Cruise fare tracking – how to save money on your next cruise

How do you know you get the best price when you book your cruise? Cruise fare tracking allows you to monitor the price of cruises over time, enabling you to book at the best price.

Everyone wants a great deal when booking a holiday. Regardless of how much your vacation costs, you want to feel you are getting value in return for your hard-earned money. You can save money on your next cruise vacation by watching prices. And this means more cash to spend on shore excursions or an extra night at a pre-cruise hotel.

This article explains what cruise fare tracking is, why it’s essential, and how it works. We will also provide names of cruise fare-tracking websites to help you find the best deals on your next cruise.

How cruise prices can fluctuate

When it comes to booking a cruise, timing is everything. Prices of cruises vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the region where you want to cruise, the cruise ship you choose, your cabin category, and the cruise itinerary.

The time of year you wish to cruise will also affect the price. For example, fees for a Caribbean cruise during the peak winter months may be significantly higher than those in the fall or spring. Additionally, costs for a balcony cabin may be higher than prices for an interior cabin.

Why is cruise fare tracking important?

Cruise fare tracking helps you stay on top of these fluctuations by monitoring prices over time. You can determine the best time to book your trip by tracking prices. The aim is to save money and get the best price possible when you book your cruise.

Additionally, you should track your cruise's price even after booking. It may be possible to get a refund of the difference in price if the cruise line lowers the cost of your cruise.

Cruise fare tracking tools provide transparency and allow you to compare prices across different itineraries and sailing dates, giving you more options when planning your vacation.

What are the best cruise fare tracking tools to use?

We recommend several excellent cruise fare-tracking websites to help you track prices for your chosen cruise.

Cruisewatch: This website allows you to submit a request for a cruise and then provides real-time price alerts. Use the tool as part of your planning before you book to find the best deal. And also, set up the alert even after you are already booked, and they will inform you of any price drop so that you can request a refund from the cruise line.

Follow the instructions when setting up your alert by entering information such as ship name, date of travel and name of the cruise, and your cabin category. Note that this website mainly focuses on American cruise lines and may not list every cruise line worldwide.

Cruise Critic: This is one of the best websites for checking cruise prices and joining groups of fellow cruisers traveling on the same itinerary as you on the same date. Follow the instructions, set up your price alerts, and receive an email confirmation. If you don’t see any emails, always check your spam folder, as occasionally, mail can get diverted there.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: If you are a fan of Royal Caribbean and are planning your next cruise with them, you’ll be pleased to know the cruise line has set up its price alert feature on its website. You must create an account and sign in to activate this feature.

Cruiseline.com: Set up your price alerts by entering the cruise you want to track, and receive price information by email. The best thing to do is to enter the same cruise information as you have done for other price alert websites and thereby be able to compare the prices for precisely the same sailing.

CruiseDirect.com: CruiseDirect is one of our favorite cruise providers and cruise price comparison websites. They offer a price guarantee and have access to great deals on all the major cruise lines.

Why do cruise prices fluctuate?

When using these websites, it’s important to remember that prices fluctuate for many reasons. For example, a cruise price can drop because a cruise is not filling up as quickly as the cruise line had hoped. However, it is also possible that a price drop could indicate that a particular sailing is not as desirable as others, for example, if the ship is older.

It is essential to research and read the cruise reviews before you decide. And by monitoring prices over time, you can determine the best time to book your trip and potentially save a significant amount of money.

What can I do if the price drops but I have already paid a deposit?

It can be frustrating if you have already paid a deposit for a cruise but later see the price drop. You need to contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly.

First, a good travel agent should inform you of a price drop and work on your behalf with the cruise line to have them match the new lower price to your existing booking. Travel agents should monitor the prices of cruises on behalf of their customers and pass on any savings to you.

If you booked directly, call the cruise line and ask them to adjust the price of your cruise so it matches their new, lower price. Many have a price protection policy. Be sure to read the policy when booking and understand the rules.

Once the cruise line has adjusted your price, it should send you a new booking confirmation with the new price. Most often, cruise lines only change the price before the final payment. In other words, if you have only paid the deposit.

Once your cruise is fully paid for, it is almost impossible to adjust your price, even if it is at a new lower cost. So don’t be in a hurry to pay for your cruise. Wait until the final payment deadline before paying the balance.

By understanding the terms and conditions of your booking when you book, you may be able to recoup some of the cost of your trip if the cruise line drops the price of your cruise. Additionally, keep an eye on the cruise fare tracking websites and set price alerts for your trip so you get the best price possible.