A record 37.2 million Brits enjoyed a cruise in 2025, with nearly 90% of passengers intending to sail again, according to data from the Cruise Lines International Association.
Many vessels have also become floating resorts, attracting younger passengers and families with bars and entertainment, as well as features such as ice skating rinks, rock-climbing walls and waterparks.
With demand increasing, cruise fares are also on the rise. Holidaymakers can expect to pay anywhere from £500 to £2,000 per person for a seven-day cruise, but prices can go over £7,750 for a luxury cruise, according to PlanMyTour.
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You could end up paying a lot more depending on the ship, cabin type and services, whether it’s all-inclusive, and the flights to your departure port, if required.
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While there are many ways to keep holiday costs low, these top tips may help you slash the cost of your next holiday at sea without compromising on luxury.
7 ways to save money when booking a cruise
Here’s how to slash the costs of luxury at sea.
1. Use reward credit cards
Just as you might use the best debit and credit cards to collect air miles, you can also benefit from specific cruise rewards.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum card offers up to $300 in ‘onboard credit’ when you book with one of its cruise partners: Amawaterways, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas Cruises or Holland America Line.
They all differ in how the discount is applied. For example, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers $300 onboard credit excluding the casino, while Oceania includes the credit plus access to its premium wine-tasting event and a bottle of wine.
To redeem any cruise offers, you will need to book through the Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge. You can call them on 0800 817 8054.
We take a look at the Platinum card in our guide on the best American Express credit cards.
Virgin Credit Card
Virgin has its own cruise line, Virgin Voyages. With both of the credit cards (Reward and Reward Plus), you can earn Virgin points and use them towards your next cruise. You will need to spend a minimum of 250,000 Virgin points to put them towards a cruise.
Bear in mind that these credit cards might only suit those who travel regularly. While the Virgin Reward credit card is free, the Reward Plus card has a high fee, along with a host of other perks. Take a look at our guide if you’re unsure about which travel card is best for you.
2. Best time to book a cruise
Where you can probably bag a better discount is how far in advance you book. Tony Andrews, managing director of cruise.co.uk, says: “If you have your heart set on a specific ship, itinerary or cabin, then booking early will give you a higher chance to obtain lower prices. In fact, early bird prices can be up to 50% less.”
Andrews says it’s best to avoid peak travel times such as school holidays and summer, and that the best months to set sail are February, October and November.
3. Get deal ready
Sign up for newsletters from your favourite cruise brands so you can be notified when there is a sale or special offers.
It is worth looking for deals between January and March, a period known as the ‘wave season’. Cruise brands tend to offer discounted fares or extras, such as onboard credit, to attract passengers during quieter months or fill cabins for the year ahead.
There may also be discounts available during popular sale periods such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
4. Book activities in advance – or explore yourself
The great thing about going on a cruise is you get to see more than one place, and when you stop off at different ports, you’re going to want to explore. But, if you’re not careful, you could spend more money than you intended.
For example, a five-night Western Caribbean Cruise with Caribbean Cruises might start in Miami and stop in Haiti. Generally, the longer the sailing, the more destinations you will visit.
Cruise lines often encourage guests to book their excursions for each port. These can be expensive and sometimes exhausting. Nothing is stopping you from exploring independently, which costs significantly less.
Alternatively, if you think you will want to go on most, if not all, guided tours, Andrews advises you book a cruise and tour package together. “Booking everything at once – including flights, transfers, hotel stays and guided tours – is often better value than buying all the elements individually,” he adds.
5. Do you need a drinks package?
Most cruise lines provide complimentary water, juices, and tea and coffee throughout the day, but other beverages usually carry a fee. These costs can add up quickly, especially on American ships where a service charge is added.
A drinks package can offer better value, providing unlimited access to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. However, it’s worth looking up the drinks menu beforehand to work out your potential spending and decide whether it is more economical.
6. Best apps and websites for cruise deals
Doing your research and hunting for the best deal does pay off. Here are some of the top sites and apps to look at.
Seascanner
If you’re familiar with Skyscanner for flights, Seascanner is the cruise equivalent. The site lets you filter by destination, date, duration and cabin location. If you’re undecided about your destination or other big details, you can browse by cruise type, filter ships based on cruise lines, and more.
My Kind of Cruise
My Kind of Cruise is an app and website showcasing all of the top deals if you want to holiday at sea. It has deals of the week and deals arranged by cruise lines. These include offers on Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, P&O, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. The best thing to do is download the app and make an account – that way you are notified in real time and can bag an offer you like quickly.
7. Go for a repositioning cruise
A repositioning cruise is when a ship moves around as the seasons change. For example, a ship might stay in the Mediterranean in the summer and then set sail to the Caribbean for the winter months.
Andrews says: “When a ship sails from one area to the next, in preparation for the new season, these ‘repositioning’ cruises are still open to book. They will feature a majority of sea days rather than calling at different destinations, but they’re available at a reduced cost.”
