Families on a budget looking for a cheap holiday often look to caravan holidays, camping, holiday chalets and other types of self-catering accommodation for a cheap getaway. A cruise holiday, on the other hand is something that’s probably never considered by most. People assume that cruises are extravagant affairs which cost thousands of pounds. However, that isn’t always the case.
In reality, family cruises can offer outstanding value for money, as pretty much everything is included in the price. Read on to find out why you should consider a cruise holiday, whatever your budget.
Everything is included
A typical cruise holiday includes much more than accommodation on-board your ship – you’ll also get all meals and snacks, certain drinks, evening entertainment and free kids’ clubs from morning until night. On-board activities such as swimming pools, water slides, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, bumper cars, ice skating, cinema and ziplining (to name but a few) are all free of charge on-board too.
If you choose one of the many fly cruise deals that are available, you’ll also get flights and transfers included in the price of your cruise. However, with so many cruise ships departing from Southampton, you really don’t need to fly at all if you don’t want to.
The all-inclusive price of cruise holidays means that parents can know exactly how much they’re spending. Rather than shelling out £2 here and there for ice creams, not to mention the hefty price of things like meals out, taxis and entrance to attractions, you can know exactly how much your holiday will cost from the day you book it.
Short cruises
To keep costs down, choose a cruise which lasts between two and five nights for the lowest prices. Mini cruises usually visit one or two destinations and give you just enough time to experience life on board your ship. The majority of people who take a mini cruise love it so much that they then go on to book a longer voyage.
When to book for the best deals
Whilst many people swear by booking holidays late to get the best discounts, the opposite is true for cruise holidays, especially for families. Those looking for last minute cruise deals are often left disappointed to find that there is nothing left, or that the few remaining cabins have risen in price because there is a large demand.
The best time to book a family cruise holiday is as soon as it goes on sale, which is usually 12 to 24 months before the sailing date. As more and more families are getting in to cruising (demand is growing more quickly than cruise lines can build ships), family cabins which sleep three, four or five are becoming in short supply. Family cabins on cruises departing during the school holidays can sometimes sell out on the very day that they are released for sale!
Budgeting tips
Booking a cruise a year or two in advance gives you the advantage of having plenty of time to save up for it. If you book your cruise with a travel agent which lets you pay be direct debit with no interest and no deposit, you can pay for your cruise in manageable monthly instalments over a long period of time.
This article was provided by Jenni Fielding who writes for Cruise118.com
