Choosing a less expensive interior stateroom category is often the easiest way to get a bargain on a cruise. On many Norwegian cruise ships, the layout of interior staterooms is almost identical to ocean view or balcony staterooms, but without hefty price tag. The only amenity you sacrifice by choosing an interior stateroom is the view.
With the exception of holiday sailings, the low season months of September through March mean big discounts on Norwegian cruises, particularly to Caribbean destinations. Norwegian advertised a five-day western Caribbean cruise departing in January 2011 from as low as $264 per person as of August 2010.
Norwegian Cruise Line almost always offers early booking discounts for those booking six months or more in advance of a cruise, such as 10 percent off the published cruise fare and a $100 on-board credit.
Norwegian Cruise Line often runs last-minute sales. If the ship is undersold as the cruise date approaches, prices drop dramatically. A little flexibility can mean a bargain to the last-minute shopper.
Sailing on older or less popular ships also can mean a big cost savings. In August of 2010, Norwegian offered a nine-day New Year's Eve cruise on the Norwegian Dawn for as low as $699. By choosing a less popular ship, you get a Norwegian cruise experience at a much lower price.
Travel agencies that specialize in marketing Norwegian cruises have the ability to get unadvertised group discount pricing for their customers, even if the customers are traveling solo. Some travel agents are able to offer other incentives, including on-board credits and coupon booklets in addition to a lower cruise fares.
Repositioning cruises are one-way cruises meant to move a ship from one seasonal destination to another. As of August 2010, Norwegian offers a 12-day New York to Miami cruise from as low as $499 per person.
When a guest books a guarantee cabin, those cabins are assigned at Norwegian's discretion. In some cases, passengers may not know their assigned cabin number until they board the ship. If Norwegian oversells that stateroom category, those with guarantee staterooms will be given an upgrade, so for the price of a less expensive interior category, guarantee passengers may end up with a nicer interior room, an ocean view room or even a balcony. Upgrades to a balcony from an interior are rare, but they do happen.
