19 Tips to Help You Save Big on a Family Cruise in 2020

Cruising can be downright affordable if you choose an inexpensive cruise line and consider more than one itinerary, but saving money becomes infinitely harder when you have a large family in tow. The following tips can help you plan an epic family cruise without breaking the bank whether you want to see the beauty of Alaska, cruise the Mediterranean or enjoy the tropical wonder of the Caribbean Sea.

Some cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, offer family cabins or "double cabins" that let you sleep a few families in connecting rooms. These family cabins can be convenient since you get to enjoy adjacent space, but you can also save considerable sums of money when compared to booking multiple cabins on separate itineraries instead.

Many cruise lines have their own newsletters that list discounts and deals that are only offered to members who sign up. If you sign up for all the newsletters from your favorite cruise lines, you'll be the first to know about special sales and onboard incentives.

Travel credit cards let you book and pay for cruises with rewards points. Some travel credit cards offer portals you can book cruises directly in, while others offer flexible travel credit you can redeem for any cruise of your choice, usually at a rate of one cent per point.

While a general travel credit card can help you cover a cruise with rewards, you can also check out co-branded cruise credit cards from cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. The rewards rates are generally lower with these cards, but you may be able to qualify for special onboard discounts and 0 percent APR offers.

While it's totally normal to wish you could book a room with a balcony or even a suite, interior rooms can ring in at up to 40 percent off. You won't have an exterior window if you book an interior room, meaning you'll have to leave your room and head to another area of the ship to see the seas roll by. But since you'll barely be in your room, the savings can be well worth it.

Cruising doesn't have to be expensive if you don't want it to be. However, paying for airfare to the cruise port can leave you paying hundreds of dollars in transportation costs before you ever step foot on your ship. You'll save a lot of money if you're able to skip paying for airfare and drive instead.

A handful of cruise lines let kids cruise free during special promotions, while MSC Cruises lets kids 11 and under cruise free all year long on select itineraries. With these promotions, you are only required to pay for taxes and port charges for kids who qualify. Make sure to check for sales that let kids cruise free if you want to keep costs down and cruise with the kids.

Make sure you take time to compare pricing across multiple cruise lines online before you book. Also consider several different itineraries and cruises across multiple dates. The more flexible you are, the more likely you'll score a cruise at a massive discount.

Also make sure to consider discount cruise lines, especially if you have never cruised with one before. While you might wish you were sailing with Princess or Royal Caribbean, discount cruise lines offer cruises that are nearly as good for a much lower price. And the more you save, the more you can spend on other parts of your trip.

Make sure to check with cruise lines to see which ones might offer special incentives for booking right away. It's common to run into special travel deals where you can qualify for free internet access, onboard credits and other perks if you're willing to commit and put down a deposit.

Also consider booking with a travel agent, and especially with one that specializes in cruises for families. Travel agents are usually able to find the best pricing available, and they can also help you qualify for onboard credits, drink packages and other perks that make cruising more affordable and fun.

Booking your cruise early is probably the best way to save money, mostly because cruise lines offer excellent early pricing so they can start filling cabins. Booking early also lets you have your choice of where you want to be on the ship, which can be helpful if you need to be near an elevator or just have a favorite part of the ship to begin with.

While cruise deals can be offered at any time of the year, off-peak cruising usually comes with the lowest pricing. For the most part, this means cruising outside of school breaks during spring, summer, winter and fall break. When kids are in school, demand goes down and prices go down with it.

You can certainly book shore excursions and day trips directly with your cruise line, but prices tend to be higher if you do. However, most of the same excursions you can find through your ship are also available online through websites like Viator.com. Make sure to price shop to see how much you could save.

Also consider just staying on the ship-at least in a few of the ports during your cruise. Staying on board when you're at port will help you save money since you won't be splurging for food, excursions or other entertainment. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the ship without all the crowds.

As you shop for cruise fare, make sure to consider several different ships that offer itineraries you're interested in. Newer ships tend to charge higher prices for their upgraded amenities and perks, whereas older cruise ships can offer the same stops for less.

One of the most expensive components of a cruise is all the "extras" you get roped into buying while you're on board, and this includes alcohol. If you have several drinks per day, the cost can add up fast! Consider choosing a cruise that offers a drink package if you're a heavy drinker. Otherwise, consider skipping the booze in favor of some sober cruising fun.

Another onboard "extra" that can wind up being costly is specialty dining, or the onboard steakhouses, sushi joints and other restaurants you can dine at for an additional fee. If you want to keep the cost of your cruise down, skip the special restaurants and dine in the included buffets and main dining room.

Finally, don't forget to check for last-minute cruise pricing on unsold cruise cabins. Not only can you find last-minute deals directly from cruise lines, but VacationstoGo.com offers discounts of up to 82 percent off cruises that depart within 90 days. You could even qualify for additional incentives, so make sure to check.