Top 10 tips to finding the best family cruise deal
Family travel can be an expensive proposition – one of the reasons why a family cruise is so appealing. A cruise is an "all-inclusive" vacation with meals, entertainment and accommodations, and the kids can't roam too far. But how can you save money when traveling as a family? Let Travelzoo's cruise experts share with you their top 10 tips for getting a great family cruise deal.
1. Look beyond South Florida Often similar cruises at lower prices depart from Texas, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Norfolk. And, depending on where you live, these ports are easier to reach via car, an added savings for families.
2. Sail from the Northeast during peak times Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess and Carnival, among others, offer sailings from New York to the Caribbean and Bermuda at various times of the year, including winter. And it can be cheaper to fly or drive to New York.
3. "Shoulder" seasons are best for Alaska Families have been flocking to Alaska as cruise lines have become better equipped to handle young children and teens. May, September and October are the best times to find a great deal for Alaska cruises. Book early for the best prices.
4. Book adjoining rooms or family suites Most ships now offer adjoining cabins for large families and some even have family-size suites (when using these staterooms, your overall price might be less than getting two rooms). If your children are old enough, consider booking an oceanview cabin and booking a second cabin, inside room across the hall.
5. Consider Hawaii NCL America has added more capacity in Hawaii with three ships cruising the islands. We've been finding incredible bargains on these sailings. Also, NCL can bundle airfare to get you from your home city all the way to Hawaii with transfers included.
Bonus tip: If you price airfare from your city and it is expensive, request airfare from Los Angeles and San Francisco instead. The best airfare deals to Hawaii are from these gateways. Consider booking airfare to California on your own on a low-cost carrier, or cash in frequent flyer miles.
6. Reserve "best available" cabins that are assigned at the time of booking Cruise lines have lead rates for "guaranteed" cabins. When you see a "best available" promotion (which is much like a guarantee), you should be able to get your rooms assigned at the time of booking with the best price and best available rooms in that category.
7. Check for discounts for 3rd and 4th passengers Most cruise ships have rooms that accommodate up to four people. Look for deals that include FREE or discounted rates for 3rd and 4th passengers sharing one room. We see these deals occasionally and they provide great savings for families.
8. Buy travel insurance from your cruise agent Trip insurance is always a good idea to consider but especially if you have any worries about having your trip disrupted because of health issues or other concerns. Obtaining insurance through your agent also means that any other travel arrangements you make for the trip will also be covered. Check with your cruise agent or compare on-line for the best rates and policies.
9. Book summer vacation cruises early The early bird gets the best deal on summer cruising. As summer approaches, prices rise as ship occupancy increases. You may find some deals last minute, but they may be on less popular ships. Keep your eye out for summer deals now through early spring.
10. Check rates often Cruise prices can fluctuate on a weekly and even a daily basis, as the cruise lines scrutinize their inventory and adjust pricing on specific ships and departure dates.
And once you're on board our experts suggest: Plan your embarkation day -- The day you board make sure you bring a carry-on with proper clothes and items for activities for everyone in the family (bathing suits and a change of clothes). Your luggage may take awhile to get to your room and you don't want to have to wait for it or miss out on things to do on board.
When traveling with children, make sure you go to the kid's areas on embarkation day to sign up and meet with the youth counselors as they highlight the whole cruise for you and your child.
Plan ahead for popular excursions (in other words, book before you go) – Don't wait until you get to the ship to book shore excursions as the popular ones sell out quickly. Most excursions have a 24-hour cancellation policy, so if you change your mind, you can cancel up to 24 hours prior.
Travelzoo ship recommendations: Best waterpark at sea: Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.
Best kids' entertainment: Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
Best staterooms for families: Norwegian Cruise Line's Garden Villas and Garden Suites on the Norwegian Jewel or Norwegian Pearl.
