A cruise trip offers an exciting and enriching experience as it provides guests a perfect blend of thrilling onboard activities while at sea and wonderful shore excursions on the ports of call
Having said that, cruises can be very expensive and eat up a lot of money if not planned properly. Fortunately, your credit card can be an important tool to save money, provided you adopt these five credit card saving strategies, while enjoying your cruise.
- Book during promotional periods
Utilize the promotions offered by cruise lines from time to time that can include free WiFi, drink packages, onboard credits or speciality dining experiences to enhance your cruise experience without adding to the cost.
Another cost-effective way to leverage the power of your credit card when booking cruises is to take advantage of discounts on excursions, spa treatments providing you book through the appropriate channel to qualify.
Secure all these deals using your credit card, but keep in mind that some promotions may ask for full payment upfront.
- Leverage credit card points and perks
A simple and straightforward way to save money while on a cruise is to maximize the benefits of your credit card’s reward programs before booking the cruise.
These points can then be redeemed for airfare, hotel accommodation, statement credits or at times the cruise itself.
Some travel credit cards designed for travelers give bonus points for cruise bookings, making them an excellent choice to use for your sailing trip.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees
When cruising out of your home country, you may have to deal with currency fluctuations. For example if you are visiting multiple Caribbean destinations where there are 13 different currencies in use, credit card transaction fees of 3% can add to unnecessary costs.
Therefore, choose a card that waives off foreign transaction fees. Check the same before departure as you would be using your card frequently for onboard dining, shopping or other activities.
If given the option to pay for your travels in your home currency or local currency, choose the latter, in order to avoid mark ups for currency conversion.
- Insurance protection benefits
Traveling always comes with risks, but thankfully many credit cards offer travel insurance which can save one from unexpected expenses.
In case your cruise is cancelled due to covered reasons, premium credit cards provide reimbursement even for non-refundable expenses for added financial protection.
While cruise ships have adequate medical facilities, they may not be equipped to handle a medical emergency. Some credit cards include emergency and evacuation coverage or admission to a hospital.
- Keep a track on expenses
Effective expense tracking is crucial for staying within financial limits while on a cruise. Before the trip, set a budget for cruise costs, including onboard expenses, shore excursions and shopping.
Use the budgeting tools of your credit card to track the progress and help avoid overspending. This will allow you to manage your funds effectively.
Lastly, plan for post-trip costs like gratuities which are automatically added to your onboard account. Factor these costs and pay them with your credit card to earn points or cashback.
In the end, cruising across multiple destinations on a cruise can be a memorable and cost-effective experience, provided you leverage the power of your credit card.