How to Book the Best, Cheap(ish) Cruise

Your experience will largely depend on the category of cruise you choose—even when sailing to the same destination. "A cruise on a small, luxury ship is nothing like being on a large or megaship," says Tom Baker, president of the CruiseCenter travel agency in Houston. "One feels like staying in a high-end hotel, while the other has the amenities and feel of a bustling, full-service resort or Las Vegas-style casino hotel."

While there is some overlap among them, cruises fall into five basic types. Here’s what you need to know about each one, including notable perks beyond the basics (like cabins, meals, gyms, and entertainment, which are included with every type of cruise).

Number of passengers: Fewer than 300
Cruise lines: National Geographic-Lindblad, Seaborne, Silversea, Windstar
Per-person adult fare^1: $5,480 to $10,890
Often included: Shore excursions, all drinks, basic WiFi, overnight accommodations at some ports, laundry.
Atmosphere & amenities: Small ships with a high standard of service; lectures by experts; some offer spas, hot tubs, and gyms. All cabins have ocean views and/or balconies.
Best for: Intellectually curious adventurers seeking active and enriching experiences in far-flung destinations like Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands.

Number of passengers: Fewer than 600
Cruise lines: American, Windstar, Regent, Seaborne, Silversea
Per-person adult fare: $5,480 to $10,845
Often included: Some shore excursions, spa services, all drinks, premium dining, WiFi, room service, overnight accommodations at some ports.
Atmosphere & amenities: Elegant ships with a high standard of service, lectures and musical performances, some have infinity pools, spas, gourmet dining. Some may require formal wear for certain events. All cabins have ocean views and/or balconies.
Best for: Travelers looking for luxury (butler service, fine linens, etc.), exclusivity, and enrichment programs in an adults-focused environment.

Number of passengers: Typically 600 to 1,200 (Cunard and Virgin carry many more.)
Cruise lines: Azamara, Cunard, Oceania, Viking, Virgin
Per-person adult fare: $2,090 to $7,085
Often included: Specialty dining, some onshore excursions, laundry, some drinks, WiFi.
Atmosphere & amenities: Personalized service, some are adults-only, multiple dining options, lectures, musical revues, gyms, spas, casinos, pools. Some may have formal dinners. Cabins range from windowless to suites with balconies.
Best for: People who want luxury or premium service and a wider range of activities and amenities than those offered on small luxury ships.

Number of passengers: 1,200 to 5,600-plus
Cruise lines: Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean
Per-person adult fare: $1,110 to $2,950
Often included: Extensive onboard activities such as surf simulators and water rides, rock-climbing walls, zip lines, go-karts, roller coasters.
Atmosphere & amenities: Essentially floating resorts with multiple pools, bars, and dining options, casinos, Broadway-style shows, cinemas, dance clubs. Dress is mostly casual, sometimes formal. Cabins range from interior ones to suites with balconies.
Best for: Budget-minded cruisers, groups, and families who don’t mind a crowd and want something for everyone.

Number of passengers: Usually fewer than 250
Cruise lines: American, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, National Geographic-Lindblad, Viking
Per-person adult fare²: $2,000 to $10,000
Often included: Beer and wine at lunch and dinner, some excursions, WiFi, bicycles at ports.
Atmosphere & amenities: Typically adults-only with limited entertainment options. Most ships have libraries and daily lectures; some have plunge pools and hot tubs. Dinner is typically served at a set time. Casual attire. Cabins are water-facing, some with balconies.
Best for: Cruisers who like to watch the world go by slowly and value comfort, convenience, and culture.

"Peak" cruising times typically offer the nicest weather but come with crowds and high prices. You can save on your fare and avoid the biggest crowds by booking off-peak, says Don Bucolo of EatSleepCruise.com. Here are the peak times and off-peak alternatives for four popular cruise destinations.

Highlights: Mountains, glaciers, abundant wildlife, kayaking, hiking, fishing.
Peak season: June through August These warmest months also come with a good chance of rain.
Alternative: May or September Shorter days (September), a reduced risk of rained-out excursions.

Highlights: Turquoise water, white-sand beaches, snorkeling, kayaking.
Peak season: December to April These months are the driest and have the most moderate temperatures.
Alternative: May to early June; late November Warm weather, smaller crowds, lower risk of hurricanes than in early November.

Highlights: Castles of Denmark and Sweden, Norway’s fjords.
Peak season: June through August The warmest and sunniest time of the year.
Alternative: April, May, September, October Less sunny; April and October can be cold.

Highlights: Athens, the Côte d’Azur, the Greek isles, Istanbul, Naples.
Peak season: July through August Long, hot days and onshore crowds.
Alternative: May, June, September Higher chance of rain, cooler seas.

The typical cost of a seven- to 10-day cruise is about $2,750 per adult, according to CR’s survey. (Most fares are based on double occupancy. Solo travelers may have to pay an additional fee of 10 to 100 percent of the fare.)

Fares generally include your cabin, meals, and most entertainment, and access to pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, and onboard classes. Flights, hotel rooms before or after the cruise, and trip insurance are usually extra, and additional onboard spending can quickly inflate the total.

Add-on costs can include WiFi, drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, photos, and tips. Combined, they can add up to more than $1,000 per person. In CR’s survey, more than 90 percent of cruisers paid for something in addition to their fare.

One savings strategy: Skip the drink package, which typically costs $50 to $100 per person, per day. "In many cases, you need to consume around 10 soft drinks or alcoholic beverages daily to break even," Chiron says.

Working with a travel agent who knows the ship is often the best way to choose a cabin, according to Chiron. But these guidelines will help you get started.

Interior cabins cost the least but are windowless and typically the smallest. Balcony cabins offer private outdoor space and were chosen by 6 in 10 of CR’s survey respondents. Suites provide more room and premium perks. Remember that cruise cabins are typically about half the size of a standard hotel room. A higher category will buy more space and niceties like bathtubs.

Avoid cabins near elevators, laundry stations, and above or below bars or dance floors. Midship cabins experience the least motion, which matters if seasickness is a concern, Chiron says.

Pro tip: Book a "guaranteed" cabin type (e.g., a mini suite) rather than a specific cabin. If it sells out, you’ll be bumped to the next highest level. "It makes the most sense when booking a junior suite or higher," says Stewart Chiron, a cruise expert. "Those cabins are already in desirable locations."

Full suite: $ 7,484
Minisuite or junior suite: $4,651
Balcony or veranda cabin: $2,760
Full or partial ocean view: $2,395
Interior cabin: $1,316

Source: 2025 survey of 18,850 CR members.

You can purchase a cruise directly through the cruise line or through a warehouse club or third-party website, but using a traditional travel agent has several advantages.

First, they can offer the same fares as the cruise lines—and sometimes additional discounts or credits. Many agents can also place a 48-hour hold on a booking without requiring a deposit, which could cost as much as $500 when booking through the cruise line. (Travel agents earn a commission from the cruise line and don’t usually charge for their services.)

When we sought quotes for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Summit for a balcony room sailing in October 2026, one agent beat the cruise line’s price by almost $200 and offered onboard credits and perks worth $175. Another agent offered $450 in onboard credits.

Travel agents can also help you compare cruise lines and ships, and book your flights, hotels, and transfers. Perhaps most important: They can step in to troubleshoot if your travel plans unravel due to flight delays and cancellations, or you encounter other problems. "A client recently left his iPad in Dubrovnik, and we made sure it was waiting for him at the next port," says Rebecca Alesia, owner of Wanderology Luxury travel on Long Island, N.Y.

You can find agents certified by the Cruise Lines International Association at cruising.org/find-travel-agent. Get free quotes from several before making a final decision.

Pro tip: You’ll get the best prices by booking early, ideally six to 12 months out or more.

Ensuring Accessibility. Cruise ships sailing to or from U.S. ports generally must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including providing wheelchair-accessible cabins and pool lifts. Viking, Disney, Oceania, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean earned top or near-top marks from CR members for accessibility.

But only about 3 percent of cabins are ADA-compliant, says Laurel Van Horn, research director at the Open Doors Organization, a travel advocacy nonprofit with a focus on accessibility. Many shore excursions aren’t accessible to everyone, but ships often offer at least one that is. But like accessible cabins, accessible shore excursions fill quickly, so book early. For equipment rentals and additional assistance, go to specialneedsatsea.com.

Getting Medical Care. Cruise ships have medical teams onboard, and "the larger the ship, the more medical equipment they’ll have," says Stewart Chiron, aka The Cruise Guy. Some have imaging equipment, and most can dispense medications. But in a serious medical emergency—such as a stroke or heart attack—passengers are typically transferred to the nearest hospital, often by helicopter.

Insuring Your Trip. If you have to cancel your cruise, you could be out thousands. Insurance can help protect your investment.

Look for policies that cover trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical evacuation, and emergency care. Chiron recommends choosing a plan that offers primary coverage, which means you don’t have to file a claim with your health insurance provider first. Pro tip: Preexisting conditions are often excluded from coverage, but many policies waive that exclusion if you purchase the insurance within 14 days of paying for your trip. You can shop for plans at a travel insurance aggregator such as SquareMouth.

Traditional Medicare will cover your healthcare costs if the ship you’re sailing on is within 6 hours of the U.S. Otherwise, most Medicare Supplemental plans (C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N) will cover 80 percent of charges for emergency care—not including medical evacuation. Some Medicare Advantage plans may also provide international coverage. Confirm your benefits with your insurer before departure.

Avoiding Seasickness. Modern ships have stabilizers to minimize the rocking that can cause motion sickness. But some regions—such as the North Atlantic in winter and the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica—can be very rough at times. Dramamine or Bonine (which is less likely to cause drowsiness) effectively treat motion sickness and work best when started a few days before sailing. If symptoms persist, the medical center can prescribe a scopolamine patch or pill. It’s effective but can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision.