs). However, when it comes to vacation planning, there's really no better feeling than knowing you managed to save some pretty big bucks without sacrificing comfort in return.
As for getting these deals, the process is also pretty easy. Simply head over to the Future Cruise desk on your ship and speak to the onboard consultant about the destinations, itineraries, and other offers available. From there, you'll need to put down a deposit to secure the special rates (and snag a few other goodies in the process). And, best of all, depending on the cruise line, you won't even need to decide on a specific itinerary right away! That part can come later — sometimes up to 12 months after your deposit — when you're off the ship and have time to actually plan your trip.
Some perks and savings you can expect
Different cruise lines have different perks and offers available for when you decide to book onboard. For example, one of the more popular options, Royal Caribbean's NextCruise program provides up to $600 in onboard credit per cabin to any current passengers who put down a non-refundable $100 deposit on a future cruise. However, there's a catch: They're one of the few that requires you to select your dates there and then, which can be limiting.
Alternatively, Celebrity Cruises tempts future cruisers with up to $500 in onboard credit as long as passengers choose their itinerary (dates and destinations) within 90 days of paying the onboard $100 deposit. This is another big price difference from the standard $250 or $450 per-person deposit they offer on-land.
For the more luxurious cruise enthusiasts, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers savings of up to $2,000 per suite and an instant $200 shipboard credit (redeemable on the current voyage) with a $500 deposit. Similarly to Royal Caribbean, though, they also require that you choose your itinerary at the time of booking. Nonetheless, the cruise line also offers a full refund up to 30 days after booking, or a one-time date change for free. Ultimately, though, one thing's for sure: With so many tempting offers out there, it can be hard to resist planning your next voyage while you're still at sea. Plus, let's be honest: Who doesn't love the idea of a back-to-back cruise vacation?