Here’s How To Save on That Caribbean Cruise You’ve Been Dreaming Of

Ever tried to fly out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, late in the day on a Saturday or Sunday after a cruise during the winter months? Airfare is notoriously expensive. That’s due to two reasons: most cruises have the same departure and arrival dates, and it’s one of the busiest ports for winter sailings. If you plan to arrive a night before embarkation, know that hotels also experience peak demand—and hike up the nightly cost. However, that is not the case for Houston, the nearest airport for ships sailing out of Galveston, Texas. Miami is another alternative for a destination not solely tied to cruising. Another way to save on a Caribbean sailing is to not embark or disembark in San Juan. While still part of the U.S., flights to and from Puerto Rico’s capital city cost more than the U.S. mainland. That’s because it’s a longer-haul flight.

Here’s a cruise-insider secret: every ship, no matter what its age, gets a refresh. So even if you are sailing on a 15-year-old ship, the technology, restaurants, room décor, and more have probably been updated. New ships attract cruise aficionados who get bored easily and have a “been there, done that” mentality, but they tend to cost more. Why pay more for the bells and whistles? Remember, a cruise to the Caribbean is just that: A chance to experience the islands, not spend all your time on the ship. A 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary in February on board Star Princess, the line’s newest ship, costs $1,009+ but in that same month, traveling to the same ports, a 6-day Western Caribbean itinerary costs $770+.

If you’re a seasoned traveler, then you probably don’t need a guided tour, especially in an English-speaking country, like most of the Caribbean islands. Some cruisers love that you don’t have to plan much on a cruise, while others don’t mind saving the $50-$150 per person price for shore excursions sold through the cruise line in favor of one you cobble together yourself. For ideas, look no further than the shore excursions offered by the cruise line during your sailing, which are promoted on their websites and apps, as well as on board. By traveling by yourself to the attraction or neighborhood—either via a taxi or walking—you’ve already reduced the cost of the activity as you’re not boarding a coach bus. For example, Disney Cruise Line’s $104 per person “Selfie Tour in the Best of George Town with Beach Break” isn’t something you really need hand-holding for, unless you’re the type of cruiser who really wants that. You could instead take a taxi to the beach and also explore George Town via a quick walk from the ship.

In pricing Caribbean cruises, there is a huge gap between what an interior cabin costs and what you’ll pay for a stateroom with a balcony. Case in point: Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond ship charged $699 for an interior cabin and $1,686 for one with a balcony for a recent 7-night sailing out of Miami. That’s $1,000 back in your pocket if you say no to a balcony … and the cost of two cruises, in fact. Since there are decks everywhere on the ship that are open to the public, ask yourself if it’s really worth the upcharge to have your own balcony? Pick this type of itinerary

You may be dreaming of beaches and sunsets but guess what? Not a single Caribbean island has the market share on all of them. However, some itineraries cost more because of which islands they visit. Unless you have your heart set on a particular island, if you want to save some money, be as open as possible to different itineraries. Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries cost less than Southern Caribbean itineraries because they are closer to where you embark (in Florida) and include budget-friendly islands like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic where meals and activities aren’t too costly. Plus, it’s possible for itineraries to shift based on weather and then you might not end up on your dream island after all.

Another insider secret is that there’s a shoulder season to Caribbean cruising. The weather will be about the same between early November and mid-December, or late-March to early May, but you won’t pay as much for your cruise fare, and there are fewer travelers—not just on the ship but also in port. Sounds sweet, right? If your schedule allows, avoid the week between Christmas and New Year’s as festive season is a particularly popular time to travel. March is another busy month for cruising due to spring break travelers.

Unless you’re traveling with family and friends, and have a large group, hailing a taxi from the cruise terminal with just one or two other people isn’t a money-saving measure. Taking public transportation, such as a trolley, bus, or even tourist shuttle, leaves more cash to spend on something that matters, like souvenirs, meals, or drinks. Several ports in the Caribbean offer this, including the Colectivo buses in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Grand Cayman’s public-bus system has nine routes that access central George Town, near where most ships dock. Choosing public transportation also means an opportunity to engage with locals as they use the bus to get to and from work, school, and other places.

News flash: the Caribbean is full of beaches and they are all free. You don’t necessarily need to book an excursion to one through the cruise line, nor do you need to hire a guide. If you’ve been to a public beach in the Caribbean before, which we’re assuming you have, nearly all have lounge chairs to relax in on the sand and open water for swimming. Chairs and umbrellas aren’t free, but you can save money by picking a beach that’s a close walk or taxi ride from the port and, once you’re there, either plopping down in the sand and taking a swim—again, at no cost—or reserving a lounge chair direct through a bar or restaurant, not through the cruise line. Cruise lines charge more for their “beach breaks” and you are packed in like sardines. They also almost always have a bar or restaurant, along with a souvenir shop and changing facilities. Basically, everything you need—and it costs nothing to sink your toes in the sand and bathe in the ocean.

If you plan to snorkel at least once during your Caribbean cruise, then you can save money by bringing your own mask and flippers. Assuming you’re checking a bag, you’ll have room to pack them and save about $35-$50 per rental. Note that in destinations where boarding a boat to a reef or other area of the ocean is the only way to see fish, you still need to pay for that. But at plenty of Caribbean beaches you can snorkel by swimming from shore. A mask costs as little as $30 on Amazon and a set will cost less than $75, about the same price as renting this same equipment twice.

Anyone who’s ever tried to buy sunscreen, sunblock, or bug spray on a Caribbean Island already knows that the price is outrageous. Expect to pay as much as $20 a tube. Save cash by packing your own before embarking the ship. If you’re not checking a bag with the airline, simply buy sun and bug protection at a drugstore or supermarket once you’ve arrived in the departure city. It will almost always cost less,  and comes with the reassurance that you’ve already got it in hand.