Let's talk about the cheapest cruise price per day that you have scored and how you did it.

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, All-ready2cruise said:

So, speaking of the cheapest cruise, did anyone notice the Sky, 4-day Dec. 2-6 $109... 0 single supp.  + 153 Taxes & fees = 262.39 and, you can choose a FAS promo?? 😉

 

GTY cabin Inside BTW

There is also a promo, so for a limited time you can apply one full CruiseNext certificate to that short cruise, effectively making it even less expensive.

[All-ready2cruise]

Yes, I thought of that too... was thinking of a B2B... 1 CNC each. Pretty good deal. 

[jskinsd]

1 hour ago, FLAHAM said:

Looking for the most enjoyable and memorable vacation that I can afford...not the cheapest.  

So does this mean that you are still looking for that MOST enjoyable vacation that you can remember and afford?  Hope you find your cruise.  All my cruises have been enjoyable, memorable, and cheaper than most.  I like to save money and spend it later on another cruise.

[cruisequeen4ever]

Loved this thread! Some of those deals were incredible! I don’t have kids so can’t benefit from the 3/4 free deals, but if I did have children, I’d be all over them!

[bearette]

$38.89 per person for 4 in an inside on the Spirit for 9 days over Thanksgiving in Europe, booked it a month before and it went down $500 two days later. I was so mad, but the gave me half in onboard credit. Airfare was about $900 each since we booked a month ahead.  We fly out of LAD so not bad that short notice.

 

For inside in Alaska I booked two days before and paid $202 for air and that was $78.57 pope in an inside (cheap considering taxes are as much as the cruise.) That was three years ago on the NFL Jewel.

 

Right after 9/11, before kids, we paid less than $200 for air to Orlando and two in a Disney Magic inside for $60.71 and that included the tips. On RCCL the week before Christmas last year I booked kids sail free and paid the same above for a balcony on the Vision of the Seas.

[Oldgoat61]

We were able to get a Panama Canal (14 days/balcony/ 2013) on the Pearl, LA to Mia for $82pppd which included tx.  This was before the gty option was instituted.

Edited November 17, 2019 by Oldgoat61

[adoris]

This past September a 3 day repo Vancouver to LA on the Royal Princess.  Inside cabin $32 CDN per day, but with taxes $62 CDN per day.

[MaryZ]

Breakaway in I guess January 2013.  $499 pp with free drink package and I'm pretty sure it was 9 nights of specialty meals.  That $499 included all taxes. 

It was a 2 week cruise.

So $36 a day pp for an inside cabin.

[Steve551]

Won 2 poker cruises for 2019 (RCL & NCL). Next "free" cruise 12/1/19 on the Getaway (except for taxes and port fees). Flying using points = an inexpensive vacation. I haven't figured up the cost per day but it isn't much.

 

[emdia43]

Booked a 4 day followed by 5 day cruise in the W Mediterranean on Navigator of the seas. I paid a total of $399 each plus taxes, I don't remember what they were. I booked a guarantee inside and we got free upgrades, first leg was a superior OV with balcony, second leg was a Promenade view room.    So, $399 ÷9=  $44.33 per day plus tax/port fees.    A bargain!  It was very last minute - I booked Mon during the night and flew to Barcelona on Thurs night, having got round trip tickets for $360 each.  I kept waiting to get emails saying Sorry, we told you the wrong price, it's really much higher, but that's what we paid.

Edited November 17, 2019 by emdia43

[Kazzygirl]

15 hours ago, Tapi said:

One thing that helps us keep the pp/pd cost down is because we are a family of 4. I look for cruises that offer either reduced or free 3rd/4th fares which helps bring the average per person cost down . That’s the case with our upcoming Holland America cruise. The 3rd and 4th person in the stateroom are sailing for free. 
 

Also, when we sail on Holland America, we use a website which allows us to obtain quotes from several travel agencies. We’ve learned that Holland does offer considerably better pricing to some agencies so it pays off to go through this process. Our currently booked cruise was over $1,000 cheaper than the HAL website just by booking through one of these preferred travel agencies. 
 

Between the 3rd/4th fare promo and the travel agency discount, we couldn’t find a cheaper cruise departing that same weekend. I looked at all the usual suspects, Royal, Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian and nothing came close. 

I know we are not supposed to recommend specific TA or sites but could you give a hint LOL.As a Aussie we often get slugged with higher fees compared to US and European passengers. I have just booked a cruise for December on a US site smart cruser ( incorrect spelling on purpose to avoid being removed) at a great reduction even after currency conversion.

Any leads to get a bargain much appreciated.

[tallnthensome]

14 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

Looking for the most enjoyable and memorable vacation that I can afford...not the cheapest.  

There is certainly nothing wrong with the original poster’s approach and I do like threads like this. On that note, I tend to agree with what you’re saying. I would never cruise with my family of four in a manner where each time we went it would be on the cheapest cruise I could find. I wouldn’t want to do it that way because overall experience, ship quality, and destination are too important . We also take longer cruises. I too like a deal and usually I do it by comparing the itinerary Along with price and to every other major cruise line all things compared. Did the MSC Seaside with my family right when it came out in a balcony for $75 per person per day. I also got in on the pricing error for the Encore when they accidentally priced balcony cabins for 4 with three perks for $500 less than an inside cabin with one perk. They corrected the error the next day but I still have it booked for spring break 2021 with that $1500 mistake, lol! 

[Starry Eyes]

15 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Yes, I thought of that too... was thinking of a B2B... 1 CNC each. Pretty good deal. 

Pretty good deal...You are a master of understatement.  Others have noticed.  While doing the b2b on Sun with similar deals this month, we met a guy who had been on board for a month of b2b2b2b’s 

[All-ready2cruise]

B2Bs are my dream vacation. 1st one  I ever did was 25 days and would love to find another like that but, most are too expensive, being solo and Canadian makes it a bit more difficult.  Doesn't stop me from looking though, 😁 .

[ray98]

17 hours ago, jskinsd said:

All my cruises have been enjoyable, memorable, and cheaper than most.  I like to save money and spend it later on another cruise.

 

Yup....we will basically take 3 cruises this year for the same price as my friends who just had to cruise in July because  its vacation season.

[jimbri]

Great thread.  We sail out of NY since it means just taking metro north to the port.  I do shop around and get some deals but nowhere near as good as many of you!!  

[HuliHuli]

11 hours ago, Steve551 said:

Won 2 poker cruises for 2019 (RCL & NCL). Next "free" cruise 12/1/19 on the Getaway (except for taxes and port fees). Flying using points = an inexpensive vacation. I haven't figured up the cost per day but it isn't much.

 

But, how much did you have to wager in the casino to get those cruises.  That is clearly part of the cost, no?

[Peachypooh]

I have sailed insides and oceanview but found I  get that "closed in" feeling.

I also can't stand in lines and don't really qualify for a wheelchair.

So I book the Haven. That said, Haven is never cheap but I do keep track of the per

day cost and try to keep it as low as possible. We have done OS  for around $500 per

day ($250 pp) for quite a few times. To me that is OK as it would be much more

than that for the same room/food/entertainment experience on a land based vacation.

[jskinsd]

1 hour ago, ray98 said:

 

Yup....we will basically take 3 cruises this year for the same price as my friends who just had to cruise in July because  its vacation season.

On my last Panama Canal cruise I met a couple who spent over $15000 (Haven) on the same cruise that I spent just under $1000 with all my costs(tips,travel and hotel).  I hope they got what they paid for.  I do not think I have spent over $15000 on my last 10 cruises this year.  Last minute bookings, Cruise Next and travel agent OBC help a lot.

[jskinsd]

1 hour ago, jimbri said:

Great thread.  We sail out of NY since it means just taking metro north to the port.  I do shop around and get some deals but nowhere near as good as many of you!!  

It has taken many years and many cruises to learn how to cruise cheaper than most.  Just knowing you have saved money is reward enough.  And the more you cruise the chances are better you will get great prices in the future.  Having flexibility helps out with last minute cruises.

[Steve551]

2 hours ago, HuliHuli said:

But, how much did you have to wager in the casino to get those cruises.  That is clearly part of the cost, no?

I won the Royal Caribbean cruise, which included Ocean View cabin and a seat in their main event, for $100.

The NCL cruise, which included Inside Cabin and a seat in their main event, for $100.

 

The RCL I was on an Ante-Up Poker cruise.  I wasn't doing well on the cash tables that day so I went upstairs to the casino just in time to enter their $100 satellite. I ran so well that I took a huge chip advantage to the final table. I ended up heads up against a guy who was playing in his first poker tournament. His wife was watching and when he won the first hand she got so excited because she thought he had won the cruise....  I almost hated to win....almost LOL

[molole]

On November 16, 2019 at 10:55 AM, jskinsd said:

I just completed 8 weeks in Alaska on the Jewel.  Balcony (BX) $599 and no supplement, taxes and port fee $205.  Used two CN for $500.  And had OBC to take care of my on board tips.  804-500=$304 total for a solo in a balcony for a week.  This was the second week of a B2B.  First week  Inside (IX) $299 no supplement, taxes and port fees $234 fora total of $533.  Used two CN on this one two.  533-500=$33.  Had to pay for tips on this one.  I was also able to purchased $1000 of CN for only $150.  So my $1000 of CN that I purchased went towards $1000 for my next B2B.  I was able to use $3000 of CN towards my eight cruises I took in Alaska this year.

Just got off the Joy last month.  16 day Panama Canal.  Balcony (BX) $699, taxes and port fees $446 minus $500 CN for a total of $645.  I think I do pretty good.  

I would like to thank CruiseCritic and Budget Queen for all your help over all the years.

Looking at the Joy next month at another possible free cruise.  I still have two CN left and waiting for the solo supplement to be waived.

 

How did you get $1000 CN for $150? That's really cool!   

[jskinsd]

2 hours ago, molole said:

 

How did you get $1000 CN for $150? That's really cool!   

I have explained my method many times in the past on CC.  And if I say anything more DEL RIO may change the Cruise Next program.  He is know for taking things away(to increase bottom line) rather than trying to improve the product with innovation.  Still do not understand why most of the NCL(if not all) ships got the NFL this year but not the Jewel(sorry Jewel cruisers).  Corporate says demographics and I say this is the beginning of getting rid of all NFL games on all NCL ships for next year.  You heard it first here.

 

[Love.NCL]

My best deal was NCL Epic May 2016.  Booked thru a Canadian travel agency. 2 adults + 1 toddler (2+ yrs old), direct roundtrip flights from Toronto to Barcelona, 7 nights balcony cabin , 75 obc, plus grats = $2400 canadian.

[havanadaydreaming]

Just booked Sky for 12/2

 

$139 pp oceanview 4 nights. 2 free at sea (dining, drinks). Prepaid all gratuities. Able to use 2 cruisenext certs via TA promo.  

 

Sail away inside was $109. 

 

Out the door for around $350.