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11 Ways to Find a Cheap Cruise: The Secrets of Cruise Discounts in 2024

By Tamara Hinson

May 31, 2024

Bag a shoulder season deal

In travel, shoulder season is the period between peak season and low season, and you’ll find it in cruising, too. Cruise lines don’t only offer consistently lower prices during shoulder season sailings—they’ll typically offer regular flash sales during these times, too. 

“Keep an eye out for flash sales during shoulder seasons,” says Elaine Warren, founder of specialist cruise travel agency FamilyCruiseCompanion.com . “Cruise lines are desperate to fill ships during these times. I've found some real steals by being ready to book as soon as I see a great offer pop up.” 

Bear in mind that different regions have different shoulder seasons. In Alaska, for example, the main shoulder seasons are April and early May, and then at the end of summer between September and mid-October. Europe’s shoulder seasons are April and May, and then again in September to November. For Caribbean cruises, it’s May, June, and July and then in December, January, and March.

Try to book at least six months in advance 

Passionate cruisers Don and Heidi Bucolo, founders of top cruise blog EatSleepCruise.com , say that advance booking can be a key to great deals. 

“Our advice is to book cruises between 6 and 12 months in advance. Typically, cruise prices tend to go up closer to the sail date, especially for newer ships or for more desirable travel dates.”

Consider repositioning cruises 

Repositioning cruises are one-way sailings during which ships relocate from one region to another, like when they switch between summer Europe sailings to a winter Caribbean schedule. Because these voyages typically cross entire oceans, they’re a great way to see multiple regions. 

You’ll need to brush up on shoulder seasons to find the best deals. For example, autumn is when ships based in the Mediterranean are most likely to head to the Caribbean’s sunnier shores, while spring is when ships based in the Middle East often reposition to the Mediterranean. But when you find a good repositioning run the savings can be huge.  

“Repositioning cruises can be 50% cheaper than regular sailings, offering great value and the chance to discover destinations many travelers overlook,” says Jeremy Clubb, founder of Antarctica Cruises .

Consider an itinerary with fewer port days 

On the itinerary of the cruise you’re considering, pay extra attention to the number of in-port days and the number of sea days. Doing so can help make your money go further while also making sure you get the most out of your sailing.  

“I always try to weigh up port days versus sea days based on the [client’s] interests and budget,” says travel advisor Elaine Warren, founder of FamilyCruiseCompanion.com . “Extra time on board means fewer shore excursions, and excursion costs can really add up over a week.”

Leverage your loyalty

If you’re considering booking with a cruise line you’ve sailed with before, ask for a loyalty discount. Remember that it always pays to ask. "Even if your preferred cruise line doesn’t explicitly promote loyalty discounts, there’s absolutely no harm in asking for one,” says Jeremy Clubb at Antarctica Cruises . “More often than not, you’ll be successful because cruise lines prefer to incentivize repeat business rather than spend more attracting new customers.”

Book your next cruise while you’re still aboard

When you’re still on a cruise, you’ll almost always be able to get a discount off future sailings on the same cruise line, and many ships have special booking desks set up expressly to handle new reservations. Some lines will also give you onboard credits to use for expenses on your next voyage. So if you’re planning another vacation with the same cruise line, don’t wait until you’re on dry land.

Ask about special discounts

You may not know that many cruise lines offer fixed discounts to shareholders, military personnel, senior citizens, and members of the armed forces. And the reason you may not know is they’re usually poorly advertised, and when they are, details are often vague at best. 

For example, Royal Caribbean promotes discounts for anyone aged 55 and over ( RoyalCaribbean.com ) but only on selected cruises, while Cunard touts onboard credit offers to members of the armed forces ( Cunard.com/en-us/military ). Norwegian Cruise Line gets bonus points for clearly laying out its discounts for shareholders on a dedicated page ( NCLhltd.com ) although there’s no information relating to other discounts.

It’s important to bear in mind that cruise lines won’t necessarily shout about available discounts—if you don’t ask, you won’t get them.

Don’t hold out for last-minute bargains 

These days, waiting for last-minute cruise discounts can end up costing you more. 

“While cruise lines once used last-minute reductions to fill their ships, there’s not currently any need for them,” says Chris Owen, founder of ChrisCruises.com ). “This is because, currently, post-pandemic, there’s no need as there’s still this huge pent-up demand.”

Hold off booking that expedition cruise

If you dream of exploring Antarctica or gawping at the Galapagos’ sea lions but you’re put off by the high prices associated with this type of cruise, don’t despair. Cruise lines are constructing an ever-growing number of expedition-style ships serving these destinations, and as availability to these regions increases with time, prices are likely to fall. 

“More cruise lines are starting to offer expedition voyages,” say Don and Heidi at EatSleepCruise.com . “In the coming years, there will be an increase in the number of cruises being offered to places once considered remote—destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic Circle and the Galapagos are all becoming more accessible.”

Consider older ships

Only looking at new ships could cost you dearly, and the rewards aren’t necessarily worth it.

 “Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas , the world's largest cruise ship, has cruise fares which are close to double what you might pay for similar sailings on other megaships from the brand's older Oasis-class ships, which were once record-breaking ships and still have loads of onboard attractions and amenities,” says the team behind  EatSleepCruise.com . “To get the most value for your money, we’d suggest looking at ships which are between 5 and 7 years old. These will still offer some of the best on-board options in terms of restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife but will be considerably cheaper than ships which are 1 or 2 years old.”

Use a trusted travel advisor

As tempting as it might be to go it alone, booking through a travel agency—ideally, one specializing in cruises—will frequently result in the best deals. Because they deal with the cruise lines often, travel advisors may know how to find the best discounts, too. 

“Travel advisors can access the best perks, like on-board credit and free gratuities, as well as other promotions in addition to the deals the cruise line might be offering at that time,” say Don and Heidi of EatSleepCruise.com . “Additionally, they’ll be able to help with any issues that may arise before or during your trip.”

If you know the specific line and departure date you want to take but don’t know a good travel agent to book it with,  CruiseCompete.com , which has been running since 2003, allows travelers to obtain free price quotes from multiple travel agents at the same time. Many of them will throw in upgrades or onboard credits to earn your business.

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How To Book Cheap Cruises, According to Frugal Redditors

Maxwell Shukuya is a California-based writer covering tech, travel, product reviews, and personal finance. Based in California, his work has previously been featured in Capital Public Radio, Submerge Magazine, and City on a Hill Press.

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Sail Away for Less

Dropping a couple thousand dollars on a cruise will never be frugal. From camping  to road tripping , there are just cheaper ways to vacation. But if the high seas are calling, there are a few things you can do to keep your expenses low, according to frugal Redditors . Here are 10 ways to book the cheapest cruise possible.

Related:   20 Bucket-List Cruises Worth Saving For

Pay in Advance

Gratuities and fees abound on cruises — and not all of them are optional. One Redditor suggests pre-paying these extra charges to make budgeting for your trip easier. Don’t worry about not tipping enough. If the service is exceptional, you can still tip extra later on.

Related:   Surprising Facts You Never Knew About Cruise Ships

Account for Transportation Costs

Transportation to and from the port will be costly, especially if you’re traveling abroad. While it may be more boring than a cruise along the French riviera, it’s cheaper to choose an itinerary that begins and ends close to where you live.

Related:   Best Cruises for Senior Couples Under $100 a Night

Beware of Room Upgrades

Even after you’ve purchased your ticket, cruise lines will do everything they can to upcharge you. The biggest shakedown? Room upgrades. Make sure to do your research and commit to a room before getting on board. While cheap, most undesirable rooms may not be worth the savings if you cave for an upgrade once you’re on board.

Related:  24 Tips and Tricks for Smooth Sailing on Your Next Cruise

Arrange Third-Party Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are also a minefield of potential upcharges. You can avoid them altogether, or organize your own excursions with more affordable third-party companies.

For more cheap travel advice, please sign up for our free newsletters .

Avoid Specialty Dining Options

Remember: Food (often a buffet) is included with your ticket. If you want to save money, don’t be enticed by expensive upgrades, especially since dinner is often quite good in the main dining room, one Redditor writes.

Book a Longer Cruise

If this is your first time cruising, then you might be tempted to test the waters with a weekend trip. But one commenter says this is a mistake. Not only are weekend trips exhausting, they’re also more expensive per day than trips that are five nights or longer.

Sign Up for a Travel Credit Card

You can offset some of your expenses with a credit card specifically geared toward travel savings. Forbes Advisor even has a list of the best credit cards for cruises .

Book With Vacations To Go

Don't let the outdated website dissuade you. Multiple Redditors recommend booking with Vacations To Go , which specializes in cheap, last-minute cruise deals. CruiseCompete , another discounter, also comes up often in Reddit threads.

Don’t Cruise With Carnival

Despite Carnival's reputation as a low-cost cruise line, Redditors say that it’s worth paying a bit extra for Norwegian, which has a better “cost-to-enjoyment” ratio. “Carnival might offer some of the best prices, but they might not offer the kind of experience or atmosphere that you're looking for,” one comment reads.

Sneak in Drinks

While we don’t condone any serious rule breaking, some Redditors suggested sneaking alcohol aboard to avoid the astronomical drink prices. The practice is so common that vendors on Amazon sell entire kits dedicated to rum running . Just keep in mind that some cruise lines will go as far as kicking you off the ship if they discover your contraband.

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10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise

Tell us if this process sounds familiar.

You want to book a cruise, so you start searching around. A web search takes you from one site to another. Before you know it, you’ve looked at a dozen different sites to try and find the best deal.

What’s more, you’ve tried searching multiple dates, itineraries, cruise lines, and room types, searching for that best combination of price, time and route.

It’s enough to make your head spin… and that’s before you actually purchase your fare .

After that, you end up checking the same cruise obsessively, making sure you’ve gotten the best price possible.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way . We’ve spent years studying the cruise industry and have come up with our best rules to follow to make sure you’re getting the absolute best rate with as little headache as possible.

It’s no guarantee that you’ll get the lowest rate offered for your cruise, but these rules will help you be smarter about buying your vacation.

In This Article...

Want a cheap cruise? Study this chart

Before we get into the rules, we want to walk you through some of research. First, we want to show you the most important resource when it comes to what you will pay for a cruise.

The chart below shows the historic per-person cruise fare for both an interior cabin and balcony room for a 3-day Carnival cruise over a period of two years between 2021-2023 . This particular cruise sailed from Miami, with a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

We selected this cruise because it runs weekly, giving us a chance to compare the price of the trip over multiple years and see the trends in the fare.

First, you can see from the blue line (price for an interior room) that prices to travel last minute are consistent with the same time a year later. In other words, you don’t see that much of a discount — if any — by waiting until the last minute .

Second, notice the trends in the rise and fall of the prices. Cruise fares see large spikes during holidays and the summer. The basic rule of thumb is that if school is out, then cruise fares are high . Cruising off season can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Of course, there is so much more to learn about finding the best rate on your next cruise. We go into full detail of all the rules you should follow to find the lowest rate possible…

Rule #1: DO be flexible with your days to cruise the cheapest

As you can see in the chart , the fares for the same cruise can vary dramatically, depending on when you sail.

Holidays like Christmas and New Year’s fetch the highest prices by far. These rates can often be double what you would pay in the lower season. The highest rates found around the holidays are closely followed by peak summer rates when families with kids like to cruise:

The best times to sail with the lowest rates? The fall months when people are back at school and work, meaning that rates hit their lowest. You can also find lower rates in the time between New Year’s and Spring Break.

Rule #2: DON’T think there is a magic website with cheaper cruise fares

The cruise line’s website, Expedia, Cruises.com, Travelocity… the list of sites where you can search for trips is endless. The odd thing? They usually all have the exact same rates.

We researched the most popular sites for a Carnival cruise (although this rule applies to all cruise lines), comparing prices with the cruise line’s official website. This trip is a 7-day cruise from Miami in June 2025 aboard Carnival Magic. We’ve tabulated the prices we found below:

So which site should you use?

We generally suggest booking through the cruise line’s website. We like this because it takes out the middleman in booking your sailing. Should there be an issue, you can call the cruise line directly and everything is dealt with through their site.

However, many third-party sites can have special deals such as onboard credit that’s not available if booking through the cruise line. We’ve seen up to $750 in onboard credit just for booking through these types of sites, depending on their offers.

[Read: The Best Websites to Book a Cruise ]

As well, third-party sites take your search across multiple cruise lines. So instead of just searching for Carnival cruises or Royal Caribbean, you can search every cruise line — potentially finding a cheaper cruise with another line. Meanwhile, you typically won’t pay any more than booking directly from the cruise line.

If you know the cruise line you’d like to sail, we suggest booking directly through them. If you are open to which line you sail, then third-party websites give you the ability to search more cruise lines and itineraries to find a better price.

Rule #3: DON’T think you’ll save a ton by booking last minute

It would make sense that you would find the cheapest fares right before the ship sails. After all, if a room sails empty, the cruise line earns nothing from that cabin. They should want to get you on the ship and at least earn some cruise fare, then hope to earn more on excursions, drinks, and shopping onboard.

If that were how things actually worked, however, the cruise lines would go insane trying to plan. If rates were lowest right before the trip sailed, then every passenger would wait until the last minute. The cruise lines wouldn’t be able to plan their needs for the trip ahead of time or predict revenue, costs, or profits.

That’s why cruise lines have largely eliminated last-minute discounts.

In fact, if you look at our chart of prices for the cruise below, you can see that the price you pay for a cruise about to depart is inline with the same time a year later.

Where you can really get burned by waiting until the last minute is in your room selection.

When you book late, many of the prime rooms have been taken already. So if you had your eye on a certain type of room or location on the ship, it might not be available if booking late.

For more on buying last-minute cruises, read 9 Smart Last-Minute Cruise Buying Tips .

Rule #4: DON’T get distracted by cruise line sales

The cruise lines are like department stores — they constantly run sales and special offers. Sometimes it is 50% off the second fare. Sometimes it’s lower deposits. Sometimes it’s onboard credit.

We’ve found that there is a constant flow of deals, and they usually are all about the same. In other words, we don’t really think you should let it influence whether or not you buy… or let it affect the timing of your purchase.

Yes, it is possible that one deal might be better than another. However, they typically end up around the same price. If a cruise line really needs to fill rooms, they will simply lower the price of the specific cruise instead of offering a fleetwide discount via a sale.

Rule #5: DO sail on older ships for cheaper deals

It’s not written in stone, but you will usually pay much less to sail on an older ship compared to a newer one. Older ships are still kept up and comfy, but simply can’t offer the space or amenities as the larger, newer ships.

Over the past two decades, ships have seemingly transformed from simply seagoing vessels to floating amusement parks. From huge waterslides to promenades, robot bars, roller coasters, ice rinks, and more, it’s hard to believe what they can put on a new ship these days.

If you don’t need these sorts of things on your cruise, then look for an older ship to get a much cheaper cruise.

What can you expect to save? It’s difficult to compare apples to apples as different ships sail to different ports at different times, but we found two similar cruises to compare.

The first was a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral, departing April 2025. Wonder of the Seas is one of the cruise line’s newest ships, and it’s priced accordingly.

The cheapest price (interior cabin) we found for an April sailing on this new ship was $1,106 per person .

Compare this rate with a 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard an older Royal Caribbean ship — Adventure of the Seas. We found this cruise departing Port Canaveral during the same month (April 2024). Despite being one night longer, the trip was priced at just $955 per person for an interior cabin . That’s about $150 per person less for an additional night.

In other words, sailing the older ship in this example costs considerably less than the new ship — despite the cruise being a day longer.

(Note: There is also a 6-night cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas during that same month starting at just $666 per person — an even larger discount.)

Rule #6: DO choose your room location carefully

While not every cruise line does it, many will charge you different amounts for the same class of room in different locations of the ship. For example, a room on a higher deck will cost more than one on a lower deck. Through years and years of bookings, the cruise lines know which rooms are most desirable and charge accordingly.

Most times the premium you pay for room location won’t seem like a big deal. The cruise lines sometimes frame it by adding something like $3-5 per person, per day.

Let’s do the math, however.

A room with two people being charged an extra $5 per person, per day would rack up $10 per day — or $70 in room location charges over the course of a week-long cruise. That may not sound like much to some of you, but that comes about to about 4-6 drinks from the bar if you were to want to spend your money on alcohol instead.

The rule of thumb is that the higher up your room is on the ship, the more you will pay.

For the absolute best rate for your particular room class, let the cruise line place you automatically at their lowest rate.

Rule #7: DON’T buy the “wave season” hype

You might have heard of “wave season.” This time of year — running from January through March — is supposed to be when the cruise lines offer the best deals. That’s due to the cold weather in most of the country making people think of warmer places combined with the passing of the Christmas holiday. It is definitely true that more booking activity goes on during this period. But it may not mean better prices. 

Our take? Wave season is hyped up, similar to “Black Friday.” Sure there may be good offers — but not enough to keep us from booking a good deal when we see one a different time of year.

If everyone waited until the wave season because the deals were better, then the cruise lines wouldn’t have anyone book the other nine months of the year. You’ll find that the deals offered aren’t that much different than those found the rest of the year.

Rule #8: DON’T think booking far ahead will save much

If last-minute booking doesn’t offer much of a discount, then surely you’ll be rewarded by booking well in advance, right?

Not so much.

Rates vary the most by time of year… not by how far in advance the departure is. For example, you’ll see similar fares for a cruise in September, whether that’s three months from now or a year and three months from now.

Now, that’s not to say that the fare for a cruise well in the future won’t drop at some point. If the cruise line has trouble filling rooms, they will certainly drop the rate. But many times, there is no huge advantage to booking a year or more in advance (although you will have more cabin options).

Rule #9: DO book your cruise when you find a rate you like

We know that trying to find the best rate can be nerve-wracking. Don’t let it get to you. We think the key is to do some research first on the cruises offered and what they are selling for. Once you have a ballpark idea of what they cost, you can have a better idea if you are getting a good deal.

Once you find a rate that you think is fair (including any sales/promotions), go ahead and book it. There’s no sense in waiting and watching to see if the price will fall more, especially since it could also rise. ( Read more on the best time to book a cruise. )

And while you want to book your cruise once you’ve found a rate you’re happy with, we recommend NOT paying in full. In fact, put down the smallest deposit allowed.

This will give you some leverage for Rule #10. (Keep in mind that if you book last-minute, you often have to pay for the trip in full at the time of booking.)

Rule #10: DO monitor price drops…and call the cruise line

So what if after all this you book your cruise and then the price drops?

First, you should be monitoring the price of your cruise after you book if you want to save money. We’re not saying to check it every day, but once or twice a month is sufficient.

If you run across a price drop, then you should contact the cruise line immediately. This is where having put down only a deposit — and not paying in full — buys you some leverage.

Many times the cruise lines will work with you to compensate for the lower fare, even though they often aren’t obligated to do so. They can refund the difference or offer onboard credit to make you happy.

Some lines have price protection policies in place. Carnival, for example, has it’s Early Saver Program :

1. When you book a 3-5 day cruise three months in advance, or 6 day or longer cruise five months in advance, you are assured the lowest rate. 2. In the unlikely event that you do find a lower Carnival-advertised rate after booking your cruise, we will honor it and adjust your cruise rate accordingly. Simply fill out the Price Protection Claim form and we’ll take care of the rest.

If you only have a deposit down, and they won’t work with you on the price difference, determine the refund policy to see if it is worth it to cancel your original trip and re-book the cruise at the lower rate.

If you’ve already paid in full, it’s still worth calling the cruise line if you see a lower fare. The lines want happy customers and will sometimes work with you to compensate for the new lower price.

Bottom Line: Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball that will tell you the absolute best time of year or day of week to book your cruise. That said, the tips above can help you carve out the best deal possible — without driving yourself crazy.

More on Cruise Buying:

• The Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• The Best Time to Book a Cruise (Save Money, Better Cabins)

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Informative but I am really confused what I am missing. I looked at several Azamara cruises on both their website and VTG. There was a huge prices difference. Even if I subtract things like port fees and gratuities, it did not come close to accounting for the price difference. Can anyone explain why?

I agree that the fall months as well as early in the year are best for cheaper rates but I live on the East coast and I monitor hurricanes every year. It seems to be a very big risk booking during hurricane season. I’ve been researching cruises to Bermuda. Last time I booked was first week in June. That was my first cruise so I was a total newbie. Great cruise, however. Your article was very informative. I’ve never cruised on Carnival before, always cruised on NCL.

Hello, this is more about the cruise incentive, rather than cruise price. I booked August 31 to sail December 1 with Expedia for HAL. Expedia is now offering the drink package at a reduction of $400 each plus more onboard credit.I would be saving $625, initially I did receive free gratuities.

They are not willing to help as of my phone call, any tips on what to do? Thanks in advance. Your site is great, I have been enjoying the tips.

So you’ve called and they won’t give the better offer? What sort of cancellation fee are you looking at? It might be worth cancelling and then re-booking the better deal if you wouldn’t be out too much money.

I agree with most everything you said in this article except letting the cruise line choose your room. Yes you may save a few dollars that way but you will also most likely get an undesirable room. Undesirable rooms are those under the Lido deck, above and below the nightclubs, next to the galley, and next to the elevators. Also if you are booking an inside room (which is the cheapest), be sure you are not booking a room with an upper and lower berths if that is not what you want. If you are booking an outside room and you really want the view, be sure you are not booking one with a restricted view (life boats, structure, etc). If you elect the cruise line choosing your room be sure you are selecting the right category. This is where a travel agent can help.

Thanks for the comment. We always let the cruise line choose the room for us to save money. Never had an issue with location.

Probably the truest article I’ve read! So many other sites seem to be in some kind of alliance with the cruiselines so they halfway tell you something then backtrack. Also, I find it interesting that you mentioned the fact that the sales are constant and basically offer the same. I witnessed it first hand over the last few weeks. I kicked myself for not booking when the rates went down, however, when they increased $25 per person (2 in cabin, so $50 more), the onboard credit increased $50 with the offer. So it was essentially the same deal. I think all in all, in 2 different cruises after searching, waiting and continually checking even after booking, I’ve only missed out on a total of an extra $25 onboard credit for the entire cabin.

It’s great that you elaborated on which dates are best for finding better deals on cruises. I remember when my husband and I discussed going on a cruise sometime, we weren’t sure what dates we would want to plan ahead for. What you said about going in the falls months when people are back to work and school means lower rates, in general, was very interesting to me.

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6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Editor's Note

Getting a really great deal on a cruise is getting harder. Strong demand for cruises over the past year has allowed cruise lines to raise fares sharply and cut back on last-minute discounts to fill unsold cabins.

One line recently said bookings have been so strong that it would be stopping all last-minute discounts indefinitely .

As a result, the fares you'll find for cruises this year are significantly higher — by 20% or more — than they were in 2019, the last normal year for cruising.

So how do you get the best cruise deal if you're trying to book a cruise for this coming winter and beyond?

To start — don't panic. Even if fares for the coming year don't come down soon, you can find ways to save when booking a vacation at sea.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Below, we've assembled six of our top tips for finding a bargain on a cruise. These are travel hacks that can work any time — not just when fares are rising. Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.

Cruise during the offseason

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are cruise ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel drops off, resulting in diminished demand for many types of travel, including cruises.

In the Caribbean, these months also fall during hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

Related: Read this before booking a cruise during hurricane season

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for cruising generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August have been high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

It's a growing truism of the cruise world: the earlier you book, the better price you'll get.

Cruise lines often open departures for bookings with the lowest prices at which they want to sell the trips. Then, as the departures start filling up, they slowly raise prices on the remaining inventory.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, your best bet, in many cases, is to book right when the sailing opens for sale. This means planning way in advance, as many cruise lines open their reservations for sailings two or even three years before departure.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're far more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out first and quickly.

Related: How to pick the perfect cruise line for you

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise super far in advance? Here's the good news: If, for some reason, the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you often can get your fare reduced to match the lower price. This is often the case until the last few months before the sailing begins, when the cruise enters what's known as the "final payment" window. At that point, the fare you've paid is locked in.

Note that not all fare types allow for changes to the fare you've paid after booking. It's important to read the fine print for the fare category you're booking.

As noted above, cruise lines typically offer their lowest fare for any given sailing just after it opens for booking — often two or even three years before it's scheduled to begin.

Generally, the fare will only go up as the sailing date approaches. But in some cases, cruise lines will drop the price of a cruise significantly at the last minute. This can happen when the line finds itself with a lot of unsold cabins for a voyage.

If you're flexible and can travel on short notice, you sometimes can find a last-minute deal for cruises where the line is scrambling to fill berths.

A key thing to know here is that last-minute discounting isn't as common as it used to be. Like airlines, cruise lines have become much more savvy about revenue management over the years, and it's rarer that they find themselves with a lot of unsold inventory on sailings just before departure.

You'll also have to be flexible to take advantage of these deals. If you have a specific cabin type on a specific sailing on a specific ship that you're eyeing for a vacation, you can't count on it being available — especially not at a rock-bottom rate.

Sail on an older ship

At many big lines, you'll find that the newest, most amenity-filled cruise ships sell at a premium price. Older ships come with a discount.

The older ships are, of course, older, and they sometimes don't have quite as much to offer on board as the newer ships. But if you're looking for a deal, they can bring great value.

Use a travel agent

Are you a plan-it-yourself type of traveler? We get it. Many of TPG's staffers are that way, too.

But even if you book all your land trips on your own, you might want to use a travel agent who is a cruise specialist to book your next voyage.

One big reason is that cruise-selling travel agents often have access to lower bulk fares for sailings that aren't available to the general public. Big travel agencies will block out large chunks of cabins on ships soon after they open for booking to lock in such group fares, then sell them over the coming months.

In addition to lower fares, cruise travel agents also sometimes throw in extra perks like onboard credit or amenities when you book through them.

Travel agents specializing in cruising also will be able to guide you through the many types of cabin categories on some cruise ships and steer you away from cabins to avoid . Plus, they'll be there for you when things go wrong on a cruise .

Consider a repositioning cruise

Some of the best bargains in the cruise world are the voyages that cruise ships make as they reposition from one part of the world to another.

This is because cruise lines often have trouble selling these trips, which typically have somewhat oddball itineraries with very few port calls and lots of sea days. They also tend to be a bit longer than standard weekend getaways or weeklong voyages. They have to discount the trips to fill the ships as much as possible.

Related: The ultimate guide to repositioning cruises

Among the most common repositioning cruises are sailings between the Caribbean and Europe in the spring as lines move ships to the Mediterranean for summer. Similarly, there's always a wave of repositioning cruises between Europe and the Caribbean in the fall.

You'll also find some repositioning cruises every year between the Caribbean and Alaska, and between the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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The Best Ways to Book a Cruise

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Not all cruise sites are created equal. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. 

Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more.

What is the best way to book a cruise?

The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. We've broken out cruise booking sites based on common booking goals.

From our findings, here are the top cruise booking sites for your next vacation, plus the pros and cons they offer travelers.

For sailings across the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America: CheapCaribbean

CheapCaribbean.com is the best cruise website for the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. It offers a best-price guarantee plus limited-time offers and discounts.

If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Best-price guarantee.

Customer service is available seven days a week.

Charges a $24.99 processing fee on reservations.

Must provide an email address to receive the best deals and promos.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

For consulting reviews from other cruisers: Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is an independent website that encourages community members to post reviews and share tips.

Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

Read cruise reviews from travelers who've been on that itinerary before.

"Deal Score" ranks deals to find the best value.

Price tracker shows 90-day trends for cruise prices.

Must click through the deal to book your cruise on other websites.

Prices are not guaranteed and can change before booking due to fees and restrictions on the sites where the cruises are being sold.

To review several cruise prices at once: CruiseDirect

CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation. CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site.

Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships.

Bonus offers on every reservation provide extra value.

Best-price guarantee and free reservation holds.

Buy now, pay later financing options.

Promos offered by cruise lines aren't exclusive to CruiseDirect.

Customer service can be unfriendly.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

For budget-friendly options: Priceline

Priceline was originally known for its "Name Your Own Price" promotions, but has grown into a full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises, saving consumers more than $1 billion dollars per year.

Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations.

Up to $2,000 to spend on board.

Waived deposits of up to $500 when booking your cruise.

110% best-price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Ability to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more from the same site.

Must call Priceline to get exclusive offers and unpublished fares.

Restrictions make the best-price guarantee harder to benefit from.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best cruise deals

For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise.

Search over 70,000 cruise deals from more than 60 sites at once.

Dedicated ship pages share details, reviews, photos and itineraries.

Too many search results make it harder to narrow down your choices.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel is a family-owned website that matches travelers with a vacation planner based on their preferences. It's the best way to book a cruise using a travel planner because it offers a low-price guarantee without charging extra fees for the planner.

The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise.

Match with cruise planners according to your needs.

Does not charge Avoya fees for booking, changes or cancellations.

Get a low-price guarantee and the expertise of a vacation planner without extra fees.

Must become a member to unlock the best deals.

Pricing on the website is not "live" pricing, so actual cost may vary.

Cannot book a cruise online. You must speak with an independent vacation planner.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance right now

To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel

American airlines cruises.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com . All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. These miles and Loyalty Points count toward airline elite status. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines.

Earn miles and Loyalty Points toward travel and elite status.

Cardholders earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles on cruises.

Cruise experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cruise reservations are offered by a third party, so customer service issues can be a challenge.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal. Booking through SkyMilesCruises.com helps you earn Delta SkyMiles on your purchase.

Members get up to 10,000 miles on most cruises and up to 100,000 miles on luxury cruises. Plus, the site waives deposits on eligible cruise reservations.

Can earn up to 100,000 miles when booking a cruise.

Waives deposits when booking eligible cruises.

110% price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Most cruise awards are capped at 10,000 miles.

Miles earned are based on the length of the cruise, not the amount spent.

United Airlines Cruises

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com .

When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits.

Earn up to 7x miles on cruises.

United MileagePlus Premier members receive additional perks.

Can redeem miles to pay for some or all of your trip.

Not all cruises can be booked online.

Prices do not include a nonrefundable $24.99 processing fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

If you want to earn hotel points on your cruise, Marriott Cruise with Points is the best cruise website for you. You'll earn up to 6x points on your cruise purchase, or you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your trip.

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Earn up to 6x points on your cruise, up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Marriott cardholders receive an extra 2x points when paying with their cards.

Can use Bonvoy points to pay for your cruise.

Redemption value of Bonvoy points is only 0.4 cent.

Must call to book cruises using points.

Processing fee of $24.99 per reservation.

» Learn more: Airline credit cards vs. hotel credit cards

For cruise package deals: Costco Travel

Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members. Through its Costco Travel website , members receive exclusive prices and benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel packages.

Executive Members earn 2% back on Costco Travel purchases and receive additional benefits on select packages. Plus, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Earn 2% rewards and extra perks with Executive Membership.

Some cruises offer Costco gift cards or onboard credit.

Must be a member to book reservations with Costco Travel.

Directly with the Cruise Line

In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party. If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other.

This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. However, you may miss out on promotions offered by third-party sites.

Simple search functions.

No hassles with third parties for problems, changes or cancellations.

Less likely to get scammed by fraudulent sites.

Miss out on deals offered by third-party sites.

Harder to compare prices, benefits and routes from multiple cruise lines.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. 

We selected the lowest-priced balcony room on Royal Caribbean departing from Miami in August 2023. Here are the results:

Mitigate cancellation policy risks with travel insurance

If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for cruises

Travel cards with cruise benefits

You can get even more perks by booking your cruise with the right card.

on Chase's website

on Bank of America's website

on American Express' website

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Get 25% more value out of your points when you book cruises through Chase.

Book with your card to get automatic travel protections for your cruise.

Redeem miles as a statement credit to cover spending on cruises.

Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise.

Earn 2x points on travel spending, including cruises and some ship excursions.

Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services.

Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines. Terms apply.

Cruise program benefits include $300 credit redeemable toward dining and spa services plus amenities like wine, chocolates and champagne. Terms apply.

Booking a cruise recapped

When looking for the best way to book a cruise, the price is virtually the same on every website. The difference lies in how each seller sweetens the deal.

Several cruise booking sites set themselves apart from the competition by offering additional benefits to encourage booking through them. Additionally, being able to book other parts of your trip — like flight and excursions — on the same site, or offering access to a travel agent, distinguishes some of the best cruise websites. 

When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back.

If you're searching for cruises on a third-party website, you may question the legitimacy of that site. This is especially true if the site doesn't look professional or some of the information is outdated.

For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers.

Yes, last-minute deals can be the best way to book a cruise. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.

Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Best Cruise Lines for the Money

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, a vacation at sea is often a better value than a

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, a vacation at sea is often a better value than a land-based getaway – if you choose wisely. To help you make the most of your travel budget, U.S. News ranked the following cruise lines based on a methodology that factors in itinerary affordability, amenities included in the base fare, health ratings and reputation among experts and travelers. Read on to learn more about this year's best cruise lines for the money, and be sure to check our latest cruise deals for an even more affordable vacation experience. 

Read Best Cruises Methodology

Find Cruises

Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732

with a cruise advisor

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages may not seem like the most affordable offering at a glance, but it presents cruisers with supreme value. Base fares include all onboard dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi access, group fitness classes and more. Add those benefits to Virgin's ongoing sales, and you're looking at a top-notch experience for less. 

• 4.39 Overall Rating
• 3 Ships in Fleet

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' vessels offer the endless amenities and buffets of its competitors' megaships but maintain the service standard of smaller lines. Rates on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries run less than $200 per person, and all-inclusive add-on packages are available.

• 4.36 Overall Rating
• 13 Ships in Fleet

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises targets more adult travelers (especially on longer voyages) than family-oriented lines like Royal Caribbean International, but at similar prices. Along with lodging and select dining, fares cover activities like cooking demonstrations and educational lectures.

• 4.02 Overall Rating
• 15 Ships in Fleet

Royal Caribbean International

With more than 25 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is one of the largest lines sailing the ocean today. Having the ability to accommodate thousands of guests per ship allows the company to keep rates low. In fact, travelers may find itineraries in popular destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Pacific Coast for around $250 per person.

• 4.17 Overall Rating
• 25 Ships in Fleet

Holland America Line

Cruisers will find this premium cruise line to be a pretty good bargain, with four-day Caribbean sailings often starting at less than $300 per person, and short voyages along the Pacific Coast coming in around $100 per person. But cutting costs doesn't mean skimping on service; Holland America ships offer individualized attention, free room service and all-inclusive package options.

• 4.14 Overall Rating
• 11 Ships in Fleet

MSC Cruises

MSC offers sailings from North American ports like Miami, New York City and Orlando, Florida, though the majority of its voyages depart from international locales. But even if you have to fly to a foreign port, you'll save money over a typical land vacation abroad. Mediterranean sailings can start at around $100 per person, and the line offers several deals and money-saving packages.

• 3.79 Overall Rating
• 22 Ships in Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival specializes in budget-friendly fun, offering frequent, significant discounts on already low prices. In fact, itineraries for around $200 per person are the norm. Access to most of the ships' activities won't cost a penny, but keep in mind that some extras (like specialty restaurants, beverages and certain attractions) aren't covered in fares.

• 3.90 Overall Rating

Norwegian Cruise Line

With its popular, frequently running Free at Sea program, Norwegian offers travelers discounts on Wi-Fi, excursions, alcohol, airfare and more on top of its already low prices. And, similar to luxury lines, Norwegian ditches steadfast rules like assigned dining times, but costs a fraction of the price.

• 3.97 Overall Rating
• 19 Ships in Fleet

Cunard Line

While you may not expect to find a more opulent line like Cunard on this list, the cruise provider has a surprising number of relatively reasonable fares for upcoming sailings. Travelers can fully enjoy the line's old-world elegance knowing that room service, onboard activities and most dining options are included in the base price.

• 4.07 Overall Rating

Costa Cruises

A member of the Carnival family, Costa Cruises is primarily based in Europe. The fleet offers lower rates than its competitors, particularly for its Mediterranean itineraries (think: fares starting at less than $100 per person). Although it offers family-friendly amenities, Costa's ships are also well-suited to adults, with various entertainment options like theater shows and casinos.

• 3.50 Overall Rating
• 8 Ships in Fleet

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Two dozen United Airlines passengers fell ill on flight, had been on cruise

Around two dozen passengers fell ill on a United Airlines flight from Vancouver, Canada to Houston, Texas on Friday.

Approximately 25 people traveling in a group of 75 had nausea, according to Capt. Sedrick Robinett of the Houston Fire Department. HFD evaluated three passengers upon the plane’s arrival at George Bush Intercontinental Airport but none were transported to the hospital, he said.

“Several passengers who had been on the same cruise and did not feel well were on United Flight 1528 from Vancouver to Houston Friday night,” United told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The airline did not answer a question about what cruise line or ship the flyers had been traveling on before their flight.

“United Airlines is actively coordinating with health authorities to address the situation,” the airline’s statement continued. “As a precautionary measure, the aircraft will be removed from service and go through a deep cleaning before returning to service. Ensuring the health and safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”

Is there a doctor on board?: Usually, yes. Here's why.

The Houston Health Department referred a request for comment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Public health officers from CDC’s Houston Port Health Station worked with EMS to evaluate ill passengers on board," a CDC spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "Most of the ill passengers reported mild GI symptoms. No passengers were noted to have a fever during the flight or upon public health assessment at landing. No passengers met CDC criteria for further public health follow-up. Passengers from the flight continued with their travel plans."

The news comes after dozens of passengers on a Condor flight from Mauritius to Frankfurt, Germany mysteriously became sick with nausea and vomiting last month.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

I drove Chevy's new Equinox EV. It's a much-needed addition to the electric crossover market.

• The Equinox EV is a solid addition to the electric crossover market.
• I found that Super Cruise elevates the experience behind the wheel.
• The Equinox EV is priced and designed to compete directly with Tesla's mass-market cars.

There's another electric Chevrolet crossover on the market as the bowtie brand leans into EVs while others are pulling back.

I got to take the new all-electric Chevrolet Equinox on a quick drive in Metro Detroit last week, and I came away impressed with the little hatchback's performance.

Two trims of the Equinox EV are available on dealer lots today, with a starting price of $43,295. That's a new, much-needed option in the sub-$50,000 price range for EVs. GM is also promising even cheaper options for the Equinox later this year, with a base model that starts at $34,995.

The Equinox EV has an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles. Its DC fast-charging capability of up to 150 kW enables 77 miles of range to be added in 10 minutes of charging, according to GM estimates.

The Equinox EV also boasts plenty of cargo space, with 57.2 cubic feet of storage with the second row folded down. This little Tesla fighter is also priced and designed to compete directly with Model 3 and Model Y.

This little Tesla fighter , priced and designed to compete directly with Model 3 and Model Y, delivered a smooth ride on GM's pre-selected course that included surface road and highway driving.

The Tesla influence on the Equinox EV is undeniable

The first things I noticed as I approached the Equinox EV were the door handles . When the vehicle is locked, the handles lay flush with the door. Unlocked, they pop out like a level to pull and open the door.

This is a direct nod to Tesla, which originated this door handle design. On a Tesla, cold weather does seem to cause trouble for these mechanical door handles. Chevy says it has addressed this with an ice-breaking algorithm built into the door handles, but I didn't get to test that on a mostly sunny 75-degree day.

The styling on the Equinox EV turns a milquetoast mom car into a stylish prowler

The gas-powered Equinox is one of many boring crossovers in Chevrolet's portfolio. The layman might not be able to distinguish it from a Trax or a Blazer .

But the electrified version is designed to stand out, with a hood that swoops down to narrow headlights, helping give the crossover a menacing stance. More sculpting around the back wheels also gives it a wider appearance, too, making it more distinct from its gas-powered counterpart.

Sleeker design is a must-have in the electric crossover market, which also includes lookers like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Mustang Mach-E .

Unlike the sparse Tesla models, Equinox EV has buttons, nobs, and vents that accent the space

I've always found the sparse interior of the Model 3 and Model Y to feel a bit cavernous, so I was glad to see a lot of accenting and design cues built into the Equinox EV's interior.

Some trims also have more fun color combinations for the leather seating to add a bit of personality inside the car.

Still, overall I found the interior of the electric car to be somewhat underwhelming. I've sat in a lot of Chevrolet interiors over the years, this one didn't feel all that different or special.

Super Cruise elevates the experience in the Equinox EV

While the Equinox EV's interior leaves a bit to be desired, the optional Super Cruise hands-free technology elevates the driving experience to make the Equinox EV feel more special than your average crossover.

I sat back and enjoyed the sunny ride on the highway while Super Cruise navigated traffic.

The Equinox EV is a solid addition to the electric crossover market, but Chevy has a lot to prove with Ultium

Overall, I enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the Equinox EV. It delivers the zippy ride you expect from a battery-powered car, and Chevrolet's engineers have tuned the car to hug corners and feel smooth and stable out on the road.

There aren't a ton of extra frills or surprises, but the Equinox EV gave me just about everything I would want out of an electric crossover — the type of EV I'd be most likely to add to my own driveway.

But I can't help but wonder how some of the troubles with the Ultium technology in the Blazer rollout will affect its chances up against Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla. Electric car customers today are less patient than the techy early adopters who pioneered the market.

Chevrolet is hoping to take advantage of this shift in customer preferences with its trusted reputation as a legacy brand, flooding the market with EVs while others are pulling back. But the Blazer's messy launch, which included a stop-sale to repair software issues , might have an effect on how even the most loyal Chevrolet owner views the Equinox EV.

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