Booking a cruise vacation just got easier. Expedia Group has partnered with Flex Pay, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service, to introduce flexible payment options for travelers in the United States and Canada.
This new feature allows travelers to finance their cruise bookings through simple monthly installments, making dream vacations more accessible than ever.
Through the new partnership, Expedia Cruises, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com, and Cheaptickets.com will now offer Flex Pay as a financing option, giving travelers more control over their budgets.
Whether setting sail in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or on a European river cruise, vacationers can now cruise first and pay later.
“We believe travel should be accessible to everyone,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia Cruises at Expedia Group.
“With the introduction of Flex Pay, we’re not just offering payment options; we’re opening doors to experiences that once may have seemed out of reach. By allowing travelers to spread costs over time, we’re making dream cruises more attainable and enabling the exploration of the world on one’s own terms.”
With the rising demand for flexible payment solutions, Expedia’s latest move aims to make cruise vacations more affordable. Flex Pay, a product of Upgrade, Inc., enables travelers to spread their payments across 3 to 24 months, with no-interest financing options available.
The partnership builds upon Flex Pay’s successful track record in travel financing, particularly in the cruise sector, where flexible payment solutions have led to a 15-25% increase in booking volume and order value.
Cruise Now, Pay Later: How It Works
Booking a cruise through Expedia Group with Flex Pay is designed to be a seamless process:
- Travelers select a cruise from over 20 cruise brands available through Expedia’s platforms.
- At checkout, they can choose Flex Pay as their payment method.
- Payments are split into manageable installments over a period of 3 to 24 months.
- Some financing options include no-interest plans, making it even more budget-friendly.
This feature ensures that more travelers can book their dream cruise without the immediate financial burden.
Boosting the Cruise Industry
The cruise industry is experiencing a strong rebound, and flexible financing options are playing a significant role in encouraging more travelers to book. According to Flex Pay President Tom Botts, the company’s cruise division saw a 23% year-over-year growth in bookings in 2024, driven by increased volume and higher order values.
By offering onboard financing options in addition to BNPL solutions, Flex Pay is helping cruise lines attract more customers and increase revenue while giving travelers the chance to enjoy premium experiences without upfront costs.
“We are excited that Expedia Group has chosen Flex Pay, the leader in travel BNPL, to power their cruise booking,” said Tom Botts, President of Flex Pay.
“This partnership builds on the success of our cruise division, which achieved a 23% year-over-year growth in bookings in 2024, driven by both increased volume and order value. With products like no-interest loans and on-board financing, we take pride in helping partners like Expedia Group and their cruise lines expand their reach, attract more customers, and boost revenue.”
