Apr
27
One of the best times to find a great cruise deal is during the shoulder seasons – the two periods which begin and end a season of 
cruising in various parts of the world. For example, the months of May / September in Alaska; May / September / October in Bermuda; and April / May / October / November in Europe.
The shoulder season is not only a less expensive time for you to cruise, it’s usually less crowded, which means fewer people lining up at landmarks or joining the most popular shore excursions. And while the weather can be cooler during the shoulder season, it can actually be an advantage if you don’t like being outdoors for a long period of time in high temperatures and humidity.
For couples who don’t want to sail with a boatload of kids, shoulder seasons have another advantage: they usually take place before and after summer vacation, which means most kids are in school.
So just how much money can you save by cruising during the shoulder season? Let’s take a quick look at three examples in Alaska, the Mediterranean and Bermuda during the 2010 season:
Save $380 per person for a week in Alaska:
A 7-night cruise aboard the Diamond Princess departing May 29 from Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia sails to Yakutat Bay, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. The starting cruise fare for this shoulder season departure is C$493 per person. But prices for the same cruise departing July 10 during high season start at C$873 – a full $380 per person more. With the savings, you could afford to spend a few extra days in Whittier exploring some of the interior of Alaska on a cruise tour.
Save $434 per person for a week in the Mediterranean:
The Celebrity Constellation departs Barcelona October 16 for a 7-night cruise to Nice, 
Genoa, Florence, Rome and Naples with cruise fares starting at C$719 or less than C$103 per diem. A similar cruise on sister ship Celebrity Century during the peak season in July has prices starting at $165 per day – a full $62 per person more each day. Take the shoulder season cruise and use the savings to pay for a few days on land in beautiful Barcelona.
Save $360 per person for 5-nights in Bermuda:
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas departs Cape Liberty, New Jersey on September 11 for a 5-night cruise to the pink-hued beaches of Bermuda with shoulder season fares starting at just C$499 per person. Fares for the same cruise departing during high 
season on July 31 start at C$859 – or a full C$360 more per person. Why not finish the summer with a shoulder season cruise to Mark Twain’s favorite island paradise of Bermuda? With the savings, you’ll have lots of money left for duty-free shopping in the island’s capital of Hamilton!
As you can see, there can be a big difference in cruise fares depending upon the time of year and season you choose to cruise. So if your calendar and family are flexible, why not save a ton of money by sailing during the shoulder season.
Comments
2 Comments so far
Those are fantastic savings! Thanks for the tip Commodore!
Oh. Commodore Dave, you have given your readers a great piece of advice on saving money!
I found a lovely bargain on Celebrity Solstice recently and had a marvelous time on that beautful ship. Even prowled the decks and passageways hoping to find you aboard, but not my luck.
The stop at Labadee was so exciting! That fabulous zip line is a half mile long and is just the best ride ever. Purfectly wonderful surprise to discover that ride of my life.