Cruise liners offering hot new deals to combat the cost of living crisis

Cruise liners are offering up some affordable deals as cost of living pressures force Aussie families to delay much-needed holiday plans.

Cruise liners are offering up some major holiday deals, as interest rate hikes and cost of living pressures force Aussie families to reassess their spending habits.

New research from P & O Cruises has revealed the sixth interest rate rise on Tuesday of 0.25 of a percentage point was biting Aussie household budgets, with more than 43 per cent of families without a holiday booked in next six months.

More than half blamed rising interest rates for delaying their holiday plans.

Soaring petrol prices, grocery bills and general cost of living increases are also having an impact, as inflationary pressures eat into discretionary income.

“We know that 85 per cent of us will spend the same, if not less than before, on holidaying due to the rising cost of living,” financial expert Canna Campbell said.

P & O Cruises are offering the chance for kids travel for free. Picture: Supplied / P & O Cruises

“However, after two years of lockdowns, a well-deserved break is exactly what Aussies are craving,” Ms Campbell said.

The data also revealed transit time and hidden costs were becoming a major turn off when booking a holiday.

Over 40 per cent said the additional cost to participate in activities once they reached their destination was also having an impact.

Cruising offers holiday-makers an affordable alternative. Picture: Supplied / P & O Cruises

P & O Cruises Vice President of Sales and Marketing Australia, Ryan Taibel, said P&O Cruises was doing everything it could to ensure Aussies could still afford a trip away.

To help combat the cost of living crisis, P & O is offering families a chance to secure a cabin for just $49 per person until October 15, and for all bookings made between 5–18 October, the on board credit will be doubled from $300 to $600.

Cruise liners are offering some fantastic deals for October. Picture: iStock

Under their upcoming Kids Cruise Free sale, Australians can buy two adult fares and the third and fourth guests travel free.

There is no age limit on the third and fourth guests.

Royal Caribbean is also offering affordable deals including 30 per cent off plus a balcony upgrade for any bookings made during October.

Almost half of Aussie families are delaying their holiday plans. Picture: Royal Caribbean

The cruise liner is also offering an eight night cruise from Brisbane on Quantum of the Seas to islands of the South Pacific from $1199 per person, as well as a 3-night sampler cruise from Brisbane on Quantum of the Season from $499 per person.

While Disney’s new Disney Magic at Sea cruise is not being discounted, the cruise liner said it had been popular. But there were some tickets still up for sale.

The cruise varies from two to six nights, departing from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.