[USER]

Any tips/tricks for savings on a carnival cruise? I’m planning a trip with Carnival Cruise Line and want to keep my costs as low as possible.

What are your best tips for saving money on things like booking, onboard expenses, excursions, and dining?

Are there any hidden deals, loyalty perks, or strategies to get discounts?

I’d love to hear any insider advice or personal experiences on how to make the most of the trip without overspending.

Thanks in advance

[Ashley]

We’re about to do cruise 7 I believe it is on carnival. We booked interior rooms.

We never bought the drink package so drank the water or lemonade until they started comping it for us. We also don’t get the WiFi.

We use the WiFi when at port bc we have free through T-Mobile. There’s a good variety of food that’s included.

Though the steakhouse is totally worth the splurge for I believe it’s around $50 a person.

We book our excursions through viator or other reliable sites. Selection is better and so are prices.

If you want to do pics, it’s cheaper to buy ahead of the trip. As far as transportation to and from ship, we just do a Lyft.

[Jennette]

The timing of the cruise affects price. Avoid busy travel seasons if possible. There are plenty of free drink options (tea, lemonade, water, juices, coffee) so only get sodas or specialty drinks if you want a splurge.

There are plenty of good free dining options. Again, only do specialty dining if you want to splurge. Skip Wi-Fi if you can be disconnected – enjoy your vacation and unplug!

Depending on the cruise destination, check out the things to do in port to see if you can do your own excursion rather than paying for the ship excursions.

On board photography is expensive… take your own pictures of you and your family. Don’t think you need to purchase outfits for all the theme parties/evenings… you don’t have to dress up or in theme.

Honestly, once you pay your cruise fare, you don’t HAVE to spend another dime.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. Cruising is my favorite mode of vacationing and I’m happy to help.

[Tina]

Don’t buy the drink packages, WIFI, and eat only at the complementary restaurants.

[Annette]

Cruise Critic has active forums full of people who live, eat and breath cruising. Maybe pop over there as ask them.

[Kayla]

1. Never buy a drink package–pack powder or liquid mix for your water, water is free at the drink stations.

You will never drink pop as the “bubbles” package suggests.

We had a case of water. You can also bring your own pop in cans

2. Bring a simple wardrobe with some statement pieces that can be interchangeable and wash your own laundry by hand with laundry sheets, air to dry–assuming you wear your swimsuit or clothes more than once. Dont use their laundry services.

3. Never buy wifi packages because you will get service at most ports. One text charge is 1000x cheaper than a package.

4. Eat at the inclusive restaurants, buffets, and main dining. I will say, I think main dining is underated and very good.

5. Overall, the price of sailing? Look at odd times of the year for last minute deals and check random places like costco, sams club travel, credit card rewards centers that offer travel, AAA, and so forth.

[Angela]

Ask for any discounts that may be available – military, senior, returning guests.

There are often many promotions out there that people are simply unaware of.

[Kari]

Get a travel agent for sure. They cost nothing. My sister is a travel agent and she hooked me up with an Alaskan cruise at a phenomenal price.

[Suzy]

Join some of the many, many Carnival Cruise Facebook pages. They even have specific pages for your specific cruise. Just type in the cruise ship name and date to find those.

On those many Carnival cruise pages, you’ll find tons of tips to save money.

Until then, don’t buy any drink packages, only eat at the many free food options, don’t buy any spa packages, get an interior room, don’t go whole hog on the excursions, pick one if you must, but wait until closer to your sailing to book it, because you might learn of other cheaper options in your research.

Don’t buy Wi-Fi, you can live without it! Always pay the gratuity up front, because you’re going to have to pay it anyway, and DON’T let yourself be talked into tipping extra for anything, they get 18%.

That’s enough for a frugal person. Do your research on the most cost effective air transportation.

Lots of folks say fly in the day before and get a room, that costs! Instead, fly in early morning of the day of embarking, that will give you a lot of leeway if you’re flight is delayed.

Fly out late on the last day of the cruise, that also gives you leeway for delays on debarking day. Yes, you’ll sit in the airport for a while, but it’s cheaper.

I cannot express enough to do your research, crunch the numbers and above all, have fun! There’s lots of fun things to do on the ship. Look into other booking options, Costco, Choice Privileges, and of course the actual Carnival website.

Carnival has plenty of PVP’s (Personal, Vacation Planers) and sometimes they can help find a deal that isn’t shown on the website.

STAY AWAY from people trying to say they’re travel agents and will handle your booking for you.

I know of at least one family on my particular cruise that their travel agent stole their money and they not only lost their money, but lost their cruise.

I’m heading out in less than a month and am super excited!

[Author]

Posts