Cruises are a cheaper way to travel right now: Here’s what to know, when to book
inflation, taking a trip this summer may be a pricey prospect. But if you are still looking to plan a trip, cruises are a more affordable option – for now.
Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, owner of the travel agency Live Well, Travel Often, said that while that difference is not necessarily new, this year it is “a little bit more pronounced because hotel prices have gone absolutely insane across the world.”
Cruise line capacity and occupancy rates have been ramping up after the pandemic shut the industry down. But while ships are sailing, Goldberg-Glazer said, “… I think that the general public has not come back to cruising quite as quickly.” When compared with next summer, she said, “The cruise prices for this summer are better because I don’t think anyone thinks there’s going to be a problem filling ships next summer.”
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Here is what passengers need to know about those last-minute deals, including when to book and what to do if you already have.
Are cruises cheaper now?
Between July and September, there are 48 sailings available for less than $60 per day including port fees and taxes, according to Cruise Sheet, which aggregates cheap prices.
Travel app Hopper said in its Summer 2022 Travel Guide that hotels would cost travelers an average of $154 per night, meanwhile, and domestic airfare was averaging $383, up 34% compared with the same time in 2019.
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But Goldberg-Glazer said there are a lot of components that constitute a good deal. For instance, a cruise that is slightly more expensive than another but includes Wi-Fi and other amenities may be a better deal depending on the passenger.
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What if I’ve already booked a cruise?
That depends on the cruise line and their policies, said Goldberg-Glazer.
Celebrity Cruises, for instance, has a Best Price Guarantee, and will match an “available prevailing cruise fare” if a guest requests a lower price on or before the final due date of payment, according to its website.
If the final payment due date has passed and the booking is “within 48 hours from creation,” the line will apply an onboard credit for 110% of the price difference.
If you see a lower fare than what you booked, Goldberg-Glazer said, it’s always worth asking the cruise line what your options are.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” she said. “You’re in the same exact situation that you were five minutes ago, and best-case scenario, you get something unexpected, which is a happy surprise.”
She said going through a travel advisor can also be helpful, depending on their relationship with a cruise line.