How to Save $500 on Your Next Cruise

The Real Cost of a Cruise The advertised fare is rarely what you actually pay. Between gratuities, beverages, shore excursions, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi, the true per-day cost of a cruise can be 50–100% higher than the base fare suggests. Here's where the money goes — and how to spend less of it without missing the best parts of your cruise. Book Drinks Before You Board Drink packages purchased through the cruise line's website before you sail are typically 15–20% less expensive than buying the same package on the ship. If you're going to buy a beverage package, buy it early. Better still: decide rationally whether you need a package at all. A daily drinks tally of 4+ alcoholic drinks makes the package worthwhile for most pricing; fewer than that and you're better off paying as you go. Book Shore Excursions Independently Cruise line shore excursions carry a significant premium — often 30–50% more than equivalent tours booked directly through local operators. Reputable third-party e…