25 Ways to Save Money on a Tropical Cruise This Winter

If you're tired of the cold and snow and craving a change of scenery, a warm weather cruise to the Caribbean or Mexico may be exactly what you need. These 25 tips can help you score the tropical getaway you deserve without wrecking your travel budget.

Some cruise lines offer more luxurious amenities while others gear their offerings to families and budget travelers. If you want to score a Caribbean cruise for a super low price, check out discount cruise lines like Carnival and MSC Cruises first.

VacationsToGo.com is a cruise discounter that offers special deals on cruises all over the globe. You can use this resource to compare pricing for cruises in tropical destinations across all major cruise lines-and many of their packages offer onboard credits, cabin upgrades and bonus perks.

Booking at the last minute can help you save big if you're not too picky about which cruise line you travel with and you're flexible with your itinerary. Check out the VacationtoGo.com 90-day ticker to save up to 82 percent on last-minute cruises that depart within the next three months.

Signing up for your favorite cruise line's newsletter is one of the best ways to discover upcoming sales and last-minute cruise deals. Some newsletters even feature special offers for the week such as onboard ship credits, cabin upgrades and kids cruise free promotions.

A handful of travel credit cards make it easy to save money on your next cruise. We love the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard because it offers 2x miles for each dollar you spend and a huge welcome bonus after you meet a minimum spending requirement. You can redeem your miles for any cruise at a rate of one cent per mile.

Another card option to explore is the Capital One Venture. This travel credit card also lets you earn 2x miles for each dollar you spend along with a big signup bonus. You can redeem your miles to cover all or part of any cruise at a rate of one mile per point.

Cash-back credit cards can also help you save big on cruises, provided you can redeem your points for statement credits or gift cards for cruise lines. We love the Chase Freedom because you can earn 5 percent back on up to $1,500 in spending in categories that rotate each quarter, plus 1 percent back on everything else. You can redeem your points for cruise line gift cards, statement credits, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Booking a tropical cruise is a great way to escape the cold, but you'll save the most money if you select a cabin without a balcony. You can easily save 20 percent or more by opting for a cabin with a window or a porthole instead. You're not going to spend much time in your room anyway, right?

If you don't care about your cabin at all, you could boost your savings even more by booking an interior cabin. These rooms don't have windows or views of the outdoors, but they offer the best prices and plenty of room to store your belongings and sleep. Some interior cabins even offer simulated views of the outdoors, so you may not even notice the difference.

While winter is typically a good time to find low prices on cruises, this is only true for weeks when kids are out of school. Make sure to avoid late winter weeks that fall over spring break if you want to save more money and avoid cruises that are overrun with school children.

Shopping around is the best way to save on any trip, and that is especially true with cruises. In addition to comparing cruise line pricing for your dates, make sure you're also considering more than one cruise itinerary. Some are cheaper than others and you'll save more if you're flexible.

While comparing cruise pricing across multiple cruise lines can help you find the best deal, don't underestimate the impact of special deals and onboard credits. You could potentially save more if you pick a cruise that comes with a free drink package or ship credit you can use to cover purchases you make while on the ship.

If you plan to cruise with your kids, it's important to note which cruise linesoffer discounts for children. While some offer sporadic kids-cruise-free promotions, MSC Cruises lets kids 11 and under cruise free on select itineraries around the world-including in the Caribbean.

We already mentioned how you can use credit card rewards to cover your cruise fare, but what about excursions? A travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred will let you rack up points you can use to book day trips, excursions and tours, entirely with your rewards.

It's important to remember that you don't have to book organized tours or excursions at each of your cruise stops. Some basic research online can help you figure out how much you'll pay for a taxi to a beach or a city center. You may even be able to walk to some of the best sights from your cruise port, depending on where your ship is stopping.

If you want some help finding the best cruise deals, consider asking a travel agent for help. These professionals often have access to special deals the public cannot see and they may even be able to offer special incentives like onboard credits or an upgraded cabin.

Cruising is one of the most affordable vacation options available considering all your food and entertainment is included in one low price. To save even more, make sure you eat a big meal before you get off the ship and bring snacks along when you disembark. That way, you'll never have to pay extra to dine on land.

While cruise lines don't typically let you bring beer or alcohol onboard, some do let you pack some wine for your journey. On Carnival Cruise Line, for example, each guest can bring one 750 ml bottle of unopened wine or champagne.

Some cruise loyalty programs offer special discounts to their members no matter how often they cruise. This is the case with the MSC Voyager's Club since members of every tier receive a minimum discount of 5 percent off every cruise they book. Classic, Silver, Gold, and Black members even earn 15 percent off select itineraries.

While cruise ships usually include their main dining room, a large buffet and several other dining options in your cruise fare, they also let cruisers dine at upgraded specialty restaurants for an added fee. Skip the fancy foods and eat for free instead-you'll save more on your cruise in the end.

Cruise upgrades like spa packages, onboard laundry services and internet access can boost the price of your cruise by quite a bit. Refrain from tacking on extra charges or splurging if you want to keep cruise costs to a minimum.

Unless a drink package is included in your fare, you'll have to pay between $5 and $15 for every beer, glass of wine or cocktail you consume. Take it easy on the alcohol and your final cruise bill won't leave you with a spending hangover.

Most cruise ships offer plenty of free activities to take part in, but they have paid options, too. One of the worst offenders is the arcade every cruise ship seems to have. Cruise ship arcades may have a host of fun games, but they often charge more than $1 for each time you play.

Cruising is an inexpensive way to travel already, but you'll save even more if you can avoid paying for flights. Pick a cruise port you can drive to instead and you'll only have to pay for the cost of gas and parking for the week.

Finally, remember to bring your favorite shampoo, lotion, soap, sunscreen and over-the-counter medication from home. You can buy these items on your cruise ship or at port, but they'll cost considerably more if you do. The more essentials you can pack and bring on your cruise, the less likely you are to face a huge surprise expense.