The Unexpected Place You Should Book A Cruise Holiday To Save Up To $2,000

As per May 2025 data courtesy of the Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise line industry is strong in the U.S., proven by $65 billion in economic activity — this includes 290,000 jobs buoyed by $25 billion in wages — in 2023. In 2024, the most popular global destinations were to the Caribbean, including subtropical islands The Bahamas and Bermuda. While the global cruise industry, especially the U.S. sector, appears to be doing well financially, it's questionable whether all their passengers can say the same. Any inside knowledge on how to save money — like booking a later cruise while in the middle of your current one — is a win for the consumer. 

According to a May 2025 U.S. News and World Report study, a seven day cruise to the Caribbean ranged from $400 to $3,000 per person, while a seven night cruise to Alaska could cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 per person. The wide spread on the costs of a cruise in 2025 are impacted by factors such as additional amenities included in the pricing of your trip, trip duration, and, much like knowing the best time to book airline travel, when you go. As it turns out, if you want to save money, where, as well as when you book may be the biggest key to unlocking those savings. As previously mentioned, booking a later cruise while enjoying your current cruise offers travelers a few unexpected cost benefits and perks.

It may seem counterintuitive to some degree, but booking your next cruise trip while enjoying your immediate cruise vacation opens up different savings opportunities. The Future Cruise desk located on any major cruise line — like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Princess cruise lines — makes it possible to take advantage of onboard credit you can use on your next vacation. Onboard credit is a sales strategy used to entice travelers to book another cruise, and as such, those credits are often higher amounts than you could source on your own. They can be offered in lieu of other deals, including discounts on booking, deposits, or any other promotion. They can also be offered in addition to those perks.

Some cruise lines, like Holland America, offer onboard credit in exchange for referrals. Holland America provides $50 Future Cruise Credit for referring someone for a cruise through their "Refer a Friend" web form who then goes on to book a cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line offers $100 onboard credit for travelers with cruise rewards. The ability to earn credit card points that translate to onboard credit is one of those little known credit card perks that can save you money on your next trip. A co-branded credit card like the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card offers 30,000 points to new members who spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. That equates to $300 in onboard credit, not including discounts, room upgrades, or other perks. 

If you wanted to save up to $2,000 on your next cruise, as per Luxury Travel Advisor, you could have taken advantage of Regent Seven Seas Cruises "Enhance Your Escape" promotion. Offered exclusively to North American travelers who booked their next trip between March 1 and April 30, 2025, the deal allowed travelers to upgrade to a complimentary two-category suite or earn $2,000 on onboard credit per suite. That credit was eligible to use for spa, dining, off-boat excursions, onboard shopping, and their Connoisseur Wine menu. Available for 55 voyages in 2025 to locations in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Alaska, this is an example of how much you can save on your next cruise by taking advantage of credits earned by onboard booking.

While you may have missed taking advantage of these onboard credits, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a number of deals that can save you $2,000 or more on a cruise. For instance, if you book a non-refundable cruise to the Mediterranean, Africa, Northern Europe, Canada or New England for 2026 or 2027, you'll receive 30% off your booking. There's also a two-for-one all inclusive cruise offer that will easily save you thousands of dollars on cruises departing in 2026.