If you're one of the many people that were born in the fall, there's a cruise vacation for you.

The cruise line has sales regularly, but they have a new one I've never seen before.

According to the cruise line, September and October are the two months of the year that are the most popular for birthdays in the U.S., and those folks will get extra perks. Everyone else can take advantage of a sweet offer!

Anyone with a September or October birthday can book a cruise during one of these months and take advantage of their new sale.

Royal Birthday Bash

Between May 8 and June 5, 2025, if you use a special code you can qualify for extra onboard credit and special events.

You have to use the code BDAYBASH for sailings departing between August 30 and October 31, 2025 in order to qualify for it.

It applies to all sailings departing between August 30, 2025 - October 31, 2025, EXCLUDING sailings departing from Boston, Seward, and Seattle.

Using the code gets you 3rd and 4th guests sail free (booked in the same stateroom as the first and second full fare paying guests) while also receiving up to $200 birthday cash in onboard credit per stateroom.

• 5 Nights or Less
  • Interior & Ocean View: $50 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite: $100 per stateroom
• 6 Nights or Longer
  • Interior & Ocean View: $100 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite: $200 per stateroom

Royal Birthday Bash Offer is combinable with BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits.

Royal Birthday Bash Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including but not limited to Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events and Net rates.

The Royal Birthday Bash Offer is available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries.

The cruise line says everyone on these cruises can enjoy the events planned, but those with an actual birthday in September or October will get "extra special surprises during their vacation with Royal Caribbean."

This will include a birthday balloon drop, exclusive signature cocktails, special birthday raffles and giveaways, and of course, plenty of birthday cake.

Once you're booked (or if you booked already), there's a special discount for cruise planner purchases made between May 8, 2025 – June 13, 2025.

You can take advantage of 50% off the Unlimited Dining Package and Thrill Waterpark and Hideaway Beach for vacations visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas; and 40% off the Deluxe Beverage Package and internet package for multiple devices. 

The idea came from guests feedback

Royal Caribbean revealed the new promotion yesterday during a webinar with travel agents, and it turns out the idea for this sale came up during a meeting with Royal Caribbean's CEO.

Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service for Royal Caribbean International, said she attends a monthly meeting at Michael Bayley's office. Mr. Bayley is the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean's marketing team regularly interviews guests to learn about what things they're doing right, what things that they would like them to do differently.

The meeting tackles different topics, from food to activities to entertainment.

This month's meeting was about celebrations on the ship, and Ms. Freed said their research points to one out of three people that sail on a Royal Caribbean ship are celebrating something.

"The number one thing I know this is not going to come as a surprise is they're celebrating birthdays," she explained. "Number two, anniversaries. Number three was they were celebrating life."

Other common celebrations include honeymoons, baby moons, and bachelor parties.

"So we decided starting tomorrow, we're going to have a celebration because we love to celebrate."

They targeted September, October and August birthdays because it's the most popular time of year.

This weekend is the perfect time to re-price that cabana, day pass, or jet ski tour at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean is advertising a "24 Hour Flash Sale", with up to 30% off cruise favorites and it applies to new purchases made April 5, 2025 and applies to select sailings departing April 8, 2025 - December 31, 2026. 

There are a lot of pop up sales like this, but the difference is this one seems to be targeting add-ons at the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas.

In comparing prices that different cruisers have spotted, there are some seriously good deals out there for your visit to Perfect Day, even if you're on the brand new Star of the Seas.

Here's what we found and why you want to run and book something while you can.

Deals on CocoCay faves

It seems a lot of people are finding really good prices on extras you can reserve at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Prices there have notoriously gone up, where some cabanas can run as much as $4,000 or $5,000 each. But this weekend, it's a heck of a lot cheaper.

Here are some example prices for the pre-inaugural showcase sailings on Star of the Seas.

• Hideaway Day pass: $37.38
• Coco Beach Club pass: $98.98
• Coco Beach Club Overwater Cabana: $1,758.90
• Thrill Waterpark pass: $53.88
• Zip line: $37.38
• Chill Island Cabanas: $658.90

These prices are significant not only because they're cheap, but because they're cheap on a brand new ship.

Usually Royal Caribbean charges a premium for new ships, where CocoCay add-ons get marked up quite often.

"I just saved $200"

Booking fever has taken over on the Royal Caribbean reddit subforum, with many netting great deals.

"$53 for the waterpark is an amazing price. I've seen that as high as $200. For $53, I'm grabbing that," wrote gerrygebhart.

"I checked our Icon trip for next year and same thing. Grabbed an overwater cabana. Thank you," posted Sea_Voice_404.

Humble_Fishing_5328 added, "I got hideaway beach reserved for cheaper than last time! Great deal."

Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

What's a good price for CocoCay extra costs?

Before you hit the buy button, you might wonder what exactly is a good price for these add-ons.

Prices vary from sailing to sailing, so there's no guarantee you'll see a super good rate for your sailing. Nonetheless, it's helpful to know what to look for.

In my experience, here's what I'd consider a "good price" for the fun extras around Royal Caribbean's private island:

• Hideaway Day pass: Under $50 per person
• Coco Beach Club pass: Under $100 per person
• Coco Beach Club Overwater Cabana: Under $2,000
• Hideaway Beach Hideout Cabana: Under $1,500
• Chill Island, South Beach, or Oasis Lagoon Cabanas: Under $900
• Thrill Waterpark pass: Under $75 per person

I'm sure some readers may disagree with me on this, but I base these estimates on what we typically see advertised.

I'd also add a caveat that it's irrelevant what someone else thinks is a "good price" because it's your vacation and if it's your first (and maybe only) opportunity to visit CocoCay, why not indulge and enjoy the experience you really want?

How to check if there's a lower price for your cruise

Eligibility does varies depending on the sailing, so check on your particular cruise by logging into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's website and looking for available offers. 

Not all sailings may have an applicable sale, and not all offers will be significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you already purchased an item but see a better discount during this sale, you are able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion. 

In almost all cases, buying an add-on before the cruise will save you money compared to waiting to book it onboard. It's quite rare for the price onboard to be cheaper than if you had pre-purchased.

As older adults are on fixed budgets but still wanting to travel, that leaves many wondering whether Royal Caribbean has discounts in place that specifically cater to senior citizens.

As cruising becomes even more popular than ever, older adults remain one of the core demographics embracing this type of vacation.

Retirees and seniors have traditionally been a major customer base for Royal Caribbean, and all nearly all cruise lines.

The short answer is Royal Caribbean does offer a discount for seniors, but it's a bit more complicated than a yes or no question.

There are cruise fare discounts for senior citizens sometimes offered

There are series of questions you'll be asked when booking any Royal Caribbean cruise to see if you potentially qualify for additional discounts.

Royal Caribbean says it offers "reduced senior prices only on selected sailings" to passengers who are 55 years of age and older.

As you go through the booking process on Royal Caribbean's website, you can see if your chosen trip qualifies for a senior discount.

When you get to the step that asks for the number of guests, click “Apply a promo code and exclusive rates.” A pop-up will open that lets you select the kind of discount you want. Select “Seniors (Age 55+)” and click “Apply discounts.” 

Your travel agent can check for the same discount.

Jenn Greene is a travel agent with MEI Travel and said finding a special rate for seniors is hit or miss, "Senior Discounts with Royal Caribbean can be a bit of a guessing game. A Senior is 55+ but that does not guarantee a discount. It is ship/sailing specific. 

"I never have any luck with them on newer ships, but do find them for Freedom class and older, they also pop up for Alaska. If a client is already booked I do check to see if there has been a senior discount released each week, it’s usually a 50/50 shot at finding it."

Royal Caribbean message board user FionaMG shared they are occasionally able to save some money with the senior rates.

"We have had some success with getting them and sometimes the savings have been substantial."

"On Odyssey in May last year we got $402 in senior savings, $538 on Anthem in September last year and again on Anthem but in April this year, $137 on one cabin (booked just for me) and $182 on our other cabin."

There's no harm in at least trying to see if special rates may apply.

Before you get your credit card out to take advantage of this offer, there's a catch.

In reality, the senior discount rarely applies because it's not usually combinable with other, more lucrative discounts. While some offers can be stacked, the senior discount isn't usually one of them.

Ditto for the military veteran discount or special rates for police and firefighters.

To be fair, Royal Caribbean will offer the lowest price it can, regardless of your age.

Seniors can still save money at Royal Caribbean — here's how

While you may not be able to get ta discount on your cruise fare, those 55+ can still find ways to save even more money by cruising with Royal Caribbean.

Cruisers have spotted pre-cruise discounts exclusively for seniors in the Royal Caribbean app.

These Cruise Planner sales offers additional money off for seniors on purchases like a drink package, the spa, or high speed internet.

Royal Caribbean likes to experiment with offers targeting seniors, top tier Crown and Anchor members, and more. If you book a cruise far enough in advance, there's a good chance you'll be able to qualify for one of these offers.

Another source of discounts could be through an AARP membership.

AARP sells gift cards to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. In fact, they sometimes have a 10% discount on Royal Caribbean gift cards purchased through them.

Be sure to read the redemption rules for a gift card bought through AARP, as there are specific redemption rules you have to follow. As long as you follow the instructions AARP/Royal Caribbean provides you, there should not be any issues using them.

Even if you can't get a special rate for your age, there's a good strategy to take advantage of that will probably net you a better price.

Since retirees don't have to worry about a school calendar or getting days off from work, you can take advantage of lower pricing during shoulder seasons.

Going on a cruise at the beginning or end of a cruise season when demand is lower is one of the best ways to save money and enjoy less crowds in port while on a cruise.

As an example, an Alaska cruise in May or September will be cheaper. Ditto for September or October in the Caribbean.

Take advantage of senior discounts on your travel before or after the cruise

You'll need to get to the embarkation port, and that may involve flights, hotels, or rental cars. These are all services that also offer senior discounts.

Hotels, rental cars, and even airlines are known for offering special rates for those 55 or 65 and older.

I always recommend going at least a day or two early to the city your ship leaves from to avoid a travel delay impacting your ability to get on your cruise. When planning a trip, there are additional ways to save money on your total vacation when you factor in flights, hotels, and other travel logistics.

Buy a travel insurance plan to avoid costly medical bills

A cruise is a wonderful way to travel for older adults, but it's even more important to protect yourself because many health insurance plans offer limited or no coverage when outside the United States. 

Retirees who are on Medicare need to check whether their coverage extends to international travel, because standard Medicare plans typically do not.

If you would ever need medical care on your ship or in a foreign country, you'll have to pay cash for all services and then get reimbursement later. A travel insurance policy can save you thousands of dollars in these costs, should you encounter such a situation.

It's a really good idea to buy a travel insurance plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

I think travel insurance is a good buy for almost anyone, but it's even more important for a Baby Boomer or Senior Citizen given the risk factors.

Speaking of medical costs, be sure to bring extra prescription medicine with you rather than buying them overseas.

Not only is it easier to buy it at home with you existing prescription, but I'd hate to waste time on my vacation going to a pharmacy to find the right medicine.

The internet is a great place to find information about cruises, but it's also home to some nasty scams.

A lot of people flock to places like Facebook to find more information and learn about their cruise.  In fact, this is a good strategy because there are great resources there, and all over the internet.

However, some offers are indeed too good to be true.

Thankfully, if you know what to look for, scammers are easily spotted. But the prospect of a great deal is tempting for many people, and it leads to disappointment if they were to try to book them.

Bar crawl or group offers

One common scam on Facebook is for someone to try to sell you bar crawl, t-shirts, travel mugs, or lanyards for their sailing.

Many times groups will want to set up fun events for themselves on their cruise, such as a group bar tasting, slot pulls, or other events where everyone in the Facebook group gets to hang out and try it out.

These can be fun ways to make new friends, as well as see what the ship has to offer.

Jenn Yazzetti, an admin in the Symphony of the Seas Facebook group, warned people trying to sell you on these items, "more often than not, they are scammers."

How to avoid getting scammed: You definitely don't have to pay to participate in an event, or gain access to a bar onboard.

And if you get hungry, stop by one of the complimentary food stops along the way.

Someone looking for a cabin mate

Another "seems innocent until it's not" scam is related to people asking for someone cruising solo and wanting to share a cabin with them to save money.

Royal Caribbean charges a hefty fee if you book a regular cabin by yourself, which is known as the single supplement fee.

Essentially, cruise ship cabins are priced based on double occupancy, and if you book a room by yourself, you end up paying for the missing second person.

So sharing a cabin with someone else and splitting the cost would definitely save money.

Unfortunately, some people take advantage of this need by trying to get money out of it.

Julie Nedelko shared this warning, "Be suspicious of any post that talks about being a solo traveler looking for a companion to save on cruise fare."

"Sometimes it starts out with just a complaint about paying extra to be solo, or too bad my friend can’t go. This could be a phishing scam looking for victims."

She admits there could be legitimate postings, but you need to look into it far more before opening yourself up to something like this.

• Is the profile new?
• Does this person have less than ten friends?
• Is there just one or two friends and where are they from?
• Has the person joined many groups and used the same cut and paste message?
• Does the person want to message you off platform?
• Do they start giving personal compliments?

How to avoid getting scammed: I think she's spot on about keeping a healthy amount of suspicion with anyone that wants to share a room. 

This is a stranger on the internet, and even if it is a real person, you still have to effectively live with this person for the duration of the sailing.

If you are going to go down this route of trying to save money, I'd set up a call and really get to know them before paying for anything.  My advice is pay the single supplement fee, as it's far less risky.

Selling cruising ducks

The hottest trend in cruising right now is hiding ducks on a cruise for others to find.

No matter which cruise I go on, there's a few different people who are hiding them and interest grows as the sailing continues.

As people learn about this idea, it leads to them wanting to try it out too and this is where the scammer comes in.

A person on Facebook recently posted, "some groups are having trouble with scams from fake accounts trying to sell unwanted rubber cruise ducks due to a change in plans."

Another person responded, "This scam with same photos showed up in a page for cruise dates that I moderate. Several people got scammed!"

How to avoid getting scammed: If you want to hide ducks on your upcoming cruise, but them yourself from an online retailer.  

You can find batches of them cheaply, like 30 ducks for $19.99 on Amazon (this link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing but I make a small commission).

T-shirt sales

Similar to the first scam, this is where someone tries to sell shirts for your specific cruise.

Naturally there's a lot of excitement about a cruise and if you're like me, those last few weeks are very exciting as you try to get everything you need.

In Facebook groups you'll see someone with a link to a website selling t-shirts for your ship, sail date, or both.

Wayne Green wrote, "Warning to everyone. These t-shirt sales are scams to get your card details and address. They have warnings on other groups as many have been scammed."

How to avoid getting scammed: Just like the cruising ducks, if you want a custom t-shirt or any shirt related to your cruise, order it yourself through a reputable seller.  Vistaprint, Etsy, or Spreadshirt are all good options.

How to report a Facebook Group scam

If someone messages you directly on Facebook Messenger and it looks like a scam, stop communicating with them immediately and report the incident to Facebook. 

If you're in a Facebook group and think a post is a scam, the first thing you can do is report the post to the group admin. It will get deleted the quickest in this manner.

1. Click the three-dot menu to the right of the post
2. Click Report Post To Group Admins
3. You can also click Report Post
   1. This sends the post to Facebook for review

In my experience, reporting to group admins works best because Facebook's review seems to use artificial intelligence and it takes forever to get a resolution. 

Group admins should delete it a heck of a lot quicker so no one else is potentially scammed.

Getting a really good deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise these days is harder than ever, thanks to record demand driving up prices.

Booking a cruise vacation is a great feeling, but it's even better when you can get a low price for it.

A few years ago, there were cruise fares as low as $99, but those have seemingly dried up as cruise lines have had little difficulty in filling their ships.

"Gone are the days of booking a cruise at rock bottom pricing 30 days before departure," said Jenn Greene, a travel advisor with MEI Travel who recently was awarded as the top Royal Caribbean agent in her company.

"With the surge in cruise demand, we are finding fewer and fewer deals especially close to sailing."

While it's more difficult to find cruise deals, they still exist.  The key is knowing where to look, and being as open as possible to sail dates.

In November, I was able to get a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas that cost $834.36 with taxes and fees for two people.  That came out to just about $100 per person, per day. 

The trick here was it was booked just two weeks before the sail date.

I try to be flexible with my dates

If you want to find the lowest possible prices, you're going to need to be as flexible with when you cruise as you can.

For the absolute lowest cruise prices, you're probably going to need to be an advantageous cruiser that can go with little advanced notice.

I've consistently found the lowest prices on cruises for last minute offers that sail within a few weeks.  Often these are "middle of the week" cruises, meaning they depart on a weekday and return before the weekend.  Or they're during the shoulder seasons, such as September in Alaska.

Basically, these are unsold cruises that most other people aren't interested in sailing. 

The problem is last minute deals aren't what they used to be, and this strategy isn't something I'd recommend for a family vacation. It's best for couples who don't have many obligations at home.

Royal Caribbean puts out most weeks a "Going, Going, Gone" rate sheet with advertised low rates.  

These sailings usually are available on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but sell out quickly.  How lucrative the deals are truly depends on your definition.

Look for shoulder season prices

If you want to find a good deal on a cruise that isn't coming up soon, then I would target sailings that take place off peak.

Every region has peak and off-peak cruising times, and the best prices are just before or after peak season hits.

As an example, it should come as no surprise the week of Christmas and New Years is one of the most popular times to go on a Caribbean cruise.  But the week before Christmas is when school is still in session, and you can find some really good deals.  Why? Because most people don't want to take vacation time from work and pull kids out of school a few days before they get it automatically with the holidays.

This is true for many other places, including Alaska, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Just like a last minute cruise, you're going to need to be flexible with your time to take advantage of these prices.

• Caribbean: September and October, January, May
• Alaska: May or September
• Europe: April, May, September, October
• Australia: October, November, March, and April

How to get a lower price on a cruise

You won't find a spring break cruise deal or a Christmas week special because demand is so high that inventory never dips.

If you're interested in cruising during peak times, your best bet is still to book early.

"Ships are selling out up to a year in advance. If you want the best deal on your cruise, book as far out as possible- as that is when pricing is the lowest," said Ms. Greene.

Ideally, book a cruise when Royal Caribbean puts out new deployments for sale.  It may not get you a bargain basement price, but you won't overpay either.

There's another trick that her agency has, which Ms. Greene mentioned as a way to save her clients money.

"When you book with MEI Travel they have software that notifies them if the price does drop, and will proactively reprice your fare for you," she mentioned.

There are other ways to help lower your price overall, no matter what date you pick.

Older ships generally cost less than newer ships.  Booking Adventure of the Seas instead of Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral will net you significant savings.

A guarantee cabin could also save a lot of money, which is when Royal Caribbean picks your cabin instead of you.  Just be aware of the potential downsides of this strategy.

Travel agents can find great prices because they see them first

While I know a few good places to look for a good cruise deal, the truth is I get most of my low price alerts from my travel agent.

Travel agents price out cruises all day long, and in the course of their work, they run across lower prices.  More often than not, they see it before I can.  Plus, they're looking when I'm not.

The Allure of the Seas sailing I previously mentioned was a deal that my MEI Travel agent spotted and texted me about because she knew I'd be interested with a price that low.

Working with a good travel agent is one of the best cruise tips I can recommend to anyone, especially because they can save you money.

Plus, a travel agent might be able to sweeten any price with extras, like extra onboard credit, free specialty dining, and more as a bonus for working with them. 

In fact, MEI Travel is offering free specialty dining experience for two when booking a balcony or suite on select new bookings made through January 31, 2025.

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

Royal Caribbean regularly updates the offer on a monthly basis. In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year. 

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025
• Holiday sailings departing December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026
• Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025

Kids Sail Free dates

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in June 2025.

The offer runs on bookings made between June 1 – June 30, 2025 and applies to select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after June 2, 2025.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025;  December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026; December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027 Alaska Cruise Tour sailingsdeparting May 16 – September 12, 2025; May 15 – September 11, 2026.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

Royal Caribbean's after-Christmas sale might be your best chance to get in on a holiday deal before they all run out.

While everyone focuses on Black Friday, there are ample deals to be had as the calendar winds down.

The good news is the New Years Sale has some discounts that are just as good as they were during Black Friday.  It's not quite as lucrative, but we're seeing lower prices again and it might be the time to jump on it.

Here's what to expect with Royal Caribbean's New Year's sale.

Cruise favorites on sale

Finding a good cruise deal is what some people relish, and I'm not one to mock that.  Finding a good deal is such a good feeling!

Here's a breakdown of what's being offered. Keep in mind there are terms and conditions that apply, and you should refer to them before booking.

Let's begin with the holiday sale happening right now on pre-cruise purchases.

The New Year's Sale runs runs on Cruise Planner and app purchases made through January 2, 2025.

You'll find discounts on cruises that depart between December 23, 2024 - December 31, 2025. 

• Beverage: Up to 40% off
  • Evian Water Package: 40% off onboard prices.
  • Classic Soda Package: 30% off onboard prices.
  • Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship.
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.

• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
  • Shorex: Discount varies by ship.
  • Select Tours on ports Phillipsburg, St. Maarten & Port Vila, Vanuatu: Up to 50% Off
  • Labadee Aquatics: 40% off onboard prices
  • Wynwood Walls and Art Walking Tour: 10% off onboard prices

• Internet: Up to 30% Off
  • VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

• Dining: Up to 40% Off
  • Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
• Spa: Up to 30% Off Select Times
• Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off
  • Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship.
  • Private Photo Session: 60% off onboard prices
• Gifts & Gear: Up to 35% Off
  • All Gifts & Gear products (except Inky Beach Towel): 20% off onboard prices
  • Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 35% off onboard prices

• Onboard Activities: Up to 30% off
  • All Access Ship tour: 20% off onboard prices
  • Observatorium: 20% off onboard prices
  • Mission Control Apollo 18: 20% off onboard prices
  • Escape the Rubicon: 20% off onboard prices
  • EscapeU: Freshman Year: 20% off onboard prices
  • RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience
  • North Star Extended Experience: Discount varies by ship.
  • FlowRider Private Lesson: Discount varies by ship.
  • FlowRider Group Lesson: Discount varies by ship.
  • EscapeU: Freshman Year: 20% off onboard prices

Even if you've already bought one of these items, you can take advantage of the lower prices.

If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Up to $600 off a new cruise booking

If you're thinking about booking a new cruise, there's discounts on that too.

The Weekend Savings sale adds instant savings on cruises booked, up to $600.

Weekend Savings applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made December 27 – 30, 2024 on sailings departing on or after December 28, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length as follows:  

• 5 nights or less
  • $75 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $150 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $150 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $225 USD for Balconies
  • $600 USD for Suites

It's combinable with the BOGO60 deal too.

BOGO60 applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made December 10 – January 2, 2025, on sailings departing on or after December 11, 2024, and provides 60% off the cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as the first, full fare paying guest, as well as 30% off any additional guests booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guest.

Kids Sail Free is also combinable, and it applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made December 10 – January 2, 2025, on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after December 11, 2024, and provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests. 

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates November 22 - 29, 2024; December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025; March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026; December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027 Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025; May 15 – September 11, 2026; Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024 and Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025.

The lowest price for a cruise is often not publicly advertised, so you have to know where to look.

Booking with a travel agent can get you some great benefits, providing great value by helping you find cruises, form groups, schedule activities, and—most of all—get good deals.

I was able to save almost 60% off a Freedom of the Seas cruise I booked through an MEI Travel agent.

I found a cheap price for an October sailing on Freedom of the Seas: an oceanview cabin for just $584 per person.

After the cost of taxes, fees, and port expenses, plus pre-paid gratuities, I ended up paying $1678 total for the 7-night cruise.

The booking was for a guarantee oceanview cabin, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offering stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas.

The posted rate on the public Royal Caribbean website was $2759 for the same cruise—$1379 per person. So how did I get such a good deal?

I got a cheaper price by using my travel agent's hidden deals

Discounts like this aren't highly advertised, and many of them are only accessible through a travel agent.

My travel agent had access to Royal Caribbean's hidden deals sheet, which lists discounted sailings across the fleet. These secret deals are provided to travel agencies by the cruise line, and cannot be shared publicly.

You'll have to go directly to a travel agent to find similar discounts.

While browsing the secret deals, I found great discounts on certain cruises and was able to book the Freedom of the Seas one right away.

These rates aren't provided to the general public and are often special rates established between the cruise line and the travel agency.

The posted overall rate for my Freedom of the Seas sailing was approximately $2,759 in total.

That means I saved more than 60% off the public rate by using MEI travel. 

A cheaper overall cruise fare is a great reason to reach out to a travel agent and book a cruise through them.

Compared to a similar Independence of the Seas cruise, I got a much cheaper deal. 

A cruise departing on November 2nd, 2025 from Miami, Florida, costs $1802, or $902 per person.

This similar 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise in an oceanview cabin has a price almost $200 over—and that's before gratuities, purchasing the cruise a year ahead of time.

To get access to these rates, you just need to ask.  When you work with your travel agent, you can ask if there are any special group rates or agency rates available.

In my case, I asked for special rates that existed and then booked those sailings, rather than picking a specific ship and sail date.

The availability of special rates depends on a bit of luck, but it's something you can ask your agent early in the planning process.

Why was the cruise so discounted?

A steep discount can spark suspicion. 

Why was the sailing so cheap? Was there anything wrong with the ship, room, or itinerary?

It's due to a combination of special negotiated rates between the cruise line and the travel consortium, as well as the cruies line wanting to fill unsold staterooms.

This just means fewer rooms on that particular cruise sold and doesn't point to any deficiencies in the ship or itinerary.

The sailing called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, and it was the perfect vacation to experience everything the Freedom-Class ship had to offer.

However, because I also saved money by booking a guarantee cabin, I ended up getting a less-popular stateroom.

I chose a guaranteed oceanview cabin, meaning that Royal Caribbean promised me the oceanview category or better—but I gave up the ability to choose the stateroom location.

Read more: How to save money on a cruise: 45 expert tips

I ended up with a leftover cabin located low on the ship, on deck 2.

The stateroom had a lovely porthole window, and clean, modern amenities. But I quickly discovered why other cruisers didn't want to book that cabin location.

The stateroom experienced constant noise—from the anchor banging against the side of the ship, feet stomping above me, and adjacent neighbors.

While the cabin was still an enjoyable stay, it was a less desirable location for a cheaper price.

Is it worth booking with a travel agent?

Are the deals and assistance worth booking with a travel agent?

Many first-time cruisers don't know how helpful travel agents can be. They're also usually free to work with! Most good travel agents are paid a commission from the cruise line, so there is no extra cost to use their services.

Travel agents can give you great deals on sailings, and many people aren't even aware of hidden deals like the one I got on my Freedom of the Seas cruise.

Travelers also don't know the many ways a travel agent can assist, such as contacting customer service, organizing large groups, and booking shore excursions.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

My MEI travel agent booked the cruise and handled the guests, dining times, and gratuities beforehand.

All I had to do before the sailing was scheduling, online check-in, and packing!

She also consistently checked in throughout and after my sailing to ensure all went well. 

If we ran into any issues, our travel agent could work with us, and even call Royal Caribbean customer service and stay on the line for us.

A travel agent is an invaluable resource that provides great deals and insider cruise knowledge—all at no extra cost to you.

Finding a good cruise deal is easier than you think, as long as you know when to book (and what to look for). 

No one wants to pay more than they have to for a cruise vacation, and luckily there are several easy tips you can use to find the best cruise deals available.

The top reason someone might not get the best price on a cruise is because they miss out on the tried and true strategies that usually get the lowest price.

It's more difficult than ever to get a great cruise deal because of how immensely popular taking a cruise is right now. Demand is so high for cruising that cruise lines are disincentivized from offering major discounts.

There's also a game to finding a cruise deal, because sometimes there aren't any deals for a specific sailing. The more flexible you are, the better your chances at finding an amazing cruise deal.

If you’re wondering how to get the best cruise deals, here are 15 easy tips.

Always book as early as possible

More often than not, the best cruise deals are found on sailings one to two years in the future. In most scenarios, if you’re looking for the best deals, we recommend booking as soon as possible rather than waiting until the last minute.

Most cruise itineraries are announced around two years in advance. As itineraries open up for bookings, you can often find great deals, especially if you’re hoping to book a balcony room or suite. Plus, if you’re searching for a rare cruise cabin it’s important to book early not only to find a cruise deal, but to book before the cabin sells out.

Cruise when others cannot

If you want a really cheap cruise, my advice is book a sailing when families cannot or will not cruise.

Booking a cruise during the shoulder season instead of the peak season often saves the most money.

Peak season varies by destination, but generally coincides with school holidays. Summer, holiday weekends, and school breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break tend to see the most demand for cruises.

Therefore, if you’re able to cruise outside of these peak times, you can almost always find cheaper cruise deals. Sailing to Alaska in early September, for example, can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than sailing in mid July.

Likewise, booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season is typically much more affordable than during Thanksgiving. While there’s a slight chance of a hurricane affecting your cruise, most itineraries will sail smoothly with no itinerary changes or cancellations.

Related: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

While not everyone can take advantage of sailing at non-peak times, particularly if they have kids still in school, it can lead to great cruise deals for those with more flexibility.

Sail on older and smaller ships

Besides time of year, you will consistently find lower prices on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

The oldest Royal Caribbean ships—Vision, Radiance, and Voyager Class ships—often see some of the lowest prices. Despite the smaller size, many cruisers appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere of these ships and the unique ports on their itineraries.

Why are they cheaper? Because they don't have all the latest features that many vacationers are looking for, such as water slides, lots of restaurants, Broadway shows, or top deck activities.

Related: I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here’s what it’s like to cruise on each

If you’re hoping for a blend of a cheap deal and "new" ship, look at cruising on an amplified cruise ship. As part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program, the cruise line made significant refurbishments on select older vessels. During the process, they added features such as waterslides, new dining venues, and revamped pool decks.

Despite the addition of new features, cruise fares are still reasonable on amplified vessels—some of the best values in a cruise vacation can be found on amplified ships like Mariner of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas.

Look for last-minute deals

Booking a cruise at the last minute might seem counterintuitive to our advice about booking a cruise early. And although we usually recommend booking early as opposed to later, you can often snag a cheap cruise deal by booking at the last minute.

Related: How to get last minute cruise deals

If a cruise itinerary still has a significant number of empty cabins in the months leading up to the sailing, Royal Caribbean may drop the price in order to increase demand. This is most common after the final payment date for a particular sailing has passed—between 75 and 90 days before the cruise.

To find a last-minute cruise deal on Royal Caribbean, search the website for cruises and filter the results to see the lowest price first. You can also use a website such as VacationsToGo.com, which has a 90-day ticker showing the best, cheapest cruise deals departing within the next three months.

Sail a one-way Alaska itinerary

Alaska cruises have a reputation for being more expensive than other itineraries. After all, it’s not uncommon to spend over $2000 for an interior cabin during the state’s peak summer season.

Despite this, we’ve noticed a pricing trend for the past two years on select Alaska itineraries. One-way Alaska itineraries tend to offer fantastic cruise deals, often as low as just $550 per person including taxes and fees.

One-way Alaska cruises travel from Vancouver, Canada to Seward, Alaska and vice versa. These 7-night itineraries allow guests to visit more Alaska ports as well as spend time in Alaska’s interior before or after the cruise. While providing an excellent itinerary, one-way cruises see less demand compared to roundtrip sailings due to the inconvenience of starting and ending in different ports.

If Royal Caribbean sees low demand in the months leading up to the sailing, the prices for these sailings will drop drastically. Keeping an eye on one-way Alaska cruise deals 3-6 months before the cruise begins is a sure-fire way to find a deal on cruising to the Last Frontier.

Book with a travel agent

I book every single cruise with a travel agent, whether a short weekend cruise to the Bahamas or a two week trip to Greenland. Doing so has saved me hundreds of dollars over the past few years, and that’s not even mentioning the added service and resources my travel agent provides before, during, and after the sailing.

Whenever I book a cruise, I first email my travel agent for a quote; the quote I receive is often cheaper than what I could find on Royal Caribbean’s website. Depending on the travel agency you work with, they may offer group rates on select itineraries, which can save you money on your cruise fare.

Related: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

Additionally, I almost always receive extra onboard credit through my travel agent. Having onboard credit means I can enjoy my cruise even more, whether I use it to book a specialty restaurant dinner or order an extra cocktail on the pool deck.

Aside from potential savings, though, are other benefits to using a travel agent. Travel agents are available to answer any questions you may have about your Royal Caribbean cruise, and they provide service in the case of any problems you encounter leading up to your sailing.

Be flexible with your departure ports

Flexibility is key to finding the best cruise deals; if you’re flexible with your departure port, you may have a better chance at finding a cheap deal.

Instead of cruising from Miami, look at sailings from Tampa or Port Canaveral. Or, if you live in the Northeast, check if there are any cheap deals from Cape Liberty, Boston, or Baltimore. You might be surprised to find a cheap cruise leaving from a less common cruise port.

Don’t overlook more faraway departure ports as well. As someone who lives on the west coast of the United States, I’m often shocked at the price of domestic flights to South Florida from my home airport. In fact, it’s often nearly the same price to fly to Barcelona, Spain as it is to Miami!

While there’s certainly more travel time required to get to Europe as opposed to Florida, searching a wider range of departure ports means opening up the possibility for more cheap deals.

Look at any and all cruise itineraries

Just as it's important to be flexible on your cruise ship and departure port, you should also be flexible on your cruise itinerary in order to find the best deals.

If you’re set on visiting a particular port—whether Bermuda or Santorini—you’ll be more limited in cruise options. Having more limitations means you have fewer options available, meaning you’ll miss out on some of the best cruise deals.

Related: 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest, best cruise fares, keep your destination availability open. All of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ports have something to offer, from the coral reefs of Australia to the cruise line’s private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The more flexible you are in itinerary choice, the better chance you’ll have at scoring a great deal.

Book a guarantee cabin

Booking a guarantee cabin on Royal Caribbean means you can save money on cruise fare with the caveat of not being able to choose your exact cabin location.

When you book a guarantee cabin, you give Royal Caribbean the power to select where on the ship your room will be located. If you book a guarantee balcony cabin, for example, you will be assigned (at least) a balcony room, but it could be located anywhere on the ship, from deck 7 forward to deck 12 aft.

Related: Should I book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

The advantage of booking a guarantee room, of course, is to save money—depending on the offer, you may be able to save over a hundred dollars by not choosing your cabin location. The disadvantage is that you cannot select the location. If you’re picky on cabin location, it’s best to pay extra to select the location yourself.

Despite the lack of flexibility, booking a guarantee cabin is one of the best ways to make a great cruise deal even cheaper.

Book during a Kids Sail Free promotion

If you’re planning a cruise with kids, the best time to book is during one of Royal Caribbean’s Kids Sail Free promotions.

As the name implies, a Kids Sail Free promotion is an offer in which kids can sail “free” on a Royal Caribbean cruise. In reality, this means that any third guest and higher in a cabin who is 12 years old or younger can sail free on a cruise longer than four nights.

Related: Royal Caribbean Kids Sail Free Dates & Tips

Of course, there are a few conditions to the Kids Sail Free offer. First are blackout dates, which are commonly found during school holidays. The second caveat is that you still have to pay taxes, fees, and gratuities for all kids—the “free” deal is for the base cruise fare only.

Despite these exceptions, booking during Kids Sail Free can usually save families money on a Royal Caribbean cruise if their schedule is flexible.

Book a longer itinerary

The shorter the cruise, the cheaper the cruise will cost… right? Not exactly!

Most people assume that booking a shorter cruise will lead to a cheaper cruise fare, but that’s not necessarily the case. As a matter of fact, some of the cheapest cruises are found on Royal Caribbean’s longest itineraries!

If you’re cruising with a limited budget, don’t search for only the shortest itineraries. While a 3-night weekend cruise might seem like it would be the cheapest option, this is hardly ever the case!

Instead, keep your search flexible and search for cruises of varying lengths. Royal Caribbean’s cruise fares aren’t necessarily priced according to cruise length, but are based on a variety of factors including ship age, time of year, itinerary, and demand for a particular sailing.

Some of the longest itineraries—such as repositioning cruises and transatlantic itineraries—see the lowest price per day of any cruise itinerary. Being open to more unique, longer itineraries can be a good way to stretch your vacation budget further and have more time onboard.

Keep an eye on Going, Going, Gone rates

Every week, Royal Caribbean publishes a PDF flyer online of their “Going, Going, Gone” rates. This list of last-minute cruise deals is one of the most convenient ways to check for the cheapest cruise fares available. You can view the list here.

The flyer is published once per week (usually late on Monday) but it is not updated throughout the week. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the flyer on late Monday night or early Tuesday morning in order to help ensure all deals listed are still available. As cruises book up during the week, the deals listed on the PDF may no longer be valid.

Subscribe to email newsletters

Hoping to be notified about the best cruise deals? Subscribing to email newsletters from your favorite cruise lines and cruise websites helps you stay in the loop.

The Royal Caribbean Blog newsletter, for example, is a weekly email in which we send out the week’s top stories, some of which may include information on cruise deals. Likewise, you may want to subscribe to Royal Caribbean’s official newsletter here—the cruise line sends promotional emails listing the current top deals and offers.

Stay loyal to a cruise line

The higher your loyalty status with a particular cruise line, the better chance you have of finding cheap cruise deals. If you cruise often with Royal Caribbean, we recommend sticking to the cruise line in order to grow your loyalty status in the Crown & Anchor Society.

Platinum members and above in the Crown & Anchor Society receive discounts on balcony and suite staterooms in addition to exclusive Crown & Anchor rates. Not only that, but single supplement fares are reduced for select Diamond Plus members and Pinnacle Club members receive a free 7-night cruise at 700 and 1050 cruise points.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Although most passengers “Loyal to Royal” won’t reach Pinnacle Club status, they can still receive the benefits of discounted cabins and onboard offers. Even if you don’t find the cheapest cruise deal available, you’ll still save significant money with Crown & Anchor benefits like free drinks and complimentary laundry.

Book with special rates for military, senior, and residency deals

Select groups of people may be eligible for special rates on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Knowing if you qualify for a special rate is helpful before you book in order to ensure you find the best cruise deal for your sailing.

Royal Caribbean’s list of guests who may qualify for discounts includes:

• Guests 55 years of age and older on select sailings
• Police and firefighters (active or retired employee or volunteer)
• Active or retired personnel in the military
• Airline personnel

We recommend checking Royal Caribbean’s detailed list here to check if you qualify for any discounts.

Royal Caribbean has added a new restriction on qualifying for its popular cruise deal for families with kids.

There's nothing new with Royal Caribbean having a kids sail free deal, as they've routinely offered it for many months in a row.  However, there's a new requirement added to the fine print.

Under the terms of the offer, children up to the age of 12 can sail for free when accompanying two paying passengers in the same cabin, provided the following criteria are met:

1. The sailing is 3 nights or longer
2. It doesn't conflict with a listed blackout date that covers many of the major school and religious holidays
3. NEW: The sailing date is departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date

Prior to this change, a Kids Sail Free offer would have worked for a last minute deal departing less than 30 days after the booking date.

Royal Caribbean has provided no explanation for the new restriction, but it's likely a mechanism to encourage families to book their cruises further in advance.

The cruise line has been steadily working towards disincentivizing last minute bookings because it can usually result in lower fares. Besides the company wanting to make more money, someone booking at the last minute and getting a better price than someone who booked many months or years in advance hurts customers.

Restrictions on the Kids Sail Free offer aren't new. The fine print includes blackout dates around Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, summer, the spring break weeks and Easter week.

In addition, the kids fares still will be subject to taxes, fees and port expenses, which can amount to anywhere from $60 to more than $200 per person, depending on the itinerary.

What is the September 2024 Kids Sail Free offer?

If you want to take the most advantage of the offer, you'll need to book a cruise anytime between September 3 – 30, 2024 and it needs to be on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing at least thirty (30) days.

It cannot be on any sailing that departing on or during these blacked out dates:

• August 2 - 30, 2024
• November 22 - 29, 2024
• December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• March 7 - 28, 2025
• April 12 - 24, 2025
• May 22 – August 29, 2025
• November 20 - 28, 2025
• December 18, 2025 – January 6, 2026
• March 6 – April 9, 2026
• Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing July 1 – September 13, 2024 and May 16 – September 12, 2025
• Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024
• Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025 except for Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025.

The good news is you can combine Kids Sail Free with the BOGO60 offer and the 2025 Kicker offer.

BOGO60 gives you 60% off the cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as the first, full fare paying guest, as well as 30% off any additional guests booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guest. 

It's valid on new bookings made September 3 – 30, 2024 and also needs to be on sailings departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date.

The 2025 Kicker offer adds bonus onboard credit for cruises made just between September 3 – 4, 2024 on sailings departing in 2025 and provides instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked and sailing length as follows: 

• 5 nights or less
  • $25 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $50 USD for Balconies
  • $75 USD for Suites
• 6 nights and longer
  • $50 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $75 USD for Balconies
  • $100 USD for Suites

Will Kids Sail Free actually save me money?

If you can find a sailing that qualifies for Kids Sail Free, then yes, it can really save money.

The difficult thing in trying to calculate the savings is making sure you have the exact same room category when comparing with or without the offer.

Often people will price out a cabin for 2 guests, and then again with 4. 

Read more: Ways I Save Money on Cruises With Family

The vast majority of cabins hold only two people.  Because they are plentiful there can often be lower rates on cabins that can only accommodate two guests.

Generally speaking, most cruise ships only have a small percentage of cabins that can hold more than two. Within those cabins, some only have a capacity of just three guests, while others can accommodate four or five, but there are very few like this available compared to the number of cabins that can accommodate two guests only.

A party of four can't use a cabin meant for only two or three guests so as the number in the party increases there are fewer and fewer cabins that can accommodate them.  

Because there are so few of these cabins relatively speaking they are often in demand.  Anything in demand drives the price up.  Often other families have booked up some or most of them leaving just a handful remaining.  This also increases rates due to the supply and demand nature of the travel industry.

The only way to see the effect of Kids Sail Free is to price a cabin with adults for the number in your group (ages set to 18 or above for everyone) and then do another mock booking with your kids ages applied.