4 great strategies for your first budget cruise are named

Cruising has become popular recently, and the cost of cruise trips has also increased. It's not just the rapid demand after the pandemic. In fact, according to an analyst at Truist Securities, cruise prices are about 20% higher than 2019 levels, and prices for 2025 voyages are even higher.

However, cruises can still be a great way to travel, and there are some effective ways to potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Yahoo writes.

Off-peak times

Although it's not a set rule, cruises are generally cheaper during off-peak times. And while the definition of "peak" time depends on who you ask, here's one rule of thumb: cruises are usually much cheaper when kids are in school. The summer months, spring break, Thanksgiving week, and winter break are some of the busiest (and most expensive) times to cruise. However, if you choose a time when it's not as easy for families to get away, it can save you a lot of money.

Pre-packaged services

Whether you plan to purchase a beverage package, eat in a premium restaurant, add internet access, or book a shore excursion, it can all be significantly cheaper if you book and pay in advance.

Pre-paying can make your cruise much more affordable, and it also allows you to budget for things now instead of getting a big credit card bill on board.

Booking a cabin

When you book a cabin on a cruise, you usually have two main ways to do so. You can choose the exact location of your room or a category without a specific room assignment. In other words, you can book "room 7614" or you can book a "balcony stateroom guarantee".

Important tip: the latter option can be much cheaper.

The duration of the cruise

Many people think of cruises as a minimum of six to seven nights, and this is by far the most popular cruise duration. However, you might be surprised by the large number of three- and four-night itineraries available.

As TravelWise reported, one of the world's leading cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, has officially announced that it is eliminating the Italian city of Venice from its cruise itineraries in 2024 and 2025. From now on, the cruise line will no longer include Venice as a port of call in its itinerary.