Author: Holly Johnson / Source: Wise Bread
Cruising has long been known as an affordable vacation option for couples and families — specifically if you choose a budget cruise line instead of a luxury brand. For one low all-inclusive price, you can cruise the friendly seas and make several stops, with all your food, lodging, and entertainment included.
Of course, the price you’ll pay depends on more than the cruise brand you select and your itinerary; it also depends on the cabin you select. While an interior cruise room with no windows will let you save the most, a balcony room or suite will cost significantly more.
But how much more? Let’s say you want to cruise with Carnival Cruise Line from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean. You select a seven-night Eastern Caribbean trip with stops in St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Grand Turk with a starting price of $519.
The thing is, the $519 per adult rate is only for an interior cabin. If you want a balcony stateroom, you’ll pay more like $979 per adult. And if you want a suite, rates start at $1,574 each. (See also: 10 Little-Known Secrets to Saving Money on Your Next Cruise)
Since not everyone likes the idea of an interior cabin without windows or access to the outdoors, it’s smart to look for ways to get a cabin upgrade without any added expense. Here are five possible ways to score this kind of deal.
1. Earn status with a cruise line
One of the best ways to start getting free cabin upgrades is to score loyalty status with a cruise line. If you’re a frequent cruiser, this typically requires you to cruise with the same cruise line most of the time.
That’s because cruise loyalty programs work like hotel rewards programs and frequent flyer programs. The more you stay loyal to one brand and the more travel you book, the higher you climb through the ranks of their status program.
Once your status is high enough, you typically qualify for an upgrade from the level of cabin you book. With the VIFP Club from Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, you qualify for a free cabin upgrade when you rack up 200 points and reach Diamond status. With Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, on the other hand, you qualify for discounts on balcony rooms and suites with lowly Platinum status (their second tier) and a free seven-night balcony cabin cruise once you reach their top tier Pinnacle Club status.
Keep in mind, however, it takes a lot of cruising to reach these top status tiers. With Royal Caribbean, you earn top tier Pinnacle Club status once you rack up 700 cruise points. Since you earn one point for each night you cruise with the line outside…
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