18 Ways to Save Money on MSC Cruises (Cruise Tips that Work)

With inflation making everything more expensive, I am always looking for ways to save money. And while cruising is one of my favorite vacations, it can get expensive fast, especially when you start adding up all the cruise extras.

The good news is, there are many ways to cut costs without sacrificing a great vacation. I have been on over 25 cruises, four of which are MSC cruises, and I’ll be sharing with you my best money saving tips for your next MSC cruise. 

Drink champagne for free

If you are a Voyagers Club member with loyalty status, you will be invited to an exclusive VIP party, usually held on a sea day.

Silver and Gold members get access to a party with free champagne. But if you are Diamond and above, you are invited to a much nicer event with an open bar, plenty of drinks, free appetizers, elegant music, and you even get to meet the captain.

So the higher your status, the better the party. And here is a little trick.

Before the party ends, order an extra drink or two and walk out with them. That way, you are covered for the rest of the day without spending a dime at the bar. 

Book your next cruise at the future cruise desk

One of the easiest ways to save money is to book your next cruise while you are still onboard. On every single cruise I take, I always stop by the future cruise office to get a quote.

In my experience, they consistently offer the lowest prices, and they throw in a generous amount of onboard credit.

The deposit is usually just one hundred dollars per person, and the cancellation policy is very flexible. As long as you cancel before final payment, you get your full deposit back.

And if you work with a travel agent, your agent still gets credit even if you book through the future cruise desk. 

And here’s my tip to get additional onboard credit, I always ask my travel agent for additional onboard credit on top of what MSC already gave me. My travel agent usually adds at least fifty dollars more. That is free money to spend on your cruise.

Book your cruise extras in advance

After you complete your online check in, you can pre-purchase shore excursions, wifi, drink packages, spa treatments, photos, and even laundry service. These are usually discounted by at least ten percent or more.

If you wait until you board the ship, you will pay full price. I always buy my wifi in advance if I know I will need it, and I book shore excursions early to lock in that discount.

Just keep in mind that the advance booking window closes two days before sailing, so do not wait until the last minute or you will miss out entirely.

Prepay your gratuities

Gratuity rates can go up, and when they do, you pay the new higher rate unless you already prepaid. By prepaying your gratuities, you lock in the current rate and protect yourself from any future increases.

Rate increases does not happen all the time, but it does happen, and prepaying is a simple way to avoid being caught off guard.

Book a repositioning cruise

Repositioning cruises are usually cheaper. They are special sailings where ships move from one region to another based on the season.

For example, a ship that spends the summer in Europe might sail across the Atlantic to the Caribbean for winter.

Because these sailings are one way and include more days at sea with fewer port stops, they are usually significantly cheaper than standard round trip itineraries.

The trade off is fewer destinations and more time at sea, but if you have a flexible schedule, a repositioning cruise can offer incredible value.

Wait for the gift shop sale

If you want to buy souvenirs like t shirts, hats, or pashmina wraps, do not buy them on day one.

The onboard shops hold special sale events, often on sea days, where they clear out merchandise for discounted prices, sometimes as low as ten dollars each.

If you spot something you love at a sale price, buy it right away because it may not be available again at that price later in the cruise.

Choose a departure port within driving distance

One of the biggest hidden costs of a cruise is airfare. For a family, flights can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your total vacation budget.

If you can choose a departure port within driving distance of your home, you can eliminate that expense entirely. Your transportation costs might be nothing more than gas, port parking, or a short rideshare to the terminal.

Book the least expensive cabin

The cabin is one of the biggest factors in your total cruise cost. Inside cabins are the most affordable option because they do not have a window or balcony.

And honestly, for most cruisers, that is a perfectly fine trade off. When you think about how much time you actually spend in your cabin versus exploring the ship, going on excursions, or enjoying onboard activities, an inside cabin makes a lot of financial sense.

The money you save on your room can go toward experiences that you will actually remember.

Watch for upgrade offers

As your sailing date approaches, MSC cruise will send upgrade offers using a bidding system.

You choose how much you are willing to pay to move up to a better cabin, and if your bid is accepted, you get the upgrade at a fraction of the full price.

It is not guaranteed, but if you are flexible, it is a great way to potentially get a nicer room without paying full price.

You will get the upgrade offer by email or when you go to Manage your Booking on the MSC website after doing the online check-in.

Travel during the off season

Cruise prices are highest during peak times like summer and major holidays. If your schedule is flexible, sailing during shoulder months can save you a significant amount of money.

For example, Caribbean cruises tend to be cheaper in September, and Mediterranean cruises drop in price during October and November.

As a bonus, off season sailings are usually less crowded, which makes for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience overall.

Be loyal and join the Voyagers Club

Sticking with one cruise line and building up your loyalty status pays off over time.

Once you reach Diamond status on MSC, you unlock some really valuable perks, including a free specialty dinner and one hour of complimentary thermal spa access for Gold and Diamond members.

These benefits add real value to every sailing and help you spend less while feeling like a VIP.

Do the Voyagers Club status match

If you already have loyalty status with another cruise line or even a hotel rewards program, you can use that to get matching status in the MSC Voyagers Club right away.

I used my Celebrity Cruises status to get Gold Voyagers Club status on MSC. My sister matched her Hilton Honors status and came in at Diamond.

We both got the thermal spa benefit from day one without having to earn it from scratch.

I have an article on how to do the MSC status match, so check it out.

Take advantage of spa port day specials

When the ship is docked at a port, the onboard spa often offers special discounted prices on massages and other treatments. And the best part is you do not have to choose between the port and the spa.

You can split your day, explore the port during the day and book a spa treatment in the evening. You get the discount and you still get to enjoy your destination.

Use a travel agent

Travel agents often have access to exclusive deals, group rates, and promotions that are not always available when booking directly with the cruise line.

A good travel agent can also help you get upgrades and will often throw in free onboard credits as a thank you for your business.

And the best part is that using a travel agent typically does not cost you anything extra. 

Skip the cruise line shore excursions

Shore excursions booked directly through the cruise line are convenient, but they can be very expensive.

In many ports, you can find hop on hop off buses, local tours, or independent sightseeing options that cost significantly less.

Just be very careful with your timing if you go independent. The cruise ship will not wait for you if you are late, so always leave plenty of time to get back to the ship before departure.

Bring a refillable water bottle

This is such a simple tip but it adds up. You can refill your bottle at the buffet throughout the day, take it around the ship with you, and bring it along on shore excursions. This way you are not spending money on bottled water onboard.

And here is something a lot of people do not realize about MSC. They offer complimentary juices all day at the buffet, so you can fill up your bottle with juice instead of water if you want a little something extra.

Take advantage of MSC promotions

MSC frequently runs promotions like kids sail free, free beverage packages, free wifi, prepaid gratuities, and discounts for third and fourth passengers in a cabin.

These extras add up quickly and can significantly reduce both your upfront cost and your onboard spending.

When you are planning your cruise, always compare current promotions carefully because the right deal can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Bring your own beach gear

If your itinerary includes a stop at Ocean Cay, bring your own snorkeling equipment and floaties instead of renting it.

Rental fees add up quickly, and most beach gear is easy enough to pack. It is a small thing that can save you more than you might expect.