This Is Why Everyone’s Booking Costco Cruises

With their buying power and exclusive partnerships with major cruise lines, Costco offers members access to a broad array of prices and cruise itineraries that will make you shout "Bon Voyage!" from the top deck.

Costco Cruises makes planning your seafaring adventure a breeze. Their experienced travel experts will guide you at every step, including choosing the perfect itinerary, right down to booking shore excursions, and on-board activity days. All the nitty-gritty will be taken off your hands, leaving you free to sway in the ocean's arms as you daydream about those sun-soaked days and starry nights ahead.

What are Costco Cruises?

Imagine this: me, lying on a deck chair bathed in sunshine, holding a fruity cocktail with a tiny umbrella (of course!), and the breeze crossing over the ocean waving my hair. Sounds like a fairy tale, huh? Well, thanks to Costco Cruises, this dream came to life for me, and it can for you too!

And, well, fellow Costco members, I know we're both out there searching for spectacular deals and exclusives on anything. Well, then, Costco Cruises is exactly where you need to be—the one place to book any kind of cruise available, from epic ocean voyages to tranquil river cruises. And with Costco, you know without a doubt that you're getting a fantastic value.

Here is an overview of what you can look forward to in the way of different types of cruises:

Ocean Cruises: Picture yourself on this gigantic ship—a size larger than life (and, of course, any Costco warehouse back home!), floating in the vast expanse of an ocean to some of the world's greatest paradises, such as the Caribbean, Alaska, or even that Mediterranean adventure. Onboard, there are several activities at breakneck speed—spectacular Broadway-style shows and live music, rock climbing walls, and water slides. It is the best non-stop roller-coaster at high seas!
River Cruises: Looking for something a little more relaxed and personal? Then river cruises might be just right. Picture yourself cruising along silent rivers, winding your way through tiny, picturesque villages and vineyards—like some type of vastly amped-up European vacation next level in scenery, cultural immersion, and wine tasting.
Luxury Cruises: For those who would like to travel in comfort and style, luxury cruises do deck up their services. Honestly, don't they? Luxury cruises have pampering and indulging oneself written all over them. Think world-class cuisine served with gusto, handymax personalized butler service, or suites that truly deliver luxury—a second to some, only to the best five-star hotels. Never has there been a better way to celebrate something special or to spoil oneself with an unforgettably great voyage.
Popular destinations: It really allows you unlimited versatility with Costco Cruises. Trust me, the oysters onboard are not so shabby. You could travel through or to the Caribbean beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, Alaska with its midnight glaciers and wildlife galore, the Mediterranean with ancient ruins next to mouthwatering cuisine, Europe with its castles, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets, or even Asia with its vibrant cultures alive amidst the overwhelmingly booming cities. No matter where your heart desires to wander, Costco Cruises has a destination that's sure to float your boat.

Benefits of Booking with Costco Cruises

Now, let's get into those nitty-gritty details of why booking your cruise through Costco really is the smart thing to do:

Free Access to RedCircles: You are not just a Passenger, but a VIP!

Remember that trusty Costco membership card you use to stock up on bulk snacks and toilet paper? Well, it's about to become your golden ticket to VIP treatment at sea. When you book a cruise through Costco, you will unlock a treasure trove of exclusive perks available to members alone; a true vacation of your dreams.

And look at it this way: you are definitely not like just another one of those passengers; you are a Costco VIP. Of course, as a Costco Travel VIP, only the best treatment befits you.

That is why on Costco Cruises you will enjoy the following: onboard credits—spa treatments and specialty dining, here you come! — room upgrades, because who doesn't like a bit more room? — and even free shore excursions: explore like a local. In other words, it's your Costco membership saying, "You deserve to get pampered, my friend!"

Special Offers and Promotions Only for You

Who doesn't love a good deal? With Costco Cruises, you'll cruise away with savings galore. They have great limited-time offers and other promotions that aren't available with anybody else. For example now, they have a "Hot Buy" deal on select Royal Caribbean cruises that will bring you a complimentary spa treatment and $25 dining credit with purchase plus a Costco Shop Card.

They also have the cruises called "Buyer's Choice" and "Kirkland Signature," with added value and special deals where you abstract a bit from what is included—such as specialty dinners for four, a soda package for two, or popular onboard restaurants for private lunch or dinner.

Added Value Services:

However, that's not all. Costco adds one more fortunate detail to your vacation package. They provide various facilitation services that make your vacation experience very easy and pleasant. For instance, they offer booking of low-rate tickets for flights for you, whether before or after part of the cruise, along with hotel accommodation at a relatively competitive price.

Also, they will help one coordinate with port transportation and might even offer some kind of traveler's insurance for the sake of one's peace of mind. It's like having your private travel agency having the added service level of Costco.

This all combined with the general pricing of most Costco Cruises brought a bit more value: on-board credits, generally applied against the price of drinks, spa services, or shore excursions. Some even have complimentary Wi-Fi or beverage packages, so you can stay busy and hydrated without extra charges.

How to Book a Costco Cruise

Booking through Costco Cruises is transparent and simple. I am dedicated to walking you through step-by-step.

Check Your Membership: Make sure your Costco membership is up to date. You wouldn't wish to lose out on the benefits available to its members, would you?
Browse Selection: Head to the Costco Travel website—or app—and begin searching the plethora of cruises to choose from. Then filter the search results using any combination of: destination, cruise line, departure date, budget, etc..
Compare and Pick Boating through the numerous itineraries and cruise lines, make sure you read the descriptions accurately and carefully, look through all the pictures of the inside and outside of the boats, and compare the prices. And remember, your perfect cruise might be just around the corner!
Contact a Costco Travel Agent once you have hammered out some of the short-listed cruise deals. They're reasonably knowledgeable in anything to do with cruises and will guide you toward the best that matches your preferences and budget. They also might find you some of those deals not available online.
Book Your Cruise: Once you make your selection, your Costco Travel agent will take care of all the details like booking, flights, accommodations, and any extra service you would need. They will organize everything you might want, including dietary provisions and any cabins allocated to guests with special needs.
Get Ready to Set Sail: With your booking confirmed, all you need to do now is pack your bag and prepare for an incredible adventure at sea.

Tips of Scoring the Hottest Discounts

Be flexible: flexible dates open up the best chance for better deals when visiting. Prices can usually present themselves at the best, cheapest, unfavorable time of the year.
Book Early: The early bird catches the worm—or in this case, the best cruise deals! Booking earlier will give you wider options, sometimes a booking discount, bonus perks, or price protection guarantees.
If you are a spontaneous traveler, be on the lookout for last-minute deals. These can provide, or even require, huge savings but more often than not with snap decisions requiring immediate flexibility in your travel plans.
Consider a Repositioning Cruise: These are when a cruise line relocates a ship from one region to another. And they usually come equipped with attractive price tags too since these kinds of cruises have low prices after they are focused on getting the ship to its new homeport.

Important Considerations Prior to Reservation

Dates of Travel: Choose your dates of travel according to a combination of your free time, the availability and free time of your fellow travelers, the dates of school holidays, and work schedules.
Cruise Line Reputation: Do some research on the various cruise lines, and find the one that fits best with the style of your travel and your desires. Some things to consider include the list of typical amenities, dining options, and entertainment, as well as a general ambiance.
Schedule Overview: Select an itinerary with the different travel destinations you're interested in. Please review cruise length, ports of call, and activities available at each stop.
Budget: Establish a realistic budget for your cruise vacation and make sure you stick to it. Don't forget to account for most likely airfares, port shore excursions, tips, and almost any onboard expenses.
Travel Insurance: Explore the possibility of obtaining travel insurance in order to reduce potential unexpected turns of events, such as travel cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

With these top tips and best factors to consider, now you're in with a fighting chance of booking the perfect Costco cruise for the ultimate vacation.

Popular Cruise Lines and Ships Offered by Costco

Costco Cruises has partnered with the majority of the most respective cruise lines, each one being uniquely different for different taste and preferences. Speaking personally, I have had the opportunity to be able to experience some and each has its own vibe going on.

Royal Caribbean: All right, this one blows any of them out of the water. Think of these ships as built out as little mini-amusement parks with so much adrenaline. Think zip lines, surf simulators, ice skating rinks, even a carousel on deck. On my most recent Royal Caribbean cruise, I finally summoned my courage to give the Ultimate Abyss a proper try—the tallest slide at sea. I'm telling you this: it was a thrill indeed! However, if you are more attuned to a more subdued experience while on vacation, there are plenty of pools, spas, and Broadway-style theatrics happening.
Carnival Cruise Line: is simply fun—a lot of fun. Their ships reek of fun, with all its letters capitalized; from comedy shows and live music to theme parties, there is no way I am not going to enjoy. I have also been pretty impressed by the numerous options for dining; there really is something for every craving, from Guy Fieri's Burger Joint to the Seafood Shack.
Norwegian Cruise Line: If like me, you like your holidays easy and stress-free, then Norwegian Cruise Line is the last box to square. With their free cruising concept, do everything on board according to your time — no fixed schedule or dress code to maintain. The ships provide an endless number of activities, ranging from bowling alleys to go-kart tracks, Broadway shows to comedy clubs. You'll never have a dull moment!
Celebrity Cruises: The Celebrities are very stylish and sophisticated in their cruise. People are known for the chic décor in its vessels and gourmet dining matched by full-service. On my Celebrity cruise, I was indeed floating and dining like a king. They even offer enrichment programs such as cooking and wine-tasting classes.
Disney Cruise Line: Traveling with children or just being a child at heart will only find one cruise liner to suit their every fancy: Disney Cruise Line. With all Disney liners, the magic is expected aboard, but this time, meet and eat with your favorite Disney characters, and enjoy Broadway performances sourced from Disney classics.

These are only a few of the numerous cruise lines partnering with Costco Cruises. I am confident that no matter what your style is, you will find a ship and an itinerary that is perfectly made for your liking.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Don't just take my word for it – let's hear what other Costco members have to say about their unforgettable experiences with Costco Cruises.

The general feeling among Costco members is that booking through Costco Cruises is truly a gamechanger. Many talk about the incredible value they receive, often finding that the vacation they book through Costco Cruises is significantly more affordable than one they book through any other channel.

Here's what some happy cruisers have to say:

"Costco Travel provided an awesome value opportunity in our cruise: we upgraded to a stateroom and received onboard credit to be able to spend while sailing. The folks are extremely helpful, and the reps are well informed and very responsive to the needs of the traveler." — John D.
"We have booked quite a few cruises through Costco and are always happy with the service and value. Their onboard credits and other perks are pretty valuable, and the agents are very patient and ready to help." —Sarah K.
"Our Costco Alaska cruise was a dream! The itinerary, the ship, and the service overall were fantastic. Plus, we saw whales breaching right from our balcony! We can't wait to book our next adventure with Costco." — Emily L.

Some of the most common praises for Costco Cruises include:

Money's Worth: Costco members never fail to appreciate the value in exclusive discounts from Costco Cruises.
The quality of service is excellent according to members, knowledgeable and friendly Costco Travel agents provide easy booking experience and make all efforts to ensure that every vacation value is great.
Attention to detail: Costco Cruises is rated high in its nature for attending even to the minor of detail.
General satisfaction: The vast majority of Costco members are very satisfied with the experience of purchasing a cruise through Costco, and they find this process to be easy and enjoyable.

Exceptional Testimonials:

A very attractive testimonial comes from a couple who booked a honeymoon cruise: "Go ahead and get Costco travel. That's how special they made our honeymoon. Along with the present of an onboard Champagne toast with chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to our stateroom, we went on to get a complimentary couples massage at the ship's spa. It was like heaven—both of us—to start our life together."

Another said, "This vacation swept us all off our feet! Costco Cruises makes the dreaded process of planning the ideal set of activities to keep every family member entertained a cakewalk with a cornucopia of cruise liners to choose from—activities starting from kids clubs and waterslides to broadway shows and fine dining. And then, it was the best family vacation we have had!"

How to Get the Most out of Your Costco Cruise

As someone who's been there and done that (and rocked the heck out of a life jacket fashion show!), I'm here to share some insider tips to help you maximize your Costco Cruise experience.

Tips on Planning:

Reserve Early: Believe me, you won't like it when you don't get what you want in a cabin. Reserve your cruise much earlier, secure the best selection, and nip that early bird discount. I learned that lesson the hard way when I waited way too long to reserve my cabin for a Mediterranean cruise and wound up right next to the engine room (let's just say it wasn't the most peaceful slumber!).
Research Your Destinations: Before you even set foot on the boat, you probably would have researched your itinerary's ports of call. You want to know what to expect—be it gorgeous beaches, ancient ruins, or vibrant markets. This will come in handy as you develop shore excursions that will help you extract the best from your time in the port of call. After all, who wants to miss out on the best gelato in Italy because they didn't do their research?
Smart Packing: The art of cruise packing is balanced somewhere in between never wanting to be the person over-packed with the crazy-heavy case and never wanting to be caught without something you really needed but didn't pack. The wisdom behind smart packing is intended light packing, but don't miss the essential items to pack: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. Also, remember to pack a swimsuit cover-up.
Use Your Onboard Credit: So many of the Costco Cruises come with onboard credit, and our suggestion is to use this for spoiling yourself. Use it in the spa, for specialty dining, shore excursions—whatever; again, possibilities are endless. It is like free money that is going to be spent for fun.

Costco Cruises FAQ:

We are aware that you could have questions regarding Costco Cruises and have compiled below the common questions that most customers ask in passing through the process:

Do I need to be a Costco member to book a Costco Cruise?

Of course! Costco Cruises are a member benefit of Costco.

Is there such a thing as a reservation for a Costco Cruise?

You can easily book your Costco Cruise either online at the Costco Travel website or through your dedicated cruise booking hotline. Their travel agents are quite friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help.

Is there any way to alter or cancel a booking through Costco Cruises?

Yes, you can make changes or cancel that reservation, but policies and fees associated with changes or cancellations will vary by cruise line and the details of the specific booking. We recommend checking the exact terms and conditions prior to booking or to contact the Costco agent for clarification.

What type of credit card does Costco Cruises accept as payment?

Payment will be accepted with the major credit cards and debit cards and Costco Shop Cards. You may even pay with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and earn 3% cash back on your cruise purchase.

Does Costco Travel offer travel insurance to cruises?

Yes, Costco Travel sells travel insurance. Their level of recommendation is quite high, as the company advises that you buy a travel insurance policy, to save you from the unforeseen like trip cancellation, medical emergency, or even lost luggage.

When's the best time to book a Costco Cruise?

There is no one-size-fits-all to the answer but, in general, it's that the earlier you book, the likelier you are to get the cabin you want and to be eligible for early booking discounts. However, Costco Cruises also offers last-minute deals, so it is always worth checking online at their website or with a travel agent for the latest promotions.

Can I book airfare and hotel stays with Costco Travel in addition to my cruise booking?

Absolutely! Costco Travel is a full-service travel agent, and it can help with booking flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and all your other travel needs to complement your cruise vacation. It makes it very convenient for the consumer because everything is under one roof and easily packageable.

There you go! Hopefully your burning questions about Costco Cruises are all answered. For anything else, don't hesitate to ask any Costco Travel agent, who is always eager to help you in putting together that dream vacation cruise.

Conclusion:

To recap, Costco Cruises offers incredible value, exclusive benefits, and a hassle-free booking experience for Costco members. There is a range of cruise lines and itineraries that gives each traveler exactly what they are looking for.

If your ideal vacation destination is a relaxed Caribbean experience or an adventure in Alaska, there is surely an option for you in Costco Cruises. Obtain all the exclusive advantages and best prices—begin searching now for your options and get on board your cruise.