At the end of some vacpack presentations, reps offer a "bonus" that includes a cruise certificate — usually for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line or Carnival. Sounds incredible. Usually isn't.
The Fine Print
Cruise certificates typically have:
- Port fees and taxes not included ($200-$400 per person)
- Beverages excluded
- Gratuities excluded ($15-$25 per person per day)
- Cabin upgrades excluded
- Use-by dates (often 12-18 months)
- Blackout dates (peak weeks excluded)
- Single supplement if traveling solo
A "free cruise" certificate often costs $400-$800 out of pocket to actually use. That's not free.
The Two Brands With Real Cruise Credits
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line — Some vacpack certificates fully cover a 2-day round-trip Fort Lauderdale to Freeport cruise. Port fees and taxes ($99 per person) still apply, but no other surcharges. Usable and fair.
Carnival (via Wyndham certificates) — Wyndham occasionally includes Carnival cruise credit with vacpacks. Value is $200-$400 applied to a new booking. Real money, real usable.
The Ones to Skip
- "Caribbean Cruise Certificate" — generic, usually Paradise or worse
- "Cruise Travel Voucher" — often $100-$200 discount only, not a free cruise
- "Cruise Getaway Package" — often requires $200-$400 upgrade fee
How to Verify
Before leaving the resort, read the certificate terms. Ask specifically:
- What's the total out-of-pocket cost to use this?
- What's the use-by date?
- Which cruise lines accept it?
- Any blackout dates?
If the answer to #1 is >$200 per person, decline politely. You can usually get the same cruise price by booking direct with the cruise line.
Vacpack + Cruise Stacking
A smarter approach: book a vacpack at Cocoa Beach or Fort Lauderdale before a cruise departure. Spend 3-4 nights at a resort, then embark. The vacpack saves $500-$1,000 on your pre-cruise hotel, and you don't need a sketchy cruise certificate.
Browse Cocoa Beach vacpacks — near Port Canaveral where most Caribbean cruises depart.