Wheelchair Accessible Cruising on a Budget: a Complete Guide
Although cruising can be an affordable and accessible way to vacation, the costs can also add up pretty quickly. But do not fear, I have come up with some practical tips to help you save money on your next wheelchair accessible cruise. Wheelchair accessible cruising on a budget is possible, however, while these tips offer guidance, it is ultimately up to you where you want to splurge vs save, as everyone has different priorities.
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My Top 18 Tips for Wheelchair Accessible Cruising on a Budget
1. Set a Budget
Before we even get into specific ideas on where you can cut costs, I highly recommend setting a budget for your trip. Take an honest look at your finances and what you can afford to spend. Having a firm budget will help keep you accountable and honest about your spending.
Keeping Organized
I like to keep a spreadsheet that has itemized expenses. On my spreadsheet, I’ll list categories that will incur expenses (I.e., cruise cost, trip insurance, airfare, and gratuities). Next, I’ll put in categories that I’d like to spend money on (I.e., shore excursions (separated by ports I’ll be visiting), drinks, specialty dining etc.).
In addition, to the categories for expenses that would be nice, I leave separate columns so I can compare prices of different accessible tours available. I may also leave a column available to compare cruise price packages (for example, some cruise lines offer a saver fare which is just the price of the cruise and have a specialty fare that may include a drink package, Wi-Fi, gratuities, savings on shore excursions or a variety of other things.
This helps me to see where my money is going and decide what is truly important for me for my overall experience. It also allows me to compare prices between companies to guide me in making decisions.
2. Set Priorities
It would be great if we won the lottery and could afford everything our little hearts desired, but the truth is that we often must make decisions about what is important to us on a vacation.
For some it will be great food, and they may want to spend money on specialty dining. For others, it may be getting to explore new areas, so they may spend more money on excursions. Your trip should be unique to you and what you value so that it is truly enjoyable to you and your family.
I like to list my top 3 priorities in order of importance. The things I find of value can often vary depending on my destination and the type of trip I want to have. For example, if I’m cruising to a colder destination, I may put more importance on warm drinks, but if I have a port intensive itinerary to somewhere I’ve never been, I’ll put the highest priority on excursions.
Knowing where you want to spend your money doesn’t mean you have to blow your whole budget in that category, but if you end up having to make some tough decisions, it may help you keep in mind what you want for your trip.
3. Stay in a Lower-Class Cabin
Staterooms vary on each ship and can include some really nice amenities. You should ask yourself, are those amenities worth the extra price? If all you use your cabin for is to get ready for the day and to sleep, you could save money by choosing an inside room.
Inside staterooms, are pretty basic with no windows, a desk, bed and bathroom. This is the type of cabin that I usually choose as it allows me to spend more money on other items. If you need more time to relax in your room then spending a little more in this category may make more sense.
The other exception to this (for me at least) is if there will be a bit of scenic cruising. If I book a cruise to Alaska, for instance, I plan to splurge on a balcony room for better viewing of Glacier National Park. Sometimes the main decks can get crowded and I don’t want to have to worry about people standing in front of me or squeezing next to me in order to see the view.
4. Skip the Drink Package
Sure, it’s nice to have the convenience of all of your drinks paid for ahead of time, but will you be able to make full use of the package to justify the expense? Depending on how much you drink (and the cost of those drinks) will help you figure that out.
I suggest looking for drink menus online for the ship (or cruise line) you’ll be sailing on and comparing how many you estimate you’ll drink in a day for that price. Then compare that number to the daily cost of the drink package. Oftentimes, you’ll find that it’s cheaper to buy by the drink once you’re onboard the ship.
This is especially true if you have a port-intensive itinerary and plan to do a lot of exploring in those ports. If you’re not on the ship much during the day, you won’t have a chance to make the most of that drink package.
If you decide you want to buy your drinks al a carte, but are concerned about going over your drink budget, buy a cruise gift card that has a set amount on it. That way when the gift card runs out, you’ll know you’ve reached your spending limit on drinks.
What About Cruises that Include Drink Packages?
Oh, and beware of the cruise fares that have drinks included, they claim to offer free beverage packages, but trust me you’re paying for it. Those fares are higher than the basic cruise prices. Again, do the math to see if you’ll actually use everything that comes in that package and if it’s more cost effective than purchasing things al a carte.
Pro Tip: Look for events on the ship that offer free drinks. Things like art auctions, meet and greets with the captain, and other events offer free drinks for those that attend. These drinks may be limited to champagne or a special drink of the night, but it is a great way to enjoy a treat without spending extra money.
Can I Bring My Own Drinks Onboard?
Another tip, some cruise lines allow each person over 21 to bring a bottle of wine onboard in their carry-on. Check each cruise line’s policy, but this could also help save you money. Make sure to bring a wine opener with you as well, as if you take the bottle to the dining room, they will charge you a corkage fee.
5. Do You Really Need Wi-Fi?
Vacation is a time to unplug from the rest of the world. While there may be some circumstances where someone may actually need Wi-Fi, oftentimes it’s an additional expense that can be avoided.
If you absolutely have to be connected to the internet (say for work or if you’re going on a longer trip and need to stay connected to family at home), ask around to see if you can save money by purchasing it ahead of time or by waiting until you’re on the ship. Also check with your cell phone carrier, as sometimes they have cruising plans available that would allow you to connect with loved ones while in port.
Wi-Fi reliability and speed can vary by destination and cruise line so also do your research to see if this investment will truly give you what you are looking for.
6. Skip the Specialty Dining
All cruise ships have places to eat that are included in your cruise fare (typically a food court, the main dining room and some of the outdoor eateries by the pool) as well as specialty restaurants. Depending on who you ask, some say that the quality of the food is higher (and worth the cover charge needed) in these special restaurants. Others say that the food is very comparable to that which is served in the main dining room.
Of course, quality of food can vary from cruise line to cruise line and even ship to ship within the same cruise line. Cover charges vary by restaurant and cruise lines, but are usually around $20-40 per person each time you visit.
I’ve found that the food in the main dining room is often very good and I’ve never felt I was missing out by not going to one of the extra charge venues. If you are celebrating a special event, you may want to make an exception, but generally you can save money by eating in the restaurants included on the ship.
7. Choose to Do a Walking/Rolling Tour of the Port
I’m an explorer, so I want to get off in every port and do something. Accessible excursions, however, can be pricey and add up quickly. One alternative is to look for more affordable walking /rolling tours.
These can be done either with a guide and group or sometimes, you can find an app for your phone that will guide you through your destination. I always do my research ahead of time to ensure that the walking tour I’m interested in is in fact wheelchair accessible and to compare costs.
Oftentimes, walking tours (or even app downloads) can be found on viator.com or getyourguide.com.
8. Look for Hop On Hop Off Buses
These buses are great options for exploring a new city. Many are wheelchair accessible (but not all, so make sure to check with the company) and will take you to the most popular locations in and around the town while providing a narrated tour.
This allows you to explore the sites you want further (by getting off the bus) and then picking it right back up where you left off. In many popular cruise ports, the buses come right to the pier so they are easy to catch.
These buses are also quite affordable with prices around $20-$30 per person for the day.
9. Look on Cruise Critic to Find People to Share Tours with
There may be some ports where you really want a more in-depth accessible tour. While some cruise lines offer accessible excursions, they are typically drive-by tours where you’re stuck on a bus with little or no opportunities to get off and explore. Private tours are usually the preferred option.
While these private tours may give you more than just a drive-by experience, they often come at a price. You can help lower the price of these tours by finding others to join you. One of the best places to do this is by joining your roll call on Cruise Critic.
A roll call is an online forum with other people who will be sailing at the same time and ship as you. Many people are looking to keep costs down and will gladly share a tour with you. I’ve also made some great new friends this way.
Another place to look is Facebook. If you join a group for a specific cruise line, they often create events within that group for people on a particular sailing. You could ask to see if anyone is interested in sharing a tour.
10. Check Around for Trip Insurance
All cruise lines offer some sort of insurance for your trip at an additional cost. Sometimes these prices are competitive and sometimes they are not. Look for outside companies to compare prices.
Just make sure to look at what each insurance policy covers. In light of the pandemic, always make sure it covers COVID (both if you get sick prior to your trip or if you catch it during your trip). It’s also a good idea to make sure it covers emergency evacuation (those costs definitely add up quickly).
In the past, many people would save money by not purchasing any insurance, but with the uncertainty of travel and the pandemic, this is a cost I HIGHLY recommend you pay. If something should happen and you don’t have insurance, you’ll end up paying a lot more than the price of the policy would’ve cost.
11. Stay Loyal to a Cruise Line
When you are a repeat customer on a cruise line, they offer you certain perks as a “thank you” for your business. The perks will depend on how many cruises you’ve taken with them or the number of days you’ve sailed. These “extras” can include discounted rates, lower deposits, money off of spa treatments and specialty dining, free laundry, and more.
Each cruise line has its own reward system, so make sure to check out the website to see what you’re entitled to. While this doesn’t always save you money directly (but it definitely can), they offer additional things that may make your trip nicer or a better experience.
12. Book Your Next Cruise While Onboard
Sometimes there are savings and onboard credit that can be earned when you book your next cruise while you’re onboard the ship. In some events, it’s a matter of making a deposit on your next cruise, without having to book a specific itinerary. In exchange, the cruise line will offer onboard credit which will be applied to the cruise you decide to book with them.
Each cruise line has different rules and programs, but it surely doesn’t hurt to visit the future cruise office while onboard to see what they have to offer. For more tips on booking a wheelchair-accessible cruise, click here.
13. Consider Booking with a Travel Agent
There are many “big box” sellers online that offer bonuses for booking with them. These may include a free picture, onboard credit (in addition to any promotion the cruise line offers), and more. However, travel agents can also offer some of these perks.
Check around to see what deals you can find. Although the price of the cruise may be the same or similar, sometimes the additional bonuses can make a difference.
In these times, it can be a great asset to have a good travel agent on your side. They can be the ones on hold with the cruise line to negotiate better deals when the price of your cruise drops or help with any issues that may arise.
What if I Can’t Find a Good Travel Agent Near Me?
You do not have to use a travel agent in your area. You can use one anywhere in the country (or even in Canada), so if you find one you really like or that comes highly recommended, don’t feel like you are limited to using an agent from your home state.
14. Organize a Group Cruise
When you book a party of a certain size (usually at least 8 cabins with at least 2 people in each cabin) the cruise line will reward you with a free cruise (1 berth). In addition, depending on the size of your group, the whole group can get added benefits like discounted rates, onboard credit and more.
Booking a group cruise can be done through a personal cruise consultant through the cruise line or your own travel agent. Not only will you get benefits for organizing the group, you’ll have the added bonus of sharing a great trip with friends and loved ones. Can anyone say family reunion cruise!
For more tips and information on organizing a group cruise, check out my blog post here.
15. Use a Reward Credit Card to Book Your Trip
Since your cruise will need to be booked using a credit card anyway, why not use one that earns you cash back? There are lots of options for credit cards that offer this benefit, so make sure you choose the right one for you.
Generally, I look for a card that offers the most cash back on things I spend money on the most. I also look for no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee (since I travel internationally). Popular brands include Chase and Capital One. Cruise lines also usually offer their own credit cards.
Compare brands, offers and look at which one you’ll get the most out of. For the cards that I use, check out my Accessible Travel Resource page.
16. See if Your Booking Site has Cash Back Through Rakuten
If you are booking your cruise through a “big box” site like Expedia or Priceline, or sometimes even directly through the cruise line itself, Rakuten usually offers some amount of cashback on your purchase. Check out Rakuten ahead of time to see what percentage they offer. Better yet, install the extension on your web browser and it will automatically notify you when cashback is available.
If you are not already a member of Rakuten, use this link to sign up and get an additional $30 cashback https://www.rakuten.com/r/KRISSE222?eeid=28187.
17. Sign Up for Sales and Price Alerts
Many websites will offer to notify you of cruise sales or even if the price of the cruise you’ve already booked has dropped. These tools can be helpful for catching the right deal. Signing up may mean more emails, but they can also save you money.
If you have booked a cruise, and the price drops before final payment, make sure to call the cruise line or your travel agent to get your trip re-fared. On some occasions, the cruise lines have also re-fared after final payment, but there is no guarantee that they will honor the lower price after you’ve paid in full.
18. Check to See if the Cruise Line has a Referral Program
If you’ve sailed with a cruise line before, sometimes you can get onboard credit for referring new customers to sail with them. Not all cruise lines have this program however, so check to see if it’s available.
I know Princess Cruises will offer you (and the person you refer to) $25 in onboard credit for each referral you make. You’ll receive your credit after the person you referred has sailed for the first time (they will receive theirs on their first cruise).
Final Thoughts on Cruising on a Budget
While everyone travels differently with varying priorities, there are always ways to cut back and save money on your trip. A lot will depend on what’s important to you and the experience you want to have. Following my tips on wheelchair accessible cruising on a budget can help you to save money on your next cruise and guide you in the right direction, to make decisions that will help you stick to your budget and have a fun and affordable accessible vacation.
