With cruise fares steadily increasing in recent years, it’s no surprise that many travelers are on the hunt for a great deal. Unfortunately, if you see a price that seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Although there are plenty of savvy ways to save money on a cruise, many low fares come with a long list of caveats, from hidden fees to restrictive cabin types that may be disappointing. In many cases, the advertised "cheap" price applies only to certain departure dates, stateroom categories, or cruise ships.
Before jumping the gun and booking what seems to be an unbelievable deal, you must read the fine print to avoid any surprises. You don't, for example, want to brag about finding an affordable cruise on Icon of the Seas just to discover the deal is only valid on small, no-frill Vision or Radiance Class vessels.
In this article, we'll share some cruise "deals" that you should be wary of — from misleading promotions to those that create unrealistic expectations about the onboard experience.
"Free" cruise offers
(Credit: quarterWest1368)
You may receive an email or a postcard saying you’ve "won" a free cruise or are eligible for an exclusive deal. Word to the wise? Be extremely skeptical of these offers.
Unless it's through the Casino Royale program or Crown & Anchor Society, the "free" cruise typically comes with strings attached, such as requiring you to attend a lengthy timeshare or vacation club presentation.
You can certainly look into the promotion and read the fine print. However, don't be surprised if the exciting offer turns into more of a headache than it is worth.
Cheap cruises on older ships
Generally, the lowest fares are for sailings on older vessels, such as Enchantment of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. While these ships can still make for a great vacation, the onboard amenities are more basic than those on newer mega-ships.
For example, Vision and Radiance Class vessels don't have record-breaking waterparks, FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, or zip lines. There are also fewer dining and entertainment options.
Whereas Icon of the Seas has an indoor AquaTheater, world-class theater, AquaDome food hall, and numerous specialty restaurants, older ships are more scaled back and are reminiscent of a different era of cruising.
Again, that isn't necessarily a dealbreaker. In fact, the Royal Caribbean Blog team loves older ships. However, it's important to be aware of the differences, especially if you are expecting your experience to match the action-packed commercials you've seen on television.
Additionally, cheap cruise fares are not all-inclusive. As such, you will be responsible for add-ons like gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi, which can significantly drive up the total cost of your vacation.
Read more: Why you shouldn’t skip Royal Caribbean's older (and smaller) ships
Kids sail free promotions
As a family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean often offers deals where children under a certain age can sail for "free" ("free" is a generous term, because nobody is actually stepping foot on a cruise ship without paying something).
While the kids sail free promotion can help reduce the overall cost of the cruise, it’s important to note that taxes, port fees, and gratuities still apply. In other words, it's just the cruise fare itself that's "free."
The deal typically only covers children 12 and under staying in the same stateroom as their parents/guardians, too. As such, if you are a family that prefers multiple cabins, the kids sail free promotion won't be useful.
Moreover, tons of blackout dates could prevent you from taking advantage of the deal. For example, many spring dates are excluded from the promotion, meaning you may have to pay full price if you're considering a spring break cruise.
Last-minute cruises
Royal Caribbean doesn't want to operate any sailings with empty cabins. As such, you may notice that they significantly drop pricing in the months and weeks leading up to a cruise with lots of availability.
If you are local and live near the cruise port, taking advantage of a last-minute cruise can be a great way to snag a lower fare. However, last-minute airfare can be expensive and negate the total savings from the cheaper cruise.
Stateroom availability may also be limited. Consequently, you might get stuck with a windowless interior cabin instead of an ocean-view balcony. If you need adjoining rooms, this cannot be guaranteed, either.
Additionally, because Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner lets passengers begin to book add-ons months in advance, certain excursions, specialty restaurants, and onboard activities may already be fully booked by the time you snag your last-minute stateroom.
Read more: Is booking a last-minute Royal Caribbean cruise a good idea? Pros, Cons & What to Expect
Too-good-to-be-true cabin upgrades
Through the RoyalUp Program, cruisers can bid on higher category staterooms. For example, if you book a standard interior cabin, you can bid on an ocean-view balcony. If you're lucky, you may score the upgrade at a fraction of the normal cost. However, it's important to be aware of the downsides of the bidding program.
For starters, you cannot pick the new stateroom's location. So, if you paid extra for a mid-ship cabin away from noisy venues, it is not guaranteed that your new room will be in a similarly quiet spot. You could also end up in the front of the vessel, which isn't ideal for cruisers who suffer from motion sickness.
Moreover, you can't request connecting cabins when trying your luck through the RoyalUp Program. This means that families could end up being split apart and dispersed on different decks.
Read more: The trick to getting a Royal Up bid accepted (it's all about availability and luck)
Guaranteed stateroom deals
On a similar note, you can elect to save a few dollars by letting Royal Caribbean randomly assign your stateroom, rather than choosing your exact cabin at the time of booking.
If you aren't picky and do not have your heart set on a specific cabin configuration or location, a guarantee stateroom could be a good deal. At the end of the day, you will be given a cabin in your chosen category (if not higher) and have access to the same amenities as everyone else on the ship (i.e., private bathroom, television, personal safe, housekeeping service, etc.).
However, there's always the risk of being assigned a room in an undesirable location, such as underneath the pool deck or near the late-night smoking casino. Having a bad cruise room can ruin your onboard experience and leave lasting negative memories of the entire vacation.
