| Going on a cruise was once an easy thing to arrange. | | | | 4. Take a look at the cruise booking Web sites. |
| All you had to do was go to your travel agent and | | | | There are cruise discount agencies that may have |
| look at a few brochures. But as the industry has | | | | the cheapest cruise rates to be found anywhere, |
| grown it has become an overwhelming mix of | | | | whether you want a luxury cruise or budget cruise. |
| itineraries, cruise packages, choices add-ons and | | | | Huge travel Web sites such as Orbitz, Expedia and |
| prices. So how do you look through and search for all | | | | Travelocity usually have great deals too. You can also |
| the available information to find the best cruise deal? | | | | find last-minute cruise deals too. The cruise Web |
| The following tips will help you find the best cruise | | | | sites' prices are usually fairly similar. And the travel |
| and save you money. | | | | sites are usually similar but somewhat higher. Make |
| 1. The busiest season has always been January | | | | sure to ask about any additional, secret or hidden |
| through March. This is when the cruise industry books | | | | fees, such as cancellation penalties. These can cost |
| the most cruises. Cruise lines usually make about 38 | | | | between $40 and $85. |
| percent of their yearly sales at this time. This is the | | | | 5. Make sure to check with your cruise travel agent. |
| best time to find many hot or last minute deals | | | | Some people prefer to work with a travel agent or |
| because they offer a lot of incentives. | | | | are not savvy about researching online. Find out if |
| 2. Make sure to start well ahead of your vacation or | | | | they charge a consulting fee before you meet. Some |
| holiday time if you can unless you want a last minute | | | | fees are usually refundable if they book your cruise. |
| cruise deal. First of all you should call the cruise line | | | | When you get together with the travel agent, say |
| you are most interested in and ask for the cruise line | | | | exactly what you want and that you're comparing |
| rep about any of their cruises and the staterooms. | | | | prices. Your local travel agent can be very helpful if |
| You can ask about handicapped-equipped staterooms | | | | you have disabilities, health problems, special needs or |
| then if this is a special need. You can always do this | | | | need visas or other documents. |
| later after you do some research too. | | | | 6. Think about placing a "cruise wanted" ad on |
| Find out what specials they have running and make | | | | Craigslist online. Be specific and detailed about what |
| sure to tell them how old you are and what state | | | | you want. Then sit back and wait for replies. |
| you live in or if you're traveling with a group of | | | | 7. Once you have a number of cruise line or cruise |
| people or another couple or have cruised with their | | | | package quotes compare them and try to negotiate |
| cruise line in the past. Does it include your airfare? Do | | | | a lower price, extra discounts or some onboard |
| you need a family deal? This is because your specific | | | | extras. |
| situation may entitle you for big discounts. Take | | | | Note that if you're getting the same quote from |
| whatever the quote given to you by the cruise line | | | | your travel agent that you're getting from the cruise |
| rep as your starting price point. | | | | line then you need to continue shopping for the best |
| 3. Next check out the Sunday newspaper ads in the | | | | quote - your travel agent isn't saving you any money. |
| travel section and look for cruise bargains. The bigger | | | | The best cruise deal is out there that is just right for |
| city newspapers and the newspapers located in or | | | | you and will save you money on your vacation too |
| near cruise embarkation cities are great for finding | | | | regardless if you're going to Alaska, Mexico, the |
| good or cheap cruise deals. You can go to your local | | | | Caribbean, Hawaii, the Bahamas, or Bermuda. You |
| library to view the ads if they carry those news | | | | just need to do a little research and don't take the |
| papers. Some daily newspapers even have there | | | | first deal you see. |
| travel ads online. | | | | |