Surely you’ve felt it. That excitement that courses through the cruising community when a new ship build is announced. And that excitement doubles when it is from a line that you love to sail on and a ship you can’t wait to experience. But booking a cruise on a new ship will cost you. They are usually bigger and better than their counterparts. Everything is new and no new ship build would be worth its salt without new and unique experiences promised to future cruisers.
These ships cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build. The bigger ships cost over a billion dollars. And cruise lines want to recoup that investment as soon as possible. Since the demand to cruise on newer ships is high, the lines can easily charge more for the privilege. So how do you get yourself on one of these ships for less?
Being a budget cruiser, doesn’t mean you can’t cruise on that new, shiny ship you have been drooling over. If you are diligent, do you research, and make a few sacrifices, you should be able to experience all the new and unique experiences on that new ship you’ve been hearing so much about.
Book early
The first secret to booking a new ship at a reasonable cost is to book early. In fact, you should book it as soon as they open up a cruise. For the first few years of a ship’s service, especially if the line doesn’t launch another new ship, prices will go up from the moment an itinerary first becomes available. When we booked on the Carnival Jubilee, I had a cabin in reserve but lost track of how long I waited to go ahead and book it. Usually Carnival will give you a few days where you can put your booking on hold before you take the plunge and book your cruise. When I got back to booking the cruise,I had waited too long and had to start over again and the cost had already gone up over a $100 a person! That was a costly mistake. Since then the cost of cabins on our cruise have continued to go up as more and more people try to get a spot on the ship. So if there is a new ship coming out that you know you want to be on, keep track of when they are going to start offering bookings so you can secure those first launch-day prices!
Book in the off season
Just like with any cruise, booking off season will get you a better price for the same itinerary as booking during school holidays would. While I know this isn’t possible for everyone due to their jobs or because they have children, if it is possible, you should definitely consider it. Often a summer cruise will cost twice what the exact same cruise costs during the off season. Plus the ship won’t be as crowded. The differences won’t be a great for brand new ships as it will be on a ship that has a few years on her, but there is still usually a difference.
Don’t book the first cruises available
If we look at the Carnival Jubilee, which has its first sailing just in time for
Christmas this year, the sailings for January of 2024, right after launch, are similar to that during the peak holiday season with both being around $900 per person as a base cost. However, January of 2025, after the ship has been out for a year, the prices are considerably cheaper. Waiting a few months, or even a year, to get on that new ship will mean doing so at a cheaper price (almost $300 pp at the base). It also means that the crew are a well-oiled machine!
Book a cheaper cabin
Another great way to get yourself on that new ship for less is to book a cheaper cabin. Whether that means going with a guaranteed balcony or booking an interior, no matter the category, there are cabins that can save you money.
Creating mock bookings will help you figure out which options will get you the best deal on that new ship. Be sure to check out my YouTube video that goes into detail on how to do just that!
Cruising From The Ozarks 