{"id":11125,"date":"2023-04-01T13:30:20","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T13:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/01\/can-you-save-money-booking-your-cruise-through-costco-travel-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2023-04-01T13:30:20","modified_gmt":"2023-04-01T13:30:20","slug":"can-you-save-money-booking-your-cruise-through-costco-travel-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/01\/can-you-save-money-booking-your-cruise-through-costco-travel-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you save money booking your cruise through Costco Travel? – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Deal hunters know that Costco Travel is an under-the-radar hit for finding travel deals. For folks who prefer to vacation at sea, Costco cruise deals can be among the most lucrative offers you can find.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because low fares and value-added extras are hallmarks of Costco cruise bookings. Combine that with generally friendly service from the warehouse club\u2019s travel agents, and you might have another way to get maximum value out of your membership.<\/p>\n

What are the benefits of booking a cruise through Costco, and how do Costco\u2019s cruise prices compare with cruise line pricing? I went online to road-test the booking platform. Here\u2019s what I learned.<\/p>\n

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG\u2019s cruise newsletter<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of booking a cruise through Costco<\/h2>\n

First things first (because I\u2019ve seen people misinterpret this): a Costco cruise is a sailing booked through Costco Travel. Costco does not operate its own branded cruise line where the buffet line serves Kirkland hot dogs and churros and all cabins are equipped with Lovesac beanbag chairs. (That would be epic, though.)<\/p>\n

Related: 5 unexpected places that sell cruises<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The main benefit of booking a cruise through Costco is that every booking comes with a Digital Costco Shop Card and\/or onboard credit.<\/p>\n

Also, if you\u2019re an Executive Member, you earn 2% back on qualifying Costco purchases (up to $1,000), including many travel purchases. With cruises, you\u2019d earn the 2% back on the cruise fare but not on the taxes, fees, auto-gratuities, other surcharges and trip protection.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s free money for you to spend, either in a Costco warehouse or on the ship \u2013 especially as Costco cruises typically have competitive fares. It\u2019s not like you\u2019re paying more than you would by booking directly and getting the difference in Costco money.<\/p>\n

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This brings me to my second point. Typically, Costco Travel offers competitive rates on cruises, so you can either find a discounted deal or at least pay a similar rate offered by other travel sellers.<\/p>\n

Finally, Costco offers \u201cBuyer\u2019s Choice\u201d and \u201cKirkland Signature\u201d cruise deals, which offer \u201cexclusive savings and included extras,\u201d according to the Costco Cruises website. The added-value perks vary by cruise line but may include shipboard credit, complimentary dinners and spa treatments on board and special wine and culinary theme cruise access with exclusive meals, tastings and demos.<\/p>\n

My quick search through these deals revealed that Costco\u2019s Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises usually have the most added freebies. Norwegian cruises even feature free perks, such as a photo package or spa credit, that are combinable with the line\u2019s Free at Sea value-adds offered to everyone. Celebrity cruise deals were the ones centered around food-and-wine theme cruise perks, while Costco Carnival cruise deals typically offer both onboard credit and a Costco shop card.<\/p>\n

Related: The best cruise booking perks \u2013 and which ones are actually free<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I was not surprised to see that you could book Disney cruises through Costco, but they are not eligible for either Kirkland Signature or Buyer\u2019s Choice deals.<\/p>\n

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Costco cruise prices<\/h2>\n

Costco Travel boasts \u201cexclusive Costco member rates,\u201d but are you really getting a deal? I priced out three sailings on different cruise lines to see how much you could potentially save by booking a Costco cruise.<\/p>\n

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