How to get a good deal on family cruises?

Going on a family cruise can be an excellent choice if you want to vacation as a family because you will share a cabin with included meals, entertainment, and childcare. And because many families have already started to cruise again after the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise lines have put together many different promotions to fill their ships, based on the many years of passenger preferences and tourist trends. This means that now is the easiest time ever to get a good deal on cruising as a family! However, it is important to note that family rates can accumulate quickly (because of all of the extras), so it is important to plan actively for your family vacation.

In this guide, we will explain how to interpret a true "family cruise deal," when you are best off booking, where you can find the best discounts, current promotions, and several practical ways to maximize savings for your family. You should use this information whether you are looking to book a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean or want to sail to Alaska. In many cases, these strategies will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

What Is a Family Cruise Deal?

A Family Cruise is a Package of Price Savings, Offers and Benefits That Decrease the Per Person Cost for a Family With Children (Ages 2-17). 

The Main Components of a Family Cruise are:

• Reduced or Free Fares for Children as the 3rd/4th Passengers in a Cabin.
• Bundled Extras, such as Kids Sail Free, On Board Credit, etc.
• Cabin Discounts on Connecting Rooms, Family Suites, and Balcony Categories.
• Value Additions/Benefits of Kids' Clubs, Character Meet and Greets, and Specialty Dining Credit.

The best deal for a $4,000 - $6,000* Family Cruise would be reduced to $2,500 - $4,000* by stacking multiple Promotions on the same cruise. The following will be the Best "Deal Structures":

• "Kids Sail Free" (Base Fare Only)
• "Kids Sail Free-Sail Free Drinks For Adults"
• "Kids Sail Free - Onboard Credit" or Other Promotions Combined With Off-peak Sailings, Early Booking Discounts, or Some Form of Loyalty Discounts.

Also Read: How much does it cost to take a family on a cruise?

Best Times to Book a Family Cruise

Cruise fares for family vacations are mainly a function of timing/schedule. A few of the optimal times include:

• 6-12 months prior to cruising: Selecting cabins, at the lowest base rate per cabin and gaining the very first access to "Kids Sail Free" promotions will allow family vacations at a very low price drain.
  Examples: 2026 summer sailings from June 2026 to December 2026.
• Shoulder season sailings: This season lasts from January to March (for Caribbean), and April and May (for European and Alaska shoulder and September to November for both Caribbean and the Mediterranean and other potential sailings in the fall). In this timeframe, pricing will typically be 20-40% less than pricing during peak summer months.
• Wave Season (January to March, etc.): Many cruise lines will launch their 2026 sailing itineraries along with significant promotions geared towards families (i.e. Kids Sail Free, onboard credits, and deposits as low as $100*).
• Last-minute specials (60+90 days before sailing): If there are unsold cabins at that time, cruise lines will release cabins at a price decrease and/or extend the "Kids Sail Free" offer to fill ships. These specials work well for families who do not require a fixed-time vacation or who are flexible.

Note: Promotional fare opportunities will typically be closed out during peak school holiday times (summers, spring break and/or Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's).

Also Read: Best Cruise Lines for Families: Highly Recommended Cruises

How to Find the Best Family Cruise Discounts

For actual savings, you should check several sources and stack offers. 

• Cruise line Websites & Apps: Most cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, and Disney will have "Kids Sail Free" and "Kids Sail Free + Drinks" specials available on their websites or Apps. You can set alerts for your preferred sail dates.
• Cruise Aggregators: Use cruise websites such as Cruise Critic, Cruise.com, Expedia and Priceline to compare cruise fares. Some of these sites will provide you with additional onboard credits or extras that you may not receive when booking directly through a cruise line.
• Travel Agents: Good travel agents (e.g. Costco Travel, AAA or Family Cruise Specialists) will be able to book your cruise at group rates, provide you with additional onboard credits ($50-$500*) and sometimes provide your children with free excursions when booking family cruises.
• Loyalty Programs: Many cruise lines (Carnival VIFP, Royal Crown & Anchor, Norwegian Latitudes, MSC Voyagers Club) offer returning cruisers 5%-15% off and additional onboard credits.
• Flash Sales: The largest family promotion sales happen from January to March. To take advantage of these sales, book within 48-72 hours of their announcement to receive the best rates.
• Military/teacher/first responder Discounts: Many cruise lines offer both discounts of 5%-10% off regular pricing and sometimes additional incentives. 

Pro Tip: Compare caveat (base fare + taxes & fees + gratuities) versus just the advertised price.

Also Read: How do I choose a family cruise?

Family-Friendly Perks & Promotional Offers

In the family promotional landscape, the most prevalent options include:  

• Kids Sail Free: For select sailings, children ages 12 and under (or sometimes up to the age of 17) can be added as 3rd/4th guests at no cost to the customer on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Carnival, and Holland America Line.
• Kids Sail Free plus free drinks: Customers will receive an adult drink package when sailing with a child who is sailing for free (Norwegian Free at Sea, MSC).
• On Board Credit: Most cruise lines offer on board credits ranging from $50 to $500* depending on seasonality and/or agency bookings.
• Complementary Children's Clubs & Activities: Programs such as Adventure Ocean (Royal Caribbean), Camp Ocean (Carnival), Kids Club (MSC), and Oceaneer Club (Disney) are offered to all guests free of charge!
• Family Rooms & Connecting Cabins: Discounts can be found on interconnecting rooms and Family Suites such as Carnival's Excel Class ships and Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.
• Reduced Deposits: Deposit amounts can vary depending on cruise line offering; typically between ($50 - $100*) per person compared to standard deposit amounts that can exceed $250*.
• Complimentary Gratuities or Wi-Fi: Typically included with Kids Sail Free offers or Loyalty Offers.

Prior to confirming your reservation, be sure to check eligibility and requirements for all cruise line promotions. Most of the time, the word "free" refers only to children and does not include taxes, fees, gratuities and excursions.

Also Read: What Factors Should Families Consider When Choosing a Cruise Line?

How to Save Money on a Family Cruise Fare

• Book early: Book early! The best cabins and "Kids Sail Free" are usually sold out at least 6 to 12 months in advance.  
• Choose shoulder seasons: Shoulder seasons (spring/fall) are 20 to 40 percent cheaper than summer sailings. 
• Book 3rd/4th guests: Use third or fourth guests in your cabin to receive a reduced rate for your children or teenagers.  
• Use travel agents: Work with a travel agent to get additional onboard credit, free upgrades and/or group rates. 
• Stack promotions: Stacked promotions may allow you to combine the "Kids Sail Free" program, with additional onboard credit or loyalty discounts.  
• Choose interior or oceanview: Interior or oceanviews will save between $200* and $500* per person compared to having a balcony.  
• Pre-pay gratuities & packages: Prepaying gratuities and packages now has lower rates as compared to the prices you would pay onboard post-prices increasing. 
• Avoid peak holidays: Peak holidays (Spring Break, Christmas Holidays and Summer School break) have cruise fares that are often double the normal fare.  
• Consider shorter sailings: Try to use a cruise with shorter lengths (3 to 5 days to the Bahamas or Caribbean) as they are typically less expensive for families to enjoy.