I Stopped Following Cruise Money Saving Advice. Here’s Why.

Name: I Stopped Following Cruise Money Saving Advice. Here’s Why.
Uploaded: 2026-01-24T00:00:00+00:00
Duration: 16 min 36 s
Channel: Family at Sea

Family at Sea

🥈Expert

👁️ 18K views📅 4 months ago⏱️ 16:36

MSC Cruises USA

Disney Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line

Princess Cruises

Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group

P & O Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

What This Creator Said

2 Happy Bacon

Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🥈Expert CreatorSponsored

Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The biggest lie about saving money on cruises isn't a scam. It's advice that used to work.

Today, booking early mostly buys you choice, but not necessarily price.

Waiting until the last minute means you're giving up control in exchange for the chance of savings.

The real best strategy for getting the lowest possible price actually is booking early, but that alone is incomplete because then you also need to be checking daily for price drops.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Book early for choice, but monitor prices daily for drops.

✓Compare itineraries and ships even if you're loyal to a cruise line.

✓Evaluate drink packages based on your actual cruising habits, not assumptions.

✓Consider balcony cabins only if you'll use them; otherwise, save the money.

✓Book independent excursions for smaller groups and more flexibility when safe.

✓Choose longer cruises for better value per day and less rushed experience.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Overpaying due to outdated advice — Understand dynamic pricing and monitor fares after booking.

Choosing the wrong cabin or package — Evaluate based on actual travel habits, not assumptions.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhy does booking early not always save money on cruises?

QAre last-minute cruise deals a reliable strategy?

QHow can I monitor and lock in lower cruise prices after booking?

QShould I stay loyal to one cruise line for perks?

QAre drink packages worth the cost?

Topics Covered

Cabin Balcony½ Happy BaconCrowd Capacity1 Sad BaconValue Pricing1 Happy BaconDrink Package1 Sad BaconBooking Process1½ Happy BaconLoyalty Program½ Sad BaconExcursions1½ Happy BaconItinerary Route1 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Port Canaveral2½ Sad Bacon

Port Miami2½ Sad Bacon

How to read the Trip Bacon Score

Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect

Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this

Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

YouTube Video Description↓

🚢 Book your next cruise at the GUARANTEED best price: https://bit.ly/dream-cruise-fas 🛒 My essential cruise packing list on Amazon: https://bit.ly/cruise-essentials Cruise prices feel higher than ever, but the problem usually isn’t the cruise. It’s the advice people still follow without realizing it stopped working. A lot of cruisers do everything “right” and still overpay, not because they’re careless, but because cruise pricing changed quietly and the old rules never did. In this video, I break down what actually drives cruise costs now, where value really comes from, and how to stop making expensive assumptions on your next sailing. ----- ⚓ Our Trusted Travel Partners: 🤝 🛳️ Ready to Book Your Next Cruise? Cruises It makes planning easy! Get expert advice and the best deals here: 👉 https://bit.ly/dream-cruise-fas 🌍 Save Big on Excursions! Skip the overpriced ship tours and book directly to save money: 👉 https://bit.ly/fas-excursions ----- 🎉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly tips & hacks + immersive vlog experiences: https://bit.ly/subscribe-cruise-hacks ----- 🛒✨ Cruise Products We Recommend ✨🛒 - Sea Bands (to prevent seasickness): https://amzn.to/3YOTGjX - Sea Bands for Kids: https://amzn.to/4cvG1RS - Sea Bands w/ Built-In Aromatherapy: https://amzn.to/3SQ0zO8 - Seasickness Patches: https://amzn.to/3AmF94L - Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4dNGmAx - Towel Bands (for pool loungers): https://amzn.to/3SXARHx - Water Shoes: https://amzn.to/4dIWxPA - Magnetic Hooks: https://amzn.to/4dqHr1j - Power Strip (w/ no surge protector): https://amzn.to/3yJzuoX ----- 👀 Watch Next 🍿 https://youtu.be/qMiHVOql4_g https://youtu.be/bM4ZI8FS3xo https://youtu.be/cggiftmgowA https://youtu.be/69N7oMQ5DcI https://youtu.be/fLUgYfN5qAA ----- Join our NEW Facebook Group for all sorts of cruising tips, tricks, and deals! Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea ----- Disclosure: Hey there! Just a heads-up – some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a little commission, but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! I only recommend stuff that I genuinely love from companies I trust. Thank you for your support! ----- Business & Media Opportunities: Please contact Evan at partners@familyatsesa.travel ----- 🌍🙋‍♂️ Who We Are 🙋‍♀️🌍 Family at Sea chronicles the cruising adventures of our family of four as we set sail across the globe aboard different cruise ships and cruise lines, including MSC, Disney Cruise Lines (DCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), P&O, Explora Journeys, Costa, Margaritaville at Sea, and more! ----- 📧💬 Contact Us & Follow Us on Social Media! 📱📲 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyAtSea - Facebook: https://facebook.com/FamilyAtSea.travel - Facebook Group: Family Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea - Instagram: https://instagram.com/FamilyAtSea.travel ----- #CruiseTips #CruisingOnABudget #FamilyAtSea --- 00:00 Intro 00:39 Lie #1 01:47 Lie #2 03:07 Lie #3 05:15 Lie #4 06:57 Lie #5 08:52 Lie #6 10:46 Lie #7 13:32 Lie #8