- 1). DISCOUNT TRAVEL SITES: Discount travel sites are a great tool for finding cheap cruises. It's extremely rare to find the lowest available deal directly from the cruise line. Check their rate to get started, then compare prices at the many discount travel sites available on the web. See the links below to Travelocity.com, expedia.com, lastminutecruises.com and cruisecheap.com to get started. Remember that many of these sites have loyalty programs, so you may be able to lock in special discounts by booking with a site you know you'll use again.
- 2). LOYALTY PROGRAMS: Loyalty programs are a great way to find cheap cruises with a cruise line you know and trust. If you plan to take cruises regularly and have a favorite cruise line, loyalty programs can bring you booking discounts, free meals and VIP invitations.
- 3). BE A SHAREHOLDER: Being a shareholder for your favorite cruise line can help you lock in discounts and other onboard perks.
- 4). OFF SEASON: Book off season by selecting either the first or last weeks of your cruise run. In exchange, you may find that the weather during the beginning and end of the season is less desirable.
- 5). BOOK EARLY: Booking early is a bit of a gamble between yourself and the cruise line. They won't drop to their lowest prices yet, but if you wait until the cruise is almost full, prices could spike. The cruise line is also gambling on whether the price of fuel will go up or down when they set their cruise prices for early buyers. Buying early may be a great way to find deals during peak season, or on limited supply balcony rooms and suites.
- 6). BOOK LAST MINUTE: Booking last minute can result in huge savings, as cruise lines lower their prices to avoid sailing with rooms left empty. Several of the discount travel sites listed in the resources below dedicate special sections to last minute cruise deals. While some last minute cruises are booked within a week of departure date, it is possible to lock in huge deals a couple months in advance of the cruise's departure.
- 7). CHOOSE AN INSIDE CABIN: Selecting an inside cabin can save you a bundle. Cruise ships are full of quiet spots and scenic views to spend a quiet moment. Use them for down time and your tiny room will only be needed for a spot to sleep and store your things. That said, before booking a room, take a look at the ship map and make sure it's not close to a stairway or bordering loud ship machinery.
SHARE
