| Cruising is one of the best ways to spend your | | | | take the cruise ship to its new destination and then |
| vacation, but it often comes at a steep price. Still, if | | | | fly back home when you're done visiting there. Call |
| you know a few secrets, you won't have to pay a | | | | your favorite cruise line and see if they offer any |
| whole lot to enjoy a trip to your favorite exotic | | | | "repositioning cruises." They can last from a few days |
| locale. Use the following tips to get a great deal on | | | | to a few weeks and have unique itineraries with lots |
| the cruise you've been looking for. | | | | of days at sea. |
| There are several different ways that you can save | | | | 4. You can save even more money by traveling as a |
| when you are booking. Any one of these options will | | | | group. Group cruise packages are often less per |
| save you money on your overall cruise costs. | | | | person than the costs would be if you cruise alone or |
| 1. First, you can save money by booking your cruise | | | | as a couple. If you can gather a group of eight to |
| several months in advance. Most cruise lines offer an | | | | twelve people, you can sometimes get a free room. |
| "early bird discount." You can get these discounts by | | | | Split the costs among the entire group and you can |
| contacting a cruise line six to nine months before you | | | | all save. |
| plan on leaving. This can also help save your budget | | | | 5. There are off-season periods for all of the popular |
| because you'll have several months to pay off the | | | | cruise destinations. Don't try to travel during the busy |
| balance on your account. Instead of paying one lump | | | | times of year. Early May to late September is |
| sum for your cruise, you can make small installment | | | | off-season for Alaskan cruises. European cruises are |
| payments. | | | | cheapest before and after summer. Caribbean cruises |
| 2. You can also save money on a cruise by booking a | | | | have the best prices during the month of January. Do |
| last minute cruise. Cruise ships don't want to leave | | | | a bit of research on the popular times to travel and |
| the harbor with empty rooms. They will give great | | | | then plan your trip for an off-peak season. |
| bargains in order to get those rooms filled. The closer | | | | 6. Don't be afraid to consult with a travel agent. |
| the departure date gets, the better the price. If you | | | | Although there is a bit of a belief that travel agents |
| choose your date, start looking a few weeks before | | | | have more expensive rates, a qualified travel agent |
| the trip. With this method, however, you'll be limited | | | | can find a good deal for you based on your budget. |
| in your cabin choice. You'll have to take what you can | | | | They can be especially helpful if you're going the |
| get. | | | | group route. Instead of trying to organize the |
| 3. Another cheap booking method is to take a | | | | arrangements yourself, you can simply let a travel |
| one-way cruise. These are offered when a cruise | | | | agent do it for you. |
| ship is changing port cities for the season. You can | | | | |