20 Of The Best Websites For Booking Cheap Cruises In 2022
Do you believe that the only way to reserve a cabin on a cruise is to do so directly through the cruise line’s website? Or by using the services of a travel agent? Try to rethink this. You can also find low-cost cruises by using one of the many websites that specialize in the low-cost trip booking. In order to help you book your next cruise at the lowest possible cost, we have compiled a list of 20 of our top picks, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
Websites Dedicated Exclusively to the Booking of Cruises
Although you could book your cruise through an online travel agency that also books hotels and flights, you might have better luck with a website that is dedicated to arranging cruises. After all, these are the professionals who make their living cruising, which means that they are aware of what you want and how to deliver it to you.
1. CruiseDirect
It’s true that the CruiseDirect website seems a touch stale, but the fact that this cruise booking service has been in business for close to twenty years is the real reason for that appearance. You can be sure that they have the necessary knowledge.
What is one of the most interesting aspects of this website? While you are looking for cruises, you have the option to “heart” the cruises that you are interested in so that you may return to them at a later time and give them further thought. In addition, when you buy a cruise on this website, you are just required to pay a deposit rather than the total cost of the cruise right away.
Pros:
• Booking incentives such as free dining experiences and travel insurance for those who book early enough
There is no need to make an initial payment.
Cons:
• Price matching is only offered for the first twenty-four hours after you have made your reservation.
• Clunky webpage
2. Cruise Critic
Those who have a passion for travel and travel in general will find Cruise Critic to be a wonderful little nook on the internet. You’ll find a wealth of information regarding the cruise companies, ships, itineraries, and other aspects of your preferred vacation here. Find in-depth reviews, as well as advice on how to navigate the seas; it’s all there. However, in addition to giving all of this additional information, Cruise Critic also enables users to make reservations for cruises. Unfortunately, Cruise Critic is not the company that is selling those cruises to customers. Cruise Critic simply compiles all of the pricing information and delivers it to you in a unified format. To make reservations for your cruise, you will need to visit a different website.
Pros:
• A wealth of information pertaining to each and every cruise imaginable
• A thriving online community of cruisers with their own forum.
Cons:
• In order to purchase your cruise ticket, you will need to visit a different website.
3. Cruisewatch
On the other hand, Cruisewatch could be the ideal cruise booking platform for you if you are someone who is fascinated by the power of data. This allows you to receive the greatest deal, not simply the best deal that the website chose to push that day. Instead, you may get the best deal because the website analyses a collection of data points to anticipate the optimum moment for you to book your cruise based on price. In addition to that, it makes use of a useful algorithm to tailor the website’s recommendations to better suit your preferences. The website will learn your preferences and tailor its suggestions to match them based on the number of times you select “like” or “dislike” for a particular cruise feature.
Pros:
• Capabilities for a tech-savvy search and customization of results
• Real-time price drop alerts
Cons:
• The search functions are not as comprehensive as some of the others on our list.
• If you don’t pass over your personal information first, it won’t display you the rates for any of the cruises that are available.
4. The site CruisesOnly
Only cruises are available to book through CruisesOnly, as the name suggests. Its unequalled degree of customer service is what sets it apart from the other cruise-booking sites on this list. On-demand agents are accessible to answer any inquiries you may have regarding cruising or cruise bookings. The more you use the website, the more you can advance in the loyalty programme, which will allow you to receive additional incentives and privileges. For instance, with just two bookings, you are eligible to receive cash back, vouchers for shore excursions, or an Amazon gift card, depending on the promotion.
Pros:
• A free customer retention programme
• Agents available 24/7 for bookings
Cons:
• Does not guarantee to have the most competitive rates available
5. Cruise.com
The website cruise.com is about as explicit and straightforward as one can get. It’s a website that’s called after the thing you want to book, which in this case is a cruise. Despite having a straightforward name, the website, on the other hand, isn’t always as straightforward as it may be. This is a webpage that is geared a little more at the experienced cruiser than the average website. Because it provides you with a lot of information and a lot of different alternatives, inexperienced cruisers may feel a little bit overwhelmed by it all. However, one advantageous feature that this website provides that a number of other websites that are devoted specifically to cruise reservations do not is the following: The opportunity to combine the cost of your cruise with the cost of your airfare.
Pros:
• Save money by booking your airfare and cruise fare at the same time, in the same location.
• Browse through a plethora of additional deals, packages, and pricing options, all in one location
Cons:
• A large amount of information presented in what might be a perplexing user interface
• This website is not user-friendly for novices.
6. Cruises.com
So, what are your thoughts about Cruises.com? There is a difference between cruise.com and cruises.com, that is correct. In contrast to the former, which is generally recognised for being a site that provides you with a lot of additional information and deals that you won’t necessarily find anywhere else, cruises.com is largely known for having deals that may potentially be profitable. The fact that you have to carefully read all of the fine print is the only drawback to taking advantage of these discounts. If you don’t, you can get the impression that you didn’t get your money’s worth, or worse, you might find out that you were actually conned. That doesn’t mean it will happen every time, though, so be sure you do all the research you need to.
Pros:
• Find attractive cruise deals
Cons:
• Those seemingly amazing discounts don’t always live up to their reputation all the time.
7. Where To Take Your Vacations
It seems as though Vacations To Go would provide you with the opportunity to make reservations for everything that you would require for the duration of your trip. On the other hand, a cursory examination of the website’s home page reveals that it markets itself as an online travel agency. It is the largest cruise agency in the world, according to its own boasts. It also claims that it may save you more than 80 percent on cruise fares, but this claim has not been verified.
The website for Vacations To Go may appear to be a little archaic, but it does have some good things to offer visitors. It gives you the ability to search for cruises that stop at particular ports. You can also look for cruises that have specific themes, such as a trip for singles or cruises for people who work in the emergency services, for example. There is also a 90-day ticker option that displays the most recent voyages that are still open for booking.
The fact that you have to contact the company’s number in order to book is the most significant drawback of this website. One and only thing you can do online is submit a request for a price estimate. To make reservations for your cruise, you will need to speak with a representative.
Pros:
• A powerful search option is available on the website.
Deals on last-minute cruises, defined as those departing within the next ninety days or sooner, are available.
Cons:
• You are unable to make a direct reservation for your cruise through the website.
• In order to book, you will need to speak with a representative from Vacations to Go.
Travel Agencies Found Online (OTAs)
On the other hand, if you are a frequent traveller, you most likely already have a good working knowledge of the most prominent online travel firms that are currently available. Priceline and Expedia are two of the most popular travel booking services, and it’s quite likely that you’ll find the best hotel and airfare prices by using either of them. However, many of these online travel providers also provide specials on a variety of cruises.
8. CheapCaribbean.com
Do not be misled by the website’s name; CheapCaribbean.com is in fact a vacation booking platform that is tailored specifically to the Caribbean. Instead, this is the place where you can locate cruises to destinations all over the world, not only those to the Caribbean. You won’t discover some of the categories that are available on this booking site, such as cruise themes, on the platforms that are listed above, which is one of the perks of using this platform to make reservations. In addition, CheapCaribbean offers a variety of benefits, like as discounts, credits, and even a loyalty club, to customers who book their vacations through their website.
Pros:
Free cancellations for the first 24 hours
• A wide variety of booking benefits, ranging from cash back to spa credits
• An extensive amount of search-related functionality
Cons:
• Does not focus one hundred percent on cruising
• Customers reportedly receive terrible service, according to reviews
• Not as inexpensive as the name might lead one to believe
9. Expedia
Expedia is, in comparison, one of the major travel booking systems that are now available. Expedia provides access to a wide variety of travel options, including vacation rentals, flights, rental cars, and cruises. The fact that the website is so simple to navigate makes it an excellent option for vacationers who want to book a cruise with as little fuss as possible. The fact that purchasing a cruise on Expedia is so straightforward, on the other hand, means that you won’t have the opportunity to go into the specifics of what you’re looking for in a cruise when you perform a search for one. This is the sole drawback to the service. Depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, that could either be a plus or a drawback for you.
Pros:
• A number of the most attractive offers for the booking of cruises currently available
• A large and reputable online venue
• A straightforward user interface
Cons:
• On the other hand, one could argue that the website is too straightforward, and it does not provide all of the search tools that a dedicated cruiser might require.
10. Priceline
Similar to Expedia, Priceline is a well-known travel booking company that carries nearly the same amount of weight in the industry. Priceline, on the other hand, excels where Expedia falls short by providing access to more in-depth search options. You are able to search for a variety of cruising experiences, such as a balcony cabin, a luxury cruise, or even a cruise with a certain theme, depending on what you are looking for. You can also look for cruises that offer specific discounts, such as those reserved exclusively for seniors. When it comes to the search features, this puts Priceline in a position of considerable competition with CheapCaribbean.
Pros:
• There are many different ways to choose the ideal cruise for you.
• Additional perks, such as credits and discounts on shore excursions, for customers who book their vacations through Priceline.
Cons:
The well-known “name your own price” function that Priceline offers does not apply to cruises.
11. Kayak
Fans of Kayak want to use it because it functions more like an aggregator of travel deals than a traditional online travel agency would. This is precisely why Kayak is so popular. It compiles travel bargains from all across the internet and then compares them to the deals that can be found on competing websites like Expedia and Priceline. As a result, there are fewer websites that you will need to browse through in order to discover the greatest offer on a cruise vacation. For further reading, check out our comprehensive guide on how to make inexpensive travel reservations with Kayak.
Pros:
• Discover more pricing in a single location.
• The Kayak mobile app provides a fantastic user experience.
Cons:
• It is unfortunate that Kayak prioritises “recommended,” more expensive vacations above cruises that are truly offered at lower prices.
12. TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, much like Cruise Critic, is an excellent destination to go to in order to get reviews and information pertaining to cruising; however, did you know that you can also buy cruises via this website? Deals on cruises can be found from a variety of different sources, and they can be found on cruises all around the world. On the other hand, similar to Cruise Critic, TripAdvisor will not let you actively book your cruise through their website. Instead, it will direct you to another location where you can complete the task. However, it is a convenient option to have if you are already spending a lot of time on the website in preparation for your upcoming voyage.
Pros:
• Authentic testimonials and information, in addition to booking and purchase suggestion, all in one location
Cons:
• In order to complete your reservation, you will be taken to a different website.
13. Avoya Travel
The following alternative, Avoya Travel, is a one-of-a-kind choice since it provides what the company refers to as an exceptional cruise booking experience by combining online search capabilities with the expertise of travel agents. After entering some information about the kind of trip you are interested in, a planner will utilise that information to show you which cruises are the most suitable for you. Even better, if you become a member of the website, you will have access to bargains that are not published publicly and will also be able to make free modifications and cancellations to your cruise reservations.
Pros:
• Personalized service, as well as suggestions for cruises
• Free membership comes with special discounts and other advantages.
Cons:
The low-price promise is only valid for the first twenty-four hours after a booking has been made.
• Those who seek a hands-off, do-it-yourself booking experience should look elsewhere.
14. Orbitz
Orbitz is yet another online travel agency that you may commonly use to book your other travel, and in addition to that, Orbitz offers cruises. There are many compelling reasons why you may wish to book your cruise with Orbitz. A customer reward programme is available on the website for frequent travellers who plan their trips there (and it is extremely simple to do so with Orbitz given that the website offers comprehensive holiday packages, rental cars, excursions, and so on). In addition to this, it provides savings and bargains that you might not discover anywhere else. You can also take advantage of Orbitz’s best price guarantee if you discover a lower price for your trip on another website during the next twenty-four hours. This guarantee is valid only for cruises booked via Orbitz.
Pros:
• If you would rather consolidate your travel arrangements and make them in a single location, Orbitz will make that possible for you thanks to the extensive variety of booking alternatives it provides.
Cons:
• In order to take advantage of the best price guarantee, you only have twenty-four more hours.
• Reservations made for cruises do not count toward the points needed to earn prizes through the Orbitz loyalty programme.
15. Travelocity (in the singular)
Travelocity is another online travel agency, and it operates very similarly to Orbitz in that the only way to increase your chances of buying a cruise is to use the website for all of your other travel plans. If you currently use Travelocity to book your flights, hotel rooms, and car rentals, it is definitely worth your time to look into the cruise offers that they provide.
You could, on the other hand, find the cruise booking section of the agency’s website to be a little bit cumbersome. For this reason, some consumers only utilise the website to peruse their cruise alternatives, and then they phone Travelocity directly to book their preferred option once they have made their selection.
Pros:
• The ability to plan your cruise vacation in the same place you might book the rest of your travel, resulting in a more streamlined experience
Cons:
• Visitors complain about the website’s design (at least for the cruising portion)
• Reserving something over the phone can be more convenient at times.
Airport, Lodging, and Various Other Brands
However, there are also times when you can purchase cruises through suppliers who are neither online travel brokers nor cruise companies, or even anything remotely like to either. Customers who have a history of loyalty to a certain airline, hotel, or other brand may be eligible for discounts on cruise vacations.
16. Costco Travel
Online booking options are available for vacation packages that include hotels, flights, cruises, and vehicle rentals for members of Costco. The incentives offered by Costco are what make it worthwhile for some people to book their vacations via the retailer, despite the fact that the cruise fares offered by Costco are not always lower than those offered by some of the other vendors on our list. The most popular motivational tool? Costco gift cards in substantial amounts.
Pros:
• As an incentive, we offer Costco gift cards, which can really add up to a lot of savings.
Cons:
• The costs are not always more affordable than those that may be found in other places.
• In order to book, you must have a Costco membership.
17. Cruises Offered by American Airlines
It is highly recommended that you book your cruise through your existing American Airlines loyalty membership if you are a member of the American Airlines AAdvantage programme. When you do this, not only will you be able to save money, but you will also be able to earn airline miles. American Airlines Cruises offers a 110% best price guarantee, just like many of the other booking platforms listed above. This means that if you find your cruise offered at a lower price within 48 hours of your initial booking, you will receive a refund equal to 110% of the price difference from American Airlines Cruises.
Pros:
• Each cruise passenger can earn up to 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
• If you have an American Airlines credit card, you will be able to earn even more points.
Cons:
• An additional fee for processing your booking will be applied to your credit card.
18. Delta SkyMiles Cruises
You can earn miles for your cruise when you book through Delta SkyMiles Cruises if you are a member of SkyMiles, just like you can earn miles for your cruising if you are a member of AAdvantage. You will not receive a set amount of miles based on the cruise line that you sail with; rather, you will receive miles based on the length of your voyage, up to a maximum of 10,000 SkyMiles. When you rent a more deluxe room, you are eligible for additional perks and benefits.
Pros:
Earn up to ten thousand SkyMiles on each cruise you take.
• Based on your position as a Delta Medallion, you’ll be entitled to additional cruise amenities.
Cons:
• An additional fee for processing your booking will be applied to your credit card.
19. United Cruises (all numbers)
In a similar vein, if you book your vacation with United Cruises, you’ll be eligible to earn United MileagePlus miles. However, United Cruises calculates the number of miles you earn based not on the number of nights you spend cruising or the cruise line you sail with, but rather on the type of stateroom that you reserve. On certain voyages, you can earn bonus miles at a rate of up to 100,000 each cruise.
Pros:
• You might earn up to 100,000 MileagePlus miles for each cruise you take.
• Receive extra cruise benefits if you have Premier status
Cons:
• An additional fee for processing your booking will be applied to your credit card.
20. Marriott Cruises
What happens, though, if you do not participate in any of the available frequent flyer programmes? If you are already a member of another loyalty programme in addition to Marriott Bonvoy, you can continue to earn points for that programme. Through the use of Marriott Cruises, you can accumulate points proportionate to the amount of money spent on a cruise reservation.
You have the potential to earn up to eight points for every dollar that you spend on a cruise, bringing you that much closer to receiving a complimentary night at the Marriott-owned hotel of your choice. If you have Marriott points, you can use those instead of cash to pay for your cruise if you want to.
Pros:
Earn up to eight points for every dollar you spend on a cruise.
• Use your Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your upcoming cruise.
Cons:
• An additional fee for processing your booking will be applied to your credit card.
Online Direct Booking
After reading everything that’s been mentioned above, are you still considering booking directly? We don’t blame you. There are arguments in favour of this possibility. It’s quite simple. You are fully aware of the nature of the item you are purchasing. You get instant access to every piece of data pertaining to the company, including its itineraries and the various ships in its fleet. In spite of this, there is still a possibility that you are passing on some excellent bargains.
So what would you recommend I do in this situation? It is in your best interest to shop around and compare the pricing given at a variety of establishments before you commit to booking any cruise. After all, you never know when you might stumble onto an unbelievable offer around the corner!
FAQ
How many months in advance should I make reservations for my cruise?
Everything is determined by what it is that you want. If you are looking for the most reasonable cost possible for a cruise, the closer you get to the date of your voyage, the more likely it is that you will find fantastic offers, as the cruise company will be trying to fill up rooms. If you wait until the last minute to make your reservation, you run the risk of having fewer options available to you in terms of the cabin and the amenities it offers.
Where can I obtain the lowest possible prices on cruises?
If you check at a certain cruise on a number of different websites, you’ll typically discover that the starting price is the same at a few of those sites as it is on all of the others. After that, you will need to examine the numerous “extras” that the website is selling, such as drink packages, shore excursions, room upgrades, and so on, to determine which one gives you the most bang for your buck in exchange for the lowest price.
How can I verify the legitimacy of a website that allows me to book cruises?
It’s a very interesting question! There are a lot of questionable-looking cruise booking websites out there, including several of the ones we’ve identified above. However, you shouldn’t allow an out-of-date website discourage you. You can put your faith in it if it’s on the list above. Before you book any kind of travel online, you should always make it a habit to read the terms and conditions thoroughly.
Should I trust last-minute cruise deals?
It is not unfathomable that a cruise operator would reduce its costs in an effort to fill all of the available cabins in the final moments before a voyage is scheduled to depart. On the other hand, contrary to what you might believe, it is not at all common for cruise ships to have unoccupied cabins. When most cruises depart, they do so with their full capacities. Consequently, if you were thinking that you might wait around and take a last-minute vacation that is fifty percent off a week before the ship sails, you should probably simply give up on that idea.
When is the most favourable time of year to make reservations for a cruise?
In the late winter and early spring, during the months of January and March, cruise lines will frequently have specials and deals. These are the months that are commonly referred to as “wave season.”
How long in advance can I make reservations for my upcoming cruise?
You can make reservations for a cruise with the vast majority of cruise lines up to a year and a half in advance. If you do decide to book this far in advance, you should make sure that the cruise line you select provides some kind of travel booking insurance or a cancellation policy that enables you to adjust your itinerary according to your needs without causing you to lose the entire amount that you paid for your cruise fare.
The Traveler’s Parting Words and Reflections
Websites that specialise in the booking of cruises are wonderful resources that may help you find your next holiday at sea. On the other hand, online travel agencies frequently offer better incentive schemes and lower pricing. Also, think about making your reservations through a certain airline or hotel chain. Because of this, you may be able to keep or even advance your status with a hotel chain or airline that you use frequently. In addition, paying for your reservation using a credit card that offers cash back, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, can earn you a cash rebate of 1.5% or more. Last but not least, if you combine your savings with those from another cash back programme, like Rakuten or BeFrugal, you will further boost the amount of money you save.
