We all love to go on holiday, and we all love a bargain! However, with package holidays up by 30% in 2023 due to the cost of living crisis (according to Which?), many Brits are searching for cheaper deals that won’t break the bank.
Cruise holidays can be an excellent option. Guests can set sail to some of the most exotic and beautiful destinations all over the world, all while enjoying fine dining and entertainment onboard the ship.
With that being said, Grace Sandwiith, Commercial Director at Iglu Cruise has offered four expert tips on how to bag yourself a cruise bargain and save some money on a future cruise holiday.
- Get cruise deals sent to your email inbox
If you want to get the best deals before anyone else, sign up for automatic emails. This way, once any deals become available they will come straight to you. However, it should be noted that often email deals get filtered through the “spam” filter, so make sure to add the sender’s email address to your “safe senders” list.
Grace said: “It is very easy to sign up to our email database, this ensures you’ll be the first to know about exclusive deals, exciting launches and amazing price drops. There are always great deals available no matter the size of your party. These can be directed to families, groups of adults travelling together and solo travellers as well.”
- Book a no-fly cruise
If you’d like to save money whilst also avoiding the hassle of airports, luggage restrictions and flying to your destination, no-fly cruises from the UK are the perfect solution. No-fly cruises are a stress-free way to hop aboard and set sail to one of the many incredible destinations on offer.
Grace said: “As a total holiday no-fly cruises are likely to be some of the cheapest in the market due to no flight being required. Whether you’re heading to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Baltic or the Norwegian fjords- to name just a few- taking a no-fly cruise from the UK offers some wonderful ships to choose from.”
- Pre-book food and drinks packages
Pre-booking your food and drink packages can often save you money (and hassle!). Prices and types of alcoholic and soft drinks packages will vary depending on the supplier but pre-booking your packages can help you plan your holiday finances and spending money limits.
Grace said: “Where possible it is usually cheaper to pre-book your drinks package at the time of booking your holiday, you’ll get the best price and be confident that you know the cost of your holiday in advance. It is worth noting that there are a very small number of cruise lines where you can only purchase the drinks packages online.”
- Try and book as early as possible
Many cruise lines offer excellent benefits for early bird bookers. Quite often your preferred cruise line will have a promotion running and sometimes a few extras too. You will also get the first pick of your desired cabin if you book early, meaning you can choose the best view or location on the ship.
Grace said: “It is usually best to book early to be sure of the holiday availability you would like, there are often great deals and early booking incentives when new sailings are launched. If you know exactly what you’d like to book, booking early will ensure availability. Summer holidays are often in great demand which is why it’s best to book early for these.”
