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Book directly through the cruise line... - Go Next Travel

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Very disappointed in the service of Go Next Travel. We are scheduled for Alaska cruise 8-18 August... read more

Had a blast at our recent travel with Go Next. We had an excellent Tour Leader, Mike Coles. All the... read more

Book directly through the cruise line & give this no service travel agency a pass!!!

If you want to be with your alumni on a cruise, just book on your own directly through the company offering the cruise and you'll still be with your alumni, just not through Go Next Travel. My husband bought a cruise for us through his Alumni Association and we had so much trouble with this travel agency. First and foremost, they tried to claim that they weren't a travel agency when the cruise line, Oceania, clearly showed that they were the travel agent on each travel document we received. Go Next Travel could not answer simple questions about the cruise or the Pre Cruise program and, claiming they weren't a travel agency, they really didn't seem to want to do anything for me. Because we booked through Go Next Travel, they owned the booking. So any changes to our air flight would have to go through Go Next Travel instead of through Oceania air. This is incredibly difficult since Go Next Travel tries to say they aren't a travel agency. Since the travel agency couldn't answer even simple questions about the cruise, I had to call Oceania to figure out which shore excursions to book. Each time I called I was told Oceania wasn't supposed to help me, my travel agent was, since I booked through a travel agent. Fortunately, a couple of the Oceania people did give me some shore excursion advice when I explained this situation. To be fair, the tour side of Go Next Travel did a good job once we got to Rome, where our "Pre Cruise" tour took place. But even for the Pre Cruise, the home office for Go Next was unwilling to give me information about the schedule of the Pre Cruise tours or even tell me what size of bed we would have in our hotel room before I got to Rome. I can see absolutely no advantage in booking through Go Next Travel. The one thing they did for me was greatly increased the stress level of planning for this trip

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Is It Best to Book a Cruise Last-Minute?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Cruising can be an excellent way to see multiple destinations in one trip. If you're considering booking a cruise soon, you may be wondering how to get the best deal. Do cruises get cheaper closer to departure? Is it best to book a cruise last-minute?

In short, last-minute cruise bookings could offer significant savings.

While booking a cruise last-minute isn’t the best option for everyone, it can be a win for your wallet if you're flexible and spontaneous. Find out what you need to know to book last-minute cruises.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for cruises

Last-minute cruise deals could offer savings

By booking a last-minute cruise deal a few weeks or a couple of months before sailing, you may be able to enjoy a more affordable vacation. Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins.

However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.

Many cruise lines offer significant discounts to cruisegoers who book a year or more in advance. But that doesn't mean you should ignore a last-minute cruise deal that interests you.

You should know that scoring a deal on a popular itinerary during peak travel periods will be more challenging. But if you're flexible and open to letting a great deal determine where and when you travel, you may save a significant amount of money by booking a last-minute cruise.

Below are some pointers that can help increase the chances of scoring a last-minute deal:

Cruise during the shoulder season

Traveling during peak season is more costly because of demand. Booking a cruise during the shoulder season — the time between peak season and low season — can be beneficial because demand is much lower, and cabins go unfilled.

If you have a flexible schedule, research cruises sailing during the shoulder season and monitor prices to find a last-minute deal.

Book a repositioning cruise to save more

Some itineraries don't sell as quickly, and you can benefit by booking a last-minute deal for these types of sailings. Repositioning cruises, also called one-way cruises, start and end in different ports.

These itineraries tend to be longer ocean crossings, and passengers can expect to spend a lot of time at sea.

While you may be able to save a lot of money by booking a repositioning cruise, you'll also want to consider airfare costs. Having to book two one-way flights can be costly.

That said, using airline credit card rewards to cover the cost of your flights could help reduce your expenses.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

How to find last-minute cruise deals

Here are a few ways to find a good price on a last-minute cruise:

Look for deals on each cruise line’s website : Many cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, have last-minute deals outlined on their website.

Use a price comparison tool to save: You can compare last-minute cruise deals using price comparison sites like Expedia, Priceline and TripAdvisor. 

Cruise-specific booking websites: You can also check for last-minute deals on cruise-specific booking websites like CruiseDirect, Cruises.com and Cruise Critic. 

Sign up for email alerts: You can sign up for your favorite cruise line's email list to be notified when money-saving deals are available.

» Learn more: Seven tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise

How much can you save by booking a last-minute cruise?

You're probably wondering how much money you can save by booking a last-minute cruise. The total savings potential depends on how and when you book your cruise, and what deals you find.

That said, it's possible to save 50% or more. We examined several last-minute deals for cruises departing within 30 days and found that some of the best deals offered savings from 60% to 70%. However, savings can vary.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

Considerations to make before booking a cheap cruise

If you plan to book a cruise deal, ensure you know what to expect first. Here are a few considerations you should make before confirming your trip:

Review booking terms

A last-minute cruise could save you money, but be sure to review the booking terms to avoid surprises. Your last-minute booking may be nonrefundable.

If you have to cancel your cruise, you may lose some or all of your money, depending on when you cancel.

Calculate all travel costs

While a cheap cruise may sound like a great deal, it's important to remember your other travel expenses.

If you live near a port, a last-minute cruise could be a bargain, but if you need to book airfare, your vacation could get expensive quickly. Airfare prices can be higher at the last minute, so research thoroughly before booking.

Cabin options may be limited

Many of the cheapest cabins book out well in advance, and many of the desirable cabins sell out early. That means you may have fewer cabin choices when booking at the last minute.

In some cases, the cruise line may choose a cabin for you. If you prefer a specific type of cabin, a last-minute cruise may not be the right fit for you.

» Learn more: 7 ways a cheap cruise gets pricey fast — and how to deal

Extras may be limited

Add-ons like drink packages and land excursions could be limited or more expensive when you book last-minute.

If you have your heart set on a particular experience, you may want to book your cruise well in advance to ensure you don’t miss out.

Last-minute cruises may not be for you if …

While many travelers can likely benefit from booking last-minute cruises, not all will. Booking at the last moment may not be a good option if any of the following are true:

You like to plan ahead.

You are picky about the type of cabin you get. 

You have specific preferences for certain excursions or add-ons.

You don't have a flexible schedule.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Last-minute cruise deals recapped

Are last minute cruises cheaper? Not always — but they can offer significant savings.

If you’re flexible, you may be able to save money by booking a cruise a few weeks or a couple of months before sailing. Just be sure you consider all of your travel costs and review booking terms first — and ensure you have a valid passport in hand if you need one.

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• Royal Caribbean International

Nextcruise worth it?

By honeymooner16 , June 15, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International

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honeymooner16

My family is going on a cruise in a month (HAPPY DANCE!) and I know I want to book our anniversary cruise for next year very shortly. Is it worth waiting til we get on board for next cruise benefits? I've never used it. We would likely book a large inside or spacious oceanview  (traveling with little kids, space is more important), so I don't imagine we'd get much in the way of OBC. Getting the room is more important. Wait or book directly through RC's website? 

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Try this: Do a mock booking onboard and then compare that with the NextCruise offer.

If you don't use Voom the computer center computers will load the RCI website for free.

outtoseacruise

I am waiting 2 weeks to book Spring Break 2023 for my daughters while onboard Adventure. Whenever possible in the past I would book @ NextCruise for the OBC and reduced deposits since it is so far out. 

We had a poor experience with Nextcruise, booking on Majesty for a future trip on Liberty. Many details were wrong and we basically had to rebuild the reservation once on shore. Benefits were not worth it to us -- we already get some C&A discount, with more to come after the next 2 cruises.

NateUpNorth

Mock book it beforehand, especially in a family situation with kids. Last time we tried NextCruise the cost was about 2k higher than what I had printed before we sailed.  (It was a KSF eligible cruise and I have no idea how/why they couldn't match, we just politely walked away when the rep said she couldn't see the price we had. It was on my vacation time after all)

I’ve only booked thru NextCruise twice, and both times, the agent acted disinterested, like I was a bother and wasting his time. I found no better pricing than I could pull up myself on the website. I don’t really care about a reduced deposit or a small obc, so I find better stuff to do onboard nowadays and book on my own. 

If desired cabins are limited, I would book sooner rather than later.

I only do Next Cruise for 7 days or more, since you get the $100 onboard credit if you book on the ship.  Short cruises, I just book from home

Cherries Jubilee

I appreciated the reduced deposit but their prices were too high on board so I took my certificate home and booked my cruise myself.

2 minutes ago, Cherries Jubilee said: I appreciated the reduced deposit but their prices were too high on board so I took my certificate home and booked my cruise myself.

Are you saying that the onboard cruises are priced higher than those booked, at the same time, off the ship?

smokeybandit

Worth it only if you can get NextCruise OBC. Prices aren't any different as what's advertised on their website.

Norwich Cruiser

52 minutes ago, Cigar King said: Are you saying that the onboard cruises are priced higher than those booked, at the same time, off the ship?

That’s what we’ve found.

We generally do a mock booing then get a costing from future cruise.

Never found them to be any cheaper.

Eddie Wilson

2 hours ago, HicksRA said: I’ve only booked thru NextCruise twice, and both times, the agent acted disinterested, like I was a bother and wasting his time. I found no better pricing than I could pull up myself on the website. I don’t really care about a reduced deposit or a small obc, so I find better stuff to do onboard nowadays and book on my own. 

I have also booked twice using nextcruise, and one was wonderful, the other a little on the.....going thru the motions.....bus.  Perhaps I just caught him on an off day.  After a bit of a mixup, I went back and another rep who was spot on wonderful fixed everything.

If you know you are booking, do the mock cruise ahead.  I did and they actually beat my mock price both times, plus only $100 pp deposit.

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Worth it only if you can get NextCruise OBC. Prices aren't any different as what's advertised on their website.

prices are the same as the web site, small OBC and if interested the biggest benefit i find is reduced deposit.  Also you can change the sailing for no charge within 30 days I belive

2 hours ago, Cigar King said: Are you saying that the onboard cruises are priced higher than those booked, at the same time, off the ship?

Yes, I pre-picked several cruises that I would be interested in booking before I left on my cruise and every one of them was more expensive when pricing them on board. I honestly don’t think I ever even asked them to price match though. Maybe it wouldn’t have been a problem.  

The representative I spoke with at Nextcruise was nice but it was a little more time consuming than I expected lol.

 I still have every intention upon getting a certificate the next time I cruise. 

Another_Critic

I never bothered with NextCruise in the past, since the OBC couldn't be combined with Shareholder OBC.

But that recently changed, so on my last cruise (late Feb. 2020), I booked 2 open bookings on the last night of my cruise.

The 1st booking I used, the cruise was canceled after final payment and I took the 125% FCC.

The 2nd booking I used on an Aug 2021 cruise that I L&S'ed to Sept 2022.  The reservation still only has the $100/person deposit from Feb 2020.

That much is true. There should be no new info that you get at the NextCruise desk. Do your homework before you get there.

Jingerwoppy

it can be hit and miss. We have gotten some good deals and a few "cheap" upgrades to higher class cabins. On one cruise, upon boarding we immediately went to the library and used the computers to look up future cruises. We found one that had a very reasonable rate for a junior suite (about $1100 per person) and when we went to NextCruise it priced out at $1350 for both of us. And on another cruise we upgraded from a junior suite to a grand suite for about $300 per person.  

Ourusualbeach

Many people commenting on higher prices at next cruise.  It really doesn’t matter if you are before final payment.  Call Royal and have them adjust the price just like you would for a price drop.  One cruise I didn’t even wait until we returned to the US, I had an international plan and called from one of the islands and got the lower price.    

While prices should be the same on board as they are on the website it’s really not a big deal if they aren’t. 

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said: Many people commenting on higher prices at next cruise.  It really doesn’t matter if you are before final payment.  Call Royal and have them adjust the price just like you would for a price drop.  One cruise I didn’t even wait until we returned to the US, I had an international plan and called from one of the islands and got the lower price.     While prices should be the same on board as they are on the website it’s really not a big deal if they aren’t. 

We have called and had them reduce our price before but I don’t think we ever had OBC when we had it adjusted.  Does OBC make a difference on adjustments?

4 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said: We have called and had them reduce our price before but I don’t think we ever had OBC when we had it adjusted.  Does OBC make a difference on adjustments?

The OBC from a next cruise remains on the reservation even with price adjustments.

Booking on Board has become a Joke.

It is funny going by and looking in at the "next cruise" store on the ship.

All the saps waiting there turn to see the "exclusive on-board sales consultants", acting like they are getting some sort of insiders bargain on a piece of  high-end luxury real estate.

Just go through an good online TA if you want better price or extra perks..

If you book through Nextcruise is the deposit refundable and can you switch the booking to a TA in order to get their OBC?

3 hours ago, matj2000 said: Just go through an good online TA if you want better price or extra perks..

Why not do both.  You can book onboard and then transfer your booking to a TA.

• 1 year later...

Has there been any change with this? From what I can tell NEXT Cruise really isn’t worth it.

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The 1 thing savvy cruisers do to save more on their next cruise

Savvy cruisers have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to saving money on cruise fares — because the less they spend, the more often they can cruise. But there's one thing repeat cruisers often do that many newbies don't even know exists as a money-saving option.

The trick? Booking a future cruise while you are already on board a cruise ship.

You may have seen this type of booking referenced as a "next cruise" or "future cruise" booking on a social media cruise group or in an advertisement on a ship. Almost every cruise line offers a way to do it because it's much easier to convince you to book another fabulous trip while you are blissfully enjoying your relaxing getaway and never wanting it to end. Plus, folks in vacation mode already have their wallets open, ready to spend on more fun.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What's in it for the cruiser? Cheaper deposits, competitive rates or discounts, and gifts of onboard credit. In other words, savings that should make your next vacation cheaper.

You may be wondering if there are any drawbacks to this strategy or if it really is free money in your pocket. I dug into the process to see how it works on most major cruise lines and what you stand to gain or lose.

Here's everything you need to know about booking a future cruise on your current sailing.

The basics of booking your next cruise on board your current cruise

Future cruise booking is facilitated on most large ships at a specific office or desk, usually in a high-traffic location. You'll often need to schedule an appointment with a consultant who can walk you through the savings offered and the terms and conditions of the booking.

On some ships, you may be invited to join the consultant for a special preview event of upcoming new ships or itineraries. This may be done in a small group setting or with a larger group in a lounge area on board.

You will generally be offered a discounted cruise fare, onboard credit (often in higher amounts than you can find elsewhere) and a lower-than-normal deposit. You may even have access to cabin inventory not yet available to the general public, including on new ships.

If you booked the cruise you are on with a travel agent , the next-cruise booking will automatically transfer to the same agent. If you booked directly with the cruise line but want to use an agent next time, the consultant can set that up for you as well, though there may be a time limit for adding an agent with some cruise lines.

Some cruise lines give you the option to put down an "open" deposit without applying it to a specific cruise. For those who don't want to spend precious cruise time listening to sales pitches, some cruise lines make it easy to pay an open booking deposit via the Royal Caribbean cruise app or by filling out a simple form and returning it to the future cruise desk.

Related: Cruise payment plans: All you need to know about paying for a cruise

When booking a future cruise during your vacation, it's important that you understand the terms and conditions. In some cases, deposits are nonrefundable, meaning if you change your mind and don't go on the cruise you book, you may forfeit the deposit. Open bookings have a cutoff date for you to book a cruise and apply the onboard deposit. If you miss that cutoff date, again, you may lose the deposit.

Changes to your onboard booking could also result in your reservation reverting to the prevailing rate at the time of the change — which could be a higher amount than what you paid on board.

Every cruise line handles onboard cruise bookings slightly differently. Here's what the major cruise lines offer for booking your next cruise while on board.

Royal Caribbean's NextCruise program

Royal Caribbean 's current deal gets you up to $600 (depending on the cruise you book) in onboard credit for putting down as little as $100 (nonrefundable) toward your next cruise. If you'd like the deposit to be refundable, you can opt for a $150 deposit.

The deposit required for an open booking is $200. Open-booking deposits are nonrefundable, but you have one full year to pick your cruise. You can make an open booking via a drop-off form or within the cruise app. You can book up to three staterooms for yourself, friends or family members with the same benefits.

The NextCruise program also pairs with Casino Royale instant certificates given for reaching certain levels of gameplay in the casino during your cruise. If you earn a certificate and then pay for a deposit toward a future cruise, you may be eligible for a bonus offer.

In most cases, the bonus is free casino play added to your next cruise. In a few cases, these bonuses can even be free cruises, so you don't want to miss out just because you didn't do a NextCruise deposit. The bonus is earned for any deposit, even on open bookings placed through the app. To learn the details about instant certificates (and whether you have earned one), you can visit the casino host on board.

Related: I earned a 'free' cruise in a ship casino — here's what it cost, plus tips for getting comped

Best thing about Royal Caribbean's NextCruise program

The top offer of $600 in onboard credit (based on length of cruise, number of people and cabin category) is one of the highest offers in the industry. That amount can be applied to beverage packages, specialty dinners, Wi-Fi or even shopping on board.

Though your open-booking deposit is valid for a year, you only get the dollars-off or onboard credit offers if you choose your cruise within two months of making the deposit.

Carnival's Future Cruise Vacation program

You can visit with a Carnival Cruise Line Adventures Expert while on board to learn more about booking a future cruise vacation, but the line also makes it easy to handle all the arrangements yourself, either online or in the FunHub app. You'll get Early Saver rates with price protection, upgrades , 50% off standard deposits and up to $50 per stateroom or up to $100 per suite in onboard credit.

The best thing about Carnival's Future Cruise Vacation program

Carnival also has a Welcome Home program that allows you to take advantage of these offers for up to four weeks after you return home from your cruise. You don't have to spend time during your cruise making decisions. You can wait until you are unpacked and wishing you were still on board enjoying the food and fun.

The FCV offers are not combinable with other promotions. That means you can't stack onboard credit from an FCV with your VIFP loyalty program status offers or any other special rate classes.

NCL's CruiseFirst and CruiseNext programs

Norwegian Cruise Line has a unique CruiseFirst program that allows anyone to put down an open deposit for a future cruise right from the website, even if you haven't ever cruised with the line.

CruiseFirst deposits are valid for cruises that are six nights or longer and begin at least 120 days after purchase. You have three full years to pick and take your cruise. Your choices are to purchase a $150 CruiseFirst certificate to receive $300 off the cruise you select or purchase a $250 CruiseFirst certificate worth $500 off the cruise you book.

When you are on board a cruise ship, you can save on your next cruise and the one you're on by purchasing CruiseNext deposits in either $250 or $500 denominations. You use the $250 denomination CruiseNext deposit as a full deposit for non-suite categories, or as partial payment of suite deposits. The $500 deposits are full deposits for bookings in suites or The Haven.

You buy the deposits on board and then have four years to apply them to any reservation you make. The reward for purchasing CruiseNext deposits on board is the instant onboard credit they earn for the cruise you are on.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Buying one of either denomination ($250 or $500) earns $100 in onboard credit; buy two and earn $250 in onboard credit or three for $375 onboard credit. You earn $500 for buying four deposits of either denomination. CruiseNext deposits are only valid as deposits (not payments) and only one may be applied per new cruise booking outside of special Double Up promotions.

The best things about Norwegian's CruiseFirst and CruiseNext programs

CruiseFirst is an ingenious way for anyone to save on an NCL cruise. As long as the cruise you are planning is at least four months away (120 days), it's absurd not to double your deposit money by buying a CruiseFirst certificate to apply.

The coolest part about CruiseNext is that you get to use the reward right away — even to pay for the CruiseNext deposits themselves. If you buy four $250 CNDs for $1,000, the charge goes on your onboard account. But guess what? The terms and conditions specifically state you can use the nonrefundable onboard credits given for buying the CNDs to pay for the purchase. That essentially makes the $250 deposits double in value when you buy two, three, four, six or eight, which is the maximum purchase.

The two programs are not combinable. That means you cannot apply both a CruiseFirst certificate and a CruiseNext deposit to the same cruise. That does not mean you cannot use a CruiseFirst certificate to book your first NCL cruise, then buy your CruiseNext deposits while on board. Both programs are guided by a slew of terms and conditions, mostly pertaining to expiration dates and use with other offers, so be sure to read them carefully before making a purchase.

Celebrity Cruises' Future Cruise Vacation program

Celebrity Cruises ' onboard booking program offers two options — Book Now and Book Later. Both offers give you initial deposits as low as $100, as well as up to $500 in onboard credit (based on cabin category and length of sailing) on your next cruise.

You're also guaranteed the best promotional fare available at the time you book. If you wish to choose your cruise later, you have one year to finalize the arrangements using your Book Later deposit.

The best thing about Celebrity's Future Cruise Vacation program

No appointment with a consultant is needed if you want to choose the Book Later option. A convenient drop-off form is available.

You definitely need to choose wisely with these deposits. In most cases, changes to your reservation will result in a forfeit of the onboard credit and a change in rate to the applicable rate of the new cruise chosen.

Virgin Voyages' My Next Virgin Voyage program

While on board a Virgin Voyages cruise, you can opt into the My Next Virgin Voyage program by paying a $300 deposit either at the Get Lost desk on board or via an online link within the Sailor App. The deposit can be used on bookings made within the next two years. The deposits are valid only on Sea Terrace or higher accommodations, and the cabin category must be chosen at the time the deposit is paid on board.

Buying the deposit earns $300 in onboard credit (known on Virgin as "Sailor Loot") for use on the future cruise, as well as a $300 discount on the final invoiced amount of the next voyage.

The best things about Virgin Voyages' My Next Virgin Voyage program

Virgin's deal gives you money off your next cruise plus the onboard credit. Each cruiser may purchase four $300 deposits, each of which can be applied one per booking on future cruises for you or your travel mates. The deposits are transferable once to another traveler. Current promotions have doubled the Sailor Loot to $600 until further notice.

Related: First impressions of Scarlet Lady, the first Virgin Voyages vessel

Virgin Voyages is pretty relaxed about things like date changes within certain limitations. However, if you wish to downgrade your reservation below the Sea Terrace level, you will forfeit all of the bonuses.

Disney Cruise Line's Placeholder reservations

Disney Cruise Line doesn't explain which promotions will be offered for booking on board, just that you can discover the advantages of onboard bookings by scanning the QR code at guest services. People on board recently are reporting the current offering is a reduced deposit of $250 and 10% off the prevailing cruise rate. The Placeholder deposit is valid for two years and can be purchased in the Navigator app while on board.

The best thing about Disney Placeholder reservations

Disney cruises are pricey, so any discount you can get is a reason to book on board.

Related: How to save money on a Disney cruise

Placeholder reservations cannot be used on select cruise sail dates, including those taking place over major holidays. They may also not be used for guaranteed room categories (where Disney chooses your cabin location) or combined with other rate specials.

Princess Cruises' Future Cruise Deposits

Princess Cruises keeps things simple with an offer of up to $150 in onboard credit with the purchase of a refundable deposit of $100 per person, which secures your cruise until final payment. The amount awarded depends on the length of cruise you book and the cabin category. You can book a specific sailing on board with the cruise consultant or leave your deposit as an open booking, in which case the deposits will show up in your My Princess Circle Savings account.

The best things about Princess Future Cruise Deposits

Princess FCDs are fully refundable. If not used within two years, they are automatically refunded to the purchasing credit card. Purchases can be made in person at the Future Cruise Office on board or via a drop-off form.

When Princess says "fully refundable," it means prior to final payment on your chosen cruise. Once final payment is made, standard cancellation policies kick in, and your deposit may not be refunded. Also, FCDs may not be applied to world cruises or any world cruise segment.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Onboard Savings program

Any Regent Seven Seas cruise you book from 30 days prior to an upcoming cruise until the final day of a current cruise is eligible for savings of up to $4,000 per suite, along with $200 in shipboard credit, which can be applied to the current cruise or to the one you book. You'll also pay a reduced deposit, as low as $500 per person.

The best things about Regent's Onboard Savings program

That 30-day advance window is something you won't find elsewhere. Just when you're getting antsy to get on board, you can book the next trip and be rewarded with savings. You are also allowed a one-time change of your advance booking.

Waitlisted cruises are not eligible for the Onboard Savings Program.

Viking Cruises' Past Guest Travel Credit

Viking cruise ships have cruise consultants on board who can help you book any cruise across the line's ocean, river and expedition fleets. These consultants often have low deposits and discounted fares to offer.

But in a new twist on future cruise bookings, Viking offers repeat customers travel credits for all bookings within two years of their last sailing. Reserve your next cruise within one year of your last and you'll earn $200 in credit. Book within two years of your most recent cruise and you'll earn $100.

The travel credits are not onboard credits; they can only be applied to the purchase of a Viking cruise.

The best thing about Viking's Past Guest Travel Credit

All recent cruisers have the opportunity to participate, and you aren't limited to booking on board to be rewarded for your loyalty to the brand.

The travel credits may not be combinable with certain offers, so read the fine print carefully.

Holland America's Future Cruise program

Book your next cruise with the future cruise consultant on board a Holland America ship and you will get onboard credit and pay a reduced deposit. Amounts vary based on length of the booked cruise and cabin category.

Cruises of 3-10 days in length earn $50-$150 in onboard credit per person; cruises of 11-21 days earn $125-$250; cruises of 22-50 days earn $225-$375; and cruises of 51-plus days earn $350-$500.

Reduced deposits start at $100 per person for cruises up to 21 days, $300 for cruises of 22-50 days and $1,000 for cruises of 51-plus days.

You can put the booking under your travel agent's name, so you can work with them leading up to the sailing.

The best thing about Holland America's Future Cruise program

Holland America has one of the most extended expiration dates on its onboard booking perks. The deposit you make on board is valid for four years (and you must apply it to a booking for a cruise departing within four years from the deposit date).

If you choose to put down an open-ended deposit, rather than choosing a specific sailing at time of booking, but don't manage to choose a cruise within four years, the deposit amount will be refunded.

The onboard booking perks do not apply to cruises shorter than three days, world cruises, Grand Voyages or segments of those longer sailings. If you need to cancel the cruise you booked on board, you can apply the deposit to another voyage but you'll forfeit the onboard credit.

MSC Cruises' Future Cruise program

Book your next MSC cruise on board a ship, and you'll receive $20 to $200 in onboard credit per cabin, based on the length of the sailing booked and the cabin category. You can also earn double points with the MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program.

Cruisers can switch their future cruise deposit to a different sail date at any time before final payment without penalty; however, you would be responsible for any difference in fares.

The line claims that if you find a lower price advertised by MSC Cruises on the same sailing after you book on board (but before final payment), you can request a one-time price match.

The best thing about MSC Cruises' Future Cruise program

No other cruise line offers extra loyalty program points for booking on board. With this perk, not only does booking on a ship earn you some extra shipboard spending money, but it helps you fast-track your rise up the elite status ranks, should you be a devoted MSC cruiser.

The Future Cruise bonuses are combinable with other MSC Cruises offers, including Voyagers Club offers exclusive to loyalty program members.

Bottom line

If you find yourself enjoying the cruise you're on, one way to save on your next vacation at sea is to book it on board your cruise ship or, in some cases, immediately upon returning home.

Not only will an onboard booking almost always involve a lower deposit to hold the cruise, but it likely will get you the best available promotional offer and earn you valuable onboard credit. Savvy cruisers often max out onboard opportunities by booking all their cruises on board or by paying open-ended deposits on future cruises they can book at their leisure.

As long as you read the fine print and are aware of any restrictions or limitations, you may find yourself swimming in an ocean of cruise discounts and onboard credit that can help pay for all those cruise extras.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Read our signature day by day cruise reviews for cruise ships from major brands including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and more. We provide honest feedback of the cruise ship, dining, amenities, entertainment, and more.

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Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

C ruise lines offer shore excursions for your convenience. Instead of spending hours reading up on a port, crafting the perfect eight-hour activity schedule or researching local tour guides, you can simply choose from a list of curated tour options. Easy peasy ... except you can still screw it up.

If you want the perfect day in port, you need to be savvy about your tour planning. Avoid rookie mistakes, and never do these 10 things when booking shore excursions for your next cruise.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Don't skip the destination research

Cruise line shore excursions try to cover the most popular sights and attractions in a destination, but your ship might not offer a tour to every interesting spot in or near the port. If you don't do your own destination research and only make your tour decisions based on what the cruise line is offering, you might miss out on an activity you'd enjoy more.

Take the time to do some independent sleuthing for each port on your itinerary before deciding how to spend your limited, precious time ashore. Perhaps you'd prefer a local hike you can do on your own, a religious site that's especially meaningful to you, or an attraction or tour that relates to one of your specific hobbies or interests.

Related: Tips and tricks to make your first cruise go smoothly

Don't ignore the reviews

Can you tell the difference between an overcrowded tourist trap and a fabulous site from the shore excursion description? I can't, and neither can anyone else. The marketing copy is designed to sell the tour.

Read what other travelers have to say about a specific excursion or attraction before plunking down your money and signing up for that tour. You don't even need to seek out a third-party site. Some cruise lines have shore excursion reviews right on their websites.

Don't gloss over the fine print

Cruise lines provide a lot of details about a shore excursion, from how long it lasts to how much physical activity is involved and how you'll be exploring. Yet so many cruisers don't bother to read the full description or the fine print. If you skip this step, you won't realize that the bus tour only passes by, rather than stops at, a famous cathedral or museum. Or, you might miss a note explaining that there's no free time or food included.

I went on a tour in Cagliari, Sardinia, sold as a long morning of walking on cobblestoned streets. One elderly passenger, struggling and out of breath, turned to me and said, "I had no idea this tour would involve so much walking!" I had to bite my tongue. Who would have guessed that about a tour called "Exploring Cagliari On Foot?"

If you want to know exactly what you're booking, take the time to read the complete description.

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts

Don't neglect the independent option

Cruise line tours are convenient, but they're not always the most customizable or economical options. If you're traveling as a family or with a group of friends, you might be better off hiring your own guide for the day. Not only could it be less expensive than five or six shore excursion tickets, but you'll also be able to create a tour based on your interests.

Even couples traveling alone might find more affordable group tours offered by independent operators or tour options not offered by the cruise line. Online message boards and Facebook groups can be great resources for finding other travelers on your cruise ship interested in joining you on a private tour.

Don't book your excursions too late

Not all shore excursions are large group bus tours with multiple departures. Boat trips and cycling tours might have caps on the number of participants, and some tour times are more popular than others. In some ports, cruise lines might arrange a special experience — such as Cognac blending or pasta making — that is meant for a small group.

If you have your heart set on a particular tour, don't assume it will have space available if you wait to book until you board your cruise ship. Look over the shore excursion options in advance, and be ready to reserve your spot online as soon as they open for booking. If not, you risk losing out on the opportunity to have that cool once-in-a-lifetime experience, such as salmon fishing in Alaska or wagyu sampling in Japan.

Related: What can you do if your cruise cancels port calls?

Don't ignore your personal limitations

Easily carsick? Hawaii's winding Road to Hana is not for you. Not physically fit? Skip the hiking and biking tours, no matter how fun they sound. Usually the first to get seasick? A catamaran ride is the wrong choice.

Don't let the romance of a tour description convince you to overlook your physical limitations. Overdo it, and you'll waste a vacation day feeling miserable — or, worse, end up with an injury. No beautiful waterfall or ancient ruin is worth that.

Don't assume you need an organized tour

Don't feel compelled to take a tour just because one is offered. Plenty of ports don't require a shore excursion. Some — like St. Tropez or Mykonos — are truly lovely places to wander, get lost in the shop-lined streets and end up at an alfresco restaurant for a long, wine-soaked lunch.

Just be sure to read up on the area around the dock so that you know whether you'll be pulling right up to the center of the action or if sightseeing on your own requires a shuttle or a cab. Grab a tourist map, or use a map app on your phone so you don't get lost.

Related: 16 things you shouldn't leave a cruise ship without trying once

Don't go-go-go all day, every day

In a misguided attempt to maximize their vacation time, some cruise travelers make a point to book all-day tours on every port day, exhausting themselves with endless sightseeing or active endeavors in the hot Caribbean sun. Especially on port-intensive itineraries, this can lead to excursion burnout.

Your best vacation is made up of activities that make you happy. When you're in the sun-drenched Caribbean , it's perfectly OK to skip the waterfall hike or the visit to a rum distillery and book a resort pass to spend the day on a cushy lounge chair by a quiet pool, frozen drink in hand.

Don't cancel at the last minute

Most cruise lines allow you to cancel your shore excursion plans with a certain amount of notice. You can take advantage of that flexibility by booking tours early to reserve a spot and canceling if you find a more interesting private tour or decide that you'd rather have a day to wander on your own.

If you don't want to forfeit the price of the tour, however, you need to cancel in advance, usually one or two days before that port of call. If you contact the shore excursion desk that morning to say you're not feeling well and want to skip out, you'll still get charged on your final cruise bill.

Related: 15 ways the cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish

If you came all this way on a cruise to see the local sights, don't let the cost of exploring limit that experience. Staying on the ship — or wandering the sometimes-sad area right by a port — is no way to get good value from your cruise vacation.

Budget wisely for in-port exploration when you plan your sailing so you can experience the attractions and activities that sold you on the destination in the first place. If you have to, skip that massage or cocktail — things you can easily get back home — in order to afford a couple of excursions. After all, who knows when you'll be back in that part of the world again?

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• Autonomous Cars /

Cruise will resume robotaxi tests after one of its cars ran someone over

There’s likely a long road ahead before it can recommence commercial operations..

By Quentyn Kennemer , a writer who helps The Verge's readers save money by surfacing the best tech deals and presenting the latest product recommendations from our experts. He has covered tech and gaming for all of his 15-plus-year career for publications like Forbes, Business Insider, and more.

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Cruise has announced that it’s resuming tests for its fleet of self-driving taxis in Phoenix, Arizona , though not with passengers just yet. The autonomous vehicle maker says it will start with humans behind the wheel, with no passengers and no autonomous driving mechanisms engaged.

In California, lawmakers banned the GM subsidiary from operating its vehicles in the state after one of them ran over a San Francisco pedestrian and dragged them over 20 feet in October, after another vehicle threw the victim into the robotaxi’s path. That was just weeks after another incident where one of Cruise’s vehicles collided with a fire truck after failing to properly yield to the truck’s emergency signals.

The company’s been dealing with the fallout ever since; Cruise first paused operations nationwide and issued a software update to 950 of its vehicles to change how the cars respond to crash events, amidst multiple investigations into the incidents. They’ve caused something of a mass exodus in the company, starting with then CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt and nine other leaders. Cruise also laid off 24 percent of its workforce shortly after.

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Cruise says its intent with renewed testing is to help improve its systems by collecting more road data to continue feeding its machine learning model, and that it hopes to eventually resume human-supervised autonomous tests in Phoenix. It picked the city, it says, based on its “strong history” of supporting automotive innovation and because many of its employees reside there.

Cruise has a lot of work ahead to prove that its driverless cars are ready to fully return to the road. To our knowledge, California hasn’t lifted the original ban it imposed, though the state has apparently made the company’s path to redemption clear. “The DMV has provided Cruise with the steps needed to apply to reinstate its suspended permits,” the California Department of Motor Vehicles wrote last October. Addressing those concerns, whatever they are, would be a big step toward establishing some goodwill.

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