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Traveling around the world aboard a cruise ship, surrounded by luxury, where your every whim is catered to ... hmmm ... only for the rich and famous, you say? Not necessarily. Love to cruise, but on a limited budget? Well, here are a few tips that will help you go on your dream journey.
Free
One way, of course, is to win a cruise vacation. But to do this you have to enter those sweepstakes or call into those radio shows, etc. Well, someone has to win, why not you?
Another way to enjoy cruising -- for free -- is to actually get a job with a cruise line. It's a great way to save money, as your meals and accommodations are free and your bonus is seeing the world! And what a great summer job for students! To work on a cruise ship you will be need an outgoing personality and be flexible.
How about becoming a tour leader? Did you know that for every 15 passengers (8 cabins) the 16th passenger goes for free? Get your friends, church group, fellow club members, etc., together and travel for free. You might even be interested in starting your own business as a tour leader.
Are you a teacher or have a special knowledge of general interest to many. Why not conduct an onboard seminar. "The Complete Guide to Conducting Seminars at Sea," by Mary Long will help you.
Discount
Not interested in any of the above? Well, there are still ways to travel for less money, if you do some research before booking that cruise.
Many cruise lines these days offer theme packages. These are special discounts for certain lifestyles or age groups - families, seniors, honeymooners, etc.
If you become a frequent cruiser, you may be able to get a discount as a repeat customer. Also, it might be worth your weight in gold to check with a reliable travel agent who may be able to get you a deal not offered to online customers.
Remember, your cruise package is all-inclusive - this includes meals and accommodations.
Subscribe to an online newsletter from several cruise lines as they frequently offer 10 to 40% off advertised prices, better cabins, discounted certificates, upgrades, etc. They sometimes announce sweepstakes for free cruises, too. You can always unsubscribe at any time.
Don't be too hasty in booking your cruise, as many cruise lines receive unexpected cancellations and thereby offer good last minute deals. However, on the other side of that coin, sometimes the earlier you book the cruise the more you can save. So, in order to save money, be very early or very late in booking your cruise.
If you have a flexible schedule, you can make arrangements as a "standby" passenger, which means you usually get a nice discount fare.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze)
Do you like a glass of wine with dinner? Well, rather than paying $10 for a glass of wine at dinner, buy your wine onshore or at the cruise line liquor store and have a glass of wine or cocktail before you go to dinner. One of the biggest expenses on a cruise ship is your cocktails/wine, etc.
These are just a few ideas to get your started. Do your homework - go online, check with the cruise lines and your travel agent. There are many sites online for discount cruise fares as some Websites specialize in locating cheap cruises for those who wish to vacation on a budget. Every cruise line has its own website.
Luxury cruising isn't just for the wealthy anymore. Because of the growing popularity of sea cruises, the cruise industry is able to offer more discounts to their customers. Just think, you too can be "on top of the world."
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